"Love Yourself, Heal Your Life" Workshops

"Heal Your Life" Workshops - Mini 3 Hour Workshops, 1 Day and the Classic 2 Day Workshops are now offered !

A transformational course, the classic 2 day Heal Your Life workshop is based on the teachings & philosophy of Louise L. Hay, and is held world-wide

August 23, 2014

Cabin Fever

It’s Saturday, the sun is shining and at the moment the breeze outside the caravan is cool but tolerable so it’s lovely to be able to sit outside under the shade of the awning and enjoy the morning sunshine.  It seems as though it’s been such a long time since I was able to do that. 

What else can I expect?  It’s winter, and I’m in Melbourne!  It may not be as cold here as in other parts of Victoria, but it’s still cold and lately I’ve been really feeling the grey, wet miserable gloom of a Melbourne winter.  I feel like it’s seeped into my bones and has affected my state of happiness.

I feel like I want to be eating 'something' constantly, yet I’m not really hungry.  Maybe I’m bored?  I’ve always hated that word, ‘bored’, but perhaps that feeling of boredom also comes back to the grey skies and cold weather that have me feeling like I don't really want to do anything or go anywhere? 

In a quiet moment this morning, it occurred to me that perhaps I have been suffering from a common ailment that can sometimes affect Grey Nomads;  It's known as ‘Cabin Fever’ and normally comes from being cooped up inside the caravan for long periods of time when the inclement weather becomes just too awful to spend much time outside. 

I’ve had this topsy-turvy feeling in my moods, incredibly restless and desperate all of a sudden to have a house of my own or a cottage, a unit, in fact anything that has a little bit more space than the inside of our twenty five foot caravan. 

I’ve spent hours, in fact days, weeks even, trolling the internet perusing houses for sale in all of my favourite country towns and then having internal arguments with myself!  Is this really what I want?  Am I ready to give up the Grey Nomad lifestyle in preference for life in a house or cottage in a country town?  Am I really ready to stop travelling?

Perhaps it's just the knowledge that at present we are living in limbo that has me feeling this way? Yes limbo!  That's where my life is at present.  Our lives, really;  both mine and my husband's as we go through this round once more of treatment, scans, more side effects and everything else that consumes your daily thoughts and life as we hope for a cure and and end to his cancer. Recurring cancer is harder in some ways because we know so much more this time round than the first time.   

Who would have thought it would come back?  Certainly not either of us, we were happily travelling along enjoying our travels as well as our farm sits and believing that being in remission would last forever.   I guess two years remission is pretty good?  A permanent cure would be even better though! 

So now the sun is out, for the second day in a row.  Suddenly I feel inspired to actually want to do things.  My time of hibernation might be coming to an end and Spring will be here very soon.  Oh roll on summer !

May 16, 2013

My Unfinished Busy-ness


We’re housesitting on a 1200 acre property in the south-east of South Australia.  Surrounded by majestic red gums and a colourful garden, the house is a beautiful old sandstone homestead with 14 foot ceilings and creaking floorboards that I’m sure must hold untold secrets of a bygone era.

Bertie the cat is curled up beside me on the old leather couch, both us basking in the warmth of the morning sun as it streams through the window.
I'm surrounded by books, in fact if I stop to count the various piles on tables, cabinets, and any bit of spare space around me, there’s actually 37 in total.  All different, all intriguing and many that I would love to immerse myself in.  A small metal plaque screwed to the bottom of a timber bookshelf says "Railway Museum Liverpool Street London", and has me wondering about the story that must accompany that lovely old piece of furniture. 

In the 'front room' - the formal lounge, there are more shelves and more books. In fact I'm overwhelmed and want to read them all, yet my busy brain cant seem to settle long enough to just finish reading one, it’s thirsty for more.  Like a kid in a lolly shop, I keep going from one treat to the next to the next.

I am filled with a desire to create.  Having never been very artistic or creative I have no idea what it is my heart wants to craft.  I have some unfinished tea cosies I’ve been knitting, an ongoing, unfinished tapestry that challenges me to return to it soon, patterns and balls of alpaca yarn wait patiently for me, and I’m suddenly aware that I seem to have a lot of ‘unfinished stuff’ about me, including my practice on the recorder.  I know if I don’t pick that little instrument up soon I’ll start to forget the notes and how to read the little bit of music that I’ve learnt thus far.  Yet my normally active self seems to have temporarily ‘retired’.  Even my usual routine of one hour’s exercise each day has come to a standstill these last few days.  Is it the grey skies that have affected my get-up-and-go?  Because I feel sure it’s got-up-and-went!

I’ve not played or knitted or even stitched for over two weeks, yet this creative yearning doesn’t seem to want to pick up needles or any musical instrument, so they wait patiently for me, and I’m left wondering what it is I need to be doing to satisfy this current crafty, creative yearning? 

How do I go about capturing a little bit of self-discipline?  I’ve tried giving myself a good talking to, I’ve tried walking outside into the sunshine but the wind is cool and the sun has now gone behind a cloud and sends me running back inside.  I’ve tried self-recrimination, scolding and self-loathing and decided that all of those things only make it worse.  Time to start being kind to myself.   Compliments, encouragement and a bit of self-love instead.  Yes that’s sure to get me going.

OK!  That's it! I’m off to DO.
Cheers till next time.

March 3, 2013

Reminiscing with Pooh!



How totally delicious!  I've spent a few hours today singing along with Pooh! Pouring over Winnie the Pooh books, and taking a delightful trip down memory lane.

So much of our childhood was spent in the company of Christopher Robin!  All three of us would sit entranced on the couch in the lounge room (my elder sister Cynthia and brother Andrew), and we'd listen through the crackles on the record being played on the 'radiogramme'.

I can almost 'smell' the timber of that radiogramme.  It had a special kind of smell and so did the records inside the cupboards that housed all the 45's and LP's

How I wish I could SING some of these beautiful songs to you (on second thoughts it's probably just as well that in this forum I cant!).  Amazing and also truly wonderful that after 50+ years I STILL remember all the words of every song!  And  here's a sample:


I could spend a happy morning
Seeing Roo,
I could spend a happy morning
Being Pooh.
For it doesn't seem to matter,
If I don't get any fatter
(And I don't get any fatter),
What I do.

Oh, I like his way of talking,
Yes I do.
It's the nicest way of talking
Just for two.
And a Help-yourself with Rabbit
Though it may become a habit,
Is a pleasant sort of habit
For a Pooh.

I could spend a morning
Seeing Piglet.
And I couldn't spend a happy morning
Not seeing Piglet.
And it doesn't seem to matter
If I don't see Owl and Eeyore
(or any of the others),
And I'm not going to see Owl or Eeyore
(or any of the others)
Or Christopher Robin.

September 5, 2012

Why "Making A Difference" ?


I had cause today to do a little 'reflecting' on my 'journey of Transformation and Personal Development particularly over the last 12 months as I continue my travels throughout Australia.  How blessed I am feeling right now, as a Licensed "Heal Your Life" Workshop Leader to be able to travel this great land, seeing amazing sights AND presenting workshops along the way.  Making A Difference?  Yes absolutely!

I've been a "student" of Personal Development for more than 20 years and through my prior work as a Health & Wellness Consultant I discovered I really loved helping people achieve positive results in their lives.  

Daily working on "me" throughout that period helped me to uncover my purpose in life: to Make A Difference For Others.

Louise L. Hay first came into my life in 2003 in the form of a little self esteem audio.  For almost 12 months I listened to that audio cassette nightly, as it gently and lovingly helped me through a particularly challenging period in my life.

In 2009, after experiencing a severe financial setback through some poor business decisions I'd made, the book "You Can Heal Your Life" came into my hands exactly when I needed it!  I attended a Heal Your Life Workshop soon after and knew by the end of that workshop, that this was the 'work' I wanted to be doing - helping others to also 'peel back the layers' and continuing in my own personal growth along the way.

I'm excited to be able to bring the work of Louise Hay to others,and look forward to sharing a wonderful journey with you!  I invite you to visit my website:  www.MakingADifferenceForOthers.com to find out about the next workshop!

Life Loves You!

"LIFE ON THIS PLANET is an adventure—from the moment we’re born until the time we take our last breath. Life is a madcap caper—scary, exhilarating, boring, peaceful, loving—it’s an escapade. Life is a quest. Life is a thrill. Life is romance. Life is a lark. Life is!

We all experience every emotion possible, and oftentimes, we don’t like being in the game of Life. We can be afraid and try to protect ourselves from criticism. We can hide, but then we may miss the wonderful adventure that’s available to us. Everyone is afraid of something, but we can do it anyway.

Part of the adventure of Life is going through our fears and coming out on the other side—stronger and even more triumphant. No one is more courageous and adventurous than a baby fighting its way down the birth canal—struggling for its first breath, or a child taking its first steps.

You can’t hide from Life. Life is here for you to live to the fullest. Take your courage in your hands and move out into Life. Ask for what you want. Believe that you deserve it, and then allow Life to give it to you. Be sure that you’re willing to receive. Life can’t give to you if your hands are closed. Open your mind, open your heart, and open your arms. Life loves you and only wants to give you the best."

Louise L. Hay, the author of the international bestseller You Can Heal Your Life, is a metaphysical lecturer and teacher with more than 50 million books sold worldwide. For more than 30 years, she has helped people throughout the world discover and implement the full potential of their own creative powers for personal growth and self-healing. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and many other TV and radio programs both in the U.S. and abroad.

September 25, 2011

House & Property Sitting

We've been "on the road" now for about 6 weeks, enjoying every moment, although it seems this new way of travelling has been our 'way of life' for much longer.

At present we are 'house sitting' on a 300 acre property about 100k north of Tamworth, a whole new experience and we're loving it! (even though we love "life in the caravan"). We're here for 6 weeks and our role is to look after the house, collect the mail, feed the dog and cat & give the pet goat a bottle each day. The horses pretty much look after themselves but we keep our eye on them, give them some lucerne each day and make sure they're OK. There's also some Brangus cattle (Black Angus crossed with Brahman), and they're currently calving; we've had 3 calves born in the last week and they are GORGEOUS!

The countryside around here is rocky and very hilly, so most of the tracks on the property are traversed in low range 4WD. The views from the top of the property extend for miles and are absolutely beautiful!

The nice thing about this property sit, is that we get to 'get our hands dirty' if we want to! So we've been weeding and mulching and mowing and generally just pottering around, enjoying the fact that gardening is now a "want to" not a "have to". And when we want to do some touring around the local area we can do that too.

Yesterday we drove to Gunnedah (about 120k away) and checked out the 'Porchetta Day' - their annual Italian Festival. Great scenery all the way on the drive there, and fantastic food when we got there!

Whether you're a home owner or a traveller, house sitting can be a great option for both. Check out http://www.aussiehousesitters.com.au/ for more details.

Until next time...
Cheers !

August 23, 2011

Our Dream of Travelling Oz Has Begun!

How exciting! After 2 years of dreaming and planning, we are now finally "on the road" and on the road permanently for what we believe will probably be 3-5 years!

What an adventure! Having sold up almost everything, including the house (and what's left has gone into storage for the next few years), we said "Farewell" to Townsville on Monday 15th August, a place that has been home to me for the last 25 years & about 43 years for Ken. I'm sure we'll be back for the winter of 2012, because winters in North Queensland are just the BEST place to be!

We enjoyed the first few days of our trip at the seaside town of Bowen (where the movie ‘Australia’ was filmed), and then moved on up to Eungella, which is up a mountain range and seriously the STEEPEST road I’ve ever been up in such a short distance – 4.5k of a 12% incline with hairpin bends all the way. A few people at Bowen didn’t think we’d make it up the range with the length of our van but my very clever husband did a brilliant job, and there were only a few claw marks in the door handle on the passenger side ! Coming down yesterday seemed much easier.

Our view from the camping ground was spectacular and we had a lovely, restful and very quiet 4 days, and got to see Platypussses (more than one!) in the wild for the first time. Ended up doing a little bit of off road 4WD (not planned by my beloved, who was none too pleased with me when the road to “The Diggings” (an old gold mining area from early 1900’s) that I’d insisted we traverse became less than a track, more fingernail marks in the passenger door handle and I wondered why didn’t we have a "Jesus Bar" on the Dash! but all turned out OK.

We’re now at Clermont, (about 900k north west of Brisbane) in coal mining country with plenty of gold & sapphire fossickers as well.

This weekend I am running a “Heal Your Life” workshop, and really looking for to it. I’m providing morning & afternoon tea both days and Ken has promised to cook some cakes in the BabyQ ! Also hoping for a successful batch of scones!

On Monday we leave for Carnarvon Gorge for 5 days – a place I’ve always wanted to go to, and expecting some pretty spectacular scenery. Will keep you posted, be sure to come back & visit here soon!

February 23, 2011

Opportunities are Everywhere !

Our greatest opportunities find us, we don't find them.
No matter how distant your dreams may seem to be, if you allow yourself to take the necessary steps towards them, one step at a time, you will eventually and inevitably find yourself right in the middle of your fondest dreams.
Don't wait. Start now.

February 1, 2011

Prosperity Wristbands

I am absolutely loving my new Prosperity Wristbands!
I love the message on each band as well as the colours of each one, and the daily focus it brings me.
There is unlimited abundance in our Universe and it is our birthright to be prosperous in all areas of our life.

January 12, 2011

Stay tuned for Upcoming Workshops in 2011 with Val

Give yourself the gift of a life changing experience.
Heal Your Life Workshops have helped thousands of people all around the world, just like you!
Based on the philosophies of Louise Hay, these powerful, transformational courses will give you the tools you need to achieve the life you deserve.

More information to follow! Please come back soon

December 10, 2010

Making time for "Quiet Time"

Quiet Time! It's such an important part of a person's day, I believe. When I think about how much I treasure my 'quiet time' each morning when I first get up out of bed. It's a chance to just sit and appreciate life, nature, love.

This morning on my back verandah as the doves coo, the geckoes bark, the parrots all sing, and distant rooster crows, water droplets drip from the verandah roof onto the garden....... there is still a beautiful and peaceful quietness about it all.

And time for me to just appreciate and be grateful. An essential part of my day in order to create balance.

I wonder how many working couples or families allow for 'quiet time', rather than getting out of bed, turning on the TV and having a day filled with constant noise. Argghh I could think of nothing worse!

I hope YOU are having some quiet time in your day.
Namaste
Till next time
Val

August 23, 2010

Rose

The first day of school our professor introduced him-self and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know.I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me...
Read more on My Sokwall : http://bit.ly/9HF7aT

August 4, 2010

How To Be Your Own Best Parent

How To Be Your Own Best Parent

Loving yourself is the beginning. Regardless of your goal, be it harmonious relationships with your partner and your family, or financially orientated targets, do not underestimate the power of self-love. It – or the lack of it - is at the core of everything. And just like an apple, the more juice on the inside, the tastier life tastes.

But, as so much else in the personal development field, self-love is easier said than done. Loving yourself is so much more than indulging in some long denied desire, or lying in a bubble bath surrounded by scented candles while relaxing music soothes your jagged edges.

It’s Up To You

Loving yourself begins first and foremost with the recognition that if you are not in a place of well-being inside yourself, it’s up to you to do something about it. This should become your priority.

Imagine you are the parent of a small child. Your child is upset, or sad, or angry or frightened, You, as loving parent of the child, would attempt to help the child move to a better place inside. You might embrace the child, talk about what is going on, or do any number of things to help the child see the situation with new eyes in order to feel better about it.

But in order for this to happen you wouldneed to be closely connected to your child, you would need to have strong communication with your child, and you would need to be totally aware of your child’s feelings. Furthermore, you’d need to want to be there for your child.

Be Your Own Parent

By now you’ve probably figured out that I’m giving you an analogy about how you need to be dealing with yourself. In order to show yourself that you love yourself (because that’s how it starts), you must be aware of yourself and your feelings at all times and be conscious or aware enough to choose to do something about them at all times.

Does that mean that you would never allow yourself to feel pain or sorrow or worry or have any other type of negative feeling? Does it mean you would keep yourself in some iron grip of control so that you would not have those feelings? Absolutely not! But it does mean that you would be willing to choose to focus elsewhere in order to help yourself move to a better place inside.

Choose To Focus On Something More Positive

Worrying about your business, your income or your relationship takes you nowhere. It is much more proactive to resolve whatever is going on in your life. You can attempt to resolve it by allowing it a certain amount of time per day – but only that amount of time - in your life, brainstorming, consulting, researching about the situation, and you would then choose to focus on something else in order to help yourself move to a better place inside. This is what you do for those that you love.

What Next?

If you start today, right now, this eveningyou will already feel better about how you are dealing with yourself. You’ll recognize that you’ve taken some steps to love yourself. And a part of you will feel just as loved as the child who has been enveloped in the loving arms of a caring and emotionally generous adult parent. This will bring you ever closer to inner peace and freedom, and this will bring you joy and who knows what else...

Would you like to use this article on your website or in your ezine? You can, as long as the information below stays intact.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr Joanna Martin

Dr Joanna Martin is an internationally acclaimed speaker and sought-after educator who has taught over 40,000 people on three continents. She is also the author of the new book "The Lifestyle Shift".
Today, she trains entrepreneurs and professionals alike in key communication, leadership, and presentation skills. With her partner Greg, through their business, Shift Lifestyle they provide strategy and support for business owners who want a lifestyle, not just a living.

For more information go to: www.ShiftSpeakerTraining.com

July 5, 2010

“SPROUT The Life You Love - Tales and Secrets from Female Entrepreneurs”

Do you dream of starting your own business?
Do you love the idea of financial freedom?
Is it time to change the direction of your life?
This book features amazing business minds, repeat OPRAH guests, an EMMY award winner, bestselling authors and designers that will inspire you to SPROUT the Life You Love.

Featuring Networker, Speaker, Writer & Entrepreneur : Val Howard

together with:
Poppy King (founder of Lipstick Queen)
Rhonda Britten (EMMY award winner and repeat OPRAH guest)
Arielle Ford ( #1. US book publicist, selling over 15 million books!)
Sandy Forster (bestselling author)
Sarah Prout (award-winning entrepreneur and young publishing mogul)
plus many more!

$28.00 incl postage within Australia

Secure payment through PayPal is now available

Simply post your comment & I will contact you with PayPal details



April 25, 2010

Perfect Day

What an awesome day. A luxurious, delicious sleep in. A 2hr phone call with my sister. Plenty of time for reading, meditation & study. And a visit to "my" beach - Toolakea - deserted except for some people having a fire about 500 metres furt...
Read more on My Sokwall : http://bit.ly/b3kXCf

April 18, 2010

Leadership Theories: 10 Major Leadership Styles to Model

LEADERSHIP THEORIES: 10 MAJOR LEADERSHIP STYLES TO MODELWe’re on the theme of teamwork this week so what do you have to do to create a great team around you?  The very first thing is to become a great leader.  A great leader will auto...
Read more on My Sokwall : http://bit.ly/b6Jk6m

February 26, 2010

New Updates from Sokule.com

How incredibly grateful & lucky am I? A husband who adores me, and who yesterday mowed the whole property... http://bit.ly/5sqZzo

February 20, 2010

My "Saturday" thought for the weekend

A simple thought, and one I felt worthy of a post:

We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it !

I am so grateful & absolutely full of appreciation for my life, and the journey I have taken
(including the low points, because it was in those low points that I learnt so much more).
May I suggest you take time over
the weekend to think about that statement.... meditate on it... write about it....

Until next time....
Cheers!

February 16, 2010

New Updates from Sokule.com

Still dark here, but the birds are all up and chirping merrily (including me) - don't you just love that ... http://bit.ly/5sqZzo

February 13, 2010

New Updates from Sokule.com

WOW! Just got back from a fabulous 45minute walk along the beach - totally deserted apart from 2 other pe... http://bit.ly/5sqZzo