Owning my dream

For some time I dreamed of  working in a different way to what I have been working.  The security of a regular income is appealing but I could not find work that allowed me to work as creatively as I want to.  Late last year I made the decision to give myself time out from my part time work at the women's health centre and start an adventure, the adventure of following wild wisdom.  So I took a 12 months leave of absence, and now I am in Victoria on the first leg of the adventure.  

I have been clarifying what it is I want to offer and these are :

• Facilitating "Exploring The Wild Wise Self" workshops for women across  Australia and especially in rural communities.  
• Facilitating Interventions from the Heart conversations where people come together to discuss actions they have taken to build safer and saner communities. 
• House Concerts for people with an interest in social justice and/or folk music and storytelling. 

The sense of liberation I feel in embarking on this journey is heady and I am proud that I have claimed my belief in myself, my own wild wisdom and I look forward to sharing this journey of trust. 

Shel

Choose to Hug Not Hit

On November 19 Jacomb Bell, a young Tasmanian law graduate, will talk about the reasons why Section 50 of the Criminal Code should be removed.  He is speaking at the annual EPOCH (End Physical Punishment of Children) Address at Parliament House. 1.00 - 2.30pm

I am wondering whether those staff within DPAC developing the Tasmanian Framework to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children will be there?  I wonder whether the Premier will be there?  I am wondering how many people will show their support for creating safer and saner communities, firstly for today's children and then for generations to come.

At the Address each year I sing "Children are Precious".  You can find it  here http://soundcloud.com/shelalagh/children-are-precious

I spoke to my grand-daughters on the phone.  It was important to hear their voices, and more important to feel their love.  They help me remember why I keep active, why I want change.  I want laws that reflect their right to live free from violence from their parents, or grandparents or any care-giver.  We have not enshrined the rights of children in all of our legislation and this is contradictory.   Let's give clear messages about how much we value children!

RISE ABOVE IT MP3

RISE ABOVE IT MP3

This wild and wise self offers reflections on some of the issues confronting our community through music.  Rise Above It is one of my favourite songs as it captures the major issue of violence, including partner violence, violence against children, the sale of young girls into prostitution, and war.

The topic isn't pretty however the song offers hope as it identifies love and the guiding principle that creates change in the minds and hearts of people everywhere.

Please share this song with your friends and colleagues and lets "live in love everyday."
With love
Shel

What a Wonderful Event

Jane Ruckert improvises "love"

 Women reflect on Life. Love. Lust. was a wonderful event.  About 30 people attended, including a few men, to hear the performers share their poetry, music, songs and commentary. The atmosphere was warm and the feedback has been very positive.

Joan Webb - 2011 Tasmanian Poetry Cup winner

 Helen: I felt "given to" by the performers.

Leonie:  It was a truly wonderful evening.


Jenny: This was a very warm and inclusive event.  I look forward to the next one and would love to be involved.

Heath:  Well done, this was a lot of fun and there were some classic lines!

Tilley raises awareness of body image issues

 Kathy:   Thank you Shel for organising Women reflect on Life, Love and Lust. I really enjoyed listening to a talented group of females.

Shel reflects on lust

Joy knows when "not to DIY"

 The performers themselves are keen to do it again so look out for the next Wild Wise event.  I'll also be looking for additional performers for an International Women's Day celebration.  Please contact me if you are interested. 

Siska sings of sunshine

Joan lilts an Irish ballad

Veronica reveals parts of her living, loving and lusting

Jane sings of her true love

Women reflect on LIFE. LOVE. LUST

An unfunded collaborative performance is taking shape in Hobart next Sunday. This Wild Wise Self has a passion for performing arts and I am delighted to be hosting Women Reflect on Life. Love. Lust.  an intergenerational and interactive performance with women from the North, North-West and South.

The line up is exciting with younger women joining with older women in the performance space.

Poets Joan Webb and Joy Elizabeth from Launceston and Veronica Mullins from Burnie will entertain with their words and wit. Joan won the Tasmanian poetry cup and slam and represented Tasmania at the Australian poetry slam. Veronica has been writing stories and poetry for most of her life, influenced, she says, by her mother’s songs and her father’s “tall stories.” Joy continues to share her poetry at festivals and writers groups throughout Tasmania.

Tilley, Jane Ruckert  and Siska Garth will entertain with their own music and song.

Tilley has a voice that swings with ease between angelic and devilish.  She'll challenge how you think you feel about ukulele, and promises to leave you wanting more. Jane is a fiddler from the band choon haus as well as an accomplished hurdy gurdy player and singer. Siska who is from a musical family, plays guitar and sings her own reflections.

  

Joan Crossin is a storyteller of great mirth.  Joan will be singing some of her favourite Irish bawdy ballads.

 My  role is to weave stories from the audience into the performance and share reflections of my own.

The venue is the Westend Pumphouse at 105 Murray St.  The performance starts at 5.00pm and the cost is $5. Doors open at 4.15pm and refreshments are available at the venue.