Could it be . . .a year has gone

And in that time.
we have lost reason, we have lost rhyme,
people everywhere, not knowing what to do
to stop war
and right the wrongs here on our own shore

I wrote that in 2003 and yet here it is, still pertinent 11 years later

Here in Darwin still, after 12 months, I am having an absolute ball
I am playing lots of music,
reading poetry
drawing pictures
coming up with creative projects and putting feelers out through various networks
I'm stressed to the max about money and worrying myself unnecessarily about where I should be,
and know, in my core, I am all right and I'm here, in Darwin.


I am being seen
I am being myself
so there are times when I sing songs of domestic violence
child abuse, mental illness, homelessness, war
there are times when I sing about love and relationships
and beginnings and endings.

One aspect of my wildness
I have been containing is my sexuality.
I get sensual expression through music and drawing
while my sexuality loiters on the floor with my fear
they do more than loiter, they wrestle in their bindings,
one seeking supremacy
the outcome is denial of sexual expression.
I realise that I never listened to my 40 year old self saying "as long as it is respectful sex, indulge".


Back to my audiences:
 there are places I go just to have fun
and there I sing my "wilder" songs
and there, sometimes I see, I'm not that wild.
I hesitate in allowing my songs to become realities.

Beyond the doubts there is fun.
And dancing to a good band is a need I have been ignoring as well.
Saturday night I rectified that.

Its neither wise or wild to neglect my body
momentarily I feel a fraud
It passes and I reconnect to the self that knows
I am on the road to discovery.

Shel, living without her demons and embracing abundance and magnificence.

Journeying with Fear

Its now July and quite a while since I commented on my journey.

My road from Melbourne took me via Koondrook and two of my sisters, Marie and Patricia and then back to my home village of Murrami where I caught up with my youngest sister Irene.  The time was short as I was on my way to a festival, and music is a large part of what my journey is about.  I had a great time at the festival and then went on to Canberra, the home of my eldest son and his wife and daughters.  Grandma time is always a blessing and this time was no different.  I thoroughly enjoyed playing at my oldest grand daughters school and my youngest's day care centre, not once but twice.
The shine in little eyes when they see and hear an instrument they are unfamiliar with is so rewarding. My banjo has a ring that draws attention :)

A flash visit to my youngest son in Newcastle for his birthday and on the road again to Brisbane.  And that is where I still am.  I have a workshop planned for July 20 at New Farm Neighbourhood Centre.  I have contacted services and one has responded about my offer of facilitating an "Interventions from the Heart".  At this point they have agreed to take the idea to the team and let me know.  Last Sunday I got a paid gig singing and while the amount wasn't huge, the confidence boost was much needed. And this weekend I might journey back to the Sunshine Coast to busk at Eumundi Markets.

You can check out the workshop details at the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/events/551587594904125

The one thing that has stood out for me is even though I know the dream I hold, the fear of not bringing it to reality is sometimes crippling.  While I refuse to let the fear stop me completely, it does slow me down.  I feel my mind drowns in endless questions that circle around and around.  Years ago I read "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" by Susan Jeffers and the wise self remembers wisdom in her words.  So, I am planning to leave for Alice Springs or Darwin on the 22nd July.  May the journey continue!

Yours in Wild Wisdom
Shel

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