On the Cusp of Spring

Here in Aotearoa, we seem to be balanced right on the cusp of Spring. And, unsurprisingly (because it happens at this time every year), I have found renewed energy in connecting with nature. Maybe it's the warmer weather, or maybe my soul is recognising some deeper stirring in nature, either way, I'm excited to share …

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Beginning Zero Waste

Recently, S. and I were asked to share some of the steps we've taken to reducing our waste and living in a more sustainable way. To be honest, it took some thinking since a lot of the things we do we've been doing for years. It's always helpful to these things written down to refer …

Enough needs space

I wrote the title of this post a few days ago - the spark of an idea - but it's taken a few days for the that first thought to find the words to express itself, which actually is the perfect illustration of what I want to write about today. It's true, enough does need …

Celebrating Spring Equinox

A couple of days ago, we had a beautiful Spring Equinox celebration with a few other families out at Battle Hill Farm Park. Battle Hill Farm Park is a new discovery for us this year and it's quickly become one of our favourite places. A regional park that still functions as a working farm, Battle …

Almost Two

This time next week, our wee guy will be two years old. Two!!! He's not my little baby anymore 😦 I can't really be sad, though, and I don't miss those early weeks/months (much) when we have so much fun these days. He's a bright, busy, boisterous, boyish boy, which still amuses me quite a …

Reading to Druid littlies – kids’ books that inspire spirituality

I wrote this post for the blog of our spiritual group, and wanted to share it here too. Since starting our family, or even before that - when we considered the idea of bringing children up in a spiritual tradition - we've been on the look out for books that inspire kids' spirituality in different …

Food for Thought (and Little Tummies)

I took a big step last week, and sent in my resignation letter to the school I taught at before T. was born - I'm officially not going back to work for the foreseeable future. Hooray! Hooray?? I knew, ages ago, that I was going to make the decision not to return to work after …

The Choices we Make

"Forget success. Make it your mission to be brave. Forget your job title. Listen for your callings. Forget wealth. Learn to live well in your place. Forget marketing. Find and tell the stories that will heal you. Forget popularity. Let yourself love foolishly. This is what the world needs from you." Marianne Elliott We make …

Feminist Inspirations

As both a New Zealander and a woman, I have long admired Kate Sheppard, not only for what she accomplished, but how she accomplished it and the way she lived her life. After many years of struggling to have their voices heard, on September 19th 1893, New Zealand became the first country to give women …

Sweetness in the Stillness

Most of the time I feel like my life is brimming - full of love and family, and a job I love, students I care about, things I want to do. And I love it. But then there are these moments of stillness, often in the holidays or towards the end of a term, where …

A Full Life

I always make a point of trying to avoid saying "life is busy". The phrase seems so over-used in today's fast-paced society that I don't even know what it means anymore. So I'm not going to say that I've been busy lately. What I am going to say is that life has been full lately. …

Living Authentically

Lately I’ve been feeling the pull. To write more. To connect. To grow. To share. This blog has seen me through some many ages and stages and now it is us. As I family. Me, S. and T. I’m still figuring out what us looks like and how I share that with the world. I …

Finding my own Definition of Success

You know it's funny to look back and think how time has changed. Or rather how time has changed me. In 5 short years I've moved out of home, gone flatting for the first time, completed my bachelor's degree, almost burnt myself out doing honours, been crazy enough to sign on for a master's degree, …

Creating Sacred Space

As a druid, I work with the idea of 'within and without'. For me, this encapsulates the body or physical life (without) and the mind/soul/spirit/heart or the spiritual/emotional life(within). I love this duality, and am increasingly learning to walk my spiritual path in the wider world. One of the interesting ways this has been manifesting …

Life Lessons from the Women I Love

There are so many things I've learnt from the wonderful women in my life, some funny, some inspiring, some practical. Here are a few of the most perception-shifting things I've learned (mostly in recent years). 1. Tears are healing, especially ones of laughter (thanks for those genes, mum!). 2. It's important to celebrate the rituals …

Cultivating Space

I recently made a big change in my life. I stepped down from a board which I had been on for five years. It was the board of an organisation I loved very dearly and still have tremendous respect for. But I had come to realise that it was taking more of my time than …