My (three) favourite things this week.....and ALWAYS ✨🩷🌙

***I think this piece of writing from my heart is enjoyed best by listening to me reading it to you….Just hit play here and head off on a walk, stroll outside, sit down on the bus/plane/boat or maybe you’re in your car and hit play :) I promise it’s a stronger piece as I read it to you for lots of reasons :) Thanks a million for giving me a chance to be your company today 💖

Keeping my eye on the silver linings and the positive parts of the week just gone and reminding myself of all the good in the world! 💖

1. Friends

Meeting with a friend for breakfast and chats on a Monday….

Well if you are to have a catch up with a pal, what better way to start your week than a meet up with someone you care about. My friend Ger messaged me last week to see if I was free to meet up for a birthday breakfast and I’m so grateful she reached out and made such a lovely friend move in my direction. Me and Ger have been friends for many years now but between Covid and life and every in between, we definitely have lost touch in the way we use to hang out so this was a magical moment to make up for lost time. Because we are the best of friends over many many years and we know each other very well, when we came together, it was just like the old times and I love friends who when you meet up with them, it’s like a supersonic catch up and it feels like time just stops.

We had a lovely get together and three hours seemed to vanish like five minutes. She brought me a beautiful bunch of roses and I very much felt the love. It was so good catching up on life and everything in between. And I’m so grateful to have Ger in my life. We have made a plan to repeat this breakfast meet up in November and for me that is a great plan. Life gets hectic and busy and by putting in a plan to repeat the fun in a few weeks time, it gives us both something to look forward and brings our friendship right back on track.

What I was reminded of: That sometimes life gets in the way for us all but if the genuine connection is in a friendship, it will always be there. I was so grateful to Ger reaching out to me and making the move to make our breakfast catch up happen. Also as I sat into my car with my big bunch of roses afterwards, I felt so lucky to have so many good people around me in life. Another reminder of love, joy and gratitude & to take a moment to breathe it in and also how valuable real life face to face connection is and real life friends are! I love all connection but there is nothing quite as special as sharing a chat and a cup of tea with a friend 💖🥰

The flowers Ger gave me brought me such joy- they now sit on Granny’s kitchen table as I write this & they look so pretty. Gran would have loved them too. I’m a big believer in sharing love and if possible… doubling the joy in life so I’ve included a photo of the flowers here so I can virtually pass the flowers onto you and we can all enjoy them together. I want my joy to travel over to you. This is my way to virtually pass my smiley happy roses your way as you read/listen to this! And if today you feel lonely in anyway or if you feel nobody is thinking of you, I promise you, that I have thought of you and in these flowers I remind you that someone thinks the world of you always! (*ME) x

2. Nature 🌅

In my first proper week back on the ground in Ireland, I’ve made so really good moves to start my 40th year as I mean to go on…..This week I made a promise to myself that I would go out and get some fresh air in my lungs everyday. Yes I regularly make that promise to myself and then something happens that I miss it but in making this promise this time, I also said to myself that no negative fall back would happen if I miss a day due to work or life. Instead I will lean into the good energy of effort and see how I go. With no pressure, no step counting, no clock watching, just simply making the movement of stepping out my front door with the simple intention that I am freeing myself of my desk for an allotted moment in time & as I step it out, the joy of nature, the sky and life out in the relaxed village and rural countryside in which I live awaits me every time! Also all the friendly hello’s, waves and beeps affirms to me, that I really do live in one of the friendliest countries in the world!

In stepping out into nature, I can simply allow my brain to be absolutely free of thought in this time & this is why I’m doing it. I love when I go for a stroll, whether long or short, my brain goes into free wheel mode. More often than not, I take music (which I love), sometimes an audio book (I always wish I could write stuff down when listening to my favourite books though - first world problems right?), sometimes a podcast and other times, I either forget my earphones or my iPods are half dead haha ;) story of my life…Raise your hand if you’re like me please!? ;)

The best part of my walks wherever I may take them is that my eyes see everything. My heart feels everything. And most importantly my brain empties while filling and then my soul bounces along so grateful to be out where it is happiest. I see nature in all its glory when taking my strolls. No concrete buildings where I live, no traffic, no fast speeds of any kind…if anything I live in a place where everything is slow and you really can stop and smell the roses…..We are now heading to the autumnal part of our years journey here in Ireland and so far we have been blessed with beautiful weather. Lots of blue skies and yesterday morning we had our first frost which is really good overall as there is nothing quite like the cleansing feeling you get when you open the door and Jack Frost has made the whole earth somewhat new. You can smell nature so intensely and I love it. I know the darker part of the season system is not for everyone but for me it balances me out. I love the transitions of the weather as it reminds me that not only in life so fragile and changeable but nature and the seasons are the big picture reminder that we are not in control. NOPE! We are just simply passing through this life and no matter how we try to protect ourselves from change, it is way out of our hands. Cosy fires, hot drinks and a hibernation approach to this part of my year is my motto every year. But before that, I will enjoy the clear blue skies, the leaves crunching under my feet and the baring of nature’s soul as the light of the year reduces and we take on the dark….And that is why I love the seasons….Autumn and Winter are not afraid to show their darkness…their shadow side….if anything they stand forth brazen about them and it’s up to us to look them in the eye and say ‘hey I recognise you and I will survive’ I will make it to spring and like the last leaf hanging onto that branch, I may fall to the ground but I will rise again…In time I will rise….and guess what, i’ll do then - I’ll shine!

Ok now for a few little photos of the blues and green’s i’m enjoying and of course all the other colours to give you a little taster……And I just love how that beautiful sun is fighting the darkness all the way to keep us looking up! 🌈🌙🦋

What I was reminded of: That the world is a huge place and even though in life, darkness falls, we can always work on proactively preparing for it. By getting out for fresh air in my lungs and knowing that the change of scene for my eyes to look at is good for me…. my brain too feels free and somewhere within the stepping out, my mental health strengthens. The strength comes from recognising the oncoming winter darkness is moving close while knowing that within our minds, we can indeed move any mountain….and no matter what….. a cosy fire, a hot drink and a friend will combat any darkness that ever transcends….The greatest power of being a human is the amazing minds in which we hold and how transformative our thinking becomes when the right thoughts are aligned. Keep stepping out. Keep going. Keep moving along friends! 🩷☘️🩷🦋

(A little middle substack note- so sorry about the grammar mistakes - I am just too tired tonight to tidy them all up but I love you for not noticing them ;) )

3. The Sky ✨

My final inclusion this week is the fabulous course I’m enjoyed for the last four nights on the trot ….and all from the comfort of my home. My very good friend

lauren deborah | she/they 🌈🐆

(subscribe, follow, like, love her) very kindly mentioned to me while in Vancouver a course she had spotted that was running online in the coming weeks and that was indeed the course which I’m just finished. It was called ‘Learning Astrology for Self Alignment and Development’. Well what can I say…. only you will probably never shut me up on this topic now if I start haha …..And I mean that in the nicest way….. I mean it in a way that I feel i’ve learned so much over an eight hour course than I ever imagined…probably even more that I’ve learned in my degree in university to be honest haha ;) well maybe not that much……but you’re getting the vibes i’m sending here! Definitely this was the most informed course I’ve taken in a long time. Alongside that I have to give top marks to the teacher…she was literally out of this world - you know how I love a good pun - but she was spectacular in her teaching, in her analogies, in her communications and my favourite two parts - her energy and her humour! You know you have me, if you can make me laugh while being intelligent in the knowledge you are willing to impart! I love a smart funny person!

But you know when you finish a course or a workshop ends and your head is spinning from all your mind is after opening up to…. that you literally cannot sleep and on top of that you want to tell everyone about everything you’ve just learned…yep that’s how I feel….I’ve told Daisy (my dog) all about it….she is indeed a leo so she just nods and then does a dance for me haha ;) …..

See I’ve always been a huge astrology head - yes one must laugh here haha ;) Since I was a teenager, from the minute I’d meet someone, I’d be trying to figure out what star sign they were from their traits and the more they talked and shared, I’d be mentally ticking off lists in my mind…..sometimes on the button, other times as far out as a lighthouse with my assessment…eitherways it was so intriguing to me…..Of course then when I finally moved into a comfortable amount of time spent with said person (sometimes not reading the room & just going for it a bit too early haha ;) but going for it anyways, I would indeed be like…….. ‘Hey what’s your starsign?” …..and as if they responded with a quick answer (I knew they would share similar astrology head interests), of course then I’d instantly nod and be like ‘oh yeah now I get you’ haha ;)

Yep that’s me...curiously obsessed about the stars since childhood and that passion continues in whatever form I can find them….the stars and the wisdom in equal measure……..After a decade of being passionately interested in learning about myself, I have spent a good ten years looking towards everyone and anyone that has crossed my path. I love meeting people and seeing what they know and if they are willing to share with me, I’ll be listening and trying to learn from them. It doesn’t matter to me what avenue of life, work or interest you hold, I want to learn from you. I want to learn what you are passionate about and no door is ever closed to me. Every door if anything is open because then my mind is opening wider and wider and that is for sure how I want to live my time out on this earth. I want to live and die with an open mind for everyone and everything and hopefully eventually when I live up above in the stars I’ll look down on earth and be like, yes I learned so much from so many. So this leads me to this astrology course which was absolutely mind opening, heart moving and just so so god damn interesting….So as you can guess I’m going to dedicate lots of substack space to what I’ve learned and share with you one or two…..hundred…..of my thoughts and thinkings on this topic going forward haha ;) The main bit I’ll share here before I finish on this topic is that life is as I thought- all in the sky…..So many parts of us belong up there and it is sooooo good for your mind and heart to look up there too. Also as I hoped - fate does not live alone on this earth or inside us humans…it doesn’t live alone because as I totally agree…..fate lives alongside free will and the magic of living a worthwhile & happy life comes from the decisions we make by ourselves and for ourselves.

This course was without doubt one of the best courses I’ve ever taken….and I think I’ll definitely try organise a fb live with the star that ran it in time too. I want to tell everybody about her and I want you all to have the opportunity to hear what wonderful wisdom, magic and humour she holds….Her energy alone will inspire you whether you have an interest in astrology or not! Her name is Laurel Kassor and if you want to have a little peak into her world, her website is https://www.attunedalignment.com and you can also listen to her fantastic podcast here…..https://www.attunedalignment.com/theastrologyofpodcast

I’ll come back to more of this next week…and most like the week after that…and the week after that!!! Yes the course was THAT good ;)

4. Laughter 😂

Who needs a giggle?

Me in a 90’s yearbook transformation? Who said AI was going to be a total head wrecker? In this instance, I giggled….and I hope you do too!

5. Music 🎧🫶🎧

This is why I’m so proud of our Irish fans! For ten years I travelled the world following and supporting the Irish ruby team. This time around, I’m at home for this World Cup, but I’m as proud as ever of the team and the fans…. like I was when I used to sit in the middle of them. How proud must Dolores be feeling in Heaven right now?! She was a wonderful gifted human and she left this earth way too early sadly….I hope she’s sitting with Gran watching her gift work its magic….I love that her song has become the anthem of the world cup fans…..Also….. how apt is this song with all that is now happening in the world especially with the most recent outbreak of the devastation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict….If you don’t know the song ‘Zombie’, I highly recommend you check it out….Dolores wrote the song as an anti terrorism, anti war song in 1993 and its place in history is sadly needed to be highlighted once again. From the hearts of a nation who know what it’s like to be divided, it is indeed so apt that we let this chant be heard in this moment, possibly more apt and needed than ever before! From our Irish souls, we beg for peace……

6. The Light in People 😍

Okey-dokey to finish off this week’s newsletter I want to share while you are reading this during your Friday morning, in this very moment….. I am in a local town near me - a place called Edenderry in county Offaly - with a lady who I used to attend many years ago. She is a beautiful soul and it has been way too long since I spent time in her magic presence. I return to her not the same person she met many years ago but I know my time to sit in her magical presence is now. What’s for me, won’t pass me and this is definitely a draw back to people that inspire me and people who helped me in so many ways over the years.

I haven’t visited her in a long time because as I mentioned in the opening of this substack - life & covid definitely distracted me but today I am back in the presence of this lady & I am so happy to be back….Her name is Caroline O’Driscoll and she is such a good human with such a wonderful heart and such a inspiring spirit. Today she is running a three hour workshop called ‘Journey to Enlightenment -Discover and Tap into your Treasures - Your Beauty and Magic Within.’ I committed to this workshop as during my time in Vancouver as I reflected on my life and as I hit the big birthday, I made the clear decision once again to work, heal and build on my inner self.

This workshop is another effort to fulfil the promise I made to myself as I began my 40th year that I will start and finish with self care and that for the next 12 months I will again refocus on bettering myself, improving my inner strengths, going easy on my weaknesses, looking for others to inspire me, leaning out to people I love and yet to love myself deeply too, looking up at the sky and reminding myself that I am human, that I make mistakes and to love those around me, I too need to love me too. Also that no matter what, once I am trying my best on this earth, I am doing good. I am leaning into my light, looking at my darkness and making sure it knows that I am not scared of it. Instead I accept that is part of being human and it is part of who Lou is. I will continue to work on myself, to reach towards the balance in my life and I will try my very best to show up as the best version of myself not just for myself but for all I love. I want the next year of my life to be the best year it can be and for that to be the case, I will build the muscles of bravery, strength and hope from within and I will allow my heart to love with all its mite in the hope that I can help others love themselves too.

The following is the description in which Caroline gave in offering this magical workshop and I can promise, because I know Caroline, it will be all this and so much more. So as you read this, my eyes will be closed, my body will be in Edenderry but I know me, and I know Caroline, my heart, soul and spirit will be somewhere beyond the stars and I cannot wait. This is your reminder to lean into your light, look after your light and then spread your light with all your mite!

This Workshop is designed to accompany and assist you TAP INTO THE BEAUTY AND MAGIC THAT LIVES WITHIN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.

I am offering an OPPORTUNITY TO ALIGHN YOUR INNER AWAKENING SELF and BECOME FULLY ALIVE IN THE PRESENT - TASTING LIFE FROM WITHIN.

TO BE ALIVE MEANS TO BE IN THE PRESENT.
IN THE PRESENT YOU TASTE LIFE FULLY WITHIN YOURSELF.
The idea is that this learning and experiencing for yourself, will not be onerous and gives time to digest and practice between workshops or indeed between how often you can manage to attend.

I ASSIST YOU TO TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO EXPLORING YOURSELF AND HOW YOU RELATE TO OTHERS IN YOUR WORLD.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS WORKSHOP:
I create a relaxing, healing space where I provide support for practicing body-mind connection and the art of being present.
In this sacred and healing space, you are encouraged to release and get clear on what you want to let go off.

This is a space for you to rest, reconnect and to nourish yourself;

THIS IS AN INVITATION TO MOVE AWAY FROM the pure concepts of the mind and experience your perception through not only your mind but also your body and spirit and, in this totality, find your truth.
It is when we connect to our life-force energy we start to enter into a portal of expansion and transformation.

YOUR UNIQUENESS is honoured in your experience of your journey you can go at the speed and depth that feels right for you.

TOPICS COVERED:

Am I more than my mind?
What is my energy?
Exploring my truth
Who am I and who do I choose to be?
Do I have conscious or unconscious patterns?
How do I challenge myself and yet feel safe?
Experiencing my aliveness
What are my judgements and where do they come from?

SACRED CIRCLE
An Invitation to join in Sacred Circle connecting our Heart & Souls as the Sacred Souls we are.
We will gather Heart to Heart
Follow a GUIDED MEDITATION: ‘CONNECTING WITH YOUR HEARTSPACE’

I combine both ancient and modern wisdom:
To assist you to connect to the spiritual and physical aspects of your being;
To connect and to celebrate, to embody, to empower yourself.
Come away a sense of the TRUE AND BEAUTIFUL SHINING YOU.
this will impact greatly on your WELLNESS & WELLBEING.
operating in your life with a sense of wellness and wellbeing enables you to liive more positively, to manage and lower stress levels, impacting BY CREATING A REALITY whereby you TRULY LIVE A LIFE YOU LOVE TO LIVE - with an urgrency and passion and yet totally relaxed as if every day is your last.

Please feel free to connect with CAROLINE O’DRISCOLL on Facebook!

Okeydokey I better finish off because in true Cinderella style, it is about to strike midnight and who knows, forget my carriage maybe it will be me who turns into a pumpkin haha ;) it is the season of Halloween incoming and I am a libra haha 😆🎃

Thanks so much for reading/listening to all my words and thanks for being here. Please do let me know what part of this substack interests you the most or is there anything you would like to hear more about?! Please do pop me your thoughts in the comments below and thanks soooo much for reading all the way down here. Apologies for any or all the grammar errors haha ;) I was late starting this post and then I couldn’t stop…the story of my life eh but I know you love me just the way I am right? Just like Bridget Jones hey? 😆🥰

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and week ahead. I have lots more topics to chat about over the next few weeks….I have one dedicated to all the fun things to do in Vancouver as a number of people have requested I share that one 💖

Also to mention two final pieces of news:

I’m holding a social zoom tonight (Friday 13th) at 7pm Irish time & I’d love you to join. Just boil the kettle, make yourself a cuppa and then hit this zoom link below here:

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2029026334?pwd=Y0NMYjM4Q3dkRVN5ZFZ0VmlNRFo2QT09

Meeting ID: 202 902 6334 - Passcode: pizza

Literally no plan for this, it will be like us meeting along the country roads of Ireland and we decide to find a tea pot, a table and a chair and then we just relax and chat :) My favourite kind of setting, my favourite kind of meet up ……We will have some social fun for an hour and it will be as easy and laid back as that :) I promise I’ll do my best to make you smile! And of course…. it’s Friday, come have a giggle!

Also to mention the book is up for the big non fiction book award here in Ireland in less than two weeks…..Friday 3rd of November…cross your fingers and your toes and maybe just maybe, we might be in with a chance to start November on a huge high…eitherways just being in the shortlist of winners is a huge win for me and I know Gran will be smiling in Heaven no matter what happens. If you might like to purchase a copy of the book, you can do so here.

Thanks so much for being here. You’re a legend if nobody told you yet today! I think the world of you and I’m so grateful you are part of my world!

Love ya lots,

Lou xx

✨💖🌙🫶✨🎧🇮🇪🥰👀🕰️☘️🦋🌈✨

PS. Did you notice I started this substack with the headline of three favourite things and ended up with one, or two…or three or maybe more????…..You know I love love right?! You know I love you right? You know I love writing right? 💖

See you tonight or very soon. Come join the Facebook Family here. :) 🫶