Hello my loves,

Ah, how I’ve missed writing to you for the past couple of weeks!! When lockdown began, I felt a shiver of anticipation, because last year I learnt something. For me, lockdown tends to deliver some big, chunky lessons, and I wondered what would feature on my dance card this time. Well, now I know. I’ve spent the last few weeks working my way through some juicy stuff, and guess what: it was worth it. Sitting here under my wisteria, whose flowering glory has morphed into a sea of fresh green growth, hindsight is delivering me a lovely dose of clarity.

As I look back on recent events, I can see how they were designed to push me to new emotional strengths, new vistas of self belief, and new levels of alignment. Of course, big lessons often don’t feel lovely when you’re in the thick of them. Au contraire, they can be hugely painful, confusing, frustrating, anger-inducing and filled with fear. It takes courage to face into that, to hold space for the panic and woe, and gently allow yourself time to work through them. For me, I know that the best way through six of the universe’s best is extreme and very gentle self-care. For example, I absolutely adore writing to you each week. If I’m honest, a part of me always feels a little sad on those weeks where I just can't quite get to you. But I know I need to put my own life jacket on first. If I’m forcing myself to do something just because I told myself I would, that’s not a good reason to do it. If I need space, I’ve learned that I need to give myself permission to take it. I also reach out to my trusted support network, who include my psychologist, my kinesiologist, my beloved fiancé, and some very dear friends. Each provides a welcome perspective on whatever it is I’m trying to figure out, and eventually I always get there.

And ‘there’ is such an incredible place to get to! On the other side of the big stuff lies a new level of emotional freedom, another incremental advance in my journey towards alignment. I’ve had plenty of lessons that I never, ever want to repeat again. Honestly, some of them absolutely sucked. But I’m grateful for all of them, because they’ve got me here, to the me who’s writing to you, and you know what?! I rather like her! So my darlings, the next time a lesson grabs you by the throat and starts to squeeze, try and save some space in your heart for a tiny kernel of knowing: this too shall pass. And on the other side, it’s really very likely that new levels of wisdom, personal power and alignment await.

And so my loves, on we go. I’m heading into another glorious spring weekend, and I couldn’t be more excited! It’s such a gorgeous time of year, with blossoms bursting and bees buzzing and leaves greening. New beginnings are everywhere, and it's one of those lovely times when the outside world is mirroring the hope and promise that are currently twinkling in my heart. Whatever the weekend holds for you, I wish you a twinkle of hope and promise too. Until next week my loves 💛

Love, Rachel xxx