Band Practice

Have you ever resisted and persisted with something that was clearly not serving you? Only to find you were neglecting your true talent or purpose?

Our wonderful program co-ordinator Suzanne shares more wisdom.

Through high school from year 7 – 11, I was in the school band.  3^rd clarinet, never any better than that.  To tell the truth – I could not play the clarinet to save my life.  Each band practice if I was called to play – I always suddenly had a broken reed (which is a necessity to play a wood wind instrument).   I did start from scratch with the basics over and over.  My main problem was I could not keep time.  My mind wandered.  I would continually loose my place in the music.   I kept resisting and persisting and grew not to love music.   The day I quit the band was such a relief.

Have you ever resisted and persisted with something that was clearly not serving you? Only to find you were neglecting your true talent or purpose?

I realised after all that time I had a talent but not for music.  Painting was my purpose.  I also later realised that the reason I had ever taken up clarinet was my father he was a huge fan of Benny Goodman (Google it if you do not know who this master was.)  I learnt that you have to find your own purpose and not follow another’s passion.  You need to follow your own dream.

I am content to just admire musicians and enjoy their music now, I will never be Benny Goodman or even the 4^th Dixie Chick as my singing is another story.  I do however make my own music through painting.    The brushstrokes flow, my paintings follow their own rhythm as I live in the moment creating them.   It is always about the journey.

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The little things

This has become a symbol of self-care and self-love for me.

One of the best things I have learned from Petrea’s inspiring teaching over the years is about how important the ‘little things’ are.

One thing I have implemented since coming to Quest is to put a bud vase next to my bed and choose a new living flower or piece of greenery every week. This has become a symbol of self-care and self-love for me.

When I look at the flower or leaves that I have placed near my bed, I remember that I am worth loving and that I care enough about myself to complete this task on a regular basis.

When the flower is brown and drooping and the water has gone green, it serves as a reminder that I may be overdoing things and gives me pause to consider where I fit in my own list of priorities which is usually a fair way down…

This little thing has added so much to my life. I would love hear about the little things that sustain you and enhance your life.

Much love for now

Margie

Margie Braunstein

Margie Braunstein

Margie is a somatic psychotherapist and counsellor providing psychotherapy services to the people of the Central Coast and Sydney.  Margie lives on the beautiful Central Coast with her husband, two children, two dogs and a cat.

Over the last 12 years, Margie has also been engaged in the design, delivery and marketing of transformational learning programs. During this time she has regularly facilitated personal development programs for up to 50 people on weekend workshops, week-long intensives and advanced programs of 3-4 months.

Margie has a Graduate Certificate in Adult Education from UTS, Diploma in Psychotherapy from the Australian College of Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy and qualifications in somatic therapy, executive coaching and relationship counselling.

Margie has a passion for personal development and regards people with respect, empathy and compassion in the belief that while we all do the best we can, a little bit more kindness and care can lead to even greater peace and joy in life.

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A Participant Post

Braidy flies high!

Braidy attended a Healing Your Life program at Quest for Life last year and just sent us this lovely email. With her permission, we wanted to share it with you so that you too can feel her joy and celebration:

I just wanted to take the time to write to you and all the amazing people at Quest to let you know how I’m getting along!

It’s been a year since I came in contact with you and I feel like I’m a new person!
What a hard journey it has been!

It’s felt like a roller coaster ride for me – BUT over the last month I have felt like I am finally able to enjoy life again!

My surgeons told me at Christmas time that they don’t want to operate because it’s too risky. So I have now put all my energy into visualisation and self-healing! Its been amazing so far, I feel like it’s already so much better!

I feel like I’m a different person to what I was pre operations, I’m so much stronger (physically and mentally) now. I am slowly gaining more confidence
and reconnecting with my body. I’ve been training 4 times a week down at the beach which is such an accomplishment for me!

To celebrate my happiness at the moment – I went trapezing yesterday, which was such a rush and I’m soo proud that I had the confidence in my body to
do that! (Ive attached a photo for you as proof ha ha).

I know my journey isn’t over yet – and it will be a looooonnnng road ahead, but Ive finally reached that place where I can truly say I am happy again!!!

I definitely could not have gotten this far without such amazing people in my life like you all! You all really came to my rescue when I hit rock bottom, and I mean rock rock bottom! and you were able to support, teach and guide me in the right direction. I can’t tell you how important it was to come to Quest and sit and talk and you would all listen without judgement. You always had a level of understanding that no one else had!

You’re all very special people and I know you touch a lot of other people’s lives, just like mine which is just incredible!
Sooo a HUGE thank you to you all! You are always in my heart and I live strongly not only for me but for all of you as well!

Lots of love to the Quest Family X
Braidy

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There will always be washing and washing up!

There will always be washing!

Thank you to our wonderful program co-ordinator Suzanne, for these lovely reflections.

There will always be washing and washing up but living in a moment is but fleeting.
The treadmill of life sometimes sees us missing the everyday wonders.

My sister at a recent family get together said “I always love to see my 5 year old niece.  She is always so happy”.

I thought about that briefly and reacted “she gets it from me” and took it as a compliment for my parenting skills.  The funny part about it was I kept thinking that is furthest from the truth; I simply do not radiate that zest.  With the busyness of this time of the year I was feeling burnt out.

What was it about my daughter that she smiled all the time?  How was she so happy?  I just watched her wondered.  I really could not take credit here.

Stop the world I want to get off!!

After our guests all left I said to my 5 year old – I am so tired.

She said to me “Well why you don’t just take a little rest”.

My immediate thought was I could not possibly, there was dishes from lunch piled high on the sink, the dishwasher was full, there was a stain on the tablecloth from lunch etc, etc, etc.

She had a point – to look after your instant need – that should have been totally obvious to me as there is always going to be washing and washing up.  Sometimes giving up the little things (washing up for now) will mean something bigger to you.   The more I continued to observe her; it really is about taking your time and allowing yourself to breathe.  We all get caught up in it.   Take a moment to notice a smile, to loose yourself in someone else eyes and to enjoy the magic of laughter.

Washing up and washing will always be there. Look after your spirit and it will look after you.

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