A Born Blether

I am a born blether!! However, I need to add the disclaimer that I don't always blether on about nothing!!  

I love nothing more than being involved in great conversation, fabulous stories and belly laughing humour. I'm sure part of that enjoyment is cultural - being Scottish we all love a good blether, but the other part is simply that I thoroughly enjoy connecting with people. It's a wonderful thing expanding your own life experience by getting to know others and listening to their life stories. 

I believe I also have the 'gift of the written gab.' Somehow what I write seems to connect with those who choose to read my creative compositions. 

It took me a long time to pluck up the courage to write for the public to read. While I had a deep desire to write from my soul, there was also the fear of judgement, fear that my material might be used against me, or that I was not as accomplished a writer as I thought I might be. I also questioned who would be interested in reading what I have to say - after all, who am I?? In the end I put all those unfounded fears aside and trusted that my intention to write was coming from a pure place. 

After a period of deliberation and a lot of encouragement from people in my life, I got brave! I started to write here on Karen-Ology and then created my personally risky blog - A Compulsive Story.  The sole purpose for writing about food addiction in the blog domain was in order to help any fellow human being who may be going through the same and the purpose of Karen-Ology is for me to put down in words my thoughts, my opinions, my loves, my joys and to let you get to know the essence of me!   

Maya Angelou said "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." 

I believe we all have a story to tell.  Having stories inside that are expressed in the written word, creates a soul connection with the reader akin to listening to a moving piece of music, watching an amazing dance routine or viewing an astounding painting.   All soul filling connections.

The art of writing is as powerful an art form as any of The Arts.  I know I am reading a great book when I am in that story, living each page, seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling the author's pictures painted by words. 

While I am no literary scholar, or even an accomplished writer, I do love to paint pictures with my words; imparting good vibes, an avenue of helpful connection or merely an opinion. Hopefully, I also manage to communicate a little bit of Karen-Ology blethering with you at the same time.  

Me and My Shadow

There comes a time in our lives when we have to get real.  A time when we have to look ourselves in the eye and be drop dead honest about our good and bad points. 

I used to be the kind of person that was terrified of being perceived as bad/not nice/wrong.  For an intelligent lady, it took me a fair while to understand that being perfect and doing everything right was virtually impossible; in fact striving for it was utterly exhausting. 

Nobody in this world is perfect, nobody has carte blanche on doing things right every single time and I now understand that part of  the whole human experience is owning our darker side, embracing instead of rejecting our shadow.  

For a long time I rejected my shadow, hid it from all and sundry due to fear of rejection, judgement or losing friends. In doing so I was in effect cutting myself off from a rich supply of information about how I tick. While this 'darkness' holds my unspoken fears, anger, judgements etc. it is very much part of who I am; for me to be a whole, truly happy human being, acceptance of the light as well as the dark side of me is extremely important.  

I am not for one minute suggesting that every time I make a mistake, or my shadow appears, I harshly criticise, judge, or beat myself up. However, what I do endeavour to do is learn from my negative actions and reactions, to see where I can grow and live in a more conscious way.  It is not comfortable to look at my shadow, but it is courageous and I am very grateful for every opportunity I have to become a better person today than I was yesterday.   

Carl Jung in his collected works says: "Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is.  If an inferiority is conscious, one always has a chance to correct it...but if it is repressed and isolated from consciousness, it never gets corrected."

Today, me and my shadow get along just fine! I actually do embrace that side of Karen.  I can laugh at some of my negative reactions, I know how to look for triggers to those moments that create a challenge in my life. Having learned how to handle that darker side of me has created a wholly positive outcome; a happier existence, self love, self acceptance and self respect. 

Get to know your shadow, embrace it, learn from it and be the amazing 'yin and yang' creation you are. 

Rosemary Loch Osborne

Rosemary was only 26 years old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.  What the Big C didn't know about my cousin was that she was a fighter with an indomitable strength of spirit.  She had absolutely no intention of letting that disease have it's easy way with her. She had far too much life to live. 

Defying death sentence after death sentence in the 28 years she fought her disease, Rosemary married her lovely husband Julian, had her beautiful daughter Jayne, holidayed with her family around the world, enjoyed a good glass of red and smoked her cigarettes.  Never once did she feel sorry for herself that I saw and I remember her saying to me on one of my visits home "Karen, it's always so much worse for everyone else than it is for me the cancer patient, because I know what it feels like, they don't." 

Rosemary and Fiona

For purely geographical reasons, I have not had a lot to do with my cousins but there was always a close connection with Rosemary and her wee sister Fiona despite the miles. Whenever I revisited Scotland I always made the effort to catch up with these girls and enjoyed a very warm welcome with lots of laughs and chat about our families when we were kids. I have great memories of childhood times visiting my Aunt's and my favourite memory of Rosemary teaching my sisters and I how to disco dance!  

She was extremely pretty, fabulously fashionable, could dance Pans People under the table and was a right royal rebel at heart!  I used to look up to her in awe, wishing that I had her confidence, beauty and style - as all 12 year olds do when seeing their 16 year old cousin dancing to Top of the Pops, talking about boys and sneaking out the back for a smoke!!! All reasons I loved when Rosemary would come to babysit at our place. 

In the last few years Rosemary's illness started to take a hold but more seriously so in the past couple of years.  I am amazed at the strength and grace with which Rosemary lived her life and fought to the very end. I feel a deep sense of sadness for those left behind, Julian, Jayne, Fiona, Matthew, Michael and the rest of her family. 

I know that Rosemary is at peace now and is with her Mum and Dad, her Uncle George (my dad) and our Granny.  I believe heaven is rejoicing today as a beautiful, strong angel reunites with family that has gone before her.

Rosemary

Rest In Peace Rosemary Loch Osborne  

22 August 1959 - 9 April 2014

My Writing Process - Very First Blog Tour

I was invited to be a part of my very first blog tour by the amazing Lisa Kirchner: an author, storyteller and yogi residing in New York.  Lisa’s stimulating stories, sharp wit and phenomenal way with words tell an inspirational journey of vision and courage that all women need to hear. You also need to read Lisa’s first book, a memoire entitled Hello American Lady Creature, What I learned as a Woman in Qatar, which will be available on 31 May 2014. To check out Lisa’s answers to the blog tour click here and to check out her website click www.lisalkirchner.com.  Thanks Lisa!

My Writing Process

What am I working on?

I’m working on further developing an online healing space via my blog A Compulsive Story for those who suffer from eating disorders and planning to publish a book about my life’s journey with the disease of compulsive overeating. In the world of work, I am currently working on a new Website for Valued Lives and getting ready to launch SCRIBE Online in the coming months.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I think every single writer’s work differs from others – even within the same genre. All we can do is be true to our story and ourselves.  Personally, I endeavour to ensure authenticity in my writing, so the reader experiences the essence of Karen and who she is.

Why do I write what I do?

There are two reasons:  firstly to express my creativity. I love the written word, it inspires and connects to my soul at the deepest level, painting pictures in the canvas of my imagination.  Secondly, a deep desire to help others, to give hope and share the truth of my life’s journey in a unique way with those who are in a similar situation.  

How does my writing process work?

Subject matter for my writing tends to come through meditation, an Oprah ‘Aha’ moment, or just a knowing that I need to write on a certain subject. I write from a connected space that feels otherworldly. When I try to make my writing happen without that connection it simply does not work: no flow, no ideas and no words.  

Now let me introduce the next three beautiful bloggers on the tour who I’m sure you will thoroughly enjoy; Anna Kemp, Elysia Tsangarides and Kristen Taylor:

Anna Kemp:

Anna was born in Melbourne, Victoria but has lived in many places along the East Coast of Australia. She writes a personal/lifestyle blog titled Anna Savanna.  Initially the blog began as a hobby to pass the time during university holidays, but being able to write about anything she felt like and engaging with readers from around the globe was rather addictive. When a rare disorder forced her to quit her Masters Degree in Communications, the blog became her main pursuit. When she isn't posting on the blog she is working on her first fiction book, using instagram prolifically and generally being a flâneur. In her former life as a journalist, Anna wrote for Luxury Travel Magazine and Australian Art Collector, and freelanced for publications such as The Coffee Guide.  Anna currently lives in Sydney with her husband and two dogs.  

Anna Savanna

www.annasavanna.com

Elysia Tsangarides:

Elysia is many things, depending on the time of day. During work hours she is Marketer, Communicator, Event and Program Manager, as well as many cups of tea drinker. After 5pm she writes for Weekend Notes Perth, blogs at Prickles and Pearls, dabbles in many things creative but most of all, reads and writes a bunch! Traveller, foodie, lover, questioner, procrastinator, fence sitter, popcorn lover, dog owner, daughter, girlfriend, sister and amongst other things believer that life should be nothing short of extraordinary.  Check out Prickles and Pearls to enjoy a little bit of El. 

Prickles and Pearls

pricklesandpearls.blogspot.com.au

Kristen Taylor:

Kristen is a 34 year old Mobile, Alabama native who has been a self professed writer ever since she was first able to hold a pencil correctly.  At the age of 11, she had two original poems published in the annual edition of 'Sketches,' a 200-page booklet showcasing art and writings of students in the DoDDS schools in Germany.  Her next published work didn't occur till more than 20 years later when she was asked to contribute to a coffee-table book entitled 50 Shades of Black writing on the 'Global Preoccupation of Skin Tone' (as it relates to sexuality and how its portrayed in the media). However, for the past four years Kristen has been writing a myriad of topics on her blog The Personal Reflections of Kristen Alyce. With notebooks full of songs, scripts and short stories dating back as far as 2000, she hopes one day to compile all her work into a personal catalogue.  In the meantime, she is working on a currently untitled book where she discusses morality in dating relationships as they relate to scripture and its parallel to her personal dating experiences.  Coming soon to a bookshelf near you! Until then, check her out on her Personal Reflections blog; she'd loved to welcome you to her world! 

The Personal Reflections of Kirsten Alyce

http://kristenalyce.tumblr.com

  

Memorable Movie Making

I have this wonderful little book called Secret Daily Teachings.  It's one of those written gems that gifts you with pearls of wisdom, food for thought and insights to living your best life. 

Today's teaching invited me to mull over a few positive changes that I could further incorporate into my life.  

'How is the movie of your life going? Do you need to make any script changes ....... Is there any editing that you want to do?'

I was unaware until latterly that the movie of my life is solely of my creation.  The good, the bad and the ugly presented for all to see - an outer representation of the inner workings of my mind.  It was time to rewrite the horror/psychological thriller script that had played in my head for as long as I could remember. 

Learning that I had the power to choose and change my thoughts from negative to positive, black to white, dark to light, wrong to right, or any other variation thereof, was the start of a deep internal spiritual shift towards self-acceptance and self love whilst pursuing my own dreams. 

I admit, initially it did feel really weird practicing positive self-talk that would shut out the negativity of my ego, but honestly, persistence is the key, as is trusting the process without question. Today I can look in the mirror and smile at myself without a whisper of self criticism.  Believe me that's momentous!

There is absolute freedom in knowing nothing is set in stone; I can edit the script at any time, even rewrite the whole movie plot to ensure I am living life on my terms and loving it. 

We only get one chance at living this life to its fullest, so if you're not content with how your movie is panning out, get in touch with your inner director, rewrite the script and reshoot the scenes to ensure the happiest of Hollywood endings!! 

Ma Chaussures Chic

I have a long term love affair and super duper obsession with shoes.

This is one obsession I am quite happy to indulge in thank you very much. Ever since I was a teenager and had my first Saturday job in Lilly and Skinner on Princes Street in Edinburgh, where I could buy shoes at discount prices, I was HOOKED. 

There is nothing nicer than going out for retail therapy or window shopping only to come home with a couple of boxes of foxy footwear.  I am the type of person who, if I like a pair of shoes and they come in a couple of colours, I will buy them in both colours!  

A small part of my collection

I know.. it's ridiculous but you should see the smile on my face right now as I write about my tootsies favourite accessories.  Shoes make me happy!

Over the years I have culled shoes, donated them to St Pat's Rack, Vinnies, Salvos and given them away to friends having sometimes only worn them once, but believe me they brought me such a lot of pleasure even owning them for such a short time.

I have ankle boots
I have stilettos
I have flats
I have sling backs
I have kitten heels
I have wedges
I have trainers
I have flip flops (aka thongs down under)

and I have them all in a myriad of colours - I can't help myself!

I even like to buy books with the history of shoes and love cards that are decorated and designed with shoes as artwork. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Cards 

classy cards  

Just recently I acquired this beautiful pair of Vivienne Westwood / Melissa black velvet stilettos - the shoe is very aptly named Skyscraper.  

Skyscraper by Vivienne Westwood/Melissa

These babies were donated to St Pat's Rack for us to sell. They were only worn once and could command a great price for St Pat's Rack. How serendipitous was it that they came in my size?!  I tried them on and fell in love (even though right now I can't wear them because of my healing hip) and was in the process of deciding how much I would pay for them when St Pat's asked me if I would like them as a leaving gift - of course I said yes!  I joked in my farewell speech that I was going to put them in a box frame and hang them on my bedroom wall.

This other cute little kitten heeled pair I picked up when I was in Melbourne at a Salvo's shop in Kew.  You cannot pass up a neutral Italian suede pair of kitten heels with this much flair for $20. It would be an absolute sin. 

Italian Suede Pre Loved Kitten Heels

I personally think shoes maketh the woman - and the man for that matter.  
Ladies, if you've got a classy outfit on, you need good looking shoes to complete your outfit.  Don't scrimp on shoes.

absolutely NOT

Men, if you are wearing the best clothes money can buy and yet on the end of your ankles you are wearing dirty old beat up shoes/trainers or ugly mismatched shoes, then you won't even get a second glance from this lady!!!

no no no

I  LOOOOOOVE me some shoes.. and this final little pic is my idea of shoe heaven .....

I think I need to get designing a space 'pour ma collection de chaussures chic!!'