Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: journey

  • BRAVE: COURAGEOUSLY LIVE YOUR TRUTH

    BRAVE: COURAGEOUSLY LIVE YOUR TRUTH

    How does a woman go from being a corporate high flyer to a following the pathway she was destined to follow, makes a very interesting story which is told in Brave: Courageously live your truth from Sheila Vijeyarasa, a woman who had it all, or seemed to have it all.

    A glowing career, a corporate title Chief Financial Officer and what she considered the world at her feet, was what Sheila had worked hard to achieve ever since she was a small girl who looked like being dropped to a ‘B’ grade for her studies.

    To her this was considered as a failure, something not to be tolerated. The only way up was to work hard which she did, coming out as Dux at the end of the year; a year of sacrifice, hard work and more hard work. Coming from a family of high achievers this appeared to be acceptable for one who was a perfectionist.

    Pursuit of perfection became the mantra that drove her to reaching the top spot in the world of Corporate Finance, but as the years flew by friends married, had children and in so many ways left her behind. Coming from a Sri Lankan family, marriage and children were considered as high on the list of important things to achieve in life, along with a successful career.

    She became deeply disturbed and depressed, realising that deep in her heart she had a calling to do more with her life, but was fearful of moving away from the accepted norm; to becoming a failure in her and her families eyes.

    As with many of life’s dark moments it took losing her job to help her re-evaluate her life pathway and to step bravely onto the pathway of healing herself, discovering her life purpose and in her usual style of learning, she set out to discover everything she possibly could about her life purpose to become a spiritual teacher and intuitive medium.

    Raw but with a brave and warm honesty Sheila Vijeyasrasa shares her journey, reaching out to all the women who are teetering on the edge of beginning their own Brave and Courageous Journey, and through the eyes of others who have already walked their pathway, offers understanding, a helping hand and evidence, most importantly of listening to your inner voice, your guide, to show you the way forward.

    Life is life; it is what you choose to make of it that is important. Following your dream, stepping out onto your courageous pathway with courage and bravery is important as is knowing people such as Sheila, along with the many others who have shared their journey, are there to offer a helping hand, will make the journey so much more enjoyable.

    The final word on the journey is a ‘power phrase’ that really encapsulates the message running throughout the book, ‘I am courageously me and I inspire others’. Make that your mantra!

  • Stories from Portugal

    Stories from Portugal

    Every place is filled with stories, everyone has their own story to tell which adds to the rich tapestry of life surrounding the many places we all love and enjoy as a part of our life journey. Stories from Portugal from Suzanne Herman are a rather interesting collection of stories delivered in solo piano narrative.

    Commencing the tale with Coimbra’s Legacy she weaves a tale around the often overlook city of Coimbra, a place that was once the capitol of Portugal, to be discovered on the banks of the Mondego River, its medieval architecture a well-kept secret, found only by those who choose to take a pathway less travelled.

    Dancing across the keyboard the notes of A Conversation Under the Stars will take you to places only you can discover as you have your own conversation with the magic of the night skies; Herman’s music moves from dancing, twinkling stars to a the more sombre spaces that act as a majestic backdrop for the twinkling enchantment of the night skies.

    Another interesting composition is Journeys, Encounters and Unanswered Question something we all have in our backstory of life, but perhaps never more so than when traveling in different worlds, cultures and histories when there is always much to be pondered. Deep and almost melancholy, the song is lifted with a light melody running through the piece. Calçada Portuguesa is an intriguing title for a piece as it refers to the wonderfully tiled pavement seen throughout Portugal made from small, flat pieces of stone in a technique first bought to Portugal by the Mesopotamians.

    The final song the Breadmakers Dance, something that is a tradition through Portugal, as it is to do with the making of bread, the kneading of the dough; when the dough is slammed onto the boards then pushed, folded and repeated again and again creates a type of ‘dance’, the rhythm of which  is captured in this delightful song.

    As do all journeys, so too does this one end with a flourish and the suggestion of bread baking in the oven to round out a tapestry story book, journeying through Portugal, enjoying the stories told along the way.

  • 2020 The End of the Beginning: continuing the eternal journey

    2020 The End of the Beginning: continuing the eternal journey

     ‘Many shall fear the beginning of the end as the world attempts to recover from the events of 2020; yet as a little butterfly flaps its wings to the sound of glorious church bells, the herald of a new beginning will be all that has ended’.

    This little phrase may help make sense of the title of the book 2020 The End of the Beginning: continuing the eternal journey as it appears to contradict, or could be considered as an apocalyptic dictate, which it is not. The reality is David Shaw reflecting as he is living through the cataclysmic events of 2020, the early onset of COVID -19 and the effects it has had on his family, his community and the wider community of  Kilmarnock, Scotland.

    Commenced five years ago and then arriving at complete stop, Shaw wondered why, after four previous books on spirituality, he should suffer a severe dose of writers block. Regardless of how often he tried words simply refused to be born onto the page. Moving on he put it down to experience and continued on with his work as a Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist and Past-life therapist, meeting regularly with his spiritual group.

    At the beginning of 2020 his Guides decided it was time to recommence work on the abandoned manuscript of 2014, as a momentous event was about to occur which needed to be recorded and understood for future generations. The book initially was constructed of individual chapters discussing life journeys, spiritual influence and the many lessons learned along the way, each chapter with a fiction piece as told by different Spirit.

    These early chapters revisited, now make up the basis of the work, with David Shaw adding to his personal journey as the world of 2020 unfolded. As the pages turn his words reach out as if in a conversation, one on one, discussing the very real issues that heralded a year of upheaval, distress, new beginnings, opportunities, change, distraction and sadly, death on an unprecedented scale on a global basis.

    Shaw has used his contact with his Guides to try and understand what 2020 was all about and the ongoing ramifications of a world caught unprepared; held in thrall to a Virus that is rapidly developing the characteristic of a classic shapeshifter.

    Fascinating, enthralling and enjoyable, he walks though his life, looking at issues such as perfection, forgiveness, love, success, truthfulness , failure, acceptance, evolution and the eventual ‘nirvana’, which in his case is the  deep spirituality and beauty  he discovered a Wailua Falls in Hawaii.

    The question is thus, is 2020 simply a singular part in our evolution or something far more than that and if so, what will be learned; will life continue on as it did before. Those and many more questions are still far from answered, but in amongst the pages of 2020 The End of the Beginning: continuing the eternal journey a pathway is offered with a Guide to help along the way. What you choose to do with the information is yours to be decided as we all move forward into whatever the future offers, but it is to always be remembered as this book so dictates, that the ‘philosophy of the Free Dimension as bought forward by the ascended masters remains unchanged’!

  • In the City

    In the City

    The end pages of In The City a paperback picture book for very small children, have been clearly designed to show what we might find in the city. Without text, we see a variety of buildings, transport, people, and animals that immediately reinforces the idea of “City.”

    Two children with a map are off to explore. The illustrations are mostly clear, and some objects are labelled. The double page spreads make it easy to incorporate a panoramic scene. The children catch a train, then visit a museum, where they are invited to name an artefact. After that the children walk through the busy streets where there are many things to be seen. Some lunch is enjoyed in the park and they feed the ducks before they make their way home and revise many of the things they saw.

    With help, young children will be able to recognise, point to and discuss the illustrations and objects that have been shown and written about In The City.

  • Rune

    Rune

    Name: Laguz. Phoneme: L. Meaning: formlessness, chaos, potentiality, the unknown.

    This symbol is on the cover of the latest release from renown guitarist David Helping; the title of the work is Rune. The descriptors of the Norse Symbol aptly describe the shimmering, mellow music to be discovered as each of the songs unfold, wrapping the heart and soul within the healing, peaceful power of the ocean.

    This work, unlike his previous album A Sea Without Memory is pure guitar, which initially is difficult to grasp as the soundscape indicates there should be at the very least, a synth involved somewhere within the construction; but there is not, which makes this a most intriguing collection.

    As each of the songs unfold it is very easy to become lost within the sound, returning to the reality of daily life, feeling refreshed, while understanding the gentle and peaceful journey undertaken through the delightfully ambient, clever guitar work.

    Free Dive immerses the mind immediately into the freedom of the ocean; for those who have enjoyed free diving at some time in their life, this piece resonates with the concept of the total freedom found as you return to the water; the essence of life.

    A gloriously empathic Ascension of the Whales encourages the emotions to enter the realm of majesty through which these beautiful creatures of the ocean move so gracefully. A very special composition.

    Changing seascapes encompassing a slight turbulence is created in Under Shallow Seas a piece perfectly capturing the differing elements to be discovered when the waters are not so deep, yet flowing in a timeless rhythm over the ocean bed below; the need to remain closer to the surface, when simply observing the world below is paramount.

    Throughout the work the endless sense of peace weaves the pieces together in a seamless ambience, which slowly draws to a conclusion with The Heart Of Us, perfect for a short meditation and completely underwriting the words on the liner, ‘From the sea came the rain and so we are from the sea’.

  • Healing Hands

    Healing Hands

    Listening to the first track of Cathy Oakes latest work, Healing Hands it was obvious this was something special, a work that contained a deep emotion. As each of the tracks unfurled this depth of feeling remained, seeping into every note which is played with thankfulness and in homage for the many healing hands that helped her on her journey with Breast Cancer.

    Simply reading the titles of the tracks gives an idea of what is behind this glorious celebration of life and healing, as well as reaching out to all the women who are walking the same pathways.

    Cathy Oakes has always spoken with immense feeling in her compositions and heartfelt playing, much of which comes from a deep religious faith, and although this work comes from a vastly different platform, her soul deep love of music is very apparent, emerging as gentle, peaceful and almost divine music.

    Discovering you have Cancer is cataclysmic, turning your world upside down immediately; The Threshold presents this shattering numbness to perfection, representative of the time when a new journey is beginning with no sure or positive ending to be seen. Hesitant and almost tremulous in many ways this would have to be the stand out track in a series of songs from the heart.

    The longest piece Letting go, captures the realisation that in order to heal, one must let go, place your very life into others skilled hands and accept that they also, work tirelessly to achieve the best outcomes.

    The Darkest Hour emerges from the period of time when crossroads are reached, when outcomes are yet to be determined and the hand being cast can go either way. Simple, pure and perfectly presenting the time when acceptance is achieved and an inner peace attained.

    Lifting the melody with a lighter hand and heart is Anchor of Hope, a gentle, elegant piece as hope begins to appear, that once again there is light and hope in the long and torturous journey. Following on Thankfulness is a cautiously jaunty, cheerful song, full of happiness that a corner has finally been turned, milestones achieved and life waiting to be lived to the fullest once again.

    Only Cathy Oakes could call a journey with Breast Cancer a Blessed Journey, but then who is to say it is not, as in many ways, her journey was blessed by wonderful people, professionals who guided her safely and with love through the way points of her journey.

    Healing Hands is a glorious, rich, heartfelt tribute to fellow travellers; one that has been created in true thankfulness for every day newly given.

  • Damascus

    Damascus

    One could be forgiven for doing a double-take at seeing the title of this book, Damascus. The author of “The Slap,” has moved a long way from writing about contemporary social issues, to examining the birth of Christianity, and, in particular, the character of Paul (Saul). It will pay the reader to peruse the Author’s note at the end of the novel, to understand what has created this powerful passion and compulsion to write on this topic.

    Christos Tsiolkas had many struggles to accept, and be accepted, for his sexuality. In conversation with his mother after the tragic death of his father, his mother confessed that she had considered committing suicide when she discovered that Christos was gay. He asked her what had made her change her mind, and she said that she had found comfort in the words of Paul.

    This ensured that the Author who was a lapsed Christian, went back to examine those words. Through study and research over the next five years, he concluded that, instead of him rejecting Paul’s words, he found new meaning in them and “They now walk together.” For the author, the words of Jesus that Saul preached, such as “Love Thy Neighbour and Turn the Other Cheek”, meant a whole new way of thinking and living life.

    The story covers the early life of Saul, who was responsible for many violent and evil deeds before his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus. The beginning of the story is real and gripping, as a woman is stoned to death because of Saul’s accusations. It is a powerful beginning which leads the reader to the harsh and raw truth of the times. Christos cannot have known what the situation in Syria would have been today, and how history repeats itself.

    The first section of the narrative tells of Saul’s early days, then later sections deal with fellow Christians, Lydia, Timothy and then Saul again. This is indeed a genuine attempt by Christos, to understand God and to discover why His words are so powerful and lasting. It is true to the times and brutal in its realism.

    Christos’s infatuation with the writing of Patrick White is reflected in the way his words are finely honed. Reading this book is to choose to take a journey that may be uncomfortable and challenging. It will be interesting and maybe rewarding, but certainly looks with a new perspective at an old story.

  • Journey Into Wholeness

    Journey Into Wholeness

    As with many books in the spiritual self-help category, they have a habit of finding you when the time is right. Journey into Wholeness is no exception.

    Written by Intuitive and Healer Daniella Divine, she shares her experiences of discovering the person she is and was always, despite believing otherwise for many of her early years. Growing up in a Jewish faith-based family, forth of four sisters, she was always surrounded by the love of her mother and sisters.

    She had a highly developed sense of family, of the need to be a member of a close-knit group, suffering a real crisis of separation when her parents separated, her older sister moved out and another sister went to live with their father.

    At a young age Divine began working as a psychic, faced the fact they she was gay, and that none of this fitted with the Jewish faith. She also realised that no matter what labels she placed upon herself, no matter how she accepted what were the many facets of her life, she still did not feel whole, she really did not know who she was and the labels she placed around herself made little difference.

    It took a journey along the Camino Trail, on a lesser walked trail, during the months of Winter to discover the real person who lived deep inside, and had always been there, just simply waiting to be rediscovered.

    Journey Into Wholeness is presented as a ‘roadmap’ to discovering your own personal peace and centre, with each chapter concluding with exercises and various tools to help with your discovery.

    Gentle and welcoming, much of the information may resonate already, but much is there to be discovered. Along the journey there will be many Ah Ha moments, when you realise just what the little voice meant, what the gift of car park, in a full car park was all about and why, at times you somehow seem to instinctively know the right thing to say or do.

    Taking the journey ‘back home’ is an event which, like most things worthwhile, needs to be undertaken with a destination in mind, that of feeling complete, fulfilled and at peace.

    Daniella Divine had to learn to let go, to truly believe that everything she needed would be there as required, and it is and was. Journey Into Wholeness is her journey, it is also your journey should you choose to embrace what is your truth, the things in your life that resonate for you, that allow you to be whole, the person you have always been, just misplaced for a period of time on life’s many pathways.

    Now is a very good time to being your personal Journey Into Wholeness.

     

     

  • Generous night, redeem

    Generous night, redeem

    Solo pianist Ryan Marvel has collaborated with his mother, poet Betti Bernardi, to create a beautiful album full of soul and reflection, the music woven throughout the poem which is presented on the back cover of the wrap-around.

    The fourteen tracks have names selected from lines of the poetry with the introductory piece Lunar Melody, delivering a light, clear and fanciful song, soft, gentle and yet full of longing, perhaps dreaming of being away from earths mortal coil to become the ‘man in the moon’.

    Crying heart of sleepless dawn visits a place everyone has been at some time in their lives; tired, restless and facing the dawn, a time of refection, introspection and weariness, to begin a new day but both the words and the music encourage taking a stand against life’s issues. Moving on, towards acceptance, eventually leads to Overwhelm, which in the words of the poem is, ‘misery’s companion’, setting the scene for a rather sombre and measured piece, gentle and yet melancholic, but in that same melancholy there is a thing of rare beauty, hidden deep inside.

    The title song Generous night, redeem is once again a measured, gentle song offering understanding, allowing time for a quiet thought, clarity still to arrive, but with acceptance more than a consideration. Evenings benediction brings with it an uplifting moment, lighter, more positive as ‘the windows of time’ are used as a sign and evidence that transformation will and does eventually take place.

    A fresh breeze beckons in Breath of the vagabond as a new beginning is just a little further down the pathway, beckoning, tempting and calling out to be heard. Come join me, it almost seems to say, I am fresh, alive, new, come join me. A delightful little song full of hope and joy.

    The final song Glance the stars says in the simplest of melodies, that even in the midst of despair, there is a fresh new beginning to be discovered, by simply pausing for moment, glancing at the stars, millions of years old, forming in their galaxies once again offering a fresh way forward.

    Both blend of music and poetry make a beautiful journey of enlightenment and at the very least a delightful moment of time out reading inspirational words couched in delicately presented music. Read the poetry, listen to the music then combine the two and a visionary journey is there to be enjoyed.

  • Simple Soulful Sacred: A Woman’s Guide to Clarity, Comfort and Coming Home to Herself

    Simple Soulful Sacred: A Woman’s Guide to Clarity, Comfort and Coming Home to Herself

    Simple Soulful Sacred describes this beautiful book perfectly as the words are just that, designed and carefully selected to appeal to women everywhere, their inner selves, that sacred place that is there within us all, often hidden, forgotten and in need of refreshing, rejuvenating, allowed to be an integral component of who we are: Woman.

    ‘I Am Woman’ became a mantra for women in the 1970’s; a time of emancipation, freedom and a time when women everywhere looked to a brighter future. Somewhere along the journey the shine has tarnished, many women drowning in exhaustion, overworked, frazzled beyond tolerable levels with far too much expected from them in their daily lives.

    Burnt out is now the mantra of the modern women of the 2000’s, many beginning to want to feel whole, vibrant, healthy and happy in their daily lives. But in all the madness, they have no idea how to achieve what they truly desire.

    Over many years carrying out research with a diverse cross section of women, Megan Dalla-Camina has discovered the main points women want in their lives. A feeling of sacredness, peacefulness, comfort, well-being, simplicity, liveliness, womanhood and sovereignty, simply some of the words used, words she has taken and expounded upon, that can and will help guide you onto a fresh new pathway to discovering who you are as you emerge into your own sacredness and power.

    Dalla-Camina has allowed the work to be gentle, full of love and personal experience which can be read from cover to cover, taking each affirmation and subject area as it is set out, or after reading the Introduction it can be used to pose questions to ponder upon, as a daily affirmation, another perspective or simply as a way to reach out and know there is love and understanding simply waiting to be accepted.

    Divided into Ten sections there truly is an answer there to be found about the questions needing to be asked in and about your life, all couched in love and understanding of the same journey travelled.

    Each of the sub-titles automatically bring a with them a gentle smile, sometimes admittedly a little wry, a few words of wisdom from many wise, wonderful people such as Hellen Keller, Abraham Lincoln, T.S. Elliot, Simone De Beauvoir, Buddha, and more, followed with a lovely explanation to what is being offered before concluding with a heart-warming affirmation.

    Full of wisdom, inspiration and in so many ways healing, this is a perfect guide into a fresh, new awakening of feminine power that will make a massive difference in the lives of not just women but all the people who are a part of their very existence.

    Should permission be needed to begin the journey, Simple Soulful Sacred could be considered as just that!