Wanted: My Inner Mojo

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Lost my mojo many years back.  After a soul-wrenching search, I have found it, hiding within.  Our life journey amongst the changes, work, partners, children… sometimes we just lose it for a while.  We just need to believe we can resurrect it and the happiness within is life transforming.

I have dedicated this year to get my health back on track.  I took control of my journey with the guidance of a few health professionals.  Dealing with a sleep disorder, a prolonged operation, chronic pain, the stress of farming during drought times and the related complications of it all… no wonder I ended up with depression and anxiety.  But through careful treatment and my inner pledge to myself, life is getting back on track.  More so, my ability to deal with life’s bumpy journey has been restored.

Inspired and optimistic today in my follow-up with the Mindset Strategist.  In just 2 appointments, her practice has helped transform my life completely.  Amazed by the results of her techniques and how quick it worked.  I recommend Katie Godden with her enthusiasm, positivity and guidance.   This modern intuitive technique of aligning our sub-conscious thoughts with real life, letting go of our emotional baggage and giving us the confidence to move forward… is so unbelievably powerful and enriching.

Like many women, I struggled with confidence and low self-esteem over the years.  My thoughts have now shifted, and I have found my inner mojo again.  That influence and personal charisma that we all have inside of us and the confidence to let it shine.  Quietly but proudly, I like the “new” ME that I have found and so excited to take on life by the horns.

Remember, believe in yourself because that’s where the magic begins.

You are worth it!

Take care, Karen.

P.S. Please watch this video, it is just beautiful and sums up all our lives.

Video Credit: CIMORELLI ~ YouTube

Thank a Farmer Today!

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Today I want to acknowledge and thank all Australian farmers.  Thank you for the food you put on our tables.  Thank you for the clothes on our back.  Thank you to all those farmers who make this possible.

Farmers are feeding our families everyday, and now forced to take a second job off-farm to feed their own family.  Thank you to those endless hours that are worked and those brief moments they get to spend time with their children.

Agriculture is our nations largest employer, with 1.6 million jobs provided in the agricultural supply chain.  Australian farmers are producing enough food to feed 60 million people.  We are the 6th most food secure nation in the world, producing 93% of our daily domestic food supply.  This is an enormous feat too which makes me proud.

Thank you has been ever so evident this year… with the widespread onset of drought, everyday Australians in both city and country, caring about farmers and the future of the agricultural industry.  We have seen so many people donate so much of their hard-earned money.  We have seen grocery food items and toiletry items donated to support farmers and the wellbeing of their entire families.  We have telephone support from charities ensuring the mental heath of our farmers are protected and supported.  The compassion that has been shown is overwhelming emotionally and the connections with new people so pertinent.

Farming is a family business so it does take a sacrifice from all.  Thank you to those farming families that work the land, care for the animals and create jobs that feed and clothe us everyday.  A farmers job is never done and will always be needed.  So to all the farmers who work in acres, not in hours… we thank you!

Take care, Karen

“The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.”

~ Will Rodgers

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Who am I?

/ Country Heart Spark / 1 Comment

Hi, my name is Karen and I am a little shy but friendly.  I am a first-time blogger and have been setting up my new blog on farming challenges and the inspiration within my journey in life.  Undecided and hesitant if I wanted to remain anonymous or be up front and reveal myself.  I stand by what I write and am sincere and honest… so here I am.

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I bit about me… I have strong family values and a strong work ethic. Reliability, honesty and self-motivation drives me. My life is devoted to my husband and our 2 adult sons. Their wellbeing is my number one priority. I value the importance of inner harmony and have a passion for personal growth and development.

I grew up on a small farm on the Mid North Coast and have owned properties in the New England and Central West regions before settling on a farm west of Tamworth. Involved with farming all my life, now in my 40’s and children all grown up, it is time for my own passion to be shared. The quiet peaceful lifestyle of farming is satisfying and the value of the hard work on-farm is significant.

Passion for the future of the agricultural industry is at the forefront of my mind and it is my intention to promote this and the connection to all communities nation-wide. I feel strongly that Australian’s care about our domestic food chain and sustaining the farming industry.

I am a member of the Country Women’s Association of NSW, the largest women’s organisation in Australia, and I support their aims to improve the lives of women and their families. Their vision resonates with me, in providing a forum for the voice of all women, encouraging the viability of rural communities and lobbying for change. Values of goodwill, friendship, support and understanding is important to me.

My real passion is personal growth and development, and an inner enthusiasm to inspire others through listening and sharing. By using my writing and this Blog, I intend to encourage others along their life journey as well.

For more information and to visit my website Country Heart Spark, please click here

If you would like to receive my blogs by email or contact me, please click here

To follow me on Facebook, please click here

I hope you enjoy the ride with me.

Take care, Karen

Personal Growth & Imperfections

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That little phrase “personal growth” can be empowering but it can also make one feel a little anxious or uneasy.  To not explore what personal growth actually is, creates this endless search for happiness, clarity of mind, creative expression and a sense of inner calmness.

Personal growth or self-improvement is inspiring and will emerge if we just stop.  Stop searching and stop trying to be a better, calmer or nicer person and just allow our own mind to express itself.  To find that contentment within will enable us to be happier, more productive and efficient.

Perfection is a myth and an unrealistic goal.  I have always been a perfectionist in my life, which leads to disappointment, as perfection is an assumption of no faults and flawless results.  Perfection is not human and not what we should aspire to.  Sometimes we strive so hard for perfection that we forget that imperfection is happiness.  There would be no need for love in our lives if perfection was at all possible.

Our potential for growth, change and understanding is endless, by allowing our mind to reveal its true self.  By letting go of the past and the burden it holds upon us, as well as to set free the expectations of the future, the mind will open to the possibilities within.  Trust yourself… the answer lies within you… it is time to reveal the greatest version of yourself.  You are worth it!

Take care, Karen

“Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection.”

~ Kim Collins

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The Cute Factor

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It has been a long day.  Plenty of on-farm jobs today and stock work.  Sometimes we just need baby animals to remind us that not everything in this world is terrible, that things will get better for us, eventually.

On a downer… a lovely bull we had purchased has an injury and looks like he probably won’t get over it, probably nerve damage.  So if it is not the drought, it is something else to bring you down.  Just another kick in the guts.  And more money down the drain.

But on the flip side, I am able to find something to distract me and lift my spirits…I love newborn calves.  Our latest addition and the last calf to be born for this year.  The joy and hope, this little bull calf brings us today.  Why is it that the presence of baby animals have the ability to cheer us up?  Maybe it is the pure innocence, the curiosity or the cute factor.  Just look into their cute faces and feel the love.

Take care, Karen.

“EVERY DAY MAY NOT BE GOOD… BUT THERE IS SOMETHING GOOD IN EVERY DAY”

~ Alice Morse Earle

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Found My Smile Again

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I found it, the real smile that was misplaced for a while.  Thank you Katie for shifting my mindset to a better place today.  A place where contentment and inner peace reside.  With all of our emotional baggage, the stress of daily life and the burden of holding it all together, just somehow we do get overwhelmed.

To rewind…I for one, never like to ask for help or admit that just maybe my inner strength is not enough to handle it all.  After reaching out, I have finally realised… it is NOT a sign of weakness to need help with your mental health.  Depression and anxiety had crept up on me, not because I was weak, but because I tried to be too strong for too long.  Our personal perception is distorted and it just needs tweaking a little.

In hindsight I can now say that it was the best thing I have ever done.  I am feeling like I am at the top of my game.  I have accepted the help and got back on track.  If any of you are feeling like life is pulling you along and your passion has been muzzled, please take my advice and talk to your GP for options.

As my physical and mental health are both on the mend, I am passionate more than ever to discover my true potential.  Personal growth is what fascinates me, so today I took a big step.

A somewhat skeptical visit to a local Mindset Strategist to learn some mindset techniques and personal growth, proved to be a major epiphany.  The most positive experience of my entire life.  Today was the day… the day I take back control of my life and my emotions.  While working with Katie, I have felt the load lighten and feel free again.  Her ability to guide me to let go of those negative feelings from the past, learn the lesson and build strength to go forward, has completely amazed me.  Her techniques were non-invasive to my privacy yet powerful in the result… in only 2 hours.  I look forward to the follow-up next week.

I love this feeling of being on the road to recovery and I love the person within that I have found.

Take care, Karen

“A SMILE IS HAPPINESS YOU’LL FIND RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE”

~ Tom Wilson

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Make a Difference Today

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Have you ever wondered why do certain people come into our lives?  I believe everything happens for a reason and we are meant to meet some people to make a difference not only in our world but the bigger community as well.  One person can lift your spirits and give you hope and bring a smile.

Some people have the ability to boost a person up so effortlessly, their confidence and hope of things to come.  I love people like this in my life and I also get self-satisfaction from being able to make someone else feel good momentarily.  Our words and actions may not make a big difference in this world, but it can mean the world to just that one person.  It can lift the spirits of that person, encourage them to take that step, give them confidence to have a go and feel proud of their efforts.

With the stress of farming at the moment, the extra workload of feeding stock and the financial pressure, the need to lift spirits is more prominent.  The support of the Australian people and through the charities, we have all witnessed the uplifting this generosity has endowed.  Thank you does not reflect the overall feeling and the intensity that this kindness bears upon farmers.  As a farmer had been donated 10 bales of hay or a load of tank water or a bag of groceries …the emotions within are erupting.  It may be considered a band-aid solution and it will not pay that farmers bills or feed their stock for long.  But more importantly, it shows that others do care about farmers, care about their wellbeing and care about the future of Australian produce.

It doesn’t matter what line of work we are in or what walk of life we are from, everyone needs a helping hand at some point in their life.  It might only be a smile we give a stranger at the grocery store or an acknowledgement of their existence… it can make a big difference.  Everyone is going through something… life is not perfect.  We just need to boost each other up, instead of tearing each other down.  It is a win/win situation for all.

If we can all just help one person feel a sense of satisfaction or wellbeing, it will not only improve their life but also have a domino effect.  Be the reason that someone smiles today.  Make a difference!

Take care, Karen

“Hope gives us courage to do those things that we don’t believe we are capable of”

~ Noelle Pikus-Pace

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The Journey Begins

/ Country Heart Spark / 2 Comments

Hello and thank you for joining me!

I want to bring inspiration to you all by sharing my thoughts in the real world of family farming as well as balancing work & life in general.  And to keep you all focused on what we are all doing, in this very tough industry.   It is a journey and one I believe is worth it.  It is worth sustaining our Australian food & fibre products to feed & clothe our nation.  It is with the help of charities that some farmers are keeping focus and relying on their kind support and the generous donations from their communities.  A quiet sense of appreciation is displaced all over the states.

To introduce myself, I am a devoted wife and mother of two adult children and now a first-time blogger.  My husband and I own a mixed farming property near Tamworth NSW Australia, mainly running cattle and sheep.  We have been farming all our lives and have experienced the pleasure of coastal living as well as western farmland. Our life has been quite a journey, we have had our ups and downs, but plenty of chapters to write along the way.

Farming is no longer just a lifestyle, it is a business.  A business that does require hard work, leadership, motivation, time & effort.  However in this big wide world, it can be overwhelming sometimes for us all that we forget to look after ourselves.  I for one need inspiration to keep me focused.  Learning to be grateful and appreciate the small things in life.

There has been so much kindness and generosity exposed during the current drought, that it expresses we are in this together.  It is bridging the gap between country bumkins and there city cousins.  It is uniting all walks of life.  To witness these good things that come out of such devastating times is remarkable.

I am looking forward to sharing my life journey with you all and appreciate our connections regardless of where you are.  I will share the struggles of farming life, discuss the emotional world of women and explain my take on using inspiration to find inner peace.  My webpage sums it all up….I am from the COUNTRY, I have a big HEART and my passion is about to SPARK!

Take care, Karen

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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