Jacqueline Armstrong

Jacqueline Armstrong

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Stillbirth
  • Contact
  • Essential Oils

Am I a Downer?

September 8, 2016 by Jackie Armstrong Leave a Comment

casual-business-woman-typing-on-laptop-whilst-in-bedI was walking through the park with a couple of work colleagues this afternoon. We were talking about our lives and checking in with one another as to where we are at in life and what’s been happening. We found ourselves talking about things like divorce, money and living arrangements and as we continued to talk and walk, our young work mate turned to the two of us and said: “you guys are Debbie Downers”. The comment triggered an intense emotional reaction within me, one of complete hurt and sadness.

A few things came up as I processed the comment, and what specifically it was about the comment that caused such an emotional reaction within me. Here’s what came up for me as I sat with it all watching the tide roll in….

I felt hurt and saddened from the judgemental comment made by someone whose opinion and perspective I value. I felt sad that this person perceived me in that moment as a “downer”. I found I started questioning myself, asking myself questions like: what if I am a downer? Is my story and what I share depressing those around me? Maybe I shouldn’t talk about it. Maybe I am a downer. Maybe my life is a depressing mess that no one wants to hear about.  I allowed myself to become completely unravelled.

And through the process of unravelling a beautiful gift was illuminated; she showed me a part of myself in need of healing. A part of me judges and beats myself up about where I am at on my journey, about the way my life has unfolded and how my life looks so different to the lives of others. I often find myself judging and comparing my life’s journey to another’s. There are times when I say to myself “Jacqueline, why couldn’t you have stayed married and been happy with the white picket fence?” and “why can’t you be one of these people who rocks up to the same workplace each and every day for 25 years and be completely ok with it?” Why, why, why?????

And finally, when I choose to let go of the judgement, the truth is all that’s left. And the truth is this:   I am not prepared to stay in a marriage in which I am extremely unhappy and in which I feel every part of me is supressed. I won’t stay because someone tells me I have to, or that’s what I SHOULD do. I trust I am being guided and supported to what is meant to be and even if the people closest to me don’t support me and judge me as I walk the path of divine truth, I know I am going to be ok. I will continue to trust I am being supported and in each and every moment am being guided back to ME; the person I was born to be – all that I am. I will continue to stand in the raw beauty and truth of who I am, and I WILL NOT change or alter any part of who I am for another – I have been there before and I am not willing to endure that deep pain and suffering again.

So yeah, maybe some people perceive my story as depressing. And some days those same people will witness me on my knees in a complete state of absolute surrender with tears flowing and words getting caught in my throat. But my truth is this: I would much rather be witnessed being raw and vulnerable, having made some of the most courageous decisions of my life than be witnessed as someone who was paralysed by fear; too afraid to make the decisions they know they need to, and too afraid to be seen for who they really are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Evening with Oprah

December 15, 2015 by Jackie Armstrong 4 Comments

IMG_2059Last Thursday I spent the evening with Oprah. Well technically, it wasn’t just O and I, there were around 9000 other people packed into the Brisbane Entertainment Centre sharing in the moment.

Oprah shone bright like a diamond in a floor length sparkly silver gown. She was equally funny and sincere. There were moments where the audience erupted in laughter and moments of complete silence – the kind where you can hear a pin drop, or the random in the audience yelling out “Where’s Stedman?”.

I have never really been a MASSIVE fan of Oprah, however, when I heard she was coming to town, I felt called to go and see her. I am so glad I did. The content felt really timely and relevant for where I am at in my life right now. She mostly talked about her life’s journey; the path that lead her to where she is today, and of the spiritual practices she has found to be most useful in her life.

I thought I would take the opportunity to share some of key points with you.

Here are some truth bombs from the queen herself:

// Life is speaking to you, always

It begins by speaking softly, offering messages via whispers. Sometimes we choose not to hear the whispers, or to pay attention, so the whispers become louder and louder until eventually we are forced in some way to STOP and LISTEN. She encouraged us to reflect on our own lives and to ask ourselves:

  • What is my life saying to me?
  • What is being whispered to me right now?
  • What do I need to see?

// Be responsible for the energy you put out into the world

In an interview with Jill Bolte Taylor, Oprah came across this concept of being responsible for the energy you put out into the world.

Jill was a brain scientist, who in her thirties experienced a stroke. In her book: My Stroke of Insight, Jill talks about her need for visitors to bring their positive energy into her hospital recovery room. Without being able to communicate verbally with nurses and visitors Jill wrote about how she felt the difference in the energy of those who supported her recovery and believed in her ability to heal, to those who came in with highly anxious energy and who didn’t think she would or could recover.

Jill organised for a sign to be made and hung in her hospital room. It read: “Be responsible for the energy you bring into this room”.

Oprah’s message on energy: Keep your vibration high. Be aware of what you say to yourself and to others. Be mindful of your thoughts, because where the mind goes, energy flows. And overall, be responsible for the energy you put out into the world.

// Gratitude

Oprah shared her experiences of the spiritual practice of gratitude. She started a practice of writing down 5-10 things she was grateful for every single day in a gratitude journal. She said “It’s not just enough to think it; you have to write it down. The words have power”.

She encouraged us to be conscious throughout the day of things to be grateful for and to observe how the practice of gratitude can transform our lives. She explained how this practice of being grateful can completely shift our mindset. Instead of spending our days focusing on the things that aren’t so great, we will begin to focus our attention on the good things and the things to be grateful for.

// Surrender

Oprah explained that to surrender does not mean to give up. To truly surrender means to let go of any attachment to what you think the outcome must be. She explained: “after you’ve done all you can, let go of your attachment to whatever the outcome will be. The instant you can let go and release any attachment – your life will open up”. This was true for her.

Not sure how to surrender? Try prayer or meditation.

To finish Oprah left us with one of her favourite poems by Derek Walcott. As she read out this poem, I was reduced to tears. It still gets me every time I read it.

 

The time will come when, with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door,

in your own mirror each will smile at the other’s welcome, and say, sit here. Eat.

You will love again the stranger who was yourself.

Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the stranger who has loved you all your life, whom you ignored for another, who knows you by heart.

Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, the photographs, the desperate notes, peel your own image from the mirror. Sit. Feast on your life.

Derek Walcott.

 

As you read through this blog, what resonates with you? Are you committed to any of these spiritual practices yourself? And if so, how do they serve you? Please share in the comments below.

Jackie

Are you a human being or a human doing?

November 28, 2015 by Jackie Armstrong Leave a Comment

Man Watching Sunrise On BaconeyIt’s been some time since I’ve sat down at the computer and finished a piece of writing. Many a time I’ve sat down with the intention to write and share my wisdom only to find I become some sort of keyboard ninja; index finger my greatest weapon – backspacing the f*** out of the words on the page until there is nothing left.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot over the last month, asking myself questions like: What is happening right now? Why can’t I finish a piece of writing? Is this resistance? If so, then what is it I am resisting? And so on and so forth. I feel it’s got something to do with the whole human doing v’s the human being. It’s been coming up for me a lot lately.

When I think back to what life was like in the months leading up to this point, I’d been so caught up in the doing; I’d forgotten what it meant to BE. I had allowed myself to be completely consumed by my work, sports, the people in my life and my own thoughts. I’d become lost in the doing and eventually my body stepped in and communicated to me that enough was enough – it was time to STOP with all the doing and just be.

I became quite unwell and was unable to work for a few days, barely moving off the couch. I remember having a conversation with a friend of mine; I was absolutely distraught and felt completely lost and confused around what was happening. Being the beautiful wise teacher she is, she offered her wisdom to me. It was around being present, letting go of all of the internal dialogue, the self-destructing self-talk and instead replacing it with love and compassion for myself. Having love for my body instead of feeling hate and rage, tuning in and listening to the wisdom being offered by the experience, apologising, forgiving and surrendering to what was. Such amazingly helpful advice that guided me back home to ME.

Some time has passed and I am now in a much better space. I’ve begun incorporating rituals into my life which have been really helpful and grounding. Most mornings (not all) I sit down on a sea of pillows, light an incense stick, put my headphones in and meditate. Sometimes I will meditate for 10 minutes, sometimes longer. Some days I don’t meditate at all. I’ve found freeing myself of the expectation to meditate daily has been really useful. Previously I would say to myself: “I am going to meditate every day for 5 minutes” and then I would NOT meditate and beat myself up and judge myself around not doing – and I’d never quite make it to the cushiony sea. Whereas now, I meditate when I feel called to (just so happens it is most days). I sit down with the intention to tune in to the inner knowing and to be guided through my day with love. What I’ve found through the practice of meditation is that I am a lot more calm and centred as I move through my day.

I would love for you to share your wisdom with others. Are you a human doing or a human being? and what helps you to move from the human DOING to the human BEING?

Big love.

Jackie

Weekend Kitchen Love

September 18, 2015 by Jackie Armstrong Leave a Comment

 

 

DIY Almond Milk
2015-08-30 02:03:17
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
2 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
2 min
Ingredients
  1. I cup of almonds, soaked overnight
  2. 1 litre of filtered water
  3. 1 teaspoon of organic vanilla bean paste or 1 whole vanilla pod
  4. 1 medjool date, pitted
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend for around 1-2 minutes.
  2. Strain the milk through a nut bag or piece of muslin cloth.
  3. Keep the almond pulp for bliss balls or add them to your favourite fritter/rissole recipe.
  4. Store in a sterilised glass jar.
  5. Your almond milk will last in the fridge for around 4 days.
HOT TIPS
  1. If you don't have a nut bag that's totally fine, use some muslin cloth instead. I purchased 1m of muslin for around $4 from the craft shop. Nut bags are around $15-20 each.
  2. Serve the nut milk with your favourite muesli or granola or add it to smoothies.
  3. This beautiful milk will last for around 4 days in the fridge.
  4. Enjoy x
Jacqueline Armstrong http://jacquelinearmstrong.com/
« Previous Page
Next Page »

About Me

My name is Jacqueline Armstrong. More about me.

Join Me

  • 
  • 
  • 

Copyright © 2018 · Jacqueline Armstrong · All Rights Reserved