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name change blog post

The Religion Beat blog has changed its name to Holly of the Woods!

March 11, 2021

About me

January 29, 2020

holly chetan-welsh portrait start here

New? Start here!

January 29, 2020

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hollyofthewoods_

For one who is starting a new journey (as requeste

For one who is starting a new journey (as requested! 💚)

You are setting out on something new
A fresh morning has dawned in your soul

To do a new thing
Is sacred
It is the universe discovering itself
And your bravery will be rewarded in ways you do not yet see

Your first step
Though it be faltering
Or fearful
Or anticlimactic!
Is happening exactly as it should
Whisper a blessing over it
And then, walk

Inside your travelling bag, alongside your snacks and keepsakes and your dog-eared notebook
Lay nestled the days that have gone before
And the paths not taken, which allowed you to take this one

May you honour that a new beginning is also a death
May you invite any sadness to sit alongside joy and excitement,
With its siblings – where it belongs.

If you feel fear,
Know that this is the loneliest part
Beyond the horizon is something new
Which will inspire new colours in the glade of your spirit

If you falter,
Know that you can start again with every breath

If you doubt,
Know that no level of comfort or safety
Is worth squashing down your endless becoming

Take courage
And keep walking.

______________

#newjourney #newbeginnings #newbeginnings❤️ #freshstarts #souljourneys #spiritualjourney #spiritualjourneys #lifesjourney #journeyoflife #journeying #newpath #newpaths #wecandohardthings #spiritualblogger #beingbrave #braveatheart #roadoflife #youarebrave #spiritualthoughts #spiritualwriting #roadlesstravelled #yourjourneystartshere #yourjourneyawaits #alwaysroomtogrow #lifelonglearning #pathoflife #trustyourpath #discoverunder1k #simplespirituality #followyourpath

As we enter a new week May we invite in the warmth

As we enter a new week
May we invite in the warmth of the June sun
And see what we can learn from its rays

May we learn to bathe in light wherever it is found
May we orient ourselves always to Source
As a sunflower does the sun
May the bend and sway of tall summer grasses
Remind us to move, gently and often
May we find ways to be slow
When our blood is hot

May we let ourselves be seen
In full sunlight
To enjoy the worshipful touches of soft breezes on skin
May we give our bodies this gift
(In other words, wear the damn shorts!)

May we stretch ourselves out to inhabit these longest days of the year
And as the cool of evening settles over us at last each day
May we sit beneath the darkening bowl of the sky
And breathe the summer stars.

_________

#spiritualthoughts #naturespirituality #naturewriting #inspiredbynature_ #spiritualecology #sundayreflection #spiritualthoughtsunday #earthprayer #seasonalliving #interfaith #spiritual #heartmedicine #mindfulnessmonday #bloggersofig #blessings #sacredwoman #soulful #gentlewisdom #childofgod #spiritualthings #discoverunder1k #dailyprayer #natureworship #bloggersofinstagram #sundaythoughts #bloggerunder1k #sabbath #sundayservice #sundayvibes #spiritualblogger

Have you checked in with your body today? It’s

Have you checked in with your body today?

It’s very possible to go through an entire week without really doing so.

Notice if you’ve been tensing your muscles or gritting your teeth. Check for signals from your body which tell you how you’re really feeling (if it feels safe to do so). Get conversation going again with your body.

Remember, your body is intelligent, it is good and you can trust it 💚

What would you add to this list?

___________

#takecareofyourself #takecareofyourbody #bodycare #embodiment #youareananimal #mindbodyspirit #mindbodysoul #simpleselfcare #selflove #movementismedicine #movementmedicine #livinginthemoment #momentbymoment #stretchyourbody #drinkmorewater #dancetherapy #danceheals #tendtoyourself #humansareanimalstoo #lookingafteryourself #simplespirituality #selfkindness #selflovespo #embodiedspirituality #spiritualitymatters

I noticed this morning that many of my blessings s

I noticed this morning that many of my blessings start with “may we remember”.

May we remember that we are good enough
May we remember that we are all intricately connected
May we remember to be present
May we remember simply to breathe

I think this is right, because so much of what we need to learn we already know deep down

We know that life is lived in this very moment, then this, then this
We know that we are good and deserve to happy
We know that the walls we put up between ourselves and others are usually constructs of our minds

I think today I am called to remember that all my feelings are valid and yet are transient, and that happiness and contentment will always return in time

May you remember what it is you are called to remember in this moment.

____________

#spiritualitymatters #spiritualthoughts #spirituality #simplespirituality #spiritualityforeveryone #youareenough #inspiration #spiritual #heartmedicine #mindfulness #bekindtoyourself #selflovejourney #blessings #sacred #soulful #gentlewisdom #reflection #spiritualbitch #spiritualthings #discoverunder1k #bekindtoyourmind #mindbodyspirit #wednesdaywisdom #simpleselfcare #bloggerunder1k #spiritualblogger #selfgrowthjourney #innerwork #selfacceptance #youareworthy

The past few weeks have been full-on and very fulf

The past few weeks have been full-on and very fulfilling, and I’ve escaped to Norfolk for a few days to let the open skies and sea air refresh & replenish me.

Rest when you need to. Be gentle with yourself. It can be extraordinarily difficult just to Be.

See you soon 😘

__________

#spiritualitymatters #takerest #spirituality #simplespirituality #blessing #spiritualityforeveryone #youareenough #inspiration #bloggersofig #heartmedicine #spiritual #bekindtoyourself #selflovejourney #selfcare #restisimportant #soulful #gentlewisdom #quotes #iamenough #rest #discoverunder1k #spiritualthings #thursdaythoughts #wild #bloggerunder1k #restisradical #simpleselfcare #youdeservetorest #techsabbath #digitaldetox

CW: mental illness stigma, institutionalisation T

CW: mental illness stigma, institutionalisation

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, I feel deeply grateful for the clearer, braver and kinder conversations we are starting to have about mental health and illness. I look back on my younger self, battling anxiety, invasive thoughts and more, and wonder how different it would have been to feel I could share honestly what I was going through.

And I’m reflecting upon the stigma that many who suffer from acute mental illness or episodes still experience in healthcare settings, employment and beyond. I honour every person who has fought to tackle this stigma, either by bravely sharing their story and fighting to be heard, or by standing up for others. I wrote this blessing for every person who has been/is institutionalised for their mental health. You are loved 💜

___________

Dearest one,
May these words of blessing anoint you
During this time when you are placed in the care of others

May you trust that you deserve peace

May you know that your personhood is not a problem to be fixed
That you are worthy of love just as you are
No matter how you may have been made to feel

May you hold to the truth of your bright, vibrant humanity
Even if you are treated in ways which demean you

May the people in whose care you have been placed give and receive kindness
May each interaction be an exchange of compassion
Between two human hearts

May your life force sustain you
May it be a small but enduring light
Reminding you of what is true, when everything else feels unreal

A still, small voice in the darkest moments
A quiet but reassuring presence

May this prayer
And the loving spirit of life which suffers and endures alongside you
Remain with you always.

__________

#mayismentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthstigma #mentalillness #mentalillnessawareness #endmentalhealthstigma #yourmindmatters #bekindtoyourmind #speakkindlytoyourself #simplespirituality #mindbodysoul #mindbodyspirit #spiritualblogger #spiritualitymatters #endmentalillnessstigma #mentalhealthishealth #youmatter #bekindtoyourself #youareenough #itsoknottobeok #youareimportant #kindnessmatters

Find time to sniff the morning air, Like a deer le

Find time to sniff the morning air,
Like a deer leaving the tree line for the meadow
Pay attention to the language of birdsong
As though you yourself are the blackbird’s true love

Bask in a ray of dust-moted sunlight like a spoilt house cat
Fluff up your feathers like a duck re-emerging from cold waters
Splash about in the shower like a frolicking dog
(In general, always try to be more like a dog)

This weekend
Tend to your animal ways
And you will find that your spirit is perfectly well cared-for.

_________

A Friday invitation, offered with much love. Don’t forget you can find more blessings like this on my wee blog - link in bio. 🐈

__________

#fridayvibes #fridayinspiration #fridaythoughts #weareanimals #wearenature #listentoyourbody #lookafteryourself #yourbodyismagic #yourbodyisbeautiful #somatics #humananimal #weekendthoughts #spiritualthoughts #mindbodyspirit #mindbodyconnection #mindbodysoul #bodyandsoul #justbreathe #bepresent #beherenow #presentmoment #presentmomentawareness #mindfulnesspractice #everydaymindfulness #bemoredog #bekindtoyourself #bekindtoyourmind #bekindtoyourbody #embodiment #embodiedspirituality

I pour so much of myself into my writings that it

I pour so much of myself into my writings that it feels to me like you know me pretty well!

But I know it's nice to be inside the little things of one another's lives, so I thought I'd share a few of those with you:

🍃 I'm south London born and bred, and I live there now with my partner Sam and our two very sassy house rabbits, Grizz & Britney (DM me for the naming story)

🍃 She/her

🍃 I work in charity communications, most recently for a lovely tree charity. I am obsessed with the gorgeous leafy things

🍃 I studied Theology and Anthropology at university. As you can tell, I've always been obsessed with Life's Big Questions, and the role spirituality plays in our lives and communities

🍃 I 've never met a vegetarian food from the Indian subcontinent I didn't like. I love to bake. I drink tea by the gallon

🍃 I LOVE to dance. Ask any of my friends. First on the dancefloor, last off!

🍃 my maternal line is Irish, and I’ve always felt a strong connection to this spiritual lineage, which I’m now exploring for myself as an adult

🍃 I also write fiction, usually fantasy/sci-fi and young adult

🍃 I adore deep meaningful chats and being very very silly in equal measure

🍃 I write this blog in the hope of connecting people with their spirituality in their own terms. That means something different for everyone (and I love that). Right now for me, that means rediscovering how deeply connected we all are - be that connections between mind/body/spirit, between humans and nature or between one another. I believe this also means taking love and turning it into justice

If you made it this far, thank you! 🥰 Now tell me about you! Would you share in the comments one question you are exploring in your life right now?

__________

#spiritualitymatters #spiritualwriter #spiritualjourney #spiritualbeings #simplespirituality #spiritualbitch #soulfulliving #soulful #spiritualgrowth #selfdiscoveryjourney #everythingisspiritual
#aboutme #bloggersofig #ukblogger #spiritualityblogger #discoverunder1k #hollyofthewoods #thehollybearsthecrown #woodswoman #hedgewitch #woodwitch #hollytrees #walkinginthewoods #hollyofthewoods

(C) 2021 - Holly Chetan-Welsh. All Rights Reserved.

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