The concert that changed my life....

Last year a concert changed the course of my life. OK, I know that's a pretty huge statement! So maybe it didn't change my life, but it definitely gave me the kind of jolt, that has flowed through my veins like electricity ever since and ignited such a potent year of massive changes.  Before we go on, I have to say that music has always been my therapy of choice, it is the one thing that I attach so many memories to and the one thing that I turn to when I am happy, sad, playful, in pain, joyous and stressed. It soothes, comforts and makes me come alive.  It always has.

So I will say this once (and I will most likely say it many more times to come) I'm in love with "The Boss".  The man is my music nirvana!  If you were a kid growing up in the 80's you would probably be  familiar with Bruce Springsteen's music,  for me, even though I could probably hum along to a few of his songs,  all I  wanted to listen to were the Bangles, Bananrama and Kylie Minogue.

It wasn't until I was in year 11 and studying International Policy, when the teacher (who was an adoring fan)  told all of the students to go get themselves a copy of Bruce Springsteen's greatest hits. The ever obedient student in me went and spent my hard earned cash and got a copy. As I sat in my room studying the political landscapes of countries, I got distracted and lost in these familiar songs. Listening with with fresh ears and I really started to GET it. The words, the rhythm, the ache, the charisma. He had captured my soul!

Fast forward 15 years and he is still doing all of that (and more). His music helped soothe the pain of a heartbreaking separation. It was his anthem "dancing in the dark" that finally awakened my inner   sparkle and gave me a sign that I had made it to the other side. 

So of course when he toured Australia last year, I jumped at the chance to go, and not just to any arena, but to the mesmerising Hanging Rock. And that concert was the catalyst for something bigger in me, and as corny as it is it truly did spark that fire! 

At the concert I felt like me, but a better, stronger, more joyful, energised, happier version. I felt so alive and vibrant, it was almost an out of body experience. I squealed and sang and danced and had no inhibitions. I was so present in my body, in the moment and I so liked how I felt. I wanted to bottle that feeling and take it home with me. 

From that moment there was a significant shift in how I lived my life. I wanted to feel those feelings again. To feel the freedom and to be so present, to feel that sheer joy.

I had already begun to make small changes to  the way I was living and thinking and this experience only accelerated the process.  I began to say yes more. I began to listen to my intuition, to step out of my comfort zone and I really honed in on how I was nurturing myself.  I began to nourish my body, and really take care of my heart.  It had been hurt, so although there would always be those residual scar tissues from the pain, it was beginning to feel more open and complete, and I continued to use music and  tapping into those powerful memories as inspiration to spur me on further.
Positive people  showed up in my life and my thoughts on myself began to shift ever so slightly. The things that didn't serve purpose in my life gently faded away.  I became open to meeting new people and out of that some amazing friendships were formed, ones that I didn't see coming.  I know there were many, many challenges along the way and I cant place all of the emphasis on Bruce, but just shedding those layers has made me a much better person, and more than that, it has brought me closer to who I really am. Not afraid to say what I love and not afraid to fit one mould. I am me, and this musical loving, passionate gal  is just one aspect that comes along with being perfectly me. 

I am seeing him again this weekend, and I know it will not be the same experience. I am a different person and I will not compare them.  I am beyond excited. To feel and reconnect to that sense of fun and joy that I must say is much closer to the surface than it ever has been.  I wonder what kind of change will be in store after this concert?
I can see a big, exciting and challenging year unfolding, and I am sure that I will take some of this energy that I will get with me. 

Ill leave you with this clip.... Its all sorts of amazing (well to me anyway!)

Have you ever been to a concert or had a musical moment that  has changed your life? 

Shine on 2014 ....

Phew I cant believe 2013 is almost coming to a close. For me its been an epic year of self development and finally uncovering  wonderful things that have made my heart sing (and occasionally rock me to the core).

I am beginning to really find, listen and trust my inner voice. I know that I will it will continue to play a big part and I will only begin to hear and let it guide me forth more in 2014.

I have made some of the most positive lifestyle shifts of my whole entire life. Not one of them has felt like deprivation or just a short term fix.   After all these years I began to treat my body with the kind of respect it truly deserves, not just with the food I consume, but in the way I treat my mind.  There is still alot of work to be done here, but it is something I will put alot of effort into in the coming new year.

I have finally released myself from the long and sordid battle with diets in favour of a whole food, gluten free, organic (mostly) way of life. I have finally accepted that food is in my life to nurture me, not torture me, that what I put in is designed to nourish me from the inside out.  I have known this all along, but finally I was ready to take the steps to make the changes. 

Regardless of what I eat,  it  was in  giving up the mental torment of dieting and using some intuitive eating techniques that really gave me freedom and paved the way for even greater change.
This all happened in March and led to a cascade of other events that have really shaped my year. Its funny how I don't feel like the same person I was 6 months ago, let alone 12 months.  

There has been so much love and light in my year, but with that light, I have learnt that there always needs to be the balance of darkness, the lesson's from the hard times endured have and will be invaluable forever.

I have learnt to live, breathe and conquer in the face  of  uncertainty, fear, control and judgement. I have learnt relinquishing the need to know what was around the corner in favour of just staying and happily accepting the present moment has been one of the greatest gifts. 

I am still embracing the art of vulnerability and become braver in my willingness to put myself out there no matter what the outcome.  It definitely hasn't come easily to me but I have learnt that, that is ok to.

I have made some much adored friendships, strengthened others and with no animosity let the others that did not serve me gently float away.

I look forward to being able to share my journey here, to unveil more and more clarity in my life. Its exciting and scary to know 2014 will provide  more great challenges, but I know I have put in place  the foundation to be able to accept these with grace rather than resistance. 

Heading into my 35th year  I feel like I am just getting to the core of who I am and what I am about. I have this sense that I have been gently chipping away, chipping away to uncover the real me, and in 2014 I am well and truly ready to crack myself open.

So as a bit of a reflection, here are a few of my highlights reel of 2013.  And in the words of the remarkable John Lennon.... We all Shine on, like the moon, the stars and the sun. 

Bring it 2014....