How well AM I loving myself this Summer… Part III

Hotel Orange, Noordwijk wan Zee… Barbara Franken Photography

We were back in the country I spent many happy years living in… Holland… a land of friendly, open and ‘to the point’ people. Visiting always brings a smile to my face as IAM grateful for the Dutch people who taught me to be my own person and have the courage to stand up and express Who IAM. 

Holland in my eyes is a leading role model, instilling people to be confident in their expression, to care for self first and to be self-full. Most young adults are encouraged to continue their study until their mid 20’s, remaining in their family home enjoying family life and saving their pennies from working part time work. Voluntary work is encouraged as good work experience. The percentage of teenage pregnancy and drug/drink abuse is small, as society is tolerant and open about the subjects. Wellbeing for the mind, body and spirit is high, as people are conscious of what they eat, how much they exercise, the affect they have on the Environment and last but not at all least, they know and make known how they feel, what they don’t like and won’t put up with. They put themselves first, not in a selfish way, but in a self-full way that allows them to choose to inspire and help others along the way.

We had planned our week catching up with our family and friends, buying supplies to take back, checking out my favourite dutch stores and visiting new trendy restaurants.

Our friends Lynne and Keith came with us to celebrate our wedding anniversary at the TOP of the city, Den Haag… The Penthouse was situatied on the 42nd floor with beautiful panoramic views of the city centre. The food was delicious and company divine as always.

The Penthouse, Den Haag… Barbara Franken Photography

Ellen, Fred, Richard and Paul are our friends in Almere, who we visited for their famous bbq with chicken sate sauce… Paul was going through his John Lennon or is it his Robin Gibbs phase? so I had to have a selfie of us together.

Barbara and Paul… Barbara Franken Photography

The day before we were leaving for England, most of our family came down to have lunch in Noordwijk wan Zee with us. It was nice to catch up with everyone… Weather unfortunately was windy and stormy to say the least… so Tom and I had to buy some new warm clothes… oh deary me.

Family Lunch at The Gallery, Noordwijk aan Zee… Barbara Franken Photography

What a wonderful time we had, so good to be with family and friends again and catch up with how everyone was enjoying their life and getting on making it a happy one. This is what I love about the Dutch, even the foreigners living here, its like their consciousness is contagious and allows everyone to just get on in life, no matter what… as if they all know that they are responsible for their own destiny. How cool is that.

It was time to take our overnight boat to England, arriving just before my little sisters fairytale wedding. Time to help organise last minute things and my sister… after all it was her big day coming up and it was to be enjoyed.

We arrived at Sutton Bonington Hall the evening before for a get together with Angie’s friends and family who were staying either at the Hall or her home at Holden House. The following morning a lovely pre wedding breakfast was served… for the women and then the men before we began getting ready for the big moment. We knew it would go by so quickly so we all made the most of it… Many chuckles, tears and lots of photo shots. Angie was in her element, she looked a million dollars, she had so wished for a real dressed up fairytale affair at this lovely country family home at Bonington Hall with her gorgeous catch… Jon Barkway.

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull, Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photograph

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

We all celebrated well into the small hours of the next morning, delicious food, drinks and company. It was a small cosy event, after all it wasn’t the first time for either of them, but certainly with conscious thought… the last.

Congratulations Angie… here’s to you, finding your man to share a good and happy life with.  It was our pleasure to share these happy moments with you.
Love always, Big Sis xxx

Our holiday was nearing its end… it was time to travel back home, via the English and French Channel Tunnel, travelling the coast of western France to northern Spain and down through Madrid to Malaga. We actually managed it in two days, staying one night in Southern France… our daughter Juliette was staying with us for a while and we wanted to get back to see her.

What an enjoyable time we had though… a happy experience with lots of awareness travelling through different countries and feeling into many unique energies.

I so much enjoy returning to England to visit my family and friends… Mum, Dad, Angie and myself are always there for each other and we continue to inspire each other to be our best selves. The energy of England and her people remain thick with confusion though… as the majority still can’t break free from being stuck in the past, fighting demons and blaming each other for their own lack of courage. Of course my own family and friends carry a sparkle of self-love and joy that penetrates through the dense atmosphere, but I know it is hard. Walking around my original home town Derby… I was quite shocked as I observed people looking lost, afraid and as if they had given up caring for themselves.

I’ve always said you don’t need a lot of money to care for yourself and be conscious of what you eat, what suits your body and how you present yourself in life. But who is reminding these people?

I have one bit of advice… Be curious about yourself and your Environment and allow this to take you on a journey of exploration. IAM quite fortunate that my curious self first appeared as a teenager and took me on an extra-ordinary journey of self discovery and understanding just how life works.  In my book Your Magnificent Self… A Journey to Freedom I share my unique and magical journey. Coming Soon…

So how well AM I loving myself this summer… both the wonderful and sad impressions I have absorbed along my travels have allowed me to open wider and deeper within myself (knowing that IAM the reflection of my Environment) and accept all life’s experiences because I know they have made me who IAM today and the society I share with millions of others… but I also know it is not who IAM now and can choose to release everything that no longer serves me and allow myself to focus on experiencing my heart and soul’s desire… to live freely as my Magnificent Self in a peaceful and harmonious world IAM creating with friends who know of our true potential as DivineHumanBeings.

My new Facebook page… https://www.facebook.com/MeMyMagnificentSelf would love you to like it, if you already haven’t… and keep up to date with the launch of my first book… I’m getting so excited… Thanks so much.

Barbara Franken… Master Creator 
Inspiring New Energy Consciousness.

 

How well AM I loving myself this summer… Part I

The Caro Hotel, Valencia… Barbara Franken Photography

Our summer adventure was upon us, we were off on our first long car journey since the arrival of our new red Range Rover Evoque. We had planned our 3 week driving holiday a year before, booking hotels, boat & tunnel crossings and arranged to meet up with our family and friends in Holland and England. It was going to be some good Tom & Barbara-time enjoying ourselves around Europe… and finding out just how the summer loves me.

The first stage of our journey was through Southern Spain… Malaga to Valencia… we stopped off in Mazarron to see my friend Wendy who had taken over the management of my Rental business as I wanted to make sure everything was ok and in place for the high season. We drove on through the lovely mountainous landscape of south east Valencia, staying overnight in the Caro Hotel, right in the heart of the big city. We arrived early enough to admire this restored 19th century palace with features dating back to ancient times, of which one was an old mosaic that had come to light and afterwards took a walk around the beautiful old city of Valencia which was conveniently around the corner.

The Old City of Valencia… Barbara Franken Photography

The heart of the old city has been wonderfully preserved with old and modern buildings intertwined, lovely chic restaurants and boutique style shops filled with unique creations. The city felt quiet yet alive from both the present day and the past.

We sat down on a square and had a lovely lunch and I allowed myself to sink into the energy of this old enchanting place. I’d never been here before but I felt as if I was being welcomed home and loved by an old friend, a strange feeling, until I remembered my summer challenge I’d given myself… to observe and feel into how well IAM loving myself.

Water Fountain in Valencia Old City… Barbara Franken Photography

I felt honour, nobility and loving hearts of the people who had created and built these magnificent buildings.. so long ago in the Golden Years of Europe… I felt love and joy that is time-less and is a part of me today and can only be thankful that these people reflected their grandness into the environment for others to enjoy for many years to come. I imagined the rich and nobel people enjoying their life here, dressing up and partying, but having no concern for the people who served them… the people who were poor because they were taxed on their work in order to pay for their grand life.

I felt a mixture of feelings, a strong feeling of love and joy but also a deep sense of sorrow and injustice… which I know has never really left the Spanish people or their magnificent Environment. Today its only been 35 years since their independence from the Franco dictatorship. A young and blooming country with much potential. I just hoped they could find it.

So how well was I loving myself… if I looked at my reflection in this Environment? Not only today, but I had chosen to live here in Spain where society reflected the conformity passed down the generations. Spain was allowing me the chance to look at how I approved of myself and what I still resisted about myself? Could I love myself more. I would ponder upon this question.

Old Church, Valencia… Barbara Franken Photography

We were both tired this evening so we slept and rose early, setting off for our drive to Millau. I’d seen a documentary about the building of one of the highest bridges in the world, The Millau Viaduct 2460 m long and 343 m high in southern France and how great it was to drive through the sky. So we had booked a night in the Chateau de Creissels, Millau, an old french chateau with wonderful views of the bridge to experience it for ourselves.

Church de Creissels… Barbara Franken Photography

After a lovely day driving through Spain, we arrived in the mountainous town of Millau and found quite easily the grand Chateau de Creissels. 

It was an ancient 12th century medieval chateau beautifully refurbished with some original furnishings and modern decor and appliances. We had booked early and had been given the end corner room with the magnificent view of the bridge. We took a nice walk in the gardens and admired this ancient french chateau with its castle steeple proudly climbing to the sky and the restaurant to one side of the chateau. After drinks in the sitting room we enjoyed the cave restaurant’s delicious french cuisine.

Beautiful Gardens at Chateau de Creissels… Barbara Franken Photography

View from our Window… Barbara Franken Photgraphy

Miller Viaduct… Barbara Franken Photography

Millau Viaduct… Barbara Franken Photography

Nicely rested and refreshed we headed off pretty early after a lovely french breakfast with coffee and baguette/croissants (not normally our breakfast but we couldn’t resist) and drive over the bridge to our next destination. I couldn’t wait for this experience. Tom drove back out of the valley and back onto the A75 which now crossed the Millau valley. I had my camera ready and took a couple of pictures before relaxing to admire the view, the size of the bridge, the blue sky, the valley far below, the tall steel cables diagonally passing me by… what an experience, I really wanted to do it again… but next time.

Miller Viaduct… Barbara Franken Photography

France had a different feel to it than Spain. It somehow felt more relaxed and both the buildings and people working in the fields we passed by, seemed to exude a grandness about them, an air of self-love that seeped into the Environment and made it sing. It wasn’t by any means a selfish or arrogant feeling that most french people have unfortunately been labelled with, but I felt their genuine dedication to enjoying life and being one with life. I couldn’t believe the difference I was feeling. It just goes to show how people perceive life and them self, does reflect back into the Environment.

Sunflower… Silviv Daniel Tataru, Dreamtime Stock Photos

Which brings me to the many fields of sunflowers that we passed, tall bright stems with heads of golden glory reaching for the sky, bowing their heads to the sun as it circled the sky during the day. They are receivers of the light… symbolising happiness… strength…. loyalty and exposing a magnificent display of inner darkness… infinite spirals of seeds growing… turning in the fibonacci sequence to the innate tone of oneness… the golden ratio that all life on Earth share.

IAM sure that the delightful rays of happiness from the sunflower affect the people living around here as much as they do me and maybe like myself, when the french people look into the centre of a sunflower they are reminded of their own origin that inspires them to be their best ever self at home, work and play in a world that loves and supports them well.

We eventually reach our destination, Riems… the champagne area for a 2 day break… but not until Truus, our new navigation system, took it upon herself to take us on a tour around Paris in the late traffic hour.

Until the next stage of our European adventure, here’s to us all being ever thoughtful about how the Environment shows us how well we love ourself.

Barbara Franken… Master Creator
Inspiring New Energy Consciousness

What to do when your life seems to be in crisis…

Blue Full Moon
An extra chance to put yourself in the light…
dance with joy and giggle in delight…
no excuses just do it NOW…
even imagine or pretend…

Barbara Franken… Master Creator…
Inspiring New Energy Consciousness

The grand shift in consciousness that is happening now on Earth is certainly having an intense affect on everyone now. We are all experiencing very extreme weather patterns all around the world… extreme heat, cold, dryness, humidity, rains, droughts and our bodies are following suit. IAM experiencing myself extreme dryness of the skin, in particular my face and scalp when sometimes my mind wonders how much more it can take on?  I hear and observe many people becoming unwell, tired and depressed. For some relaxation I put on the TV and only seem to find portrayals of how angry and afraid the world is feeling and acting out. When I try to watch a nice film all I find are violent, horror or stupid ones.

Travelling around Europe on our recent wonderful holiday adventure; which I will write about and post soon, I have been quite amazed how the energy shifted in each country as we drove through and how most Environments and their people continue to play out the old roles of duality… and act as if there is no hope, increasing pressure to perform and inevitability of getting old and suffer.

Spain seems to have a distinct feeling of survival, pride and effort… France regal, labour intensive and pleasure… Holland tolerant, open and green… England anxious, limited and seeking… and in general a lot of people seem to have difficulty caring for themself… being polite and courteous to others… finding a clear direction in life… and paying their way.

It’s as if the whole world is acting out as if it is in crisis.

So… what to do when your life seems to be in crisis? Apart from reading my book Your Magnificent Self… A Journey to Freedom, coming soon… I can suggest to take every opportunity you can imagine… and this weekends Blue Full Moon is a good one to…

Put yourself in the light, dance with joy and giggle with delight

… No matter how you feel or how you physically can’t… take one moment… to do it, imagine it or pretend you are doing it.

and now? you’re asking  

How did it make you feel? Did you happen to stop worrying for just a moment? Did you feel a small tingle of joy from within?

So congratulations… you did it, you now know you can do it and now you can allow yourself to choose to practice doing it again… and again… and again…

Life is all about YOU and your choice… choose well … choose love… and life will serve you accordingly. Your consciousness is gradually shifting from one of fear and illness to one of love and wellness. The world and Humankind is not in crisis, we are only acting as if we are… We can each be the change and this in turn changes our Environment and the world… until the world becomes a loving and peaceful place. And so it is.

Barbara Franken… Master Creator
Inspiring New Energy Consciousness

Call to Action
I’ve just reached 100 likes on my new Facebook page… http://www.facebook.com/memymagnificentself so of course IAM now going for 200… Could I ask you to pop over there and like my page please? Thank you so much

Intuitive Painting… Celebrating YOU

Further to my post yesterday introducing you to Intuitive Painting as a way to spend some quiet Me-Time, I wanted to show you two very different pieces of SoulArt that I intuitively painted this year. I have explored SoulArt for many years now and still find it amazing how each painting uniquely expresses itself, depending on the question asked or the person focused on. Each painting has always expressed to me a celebration of a persons colour, quality and passion that lies within.

The question is does the person concerned show this celebration of colour, quality and passion in their physical reality… if not… can we allow it to be expressed now?

Not only does an intuitive painting speak volumes about the person concerned and  is unique… but it shows me just how different I paint each time. It’s as if the energy of the person concerned, comes through and paints the expression… through me.

I know that this is indeed what happens.  Beyond our dual and physical reality there is a reality where we are all interconnected and when we tap into this consciousness with a specific question or focus on a person… energy comes in and serves us.

I’ve always said it is very hard to explain what I do and how I teach without labelling and naming something and putting it into a box or pattern that only adds to the patterns and conditioning of our physical dual reality… rather than allowing us to be free to expand beyond our linear time and space. So I teach purely through example and through creative endeavours to the ones who know there is more and it is time for them to experience it for them self.

Intuitive Painting is a great way for us to tap into BEYOND… into CONSCIOUSNESS… to see and feel that we are part of something so much bigger than our Human self. We remember and awaken to who we truly are and ultimately celebrate our life. YES…

Barbara Franken… DivineHuman Master Creator
Inspiring New Energy Consciousness

A Time of Great Change… and Menopause

I find myself in times of great change.  A time where consciousness itself is shifting dramatically and as each day unfolds I become more conscious of the consciousness that IAM, the IAM presence that observes my human self with compassion and I expand and open up more and more to my light, my darkness, my nothingness and my everything… that IAM.

And THANK GOODNESS for the people who are becoming aware of their own consciousness, their IAM presence too.  Opening up and connecting to their own universal divine essence and being the multidimensional beings that each person truly is.

And THANK GOODNESS that we all, myself included, are understanding the necessity of releasing old patterns, beliefs and habits in order to balance the human body and mind and integrate with our spirit and divine self… The DivineHumanBeing.

It is a time for the human upgrade and detoxification…. A time to be immersed in isolation, death, rebirth and all of self.

I have to giggle as I look back 13 years ago when I first came into my menopause… I realise the parallel between my menopause and my awakening… it happened simultaneously and now IAM in the last stages of my menopause and realising my own enlightenment.

I have experienced so much… my female body insisted on being complete, whole, the example of truth and of great change.  BUT not without delving into all my darkness, the unknown and hidden parts of me that store themselves in body cells.  IAM thankful as it has allowed me to move into an amazing and new adventure in life.

During menopause, my hormones changed… my body’s intelligence sought a new balance, a new voice, newfound wisdom, and new ways.  Well, everything changed from my thinking, my emotions and my physical body.   I began to understand my big issues of CONTROL and WORTHINESS spending much time listening to my body, accepting and embracing all of my feelings and aspects and allowing them to be a part of me.  This  released all my stuck beliefs and emotions, it was like clearing out all my old junk.

I continue to clear out my junk, making space for new potential and energy to come into my life… I still have small issues with my eczema/psoriasis on my scalp and face… that all point to the continuous need to realise and release thoughts and emotions.   I AM learning to accept myself, no matter how I feel or look… within is pure beauty and compassion that smiles at me as I awake each morning… and I trust if there is something my human self does not like… I know that it too will pass.

I found this poster on the internet and it made me laugh so loud… so appropriate for how we ‘women’ have lived for so long… and we believe it and allow it into our life.

Seven Dwarfs of menopause:
Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated, Forgetful and Dried Up!

BUT… although I think it’s very funny, it is part of our old belief system and it needs to be cleaned out too.  So IAM changing their names…

The New Energy Conscious Menopause Dwarfs…
Innocence, Becoming, Sweetness, Sensual, Beloved, Forever Wise and Daring!

So here’s to experiencing it all, lightness and darkness and trusting that we are so much more than our physical human being and we are always on the right track.  Acceptance to change and going beyond all that is known. Knowing that we are CREATORS and our true passion is just a heart beat away, bringing our heart and soul’s desire into our physical life.

Along my menopausal path I have noted a few magical weapons that might be of use in embracing change…

• Stop dieting, consciously eat small and nourishing meals and drink plenty of water.
• Give your body and hair regular oil masks. (Only put oil on wet skin otherwise it won’t soak in!)
• Enjoy life as you desire, be responsible and do what you feel like in each moment.
• Take a brisk walk each day.
• Take time to listen to your body’s feelings and emotions and be willing to accept, embrace and clean up old junk!
• Respect your physical body right now and talk and embrace it like a loving child.
• Be truthful and have compassion for yourself FIRST and then others.
• Laugh at a funny movie or programme.
• If your joy has temporary walked away, know that it is only a footstep away and imagine what desire will bring it back your way. Keep dreaming.
• Remember not to judge another person; nobody knows another’s full story… stick to your own.
• Explain to your partner that your body is adjusting and you need lots of SPACE.
• Take time to expand into the unknown …I AM SACREDNESS I AM…
• Wake up with a smile on your face.

Where to find phytoestrogens and isoflavones that decrease menopausal symptoms – Vitamin E, Soy Protein – Cashews, oats, corn, wheat, apples, almonds, black cohosh, wild yam, dong quai, fo-ti, Siberian ginseng

Magic ingredients to always have in the kitchen – Apple cider vinegar, Omega 3 & 9 Oils, flax seeds, unsalted mixed nuts, tofu, chickpeas, cottage cheese, cayenne pepper, turmeric.

Low glycemic carbohydrates- beans, vegetables and most fruits, al dente cooked pasta & basmati rice

Barbara’s cold soup starter or quick pick-me-up – Celery, avocado, green pepper, apple, cucumber, rocket leaves, watercress, parsley, apple juice, virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, squeeze of lime!

Christiane Northrup M.D. The Wisdom of the Menopause –  An inspiring book looking at the menopause as a wonderful opportunity to discover and change yourself.

Enjoy your menopause and awakening… it is a natural happening.

Inspiring New Energy Consciousness… Barbara Franken

IAM a New Energy Alchemist…

 

IAM a New Energy Alchemist…

IAM busy… busy writing my first book (70% complete)… based on my own experience of awakening and living in the New Energy Consciousness and meeting 9 very interesting ‘new elemental beings’ (who are actually my returning aspects… recycled… my potential) who have helped me blossom… IAM writing about Ormus at the moment… the most challenging of creatures who continues to point me to the edge of our limited human life… and expand…

At the moment Ormus represents the DivineHumanBeing, showing me how I can live as an embodied enlightened being… and being the CREATOR IAM it is important to know how to alchemize and create… It was no coincidence that I stumbled upon a channel by Adamas from the Crimson Circle regarding ALCHEMY… I distilled the channel and created a Dreamwalk to help myself and others to experience alchemy as part of Ormus’s chapter (please keep in mind the writing is written in the past tense as IAM recollecting life’s happenings)… I thought I would offer my friends a glimpse into this magical art…

Time to make soulful choices…

Integration of the soul…
I was inspired to paint this colourful artwork early 2013…
IAM choosing to integrate my soul fully with my physical body & mind…
©Barbara Franken… Inspiring New Energy Consciousness…

Nobody knows what is going to happen anymore… because nobody has been here before… It is therefore a great opportunity to make soulful choices and say YES… to CELEBRATING life, BEING in BALANCE and CREATING our own destiny… come what may!

The greatest shift in consciousness that humanity has ever been faced with, is now in full swing… issues and imbalances, from the earth and humanity… are all rising to the surface… to heal.  A NEW CONSCIOUSNESS is expanding across the globe and a tidal wave of NEW ENERGY is available around us…  Now is a good time to choose to invite our soul to join us here in this reality… to integrate with the ‘I AM’ body consciousness, to love OUR SELF totally, to live in playfulness and truly honor the human experience…

Remember… it’s up to each one of us to choose how we handle the intense incoming energies and life’s challenges… We can either choose to focus on Mr/Ms Amazing or a stormy atmosphere… as our choice will always attract a corresponding energy to support us…

Tips to help keep ourself in balance…

Everyday…

Allow the body to move freely in a way it feels good…
Drink lots of water…
Be with nature…
Breathe consciously and acknowledge the NOW moment…
Smile to self and to a stranger…

Eruption of Love…
I was recently inspired to paint this colourful artwork…
IAM choosing for love to erupt everywhere in my life…
©Barbara Franken… Inspiring New Energy Consciousness…

Conscious Talking

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone became conscious of what came out of their mouth…  Instead of pouring out complaints, judgements and hurtful gossip… was thankful for what they had in their life… or was at least responsible for it and if they didn’t like something… simply choose to experience something different…

Barbara Franken… Inspiring New Energy Consciousness…

I feel the energy…

I feel the energy thick like treacle in the air around me,
it covers the nearby mountains in a misty haze…
The solstice and full moon have just been around,
and I wonder if this is part of their call…
Or is something else happening on Earth,
are we travelling into someplace unknown…
Moving and aligning into a different space,
where people laugh, create and feel joy…

But now I feel only sadness and loneliness,
caught up in old patterns of ‘small mindedness’…
Breathing in… acknowledging and embracing them all,
encouraging wounds to come home… as all is now well…
Distilling the essence of my experience in my soul,
and breathing out… releasing all that no longer serves me…

I feel the energy of lighter realms coming down to join me,
and see crystal lights shimmer and dance all around me…
I feel at peace, one with all… and know it is happening,
my dream is manifesting here in the physical…
My body consciousness ready for the new adventure,
exploring and discovering beyond all that is known…

©Barbara Franken… Inspiring New Energy Consciousness…  

Let’s not label our children with ADD, ADHD and AUTISM…

When my grandson was born in 2010 I knew he was a ‘new energy’ child… I had been in contact with him ever since his conception and painted with him during his first 10 months of life (within his mum)…  He actually helped me with many life issues, teaching me to LOVE, PLAY and CREATE… IAM thankful for the precious time his parents have given me… from the day of his birth to his third birthday that we have recently celebrated… I have lovingly observed him growing into a 3 year old toddler… He is a child who knows what he wants… what he needs… (a complete REBEL just like his grandma) but also one bundle of LOVE and everyone that has any worries, stress and hardship only has to look at him to know that INDEED, ALL IS WELL…

Our children are here to help humanity expand into a more LOVING space… They are here to teach us to connect and integrate with the part of ourself that is all loving, all powerful and all perfect… To LOVE ourself first and be the Magnificent person we truly are…