Self Love | I am an Interculturalist

What do these three statements have in common? They are the stickers on my music folder that contains the songs I sing at the Moons a Balloon, the community choir that I am a member of led by the inspirational Kavisha Mazzella. We are a Mental Fellowship of Victoria initiative so a lot of our members are in different stage of recovery from the dark times we have had in our lives.

When I was recently in The Melbourne Clinic for 28 days my friends in the choir offered to come and sing me some songs, I was nowhere near being in the space for them to do it but the offer made my heart shudder, that they would consider giving up their time to come and care for me was illuminating to say the least.

What songs do we sing? We have several standards, Tell Me Why by the ever awesome Neil Young, Somewhere over the Rainbow because its a beautiful song, The Moons A Balloon written by the choir when the chirpy Alicia Egan replaced Kavisha for a few weeks while she was off learning a new Tai Chi movement, but thats another story. My Island Home, a song by Christine Anu that should be Australia’s national anthem and Geckoe Song , one of Kavisha’s tunes, by the way did I mention that I have followed Kavisha and Her musical journey for over 20 years and once paid her $50 to sing my favourite song at a benefit at CERES environmental park in Brunswick. She is to me the worlds greatest singer songwriter and has the voice of an angel because Kaviisha is one.

But my favourite moments are when we sing the rounds Like Eagle Flying, another tune by Kavisha, Here are the words, when this song is sung in different harmonies you are moved to tears by its simplicity and power:

As I walk this Country, As I walk this land, I feel you watching over me

As I walk this Country, As I walk this land, I feel your spirit healing me

Eagle flying , Eagle Flying, Keeper of our Dreams

Another favourite is There is so much Magnificence by Peter Maken, simple words, awesome beauty.

Thers is so much magnificence here beside the ocean, waves are rolling in…Waves are rolling in…

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Ahhh Lehhh Luhhhh Yaaaaaa

Often Basil brings his nieces along and its OK to have a cry if its tough out there on the roads of life because we are a family and we love each other, Thanks Kavisha for making our lives more worthwhile by having the choir be on fire.

Namaste till next time my friends

I write Love letters, yes by hand to anonymous people.

I took up the practice when I came across a Ted talk http://www.ted.com/talks/hannah_brencher_love_letters_to_strangers The idea of receiving letters from strangers appealed to me so I looked up the website as you do https://moreloveletters.squarespace.com and signed up about 12 months ago.

I have written about 60 love letters in that time and have had the gift of expressing unconditional love as it cannot have conditions, you do not know them. I’ve written to China, The Philippines, the good old U.S of A., England, Germany and Australia where I live. You are told a little background about the person and away you go. Write on!!

I have also taken up the practice of writing Love Letters to people I know as well, Its quite a beautiful thing to do , to acknowledge the reasons you love another person in your community. If I don’t have their address I email them one, but much prefer using my colour crayons as it appeals to my inner child.

I use distinctly Australian cards that an organisation I sponsor, Indigenous Community Volunteers www.icv.com.au produce. I get about three packs for an additional $20 in sponsorship, so that covers me for three months and its all tax deductible.

So some questions for you –

1. Who do you love that you would take time to write a letter to?

2. Are you open enough to receive a bunch of love letters from strangers?

3. Are you open enough to receive a love letter from family or friends?

4. What is stopping me doing this beautiful practice?

If you want any easy access to self love I recommend you take this on, if five letters is too much you don’t have to write to everyone, just as many as your heart and soul can handle, it will open them up in ways you cannot foresee.

Namaste till next time , my friends