The Magic of Spring and Announcing The Academy Of Swimming For Women And Children

Dear friends and readers,

Please forgive my delay in placing this post on ye olde blog as time trotted away from me. I do love the sentiments of spring. A brilliant shower of garden flowers gives me a great deal to occupy my hands.

A Good Victorian Spring Cleaning (And A Few Gentle Suggestions About The Mute Feature On Instagram)

I am an incurable optimist. May I offer you the compliments of glad tidings and a variety of thoughtful notions I learned at the weekend? I hope that said notions will flower your library of contemplation.

The Art of Appreciating Pain

"Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault." ~Louisa May Alcott 

The clothesline was a gift from my littlest brother. No longer did my heart desire things that weren't important. Instead, I desired something to hold to, which denoted something. The small endeavour of a clothesline meant I was creating my dream, even if it was as tiny and seemingly insignificant as a silly ole place to dry clothes. When Sawyer passed and Jeffrey Shawn and I had to sell our little 1970's cottage in Tampa, Florida, everything was falling apart right before my very eyes. Honestly, I wept on the kitchen tile floor, pleading for the pain to release itself. I felt the weight of the world upon my shoulders. My son was brutally murdered, Jeffrey was fired from his job of 32 years, our only little chariot (vehicle) ceased to function, and then Jeffrey was hospitalised, nearly dying from heart failure.

Isn't that what has to happen, though? Everything has to fall apart to be made new again. So often, we spend our lives ignoring signs, pretending life is jolly when it's not. Why do we do that? It was a belief I created when I was a little girl; it was a trait I allowed to grow into an entirely made-up version of small insecurities along the way. I always felt less than, but if I could paint a perfect picture for others, it staved off the pain of rejection. If only they knew the real me, I would think to myself.

As difficult as things were then, I was handed a beautiful gift. If I had never known such pain and adversity, I could never have learned how to find my joy. I would have forgone what joy fills my soul up every day now. I would have lost out on the wonder and beauty of knowing deeply I am a wonderfully courageous person.

This Thursday, as you gather your wee little cherubs; and they tug on your apron strings while you cook yummy turkey and bake pies; remember how beautiful life is, cherish those moments and cling to them, for there will come a day you hold to those memories, for they are the only thing we have when the close of our days of life end.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

Why Folks Have Lost The Plot

I read an article recently where a political figure was having a go at mainstream media and reporting with intense outrage about Harry Styles wearing a dress on the latest issue of Vogue magazine.

Why I Took A Personal Voyage Of Self Discovery {And Everyone Must Likewise, According To Me}

Once upon a time, there was a place where a dark side mired my thoughts. As cobwebs weaved with lack and sorrow, they crept in and settled house in the corners of my mind. The feelings that pronounced themselves so firmly upon my heart with a gloomy and unwanted cloud arose from somewhere deep within. However, I knew I was a woman of ultimate capacity. Those unfavourable feelings when they emerge are essential in immediately being removed, for if not promptly, they begin imprinting upon our emotions; creating an undesirable actuality from exemplifying. Too often, as a young girl, I would allow the discord of my thoughts to become a whirlpool, circling back again, imprinting feelings of worthlessness, dislike, and insufficiency. Although riddled with guilt and fear, I innately knew these feelings could not be accurate nor favourable, I had to understand myself, and I went about a deep-dive voyage. I left the shore of conformity; determined to comprehend that if being raised to believe that God is so unconditional in love for me then why did my actions of trying so arduously and following a course in religion, never create lasting impressions of feeling happy. There had to be another answer, for none prior resonated entirely or accurately with me. I had such a warped understanding, although the intentions were well-meaning. I had become conditioned to believe a narrative so profoundly opposite of my inner being. After years of pinching off my authentic truth, knowing that my dreams and desires had taken flight, I had been through enough and determined to turn it right. When I have become fed up, surely my pretty relations can attest there's no stopping my tenacity once I've taken hold.

I am constantly in want of understanding my world. This time was no different; and after much contrast, I reemerged with knowledge (the keys of the kingdom, so to speak), having discovered all I had been taught was no longer my truth. For me, conceivably something that felt so terrible within me could not have wielded true. Innately I knew better, and I went on a voyage to unearth that truth. Today I am the most excellent version of myself. Every day is a fun and exciting new adventure. I've not tired of this new narrative of satisfied with now, but always quite properly eager for more. I no longer feel the portrayal of tying up my life living with a pretty little box packaged of perfection, with a nice silken bow to accompany. So often I've witnessed landlocked folks believe that in this life there is a "getting it done."  There is no getting it done, nor will there ever be, life is for presently living in the now. Folks have been so misled in believing that once possessing money, perfect children, perfect marriage, attained the facade of perfectly imperfect righteous living, or overcome trials and adversity; etcetera is when happiness occurs. And if this life doesn't fill that description, we were then taught to believe all the joy we will experience will await us in the afterlife. Because if you're anything like I was in religion, I couldn't figure out why so many folks looked to be having a blast in life, ”not following the rules (or commandments)” and yet here I was doing everything right, but still absolutely miserable. When we transition, we will continue onward in an eternity of expansion and reemergence again and again. This knowledge for me is, so life-giving. I have such a renewed sense of understanding of what this world was created for, and it's not what so many believe it to be. However, are we not all on a personal voyage, and we will all eventually come round to know this for ourselves. For me, coming to know my new found treasured truth relieved the pressure, and now that flurry of hurry no longer accompanies me. Well done me!

A feeling of continuous joy has taken up permanent residence in my soul. There is no more room in the inn of my soul for any more feelings of inadequacy, lack or feeling wretched. If I were capable of bottling up my feelings, an entire world of oceans could not contain it. For today when reciting the notion, I speak with boldness and with an entirety of unapologetic confidence. We ALL have this advantage, and I fully intend to speak of it at every allotted opportunity. If you ever want to know what's holding you back from the inner being of your life path, you've swum to the right place. I desire to inspire you each to know your potential and that you and you alone are the God/Goddess of your life. You have all the control to be the woman or man you desire to be. I enjoy writing, and I know that you'll always be able to return to my writings and find what you're seeking. Take notes and reference accordingly. This blog is full of valuable content, and I fully intend you will thoroughly enjoy it and that it will resonate with you on a deepened scale of unconditional love.

Suppose you're new here to my little blog, welcome. I say little, but I do have over 20,000 landlocked folks visiting this little blog monthly. Saying" little blog" is my way of creating oneness and a feeling of quaint. (I believe you know my personality by this time.) I'm so happy you're here. I indeed intend for you to return and swim around. Undoubtedly and most assuredly you'll find what you're seeking.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

Why Trust and Alignment IS Essential In A Mermaid’s Manifesting Tale

In my quest to remain current on the ensuing genre of writing; which is spirituality, I've seen a new "craze" occurrence on YouTube of spiritual LOA (Law of Attraction) teachers popping up everywhere. 

Why I'm Following My Heart And Creating My Very Own Series On Ye Olde YouTube Called" The Little Mermaid's Transformational Tales."

For me to tell you why I've decided to create this next adventure, I should have to explain the full story, which led to my decision.

Hold your hat; because several years ago, I was an avid viewer of the network Bravo channel. There was a reality show called "Southern Charm." From my understanding initially, the executive producer of that show is a lad named Whitney, and his mother is named Patricia.

The Art Of Slow Living, A Ms Tittlemouse Rat Race, And Sawyers Birthday Celebration

[This was written on June 5, {where it was left in my draft file} Regardless, though, I felt inspired to post it. I hope you glean something from it.]

I've been spending my time in the slow living accomplishments of simplicity, which isn't unlike how I spend most all of my days.

Rachel Hollis- Girl, You Should Apologize

[The day this news broke, I shared my heated feelings about it on my podcast. If you'd like to listen to that instead, here's the link. It's full of profanity, so consider yourself warned if you have a visceral reaction to cursing. Writing is more suited for me, so I wanted to share my thoughts about this in written form, and now that I've cooled down a bit, I was able to piece my words together like a normal human being. Smile.]

"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it." 

I knew it. I saw this divorce coming several years ago. The New York Times best-selling author and Disney dad that everyone thought had the best marriage {except for me, apparently,} are, yes indeed, you guessed it, divorcing. All one would have to do is pay close attention to the added and amped up hugging, kissing photos, sweet talk, curated marital banter and fake pictures for social media to see this trainwreck coming head-on. Why do I know this so well, you ask? Because I also lived this type of marriage with my ex-ill suited mate. He was notorious for this type of behaviour. These folks care more about what the world thinks and sees than what is truth staring down the barrel. It's artificial. And whereas I don't have anger towards my ex-ill suited mate or Rachel Hollis at this juncture, I feel it's necessary to be blatantly open and transparent with my friends {aka readers}. It's also a way of being truthful with myself, which is essential to my well being and expansion. Rachel Hollis and a person such as my ex-ill suited mate, aren't going to give you the truth.  They are going to give you what they want you to see. I'm honest with folks, and even if that makes someone uncomfortable, I'm still going, to be honest. I'm not here to sugar coat a narrative for anyone. The emotional cost is too high, and I am surely not in the business of allowing myself to be silenced all for the sake of "thinking about others feelings." I have learned early on that mentality unequivocally does not work for me at all.

We can always look back and reflect on why some things trigger us and others do not. A lack of transparency from others has been in my craw for some time, and I'm sure it's still the residuals of my previous marriage. I'm moving past it, but I wanted to point out some variables to grow from this experience. You know me all too well, and one thing I'm always doing is leaning in on what everything in life is here to do, which is to teach us and help us grow, even when It's me being pissed about a random writer in Texas. 

I know some folks love Rachel Hollis; however, I do not. I am sure she's a delight; however, from my personal experience of chatting with her on numerous occasions, she came off a bit snobby and acted as if I was beneath her. That turned me a bit, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt. My mum taught me manners. Many of the women who follow Rachel noticeably  {in my opinion} have low self-worth. What's in my craw is that Rachel preys on weak-minded women from backgrounds where It's not socially moral to be a confident woman. Rachel's demographic is similar to her fathers' Pentecostal congregation, which is fueled by feelings of superiority and that notion of " lean on me, as I'm a much better and smarter person than you. And you need me {and my books and seminars} to get to where it is that you're going mentality.” Here's what happens internally to these so-called fans. Women put too much importance on folks like Rachel Hollis by placing them on a pedestal which is further detrimental to their self-worth. Women do not need a woman like Rachel Hollis to achieve what they desire. They need to turn that love onto themselves and believe that they also have the same level of importance. If Rachel was confident herself and really intended to encourage women of their own self-importance and personal power, she would lift these women to all greater heights. It's the case of I'll lift you until I see you growing, but you can't grow more than me. The next time you notice this in another, take it as a warning. We all are a product of higher consciousness {God/Source} just like every human being in the world. No one stands superior to us.  Her books are specifically placed in the Christianity section of all bookstores. This is because most folks who act like they have all the self-worth and confidence in the world most often do not, and they can fool women of faith with that narrative. People with the lowest self-esteem have this pretend confidence and amplify it by appearing better than others and stand on moral high ground. Where most folks "get on" by thinking or acting as If they are better and have all of life figured out are actually the ones that have the least figured out. You know the old adage, " Those who scream the loudest have the most to hide." If two things get my goat, it is hypocrisy and inauthenticity. Rachel Hollis is these two things in a nutshell. Honestly, and how great of a writer is she if she spent an entire chapter {in an attempt to be relatable, in which she has now forfeitted} on how she passes gas and has bowel movements. {Someone posted that book excerpt on youtube.}That is not good writing. It's daft. 

We are never going to get all of life done and complete. This is not what Pentecostal preachers (Rachel's father) teach us.  They pretend they have all of life figured out, and now we common folk should come along for the ride. If we can see life like that, as never-ending and it's all a process that continually unfolds, we will be much happier people. We don't have to have everything figured out, and that's the sheer beauty of it all. We didn't come to get it done, but the world would have us think otherwise. Let us begin today by taking everyone off of the pedestal and begin looking inward. I suggest you place yourself on the pedestal.  

Whereas Rachel is liked and admired by many, she is like everyone else; and no respecter of persons.  It's time women start believing in their own power and abilities and stop thinking other women like Rachel Hollis are better, more knowledgeable and superior than them. This world is full of powerful women. I am going to spend my life in this service. I will inspire millions to know this for themselves too. We are all Mermaid Goddesses. 

I've got to be honest here. As I write this and edit, I've lost nearly all of my steam for this post. So I'll end it here with the most significant takeaway that I learned from this news. Which is that I now know I am going to write much better and more prolific books than Rachel Hollis. My books are authentic and transparent. I'm not going to placate an audience for the sheer desire of selling books. My books are honest and, most importantly, laced with self-confidence,  empowerment and practical tools for achieving all of life's desires. My books are joyful and optimistic. They are not downtrodden, off-putting, nor sewn with self-importance and inferiority. We must be reminded of our very own power. To lean on ourselves and our own Mermaid Inner Being and leave the rest. It also showed me where I stand vibrationally with my "so-called report card." I have grown massively from where I stood emotionally just a short time ago. Comparatively, I am growing by leaps and bounds, and truthfully that's what this whole earth life experience is for me, to expand. Trust yourself and make being happy your only intention. 

I would have really appreciated it if Rachel Hollis were to have simply stated her truth and took accountability. I think that's all folks have ever wanted.  Still, she didn't take that road. If she continues living in a cloud of mist, she will surely self sabotage her entire career full stop.   

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

How I Use Beatrix Potter And Tasha Tudor's Philosophy To Manifest My Dreams

"Life isn't long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. Despite all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is. Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think about what you would think. The wonder of it!"

— Tasha Tudor

Home Is Where My Heart Is, And That Means No More Compromising

A friend texted me yesterday and wanted to catch up. She asked me where I was now living, and I said with my folks. Yes, in what some have said is a one-horse, dead-end town. But, oh, how I disagree, and how much wish I could convince my dear friends that leaving their hometown is not the way to find the happiness they're seeking. We can't ever find happiness in things or places before we discover it within ourselves. I should know. I spent numerous years running (moving) from one place to another, believing that a different house, in a different town or state, was going to make me happy and never once did that occur. The most satisfying home I ever lived in besides the family home I'm in now was in Alabama.

Cartering About And Mr Sir Barbaric's Zucchini Bread {The Beatrix Potter Way}

The Beatrix Potter Way!

Everyone should have a hero! Don't you agree? One that they look up to just well enough to inspire them to reach for the stars and their hearts desires. We all can find ways of discovering those lovely souls that inspire and expand one's way of thinking. That's precisely what Beatrix Potter does for me each day. I find each day that we are surely capable of finding our happy place? We find something that pleases the punch out of us and milk it for everything it's worth. That's also another way the law of attraction works and brings our desires to us tenfold. Everyone pretty much knows that if you find joy in something and you keep practising that thing that brings you joy, it grows and becomes more substantial and durable.

Remaining Steadfast Regardless Of Ridicule

Have you read this post yet? If not, read it first. Then come back to this one. It'll make better sense. Trust me.
Go ahead. I'll wait.

Okay, now I can get on.

Last night Jeffrey arrived home, and I was in the thick of my British English classes. He said rather smug," Oh golly, I didn't think you were so serious about learning British. What if you begin speaking so well and never talk like an American again?" In which I replied," Oh, that's most assuredly my expectation, angel! And gleefully excited with my best British accent, I replied:" Are you having a go at me, darling?"

April Showers At The Cottage, Little Women And Victorian Poultry

I thought today would be a lovely day to share with you a few things about my art.

{Because everyone wants to know that, right? {Smile} I'm going to pretend you were all cheering me on after that question like those animated cartoons with the humans in a stadium background with no faces. Ya know, cause baby has conversations with self, pretends to answer self after asking self questions. Don't blame me, I have no real physical friends since lockdown, and someone's got to be my quarantine guinea pigs. Lucky you. No really though. This IS MY life 24-7, I'm just saying it's because of COVID-19 so that you won't feel pity for me. Err... Welcome to my life.}

The Art Of Escapism {4 Television Shows To Assist In Diversion From The Pandemic}

Even though the world has gone on lockdown, watching mindless hours of television isn't a rarity, even for a pandemic.

I mean, television was created for entertainment; it was also designed to distract someone from the realities of life.

And right now, I think many folks need mindless hours of some good television to escape. Isn’t that what all humans are doing all day every day with recreational drugs, drinking, etc.? Yep, pretty much.

I Paid A Spiritual Guru For An Online E-Course, So You Don't Have To

My dear friends, 

I have tea in hand along with a MerryMaid Scarlette Rose Petal Tea Scone. {Teehee... I'm shameless, smile}

If you're in the spiritual field or spend your life practising the law of attraction,  I can bet my painting arm that you've seen every Tom, Dick and Harry {and no, not Prince Harry because apparently, he is now, not one of the people:/ wink, wink} selling e-courses. And before you get your knickers in a twist, I am writing this post without angst, and more from my perspective of having done this myself.

The Art Of Caring For A Cottage Bunny {And Sir Oliver Twisty Topsy's Tale}

My dear friends,

Upon learning that I have a cottage bunny, I've begun to have numerous 'rabbit care' requests. So, I thought it'd be a lovely trip down memory lane, to tell of Oliver's story; as well as, elicit some helpful information.

A Victorian Author Reading At Whistle Stop Gardens And Tea Room

I promised an oath that I would show you photographs of my mermaid author reading at the tea room.

I have had a few more; however, I was so caught up in the twirling tizzies I forgot to take pictures.