poetry

Amber – Kindling the Spirit of Autumn

‘Amber‘ is a poem written to capture the mellow sensual feel of autumn which I love, as the days grow shorter and the air becomes crisper, the leaves start to burnish and there is that distinct shift from summer’s lush green to orange and gold, deep red, amber and bronze.

I am often inspired by a sense of new spirit, new beginnings in autumn, just as much as in spring. Reminiscences of new school years, with all that brings, starting university, possibilities of newness, learning and loving the freedom of different places and people.

There is the anticipation of autumnal treats, bonfires, spectacular colours, the scents of wood smoke and and sounds of leaves crunching underfoot – and then the excitement as Christmas approaches and winter begins to take hold, branches bare against the sky, nights by the fire, mulled wine and glowing embers.

From: ‘Secret Garden of the Soul’ Christine Miller

Amber

Poem Catcher

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Poem Catcher

Dreamily,
I wrote poems;
Exquisitely expressed,
In my head
In bed
This dawning.

Mourning now,
The words
Dissolved,
By light,
By consciousness,
By mundanity.

If Dream-catchers
Take hold of
Night-time forms,
Will a well-versed
Poem-catcher ensnare
Emergent thoughts?

Landing those
Un-harboured lines,
With finely meshed
Nets, golden havens
For the precious
Butterflies of the mind.

A self-made memento,
Handmaiden crafted
To honour urgent
Rôle calls to the
Playgrounds of
Creative collaboration.

Pockets for dreams,
Soft resting place
For tender thoughts;
Passions arising,
Scintillating senses captured
To resurge, renew.

Given in love,
Enduring, Enchanting,
Enlightening,
Enriched by magic threads,
The Wondrous Embroidery
Of the Heart Expressed.

Being Inspired

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Finding Inspiration –
Ideas for Lightening Life

Some sources and moments of inspiration are evergreen, timeless, universal.

They appeal to a deep, shared human experience, the spirit of which which has filled us with awe and wonder for eons.

Magical Moons

Spending time outdoors in deep, dark velvety nights, here in South West France where we have zero light pollution, means that our stargazing, planet spotting, seeing and sensing of the delicious sparkling over-mantle of the Milky Way above, are a regular source of inspiring moments for spirit and soul.

The full moon can be astonishing in its size and brightness, and I love to see it peeping from behind the trees. The photograph has a mistily masked effect, and nicely captures the mood and magic of our mellow moon.

This poem below, though, was inspired by an amazing full moon which shone so splendidly on the sea, as I was returning home during a time I spent in Lyme Regis*, writing at a friend’s house .

For tips and Ideas on Being Inspired, sign up for our newsletter and ask for our *free gift guide to writing love letters, poetry and poetic prose, in the sidebar alongside this post.

* Lyme is a favourite seaside resort in Dorset, UK, which is famous for its Heritage Coast rich in fossils dating back to the Jurassic period. It’s a quaintly attractive town with many artists and writers, wonderful walks and scenery and the world famous Cobb harbour is a major draw – “not just for its visual splendour and its magnificent naval architecture, but also for its connections with great literature. Indeed people come from all over the world to see the steps where Louisa Musgrove fell in Jane Austen’s Persuasion; or to see where Meryl Streep stood, looking forlornly out to sea, in the film adaptation of John Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman.”

Year of Love and Light

Seasonal Joy and Reflection

Having embraced and been embraced by innumerable different experiences in recent years, I know I am not alone in describing this as a year of reflection and withdrawal, a time of letting go and welcoming, of opening and accepting.

A year of travelling and finding, and staying home and re-discovering – of diverse and wondrous people, places, and events, and of deep learning and a resultant sense of stillness, readiness and calm, having come through the eyes of various storms, personal, political, philosophical – all magickal.

I am constantly amazed by the way in which people, ideas, and possibilities arrive – perfectly on cue, bestowing gifts of immense beauty and joy; and how the riches of my interior world shine like jewels. I have taken time this year to gather and gaze on my inner resources, realising ever more how vital it is for us to recognise and reflect on our gifts and talents, and release them to the world for greater good.

I sense that the coming year is about to be a year of great actions and emergence, of being and essence. And of Love. Always Love. Enduring, all-encompassing, unconditional Love.

I invite you to join with me, in spirit, around the image and memory of our symbolic Festive tree, and begin to share what I passionately believe is beginning, right now.

A Year of Love and Light

We Welcome You,
In Love,
With Love,
Warmly,
Joyfully.

We welcome you.
Certain,
Fearless,
With Heart,
And with Soul.

We welcome you.
Gentler,
Stronger,
Deeper,
From Within.

We welcome you.
Subtly,
With Faith,
In Hope,
Powerful.

We welcome you.
As Truth,
Shining,
Bright Peace,
For All Souls.

With Love,

Christine

For Your Seasonal Gift of Soul Poetry Click HERE

Come to Love

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A Love that simply is….

I am deeply engaged in the process of bringing together a new volume of poems called ‘Courage to Love’, to accompany my major work and research on Love in Organisations – the Love at Work project – and this seems like a good time to give you a sneak preview.

This poem is called ‘Come to Love’ and it’s a little alternative in its view of Love.

It’s really a statement that hearts and flowers and romance are not the essence of lasting love. We need more of the kind of love that endures and grows, standing up to all kinds of challenges and upsets, just like every aspect of human life.

A Love that is present not only between couples and in families, but throughout our lives, including our work, our politics, and the way we engage with nature and the environment – in fact, throughout the planet, even the cosmos.

I like to think of us rising and standing in love, strong and courageous and loyal, collectively, rather than falling in love and being infatuated, on a hormonal high which inevitably recedes and leaves us wondering what we saw in that person in the first place.

A Love that simply Is…
Not always easy, but one we know will endure the ups, downs and broadsides of human life.

Masques & Roles

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By Popular Demand:

Flourish Through Challenging Times

Christine Miller’s Celebrated

‘Masques & Roles’ Workshop

Are you Living Your Own Life?

Or Following a Life You Inherited?

In these troubled times, as much of what has traditionally been upheld as important starts to fall away, many of us are questioning ourselves about what is really important in life.

There can be no question that knowing ourselves and recognising our strengths is crucial to our progress.
Until we look within, and find the means to self-leadership and awareness, we cannot deal honestly and with integrity with the outer world.

In this workshop, you will experience recognising, acknowledging, and then peeling off your masks, shedding your assumptions and opening your eyes to the treasure within you.
You will emerge stronger, clearer and with a greater understanding of who you truly are.

Then you can live a fulfilled life, regardless of the outside influences you encounter, because your joy will emanate from your inner strengths, your sense of self will be unassailable, and you will experience whole-hearted happiness and love.

Enjoy a day of nourishment for your spirit, rekindle your joy,
Experience inner calm and peace, and refresh all your senses.

Dates:

TBA
Location: London UK, Bergerac, SW France
Time: 10.00 – 16.00
Cost: £199.00

CONTACT: christine@christinemiller.co

ABOUT CHRISTINE

Christine is dedicated to helping others uncover and fulfil their true potential. She holds a Masters Degree in Psychology and is a poet, author, consultant and speaker at many conferences.
As the Visionary Founder editor of ReSource magazine, she enjoys many opportunities to share thoughts and ideas with world spiritual and personal growth leaders.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

“Christine has a graceful presence, a calmness and a warmth which combined with her in-depth knowledge of her subject, and her dedication to her students’ learning, makes her a compelling and inspirational trainer.”
Alison Paterson, Kaizen Training

“People can feel your commanding energy presence as you walk on stage and they can feel your energy and passion, and know with certainty that you totally believe in what you’re delivering.”
Steve Ross, MD, Ross Associates, Bristol

“I have had the privilege of knowing Christine for some time, and I have been very blessed to hear her speak, to share her warm and heartfelt, powerful poetry, and to read her marvellous words in her world-class professional magazine. Not only well connected but someone who leads with her heart and soul first.
The word inspirational is over-used, but is entirely apposite here. Thank you for being a friend.
aloha nui loa (as they say in Hawaii)”
Gary Plunkett, Business Coach

“Christine Miller’s workshop was inventive, creative, fun, intimate, validating and insightful. The notion of masks were all useful reminders, to me, of how much we (I) can choose to stay hidden behind any of a number of facades and, worse, convince myself that it is neither my choice nor my responsibility i.e. if I’m hiding my light it’s because other people aren’t seeing my light! Yeah. Right! Thank you Christine.”
Michael Mallows; author, trainer, coach

“Christine Miller’s workshop was truly excellent.”
Hugh L’Estrange, Director, SEAL (Society for Effective Affective Learning)

“Christine is a wonderful and inspiring spirit, her natural gift to heal with her words and with her hands is tangible as you stand within her presence.
I am delighted to know Christine and have safely shared my personal story with her.
I highly recommend that you experience Christine’s beautiful and calming energy to create harmony in your life.”
Pauline Crawford, Founder, Corporate Heart

“Christine has not only quality in her work but every ounce of her being is designed to make human potential increase. Very few people have this gift. One in a million.”
Nigel Risner, CEO, Nigel Risner

“I spent an inspiring afternoon with Christine recently, and her magic for me is that her guidance appears effortless – to the point I felt that I was coming up with all these wonderful visions on my own. In fact, it was Christine’s caring and intuitive guidance gently taking me to a place I would never have reached without her. Those who know Christine already will understand me when I say that with Christine’s help I have seen a realistic vision of my own future. Thanks Christine – and I look forward to working with you for a long time to come.”
Richard Flewitt, Business Video Producer, New Edge

Amber – Kindling the Spirit of Autumn