Liss Ard Estate

Soul wounds soul healing Michelle A. Hardwick

Soul Connection

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Our Soul

Soul Broad Bay New ZealandLearning about my Soul…Suffering from extreme stress, malnutrition and burn-out, I left my job in the hospitality industry and said goodbye to Beijing. I moved to New Zealand in 1997 and in the New Year, I started a 2-year Diploma studying Hypnotherapy. Later I began a practice, which I called the “Mind, Body & Spirit Clinic”, located on the Otago Peninsula, in a beautiful town called Broad Bay (pictured right).

Initially I offered Hypnotherapy to clients. Soon after, I added the tools of NLP and EFT. As my reputation grew and more people booked consultations, the cases I was confronted with became more challenging. Although there was a spiritual aspect to my work, I felt it was not as strong as it could be.

A close friend introduced me to a Sacred Mystery School, which I joined. Over a 2 year period, I delved very deeply within, shedding more layers through group process, individual and group meditations; as well as profound spiritual teachings. I learned about my Soul. I discovered we each had one or more Soul wounds, and found that the pain we experience in life was directly linked to these Soul wounds and part of our journey as well as our evolution was to accept, love and heal these wounds. Yet many of us are unaware of their existence. The more I uncovered and understood about our Soul wounds, the more I was fascinated. I went on to further my education, training with the wonderful Dr. Brian Weiss and the incredible Dolores Cannon of Quantum Healing Hypnosis Therapy (QHHT).

Soul Wounds

Our soul wounds are deep emotional recurring hurts that have not been healed. How you can identify a soul wound is that you keep getting involved in similar situations that trigger the same pain. For example – it could be around rejection. You might have first been rejected by your parents (they wanted a boy not a girl), then a child at school didn’t want to sit next to you and you felt rejected and humiliated, perhaps your first love two-timed you or your boss at work rejected the project you were working on. Essentially you keep being rejected. Liken it to a play – there is a stage: the scenes change, so do the people, the scenarios alter slightly – but the main character (you) is always center stage.

Some clients get so sick of the wound that they go for help to resolve it, but only the behaviour is identified. The root of problem – the soul wound – isn’t healed and it keeps being repeated over and over, again and again in life.

Healing Our Soul Wounds

Consequently as my understanding grew, my work began to change. The more I excavated and went deeper to heal my own Soul wounds, the more I attracted clients who wanted to do the same. Together, using my developing style of Hypnotherapy (and what I later termed Soul Connection), we established a platform for the Soul to communicate with us. We gained access to a level of awareness that offered more clarity, understanding and insight. The Soul began to share specifics about the wounds; as well as the path to healing and evolution. Many clients:

  • soul healingReceived information based on where they were; what they have done in the past; and gained feedback about how they were doing.
  • Acquired guidance regarding their personal evolution process.
  • Learned more about their true destiny/purpose.
  • Released resistance and healed their Soul wounds.
  • Gained a sense of peace, understanding and self-acceptance.
  • Accessed the bigger picture of themselves where they opened up a variety of possibilities: including self-love; self-understanding – and/or a desire to help others.

It was – and still is – powerful and liberating work. I’m humbled with what each clients’ Soul chooses to share with them. It is a privilege to be witness to this level of Truth.

 

Quote by David Richo

“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us.”

Kind Feedback

Feel free to read some of the comments clients have given me below:

Thank you Soul Connection with Michelle Hardwick“I am doing really well after my private session with you. I feel healthier, happier, and more energetic, too. Thank you for your help.”
“Today it was amazing. The new work you are doing is sooo profound and deep. Unbelievable. Through you my soul was able to show me who I really am. It all felt true to me. It came from my soul and you went with it so beautifully. I love you for what you are and what you became and where you will go.  You have grown so much and everything you learn you give to us in an incredibly humble way with fun and laughter (so it doesn’t get too heavy). You changed my life. You will help others become true to themselves. I am very, very blessed that you came into my life. Thanks Michelle from the bottom of my heart.”
“Since the soul connection with you I feel compete, with this inner peace that has its seat deep down inside the heart. I feel it physically where the seat of the soul is. Before it was just theory. I feel differently around men. Confident, I have nothing to prove, nothing to fight for, I am totally relaxed in my centre. It is so nice and peaceful and I enjoy every moment. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for that session that made me complete again.”
“Thank you for the wonderful session! I am being made aware of many issues with much more clarity”
“You were superb ..If it wasn’t you being spot on and being guided I wouldn’t have discovered this. I feel more joyous and lighter now that a whole lot more emotional baggage has been released. I’m thankful. Please continue to do this work….it’s so important now as the consciousness of planet is rising … we need people like you (and me)…”
“Dear Michelle, thank you so much for the session today. I still have such a nice sense of calm inside me, which I am guarding carefully. Today was one big step forward. Thank you for doing this work in the world. Love and light”
“Thank you so much for helping me reach into my soul. Being able to find out what I have been suppressing all these years has made me feel a lot lighter and relaxed. I am starting to love myself for who I am better and am conscious of loving and protecting the child and teenage me who reside in my heart.  As you said, this is only the beginning of a journey. I shall continue using all the tools from NLP, Innerwork and Reiki to get connected with my soul more often. Thanks a lot for your help. Thanks and kind regards from my heart.”
“Thank you for taking me on a journey of discovery and release yesterday. I really enjoyed it and feel amazing!”

Contact MeMichelle A. Hardwick - Soul Connection Consultations

Each day I am grateful to my clients for booking consultations and having the courage to go deeper. They are committed to healing their wounds, to finding their Truth and freeing themselves from their past.

If you would like to communicate more fully with your Soul, contact me to book your private, confidential consultation. Appointments can also be booked online here. I am also available at the pioneering Natural Clinic in Cork city, Ireland on Thursdays.

If  you don’t live in Ireland, don’t worry, we can work together online via Skype and Zoom from the comfort of your office/home. You can call me on: (Ireland) 0871492338 or (UK) 07857369619 to chat more.

Alternatively join me for one of our potent Weekend Retreats in the stunning Liss Ard Estate, West Cork, Ireland. Over two fabulous days we delve deeper and uncover/discover more about our Soul and ourselves. I’ve teamed up with the wonderful Chef/Nutritionist Jorien who creates yummy, tasty, healthy, filling, vegan and vegetarian treats for our weekends! Ready to book? Click here.

We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to be the best version of ourselves.

Gratitude

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Gratitude

Gratitude - 7th wonder of the soul weekendI am full of gratitude. Recently I facilitated the final and 7th of our ‘Seven Wonders of the Soul Weekend‘ at the Liss Ard Estate, West Cork, Ireland. Each of these weekends take place roughly every 3-4 months, and form part of a evolutionary programme that extends over a 2-year period.

My gratitude is to everyone in this group because they have been through a lot. There were a number of ups and downs for each of them over the two years since we began in 2014. I am delighted and thrilled that many decided to stay with the programme and see it all the way through.

Group Process

The weekends give our soul a platform on which to express itself. We get to peel back/drop layers of ‘who were are not’ to uncover who we truly are. Sometimes we discover things we love about ourselves. Sometimes things we don’t like. This can be hard for our ego to accept.

Gratitude to All

A group setting like this offers a special opportunity for a shared journey and promotes greater insights, profound realizations and an experience of powerful group energy. So naturally over the two years there were participants who came and went. Some attended one of these weekends, others stayed for a few. Their attendance related to their availability; commitments; where they were at personally; or how far they chose to go on their own journey of evolution. Every single person who participated in the group learned something about themselves and also shared something valuable of themselves with the group; their sharing allowed us all to grow. I feel such gratitude to each of them too.

Continuing the Journey

Now that this group has completed the seven weekends, what does this mean? Are they Perfect? Well…Not quite. They have much more self-awareness and understanding. Now they choose whether to listen to their ego or their soul. They can choose whether they want to feel hurt or upset. Now, instead of carrying emotional baggage around with them, they can make a decision, choose to drop the emotional suffering, work through it, take the gift, feel the gratitude and let the rest go.

I doubt I will ever be perfect, (that’s not why I am on this planet) nor am I finished with my growth. Until I have learned all I need to learn, shared all I need to share, taught all I need to teach, given all I must give and taken all that I need to take, my journey will not be complete. It is on-going. Sometimes it’s not nice, but it’s all part of the plan. However, when we stop our growth this is a decision which is based from our ego not our soul. Our soul will continue to put us in challenging/difficult situations so that we can grow/learn. If we keep the status quo and stop learning – that’s when we get stuck either in our ego, or we become unwell and we suffer emotionally.

Gratitude for Your Kind Feedback

The group members have given me permission to share their feedback. I am very grateful them for doing this. Here’s what some of them shared:

“I learned that pain is a positive resource in the search for my self. I learned that I have come such a long way in two years. I am getting closer to enjoying the process of letting go and that fear has been my driver for years”

“It is easier to have the support of a group to help you with a deeper level of understanding”

Gratitude seven-wonders-of-soul“Go to these weekends as its an investment in your life’s journey and will help you understand things at a faster and deeper level”

“Fantastic weekend. Great to connect with Source. Loved our group meditation. The weekend is transformative, unlike a therapy session you leave with a sense of what to do next and how to process. Unlike a massage or a spa treatment the transformation is lasting. It is a balm to soothe your wounded heart and soul”

“A life-changing journey which one has to walk to understand. I would say ‘look at my life now’. This is a gift to your Self, your Soul and Family”

“Wonderful journey of our souls: unfolding, discovering, healing, empowering, truly profound we are amazingly guided by an extraordinary, lively soul”

“I get to experience myself within the understanding of the topics we being worked on. With respect, confidentiality and trust, a number of people share during 2 days a part of their life. The weekend provides a space to feel yourself, choose to heal, meet beautiful human beings, taste food, share you with other people and be with nature”

What an amazing journey we have been on – my thanks and love to each of you.

Interested?

Michelle A. HardwickIf you are ready to take part in an inner journey of evolution in these life-changing weekends called The ‘Seven Wonders of the Soul’ contact me, Michelle A. Hardwick. 

Our next weekend will be held at the Liss Ard Lake Lodge, West Cork, Ireland on 10th & 11th December 2016 – for more details and to book your place, click here

Michelle also offers personal consultations – either in the UK, or Ireland at the Natural Clinic in Cork city or online via Skype or Zoom.

Contact Michelle on Phone – 0871 492338 (in Ireland) or Ph: 0785 7369619 (in the UK).

Emotional Suffering

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Emotional Suffering

In an earlier post I made reference to a wonderful book that I had read years ago titled: “Loyalty to your Soul” by Hulnick and Hulnick.  In one of their chapters they explore Emotional Suffering:

“Emotional suffering is a direct result of seeing life through ego-centred eyes that justify an ‘I’m upset because…’”

Emotional SufferingWow. Let’s just re-read that statement again:

“Emotional suffering is a direct result of seeing life through ego-centred eyes
that justify
an ‘I’m upset because…’“

That’s powerful isn’t it?

I have to admit, in my past, I thrived on the drama, I loved ‘being upset because….’, telling the tale of my woes, feeling angry a lot of the time – being justified in feeling angry, looking for someone or something to blame. Naturally I was miserable and upset a lot of the time. I would constantly be in ‘victim mode’. There was always something happening in my life. Sometimes what was happening was fun, but more often than not, it was exhausting and painful. I was oblivious to the fact that I actually gave my power away so many times, in numerous situations and to countless people.

Thankfully now though, I have changed (just a bit). I engage much less in that type of behaviour. I still have to remain mindful and be a witness to my ego. If I give it enough time, thought or power/energy; it can still try and steal the show.

Emotional Suffering and the EgoEmotional Suffering and Ego-centred Eyes

We do suffer emotionally when we observe things through ego-centred eyes – especially when we judge others. We’ll often use ego-language, like the word ‘should’. “You should have done that….” or “He should have said this…”.

Our ego will try to set up a power gradient, using the word ‘should’ by placing itself above others in an ‘I am better than you’, or ‘I know more than you’ attitude. The word ‘should’ debilitates, it attempts to manipulate others by creating guilt, limits our choice to BE who we are and prevents us from exercising our own free will.

Expectations

Emotional suffering also happens when we have expectations. Expectations are a way for us to try to ‘control’ an outcome in our heads. While living in New Zealand many years ago, I learned a powerful phrase:

“Expectation is the Mother of all Disappointment”.

How true that is. When we have expectations, our ego is more than likely going to be disappointed. Whatever it is, will never measure up to what our ego expects. When we have no expectation, we are in our hearts and open to what is.

Allowing Things to Be

I wonder, what would it be like, if we allowed things to be as they are, rather than how we would like or want them to be? I’m not suggesting we give up on life completely nor abdicate responsibility, we need to remain in command of our lives but instead respond to a situation as and when it arises.

Then we allow things to be, we are in our hearts not our heads, we are connected to the Universe, to our Higher Selves and to our Soul. In this place we accept all things that come to us. We see everything as a lesson, something to learn from. An opportunity to help us to grow and evolve.

Ready for Change?

Michelle A. HardwickIf you’ve had enough of emotional suffering, seeing life through ego-centred eyes, are sick the drama and no longer wish to be controlled by your ego then feel free to contact me, Michelle A. Hardwick for a personal consultation – either in person at the Natural Clinic in Cork city or online via Skype or Zoom.

Alternatively consider being part of our life-changing weekends in Ireland called The ‘Seven Wonders of the Soul’.  A group setting offers a special opportunity for a shared journey. This environment promotes greater insights, profound realizations as well as experiencing powerful group energy. Our next weekend will be held at the Liss Ard Lake Lodge, West Cork, Ireland on 10th & 11th December 2016 – for more details and to book your place click here

Or contact Michelle on Phone – 0871 492338 (in Ireland) or Ph: 0785 7369619 (in the UK).

 

Japanese Folktale

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Japanese Folktale

This  Japanese Folktale was one I found while on my travels in Hong Kong many years ago. It made so much sense to me, particularly as I felt that my overseas clients and workshop participants really understood what I offered, yet many people at home did not.

Recently I was reminded of this beautiful Japanese Folktale. I was facilitating one of our ‘Seven Weekend of the Soul’ Experiences in the gorgeous Liss Ard Estate. We were talking about how important it is to go out and find our ‘tribe’ – to discover people who resonate with us, who share our common interests/beliefs/likenesses. As when we do, we are truly nurtured at the deepest level of our heart and soul.

Here is the tale:

“There once was a man who had a huge hideous growth on his face. Fearful of ridicule and rejection, he avoided everyone in the village and spent a miserable, impoverished life as a maker of charcoal. Each day he’d go into the woods and gather sticks, bringing them home, and burn them into charcoal, from which he and his wife eked a meagre living.

One day, while gathering his sticks, a terrible thunderstorm appeared out of nowhere. The man dashed for shelter inside the hollow of a large old tree. When the storm finally passed, it was night.

Just as he was about to venture into the night, he heard some very strange sounds. Right in front of his eyes was a bizarre gathering of hobgoblins, dwarves, and other mutated creatures. Some had three legs; others had eyes dangling from their heads on stems. These creatures were various colours, some were furry, all were unquestionably hideous from the ordinary human point of view.

It was a party and soon drumming and dancing ensued. The charcoal burner watched in delight as the music got stronger, louder and the hobgoblins danced. His feet started to itch to join them. But he was afraid they might devour him. He stood in the tree hollow, listening to the music, until he couldn’t bear it any more.

Japanese FolktaleHe burst out of the tree hollow and began to dance. He was brilliant. The hobgoblins all stared in admiration as the charcoal burner flipped and twirled, basically stealing the show. When the dance was over, the creatures begged him to return the following evening; they had never seen such a talented human. They demanded a pledge for his return.

To them, his unsightly tumour was an incredible asset. They insisted he leave it behind to ensure his return! Suddenly the growth was gone. He ran home, the happiest man in the world. But even better the bottom of his charcoal basket was filled with gold.

The charcoal burner became the wealthiest man in the village. By letting go of his fear of rejection, he had discovered his true currency: his talent for dancing.”

And he learned that even his tumour had value – for the right audience.

I hope you enjoyed this Japanese Folktale too! Until next time…

Quote:
“Dancing…
is like dreaming with your feet” 
Constanze

Addiction

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Addiction

Addiction with Michelle A. HardwickAddiction seems to be a recurring theme in my office lately. August and so far the start of September, have been all about addictions. Those who came to see me were looking for help to overcome an addiction of some sort.

When a spate of people arrive in my office like this, it gives me chance to reflect again on what else I still carry about that particular topic (despite already having done enormous amounts of excavation work around it).
On reflection I was surprised to discover how much time I am on Facebook, my ‘non-stop-over-scheduling-work-ethic’, the need to be right/perfect/not make mistakes. Certainly food for thought – and a bit more work left to do for me.

Addiction Article

So as I considered this spate of people – a wonderful colleague and friend based in Malaysia Monika Wyss – shared an article about Addiction, prompting me to write this post.

Escape from Pain

What is clear from the article is that one of the aspects contributing to addiction is the need to escape from our pain – whether that be inside our minds, our past, from life, living, other people or ourselves. That pain we are attempting to escape from is usually unprocessed and in our past. (NB: There are numerous reasons for addiction, however in my post today, I’ll just be focusing in general, on this topic of pain).

Self-Discovery

Many years ago, I read a book written by Robin Norwood titled “Women who Love too Much”. Reading this was a turning point for me. Norwood highlighted that I really did have a problem. (Ok… I’m being modest here – not just one problem – there were loads of them). Addiction with Michelle A. HardwickHer book woke me up from my ‘Denial Slumber’. I realized a lot about my struggles and the painful past I carried. My usual patterns of running, traveling to another country, beginning another relationship doomed for failure, would no longer work. I could no longer ignore, deny or numb my pain. I knew I had to do something, to take responsibility, confront, process and more importantly CHANGE.

As I continued my journey, I began studying Neurolinguistic Programming and then the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Two very potent therapies for me. They began to change my life for the better, helping me address and release a lot of ‘my painful stuff’. Since that time, I have spent what feels like an entire life time growing, addressing, processing and releasing my past. I have learnt a lot. Now I help others do the same – albeit in a shorter space of time!

Reclaiming our Power

Together, we look at what caused the pain. Often, there’s fear and a belief that the past will be painful to revisit, yet it doesn’t have to be that way. For me, going back to the past is a way to reconnect to our power. It gives us a chance to reclaim and heal a wounded part of ourselves, a part left in the past. It’s the part of us that when triggered, (and we all have been at some stage or other) – reacts, shouts, screams, roars and even becomes abusive. It’s the younger part of ourselves that’s been alone, fighting an inner battle since the pain first occurred.

Part of my work also entails letting go of judgments we make about ourselves (as well as other people) so we can free ourselves from shame, blame, pain and/or guilt. We get to revisit and process what happened through the eyes of the adult we now are, rather than the child we once were. We get to forgive ourselves, to set ourselves free from the prison we’ve been keeping ourselves in, and reconnect to our truth – not who we thought we were, nor who we have been told to be – but to the truth of who we really are.

A powerful journey indeed.

Changing an Addiction

Addiction Michelle A. HardwickI am humbled, when I consider the amount of courage it takes for someone to come to my office. Only when people really have had enough of their addiction, are they ready for change. It takes courage to acknowledge there is a problem, and take responsibility for it. It’s scary to contact someone to work with. Then take that next big step to book an appointment. Finally and probably the biggest achievement of all, is to turn up and make a start.

Addiction Insight

Once in my office we discuss the addiction, explore addiction triggers, release and clear away numerous issues/fears/pains/traumas that contribute to the addiction. Often we need to uncover (or rather dis-cover) more about the past using our subconscious, the deeper mind, through regression.  We travel back in time to the origin of the problem and explore the Emotional Drivers that drive the addiction.

This is a wonderfully insightful process that brings forward powerful, lost, and incredibly vital wisdom to help support change.

Freedom

Armed with new understanding about our past, the pain can be fully released and our perception changes. The final step is to re-programme the mind and strengthen the Self with positive suggestions around connection, self-esteem, confidence, safety, security. The time it takes for this process depends a lot on what occurred and what we discover. The joy and honour for me is being allowed to be a part of such a profound journey of self-discovery and be a witness as the client frees themselves from their past and reclaims their own freedom.

Help is Available

Addiction and Michelle A. Hardwick
Michelle A. Hardwick

I offer a free 15-20 minute phone/online chat if you’d like to connect with me in person before taking the step or booking an appointment.

I also facilitate weekend experiences. Two of the numerous topics covered in the next Weekend are addiction and self-esteem. Held in the beautiful grounds of the Liss Ard Estate in the Lake Lodge in West Cork, Ireland the weekend takes place on 24th & 25th September. Read more here or book your place here. A limited number of places remain.

Contact Me

To begin your journey of self-discovery contact me by phone:
Ireland – 0871492338 or in the UK – 07857369619. Alternatively contact me by email.

Consultations are also available in Cork City at the Natural Clinic. Book a consultation at the Natural clinic, here or call Reception on (00353) 21 4311977

Connection and Enlightenment

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Connection and EnlightenmentConnection and enlightenment with Michelle A. Hardwick

Although not apparent to us at the time, we do have a spiritual connection and are very enlightened at an early age. As we grow into our teens and twenties, life experiences challenge us, and we consciously (or unconsciously) shut down or lose this connection. As we grow even older, we begin to feel that something is missing in our lives. We might ask ourselves:

“Is this what my life is all about?”
“Is this all there is to my life?”

Inner Paddler

We know and feel that there must be something more.
It’s as if an ‘inner paddler’ awakens within us – paddling us forward: searching – looking – reading – needing to discover more, to seek answers to those important questions about our life, and what we truly want to do with it.

Inner Journey

That’s when our journey of self-discovery commences: we start processing, releasing and making peace with our past.  As we break free, we move beyond the confines of our mind, intellect and physical body. Our ego, once fueled by insecurities, becomes quieter and we develop true confidence, authenticity and self-knowledge. We start to let go of past judgments, become more accepting and go further, deeper into our innermost self. We continue on and our perspective changes. We see life differently, we feel more compassion, kindness, forgiveness towards others. We experience a sense of oneness and reconnect to the spiritual world.

Powerful Quote

I searched for a quote that would encompass my thoughts for this post and I found this one from New Zealand. I feel it describes many aspects of life beautifully – not just the state of oneness:

Connection and enlightenment with Michelle A. Hardwick“Kaua e rangiruatia te hā o te hoe;
e kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta”
‘Do not lift the paddle out of unison
or our canoe will never reach the shore’

Most of us, whether we are conscious of it or not, are paddling – I’d like to think we’re paddling towards a shore of oneness. I know some are already there. Others are only just starting out. We’re all at different stages of our inner journey. But it’s when we ignore our ‘inner paddler’, that we remain disconnected and never reach the shore.

While travelling the world for many years, I have had the privilege to meet amazing people – all of whom are paddling. I have also facilitated countless workshops and  one-on-one consultations, designed to help wonderful awakening individuals become one: to reconnect, grow and evolve and reach the shore.

Completion of a Journey

On 22nd & 23rd October 2016, the group that began their inner journey in 2014, will complete their 7th and final weekend Wonder of the Soul and reach their shore. It’s been an absolute joy and honour for me to journey with these incredibly dedicated group of souls. Their final life-changing weekend will include many experiences and opportunities to:

Connection and enlightenment with Michelle A. Hardwick

  • Begin to feel a direct connection
  • Feel enlightened
  • Feel aligned and supported by the earth
  • Become aware of divine order in all things
  • Radiate love and peace to all
  • Experience more bliss
  • See everyone as equal, without judgment
  • Live their humanity and divinity simultaneously
  • To share their gifts; enjoy life to the full and live their life filled with passion.

I can’t wait! So many gifts will surface as the weekend unfolds. If you’d like to know more:
please download and print out a pdf of this event here
Alternatively read more about the Wonder of the Soul Weekend Seven online. Take a peek at some of the very kind testimonials received from participants from our previous weekends.

New journey Begins

As one journey ends a new one begins! Come, join and paddle with us at the first weekend Wonder of the Soul experience. This weekend will be the start of a series of seven workshops, held in the beautiful grounds of the Liss Ard Estate in the Lake Lodge in West Cork, Ireland. It will take place on 24th & 25th September and we will explore more about self-esteem and self-worth. Read more about all of the seven Wonders of the Soul Weekends here or just book your place now! There are a few places remaining – there’s one with your name on it…

Michelle A. HardwickContact Michelle

Do contact me if you have any questions. If you’d prefer to see me privately, then contact me to book your personal consultation. Or call me, Michelle (in Ireland) on 0871492338 or (in the UK) on 07857369619 to discuss your needs. There are a number of discounted packages available too.

Consultations are also available in Cork City at the Natural Clinic. Book a consultation with Michelle online at the Natural clinic, click here or call The Natural Clinic Reception (+353) 21 4311977.

I’ve a Confession to Make….

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Confession: I've made a boo-boo
Confession

I’ve a Confession to Make….

I made a boo-boo. Yep I sure did! Let me fill you in on what’s happened. Last year, after our week-long retreat some of the group were kind enough to give me valuable feedback about their experience. I collected the information, reflected on it and decided to create a whole new experience this year. I thought about what I would want if I was attending such an event. So here’s my confession:

8 Night Experience – November 2016

I wanted to have masterful, experienced practitioners to work one-on-one on me: mind, body, emotions and soul to help me powerfully change. To have potent group experiences; I wanted to eat only organic food, tailored specifically to my nutritional needs; I wanted time out to reflect in nature, to be together eight nights, and the all important thing (for me): to have my own room.

Because I’ve attended a number of retreats and although I’ve met some wonderful people that I shared a room with (and am still friends with them to this day). I confess, I wanted to be able to have my own space, to get up in the middle of the night; to write, think, reflect, process – even cry if I had to.

So having created a powerful programme which encompassed all of these things, I only offered only a single price and single accommodation. A big boo-boo. Costs have increased for every single item since last year: the accommodation, the food, the room rental, as well as the practitioners’ fees etc. Not only that, but in the last retreat a lot of my time was offered free-of-charge. I know I have to change this pattern (I give loads of things away for free) and  have to start valuing what I do and offer. Naturally having all of these things made the price expensive.

Dream Programme

Confession: Eight Night Experience with Michelle A. HardwickSo although I’d created my “dream programme” I now realize – perhaps a bit too late – that it’s not flexible enough for those who wish to join and who’s needs (including financial ones) are different.

So I thought I’d better ‘fess up and let you know that there is now a shared accommodation fee if you wish to join AND share a room with someone. I’ve paired the price down as much as I possibly can. I have also taken off the 5% surcharge for payment online. Please take a look at the new prices and information at this link. There is also a new pdf version too if you wish to download it and read at your leisure:

Hoping you’ll forgive my big boo-boo.

With love to you all,
Michelle

Self-esteem

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Self-esteem

Self-esteem with Michelle A. Hardwick

Self-esteem, self-worth and confidence are formed during the early years of life from birth to about 5 years old. This is when the foundation of our Self is built. If the parents are supportive, encourage and praise their child, then self-esteem will be high. If this doesn’t happen or something upsetting occurs in those early years, then the childs’ self-esteem will be compromised. The child becomes needy, clingy, will feel insecure, people-please and constantly try to prove that they are better than others.

What is Self-esteem?

According to the Health of Children self-esteem is an “important component of emotional health and encompasses both self-confidence and self-acceptance. It is the way individuals perceive themselves and their self-value. With low self-esteem children have a difficult time dealing with problems, are overly self-critical, and can become passive, withdrawn, and depressed. They may hesitate to try new things, may speak negatively about themselves, are easily frustrated, and often see temporary problems as permanent conditions. They are pessimistic about themselves and their life.”

I agree. This statement about self-esteem doesn’t only speak of our children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews – but of our own child Self.

How is your child Self doing?
Have you ever thought about him/her?
Do you know if he/she is happy?

When situations trigger us or when our child Self is threatened, he/she can have a ‘tantrum’; try to sabotage or stop things from happening.
Our adult Self responds to new situations but our insecure child Self reacts. That means he/she really is afraid and is shouting to be heard.

“Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on.”
Maxwell Maltz

Hand-Brake

Self-esteem with Michelle A. HardwickSo it’s our child Self that pulls on our hand-brake. We are forced to an abrupt and often painful halt. Imagine this:
Every day your adult Self revs the engine, tries to move forward in life. The harder your adult Self tries, the more you stay in the same place with your wheels spinning! Your child Self has its’ hand firmly on the hand brake. Our adult Self becomes frustrated, angry, jealous, resentful, irritated – and worse still depressed, suicidal and powerless. All because our child Self has low self-esteem and doesn’t feel safe.

Challenges in Later Life

As we grow older cracks start to appear and problems surface. Low self-esteem underpins a number of behaviours – not only those stated above, but also addictions of all kinds, relationship difficulties, insomnia and low levels of energy are linked to low self-esteem. If the self-esteem issue is left unresolved, it’s possible that the adult can get to a point where they just don’t want to be here, they feel negative about the world, have numerous failed relationships, experience sadness, loneliness and don’t feel as though they belong on this planet.

Begin to Treat Yourself

Self-esteem with Michelle A. Hardwick

Fortunately, it is possible to change low self-esteem. One of the easier things you can start to do is spend time thinking of how you might like to spoil yourself every now and then. Do things that you don’t do often for yourself. For example, it could be a walk on the beach or in a forest; having a gentle relaxing massage; getting your nails manicured or taking a warm, scented bath (and maybe even risk putting a few rose petals into the bathwater. Take a chance – you never know, you might enjoy it!).
Whatever you decide to do, commit yourself to it – mark it in your calendar and book yourself in! Get excited about it. Have fun and enjoy the experience. Remember that you are a Very Important Person. The more you appreciate the gift you give to yourself, the more you start to realize its value. This can help you begin to appreciate your own self-worth and value.

Process your Past

To go a step further in addressing your self-esteem challenge, and consider having a one-on-one consultation. This might seem scary and daunting. But think about it for a moment…what’s the worst that could happen?
You might peel back a few layers of who you are not, release the hand-brake and uncover who you really, truly are – your amazing Self.

Carl Jung said
“the most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.”

Self-esteem with Michelle A. Hardwick

Weekend Experiences in West Cork, Ireland

So if you’d like to take a bigger step and begin the process of accepting yourself, then consider doing different. Spend a weekend away in the beautiful grounds of the Liss Ard Estate Lake Lodge in West Cork, Ireland on 24th & 25th September 2016 from 10am-6pm (both days). Michelle will be facilitating a life-changing weekend with a small group of like-minded people called The Wonder of the Soul. This weekend will help you

  • understand yourself more
  • increase your self-esteem and confidence
  • take to look your roots and
  • heal those early years

Read and print out a copy of the Wonder of the Soul Weekend One here

Limited Early Bird Rates!

There are a limited number of early bird special rates still available for this weekend. If you love a bargain, the cost of the weekend is €209 per person/shared accommodation. But you’ll need to act fast – there are only a few places left! Once they are gone, they are gone!

After that the standard price is €250 per person/shared accommodation. If you prefer to have your own single room the fee is €330 Euro per person/per room. Discover more details here. If you are spontaneous, go ahead and book now!  And if all this hasn’t whet your appetite – take a peek at some of the very kind testimonials received from participants about our previous weekends here.

Self-esteem & confidence…or… Insecure & unhappy?     It’s your choice

Contact MichelleMichelle A. Hardwick

So if you, or someone you know is ready to begin to grow their self-esteem and make positive changes in their life, contact Michelle A. Hardwick for a personal consultation  either in person or via Skype.

Michelle also offers consultations in Cork City at the Natural Clinic, to book a consultation with Michelle online at the clinic click here or call 021 4311977.

Resources

Weekends at the Liss Ard Estate

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Liss Ard Estate Lake Lodge

I have to admit that I feel very blessed to be able to call the Liss Ard Estate Lake Lodge ‘home’ every 2-3 months for our Weekends at Liss Ard Estate for self-development, self-discovery evolution and growth. Through a series of wonderful coincidences I managed to Google my way onto the Liss Ard Estate website.

I couldn’t believe my luck. The grounds seemed perfect, the location was West Cork, Ireland (also perfect), the dates I needed were available, it could be used for self-catering – oh my, the stars were certainly lining up for me that day!

So I took a trip down to Skibbereen. Estimating that it would take me just over an hour to get there from Cork, an hour to check everything out, and then another hour to get back.

What I didn’t reckon on – was the peace I would feel there. The quietness and tranquility, the absolute beauty of the grounds not to mention the incredible Irish Sky Garden. It was like I just melted there and the stress of my day vanished into thin air.

Magical walks and pathways
Magical walks and pathways

I couldn’t leave it was just so magical. It took me more than a good few hours to explore the grounds, to check out the wonderful views, to see the Lake Lodge and check out the gorgeous decor in the dining room, the lounge and library as well as the bedrooms.

Now almost 2 years on from my first ever experience, I share these jewels of  the Liss Ard Estate Lake Lodge with others who are keen to discover more about themselves, to connect to their truth, to evolve and grow spiritually.

Our weekends at Liss Ard are called The Wonders of the Soul. There are seven of them in total and each weekend has a different focus and experience. You can choose to attend one or all of them, depending on what feels right for you. Very briefly these weekends include:

  • Weekend One allows us to reassess our roots, to assess where we are and where we desire to go
  • Weekend Two gives us an opportunity to discover more about our inner balance, flexibility and our ability to flow with life
  • Weekend Three focuses on our intention, our drive as well as our passion and will
  • In Weekend Four we uncover more about love, self-love and unconditional love
  • During Weekend Five we look at our communication (inner and outer), as well as how we communicate our truth to the world
  • Weekend Six we experience the beauty of our vision, connect to our wisdom and develop a deeper sense of insight
  • Our final Weekend Seven helps us reflect on our journey of enlightenment from the ordinary to the extraordinary … and beyond!

Are you ready to close the gap between where you are and where you want to and take part in our weekends? Contact me Michelle and reserve your place now!

Share and be with a group
Be with like-minded souls
Nutritious food served
Nutritious food served
by the fireside1
Time to unwind and relax