Cauldrons and Cupcakes

Celebrating Life, Spirituality, Creativity and Kindness!

Category: Health and Wellbeing

Counting Down The Hours

Today I’ll find out if I can stop my current drugs, or if I have to continue them. Mentally I’m prepared for my last two tablets. After that. I can’t rightly say…

A Family Day

Managing my health, and helping family manage theirs. That’s what my day looks like. How about you?

Worrying. Not Worrying.

  If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever. ― Dalai Lama XIV Hey, Lovelies. The good old Dalai Lama is usually […]

Off To The Doctor Again

There are only two sorts of doctors: those who practice with their brains, and those who practice with their tongues. —William Osler Hey, Lovelies. I’m off to the city with Ben to see my favourite physician, get some test results, and the next steps in my journey. I’m also in the thick of doing testing, […]

I slept in!

I never sleep in! How did that happen? ~ Nicole Cody Hey, Lovelies. My plan was to get up at 4am, to meditate until 5am, to write until 6am, and then to dive straight into a deadline driven project I need to get finished. The reality? I slept in. I NEVER sleep in. Until today. […]

Guided Meditation for Managing Panic, Anxiety and Fear

  Fear is static that prevents me from hearing myself.  ~Samuel Butler Hey, Lovelies. If you’re highly sensitive, intuitive or empathic you may feel a little overwhelmed with emotion right now as we journey through these times of flux and transition. It’s normal to be triggered as we work with our shadow selves and as […]

That Unsettled Feeling

  An unsettled person will constantly rant about inconsequential things. ― Charmaine J Forde Hey, Lovelies. I have a full day of medical appointments today. Test results, action plans, and who knows what else awaits? I’d love to say that I’m calm, but I’m unsettled, and I will be until the day is done and I […]

Milestones

  My path has not been determined. I shall have more experiences and pass many more milestones. ~ Agnetha Faltskog Hey, Lovelies. It’s been a pretty crappy 14 months healthwise, between late stage Lyme, a misbehaving heart, an intractable UTI superbug and a myxedema crisis – but I am delighted to say that I am […]

Peaks and Troughs

  Life is just a series of peaks and troughs, and you don’t know whether you’re in a trough until you’re climbing out, or on a peak until you’re coming down. And that’s it you know, you never know what’s round the corner. But it’s all good.  ~ Ricky Gervais Hey, Lovelies. In chronic illness, […]

Touching The Wall

Sometimes it is the meaning we give something that makes it special. For me, it was touching the wall. A symbolic victory, a sign of progress, a reason to celebrate…

Walking As A Meditation

  I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~ John Muir   Hey, Lovelies. Do you have trouble trying to meditate? There is a powerful meditation practice you could try that involves movement. It’s one of my favourites […]

The Soul-Sucking Reality Of Chronic Illness

  Having a chronic illness, Molly thought, was like being invaded. Her grandmother back in Michigan used to tell about the day one of their cows got loose and wandered into the parlor, and the awful time they had getting her out. That was exactly what Molly’s arthritis was like: as if some big old […]

The Slow Climb Back

  I think that little by little I’ll be able to solve my problems and survive. ~ Frida Kahlo Hey, Lovelies. I have missed you. Also, I have missed myself. These past two weeks have been hard. (Don’t know what happened? Go here.) It has taken time to get my new medication right, and we’re […]

Well, That Was Unexpected…

  She looked as if she were about to burst into tears, but she was wonderful at catching the ball of her own mood in mid-air. ~ Rebecca West Hey, Lovelies. Well, this has certainly been the year. As you know, I live with a complex bucketful of dodgy genes, autoimmune diseases, chronic infections, post-viral […]

What The Doctors Said, What The Nurses Said

  It would not be possible to praise nurses too highly. ~ Stephen Ambrose Hey, Lovelies. I’m staying home today. I’m not planning on going ANYWHERE. And if you’re squeamish or have issues with bodily emissions stop reading now, or go straight to the bottom of the page… As most of you know I am […]

You Can Still Join My Healing And Space-Holding Meditations This Weekend

  Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.~ Lao Tzu Hey, Lovelies. Did you see yesterday’s post? Would you like some extra love, positive energy and support at this time? This week has been about upgrading your thinking, about being bold with your decisions and actions, and […]

To Find Your Flow You Need To Rest

Have you lost your mojo, or your connection to your intuition or creativity? I have a solution that’s easy to apply in daily life, and which works very effectively as a first step back to flow…

The Boy With The Sore Finger

Sometimes, those incidental questions and remarks turn out to be the most important ones. A story of how a small insight during a chat helped to save a young boy’s life…

Making Space In Your Life

  “Find a moment of stillness, give your heart a chance to tell you where you really need to be.” ~ Dodinsky Hey, Lovelies! Today, I want to remind you about the importance of making space. When we create space in our lives, and then sit quietly with the emptiness we have created, magic can […]

Well, that sucks…

Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. Emory Austin Hey, Lovelies. Let’s put in a disclaimer first – if you are expecting love, light and unicorns in this post, move along, cos I have the crankies! To be honest, I am not really inclined to write a blog. Or to […]

Stupidly Adoring Cauliflower

I must have flowers, always, and always. Claude Monet Hey, Lovelies. I know, I know. Cauliflower is not what most people consider worthy of a blog post. And it’s certainly something most people don’t get particularly excited about. Except me. I have a wonderful local fruit and vegetable shop where I can order online and […]

We, The Expendable

From the very depth of my being, I challenge the right of any man or any group of men, in business or in government, to tell a fellow human being that he or she is expendable. Jimmy Reid Hey, Lovelies.COVID is ripping through the Australian population right now. It’s causing panic, supply chain issues, food […]

What Will People Think?

We are all wonderful, beautiful wrecks. That’s what connects us–that we’re all broken, all beautifully imperfect. Emilio Estevez Hey, Lovelies. I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine, Michael, yesterday. He called me specifically to discuss the fact that I blogged about seeing a therapist. ‘Why did you do that?’ he wanted to […]

One Of The Best Gifts I Ever Gave Myself

The best gift I ever gave myself is a gift that keeps enriching my days. It’s a gift of time and care, of comfort and support, of gentle and of hard questions, and sometimes, hard answers. It’s the way I manage life. The way I cope with the things that should break me. I highly recommend it…

A Possible Option For The Vax Or Non-Vax Issue In Daily Life

We are not short of answers; we are short of the right questions. Sukant Ratnakar Hey, Lovelies. I am immunocompromised. So are several members of my family. So are many members of my community. I also have several major health problems (all caused by genetics and post-viral issues). For me, and many of the people […]

What I’ll Be Doing When Australia Begins To Open Up Again

You cannot control the behavior of others, but you can always choose how you respond to it.  Roy T. Bennett Hey, Lovelies. I live in Queensland – a state of Australia that has had few COVID cases, and which has maintained strict border closures since the pandemic began. We’ve had a relative amount of freedom […]

Why I wear my hair like this right now…

The old woman was a witch shadow – hair like matted spiderwebs, hooded ’round darkness of features, eyes like glittering jewels. Frank Herbert Hey, Lovelies. So, I want to talk about hair. Ah, I’m sharing another of my great secrets now. You can tell a lot about my state of wellness by how I wear […]

Losses and Gains

Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose. Yoda Hey, Lovelies. I went back to my regular yoga practice yesterday. I have a routine I do every morning, using an app to which I subscribe. Lots of floor based work to help my lower back, lots of stretching and flow poses. It’s […]

My Need For Quiet

“Smile, breathe and go slowly.” Thich Nhat Hanh So, Lovelies, I am sure some of you will relate to what I am about to share. I’m a Highly Sensitive Soul. I am sure you may be one too. Because of my sensitivity, my intuitive and psychic abilities, I am able to connect deeply with people. […]

Back In The Saddle

“You need to be content with small steps. That’s all life is. Small steps that you take every day so when you look back down the road it all adds up and you know you covered some distance. It took me a long time to accept that, but it’s true. You need to have patience.” […]

Managing My Unrealistic Expectations

A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect.  Jonathan Lockwood Huie Hey, Lovelies. So, here I am, back at my desk. (For those of you not sure what this is about read this.) Not back at work. Not yet. Just back at my desk for a short visit, to write an update for […]

A Little Nicole Update

Bedrest means lying in bed at home, doing nothing, Nicole. Do you understand? If you have a problem with this we can bring you back to hospital. It’s your choice. My cardiologist, on realising I am not good at resting! Hey, Lovelies. This blog post is coming to to you direct from my bed, here […]

I took a deep breath and changed things

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. James Baldwin Hey, Lovelies. I did something quite radical yesterday. Radical, but so in keeping with the energies of August, and this Lion’s Gate Portal. I set up a meeting with my team. I sat in front of […]

Loving My Heart And Letting It Rest

Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.  C.S. Lewis Hey, Lovelies. I’m still in the mop up from my first Pfizer Vaccine. Slowly, most of my symptoms are abating. I’m fatigued, […]

My Own Pfizer Post-Vax Journey – Part 1

Laughter is the only medicine without side effects. Shannon L. Alder Hey, Lovelies. I promised I’d keep you posted on how I travelled after my first Pfizer vaccination. I live with chronic illness, heart problems, thyroid issues, autoimmune stuff and late-stage lyme disease. Plus a bunch of genetic things. So, I was a little concerned […]

What I Did Yesterday

You’re never perfectly safe. No human being on Earth ever is or ever was. To live is to risk your life, your heart, everything. Rick Yancey Hey, Lovelies. So, yesterday I did something important for myself. I got my first dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine. I made the choice to get vaccinated in consultation […]

Don’t be a prisoner to the past…

One need not be a chamber to be haunted;One need not be a house;The brain has corridors surpassingMaterial place. Emily Dickinson Hey, Lovelies. Today I want to remind you not to dwell in the past. Memory is notoriously unreliable. Ask any detective or psychologist. Ten people could witness an event and each will have a […]

Brrrrr – that feels AMAZING!

If we always choose comfort we never learn the deepest CAPABILITIES of our mind or body. Wim Hof Hey, Lovelies. Yesterday we did something quite mad. And it was so good we’re gonna do it again today. Ben and I jumped into our freezing cold pool (it’s winter here but even in Summer our pool […]

Some Thoughts On Risk, COVID and Individual Responsibility

Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own. Adam Lindsay Gordon Hey, Lovelies.I’ve had many messages and emails since my post about Sophie, a colleague who recently passed away from COVID. Missed it? You can catch up here.I’ve also had my share of unfollows, […]

Do You Need To Step Away And Take A Break?

Is there a place you can go to break away for a little while? If you haven’t yet built your tree house, it’s never too late to start.  Gina Greenlee Hey, Lovelies. I just want to check in with you. You doing okay? One of my favourite coping mechanisms is to take a break. If […]

I’m Still Too Angry To Talk About It

When people are hurting, what they really need is someone who is fully there for them – not someone who is condescending or officious. The only way for you to be there for them is by facing your fear or anger, whatever feelings cause you to shut down. Pema Chodron Hey, Lovelies. I reached out […]

Don’t ignore that niggle!

Nicole, honestly, how much worse did you need this pain to be before you actually took it seriously? Doctor to me, ER Hey, Lovelies. This is a short, sharp and sweet post, but it’s important. If you know your body, and it starts behaving in a way that is not normal, do something about it. […]

The Awful Noises In The Night

Some night sounds outside my window remain strange & mysterious. Perhaps they are the sounds of the trees themselves, stretching their limbs in the dark, shifting a little, flexing their fingers, whispering to one another. Ruskin Bond Hey, Lovelies. I had the crappiest night the other night. I was riddled with pain, and no matter […]

True Love In The Shape Of A Star Trek Toy

It’s not safe out here. It’s wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross; but it’s not for the timid. Q – Star Trek Hey, Lovelies.I’ll be honest. It’s been a little rough here on the health front. Nothing catastrophic, but I’m experiencing some old Lyme symptoms that haven’t shown themselves for a […]

My Favourite Coping Mechanisms For Difficult Times

Facing it, always facing it, that’s the way to get through. Face it. Conrad Joseph Hey, Lovelies.It’s been a busy time for me. I am settling into our new home. I am unpacking. I am writing our Planner for 2022. I am back at work, conducting psychic readings. And I am supporting our community, many […]

A Normal Friday Night

Normal is an ideal. But it’s not reality. Reality is brutal, it’s beautiful, it’s every shade between black and white, and it’s magical. Yes, magical. Because every now and then, it turns nothing into something.  Tara Kelly Hey, Lovelies. This might not be a big deal to you, but it is to me. I had […]

Dear COVID Long Haulers – Don’t Give Up

Sometimes even to live is an act of courage. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Dear COVID Long Haulers, Welcome to my club. I’m so sorry you acquired membership to this motley band of chronic illness warriors, but you’re here now, so as newbies I’d like to show you around, and help you settle in. 1. Let’s talk […]

Our First Day Off

Most of the things we need to be most fully alive never come in busyness. They grow in rest.  Mark Buchanan Hey, Lovelies. Today, Ben and I are taking a day off. I’ll be working all weekend on the 2022 Journeymaker’s Planner, and that’s a total labour of love and devotion! And from next week […]

Lockdown Workarounds

Sometimes you just have to pee in the sink. Charles Bukowski Ah, Bukowski – I just love the way you tell it how it is… Hey, Lovelies! We’re in lockdown again here in our part of the world. Greater Brisbane went into a 3 day COVID lockdown at 5pm on Monday. Ben and I had […]

That Big Ol’ Moon

Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born: – you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars. e. e. cummings Hey, Lovelies. Last night I spent hours under the light of the Full Moon. I watched her slow dance across the sky. I sat, silent on my verandah, observing owls and possums […]

Back In Lockdown

Another way to be prepared is to think negatively. Yes, I’m a great optimist. but, when trying to make a decision, I often think of the worst case scenario. I call it ‘the eaten by wolves factor.’ If I do something, what’s the most terrible thing that could happen? Would I be eaten by wolves? […]

When In The Day Is Your Time?

For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope […]

A Lungful Of Air

With every breath, the old moment is lost; a new moment arrives. We exhale and we let go of the old moment. It is lost to us. In doing so, we let go of the person we used to be. We inhale and breathe in the moment that is becoming. In doing so, we welcome […]

There’s Something Wrong With Your Husband

Since we all have varying degrees of tolerance for pain, and have equally varied experiences with different types of pain, it makes the scale feel kind of meaningless — especially when you consider that the person trying to ascertain how much pain the patient is in has his or her own experiences with pain that […]

I’m Going On A Pilgrimage

The purpose of a pilgrimage is about setting aside a long period of time in which the only focus is to be the matters of the soul. Many believe a pilgrimage is about going away but it isn’t; it is about coming home. Those who choose to go on pilgrimage have already ventured away from […]

On Finding Yourself Stranded Far From Home

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. Gautama Buddha Hello, Lovelies. Yesterday one of my community reached out to me, to ask for ‘Any help you can give the souls that have been stranded in alien places due to corona virus… I know […]

For You Who Are Weary And Don’t Know Why

Let me ask you outright, gentle reader, if there have not been hours, indeed whole days and weeks of your life, during which all your usual activities were painfully repugnant, and everything you believed in and valued seemed foolish and worthless? E.T.A. Hoffmann Hello, Lovely. Many of my community have been asking me if there […]

The Newsletter That Really P*ssed Me Off!

Don’t underestimate me, and don’t devalue me, just because I live with limitations. Nicole Cody Hey, Lovelies. I received a newsletter in my inbox yesterday, that really p*ssed me off. It was written by a friend who has a huge following in the entrepreneur and wellness industry, and it began with a photo of athletic, […]

Practical Spirituality For Life’s Challenges

It isn’t by getting out of the world that we become enlightened, but by getting into the world…by getting so tuned in that we can ride the waves of our existence and never get tossed because we become the waves. Ken Kesey Hey, Lovelies.Today I want to remind you of the importance of having a […]

Sometimes Healing Means Closing The Door On Something

It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn’t matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over. Paulo Coelho Hey, Lovelies. Once upon a time I used to think that in order […]

Need an energy boost?

Where there is energy there is life. Suzy Kassem Hello, Lovelies! Feeling a bit flat and tired? Come join us for our Colour and Cuppa session today at 4pm, Brisbane time. We’ll be having a lovely social chat, and talking all things energy, but most importantly, I’ll share a simple hands-on healing technique to boost […]

The Old Photo

What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce. Karl Lagerfeld Hey, Lovelies! A dear old school friend (Thanks, Genevieve!) sent me a photograph via Messenger last night. It was a picture of me, taken at a friend’s eighteenth birthday party. I laughed so hard. It was […]

Been feeling emotional? It’s September’s Full Moon In Pisces

“Sometimes I think, I need a spare heart to feel all the things I feel.” Sanober Khan Hello, Lovelies! Have you been feeling a little emotionally wobbly the past few days? Blame it on the moon! Today’s full moon in Pisces brings with it a wonderful energy for all forms of emotional release and healing. […]

Are You Making Time For Fun And Creativity This Weekend?

To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it. Osho Hey, Lovelies! This week’s energies […]

Finding Your Power Zones!

The greatest weariness comes from work not done. Eric Hoffer Hey, Lovelies! Do you know what your Power Zones are? Power Zones are times of the day where you have strong energy – either mental or physical. You might have a peak period for creativity first thing in the morning, but find that mathematics or […]

I am okay with getting old

The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.  Robert Frost Hey, Lovelies.I got an interesting message yesterday from a fellow entrepreneur, which I am sure was well intentioned. I’ll pop it here for you: HI Nicole, how are things? You know I love you and your work right? Just wanted to let you know that […]

A message for strong people who aren’t coping

You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. Marcus Aurelius Hey, Lovelies. Right now my inbox is jammed with messages from strong people who are suddenly not in a great headspace, or who are having problems coping with the curve balls 2020 has thrown their way. […]

Can I ask you a question?

Don’t be afraid your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin.   Grace Hansen Hey, Lovely, Can I ask you a question? I want to know one simple thing. In your day, how much of that day is time for you? Life is short, and there is no do-over. Every minute gone is […]

My Top Coping Strategies For When Life Gets Really Hard

It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change. Leon C. Megginson Hey, Lovelies. I’ve just come off the back of an unexpected period of intense and stressful days. Lots of family stuff. Some big decisions after life suddenly changed. A stupid amount of work […]

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