4
Mar
2021
0

Self care and creativity

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04 Mar 2021

Whatever your circumstances, there is power in steadiness and stillness. There is power when we slow down to connect to our inner knowing. When we feel a greater connection with ourselves, we are able to strengthen our connection with the people around us and the world around us.

When I think of self care, I think of those activities that allow a deeper connection to my inner knowing. They are the activities that enhance my energy, restore a balance of physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and reduce any anxiety or stress. They are often a way of processing the emotional reactions to life.

Being creative (and making space for creativity) is one of the best forms of self care. It allows us to connect with who we are on a deeper level. Staying creative amidst the busy’ness of life doesn’t need to be difficult or time consuming.

  • Take a walk – there is nothing more grounding than taking a moment to reconnect with nature. Your creative mind will thank you for it. Nature knows just how to bring harmony to where it is needed.
  • Break your routine as a form of creativity – create space for something new to emerge.
  • Journal – just observe your stream of consciousness. Similar to breaking your routine, when you empty your mind onto paper – without judgement – there is a greater possibility for clarity and new ideas to emerge.
  • Meditate – find a quiet place and allow your thoughts to simply come and go without overwhelming you. Creativity emerges from a place of stillness.
  • Take a class or workshop – meet like-minded people, allow yourself to be guided by a new process, take time out for you and prepare to feel more balanced and inspired.

You are invited to feel more balanced and inspired at our upcoming ‘Create your own Botanical Mist’ workshop held at the beautifully creative and inspiring Possibility Project, Wahroonga.

Saturday 22nd May, 2-4pm

Link to workshop details and to book

“Plant essences will not change us into anything but our true selves.”

[Image sourced from Pinterest]

16
Jan
2021
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A new year and a new opportunity to power your intentions

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16 Jan 2021

Happy New Year!

Conscious intention moves everything. With every new year comes our desire to evolve and grow in some way. It is part of our human nature and it is our responsibility as master creators. Do not limit yourself on what you think you can do or create!

Find what brings you joy and you will naturally bring more positive experiences into your life. It’s a daily practice we at Combardis weave into everything we do.

Allow nature’s gifts of pure high vibration energy to support your intentions . . . your mantra . . . your inspirations for the year head . . . hold your intentions positively . . . let go of the how’s.

Select a mist that best supports your intentions and Mist, Breathe and Be . . .

“Wherever you are, be all there.”

 

15
Dec
2020
0

All things festive in a bottle!

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15 Dec 2020

Create your own festive bliss mist to inspire feelings of joy this Christmas. Familiar notes and the timeless aromas of black spruce, rosemary, spicy cinnamon and sweet orange are our favourites! Spicy and sweet yet warm and calm. Reminisce over the past and create new memories for the future.

Create your own or receive our special blend as a gift when you spend over $110 in our on-line store. For a limited time we’ll also upgrade your postage to Express Post!

Slow down this festive season, create moments of peace, presence and joy. Support your local stores, makers and keep your purchasing as sustainable as possible. Exchange your money for that which inspires you and brings you joy and then you’ll be able to give that gift to others.

You can’t buy happiness but you can buy from a local maker and that’s kind of the same.

 

 

 

 

27
Oct
2020
0

Create your own pure botanical essence

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27 Oct 2020

There is a kind of magic created when women come together … it’s a conscious decision to honour and nurture one’s mind, body and soul amongst like-minded sisters.

Recently we collaborated with the divine Megan Morton at The School to deliver ‘Clarity Class’. It was an invitation to rest, restore and create. We created moments of stillness and shared beautiful techniques to encourage calm and clarity whilst supported by the energy and beauty of pure botanical essences.

Each woman created their unique signature mist scent from a place of pure love and transformed natural gifts from the earth into not only an item of beauty, but an item of wonderful functionality, some describing it as a bottle of mental immunity.

Connecting with nature is a way of strengthening the connection to our inner self, to that place of inner calm and knowing – breaking free from the stressors of life and restoring harmony. Whatever our circumstances, there is power in slowing down to connect to our inner self. When we feel a greater connection within ourselves, we are able to strengthen our connection with the people around us and the world around us. As we embody feelings of calm, we allow clarity to emerge and as we show up in this more empowered state we help others do the same.

We are thrilled to announce a local collaboration with the beautiful Kim and Kath at The Possibility Project, Wahroonga and invite you to create your own magical, botanical essence using essential oils and flower essences to support you exactly where you are.

Our November workshop has sold out however click through to the December workshop details  – Saturday 5th December | 2-4pm. There are just a few places left and we would love to see you there. [now booked out – we will release 2021 dates shortly.]

Combardis December Workshop

We will leave you with the words of Dr Edward Bach, the pioneer of flower remedies …

“The function of the flower essence is to raise our vibrations and open up our channels for the reception of our spiritual self, to flood our natures with the particular virtues and to wash out from us the faults which were causing them. They are able, like beautiful music or any gloriously uplifting thing which gives us inspiration, to raise our very natures and bring us nearer to ourselves and by that very act to bring us peace and relieve our suffering. They cure not by attacking disease but by flooding our bodies with beautiful vibrations of our higher nature in the presence of which disease melts as snow in the sunshine.”

 

7
Aug
2020
0

Rituals for honouring Mother Earth

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07 Aug 2020

“Rituals are the formulas by which harmony is restored.” – Terry Tempest Williams

Infuse nature’s gift of aromatherapy into your daily rituals, not only to restore harmony, but to create moments of inspiration and joy.

Rituals are a way of acknowledging and celebrating the little things in life. They allow us to experience the everyday with deeper meaning and enjoyment. We will even go as far to say they help sprinkle magic over the mundane. Water is just water until you choose to drink it every morning, warm and infused with lemon giving thanks to how it nurtures your body with every sip. Bedtime for children is simply bedtime without family rituals of a shared story and a bedtime lullaby to create a sense of connectedness and belonging.

Rituals are incredibly powerful when we choose them on purpose. A habit may bring us a sense of fulfilment, yet a ritual allows us to connect more deeply. Rituals help us to pause and take a breath, creating a moment of stillness and an opportunity to connect with our inner being. Weaving rituals into your day will help you to move through busy or uncertain times in a way that feels more graceful and supportive. We know for sure we are in such times!

Pure botanical essences are beautiful, high vibrational gifts from Mother Nature and work by enhancing the positive aspects of our being. They are an invitation to experience the wisdom of nature’s gifts. As expressed by Julia Lawless when she describes ancient alchemy, “In the same way aromatic material could be distilled to produce a pure and potent essence, so could the human emotions be refined and concentrated to reveal their valuable fruit or true nature.”

When rituals combine with pure aromatics, expect to feel more in flow, grounded in your experience and more discerning as to where you focus your awareness and attention.

Here are just a few of our favourite ways to spritz some of nature’s magic into your daily rituals . . .

Set an intention for the day upon waking

Keep one of your favourite mists on your bedside table. As you awake to a new day, take a couple of deep breaths, allowing space for intention and contemplation. Spray your mist liberally and as you inhale the beautiful aroma set an intention for how you intend to move through your day. You may also repeat the affirmation silently [on the back of the bottle]. Intention and affirmation further empower the energetics of essential oils and positively influence the subconscious mind. You can say the affirmation out loud, or silently, or if you would like to, create your own affirmation. If an “I am ..” statement creates too much resistance simply amend to “I am becoming ..“.

A morning ritual is one that helps you to tap into the gentler, calmer version of yourself.

Create moments for stillness and reflection

If you have a meditation practice, spray Present Moment mist in your meditation space or over your head and shoulders to set your intention for your practice. Allow the grounding and heart opening oils infusing this blend to help you to slow down enough to hear the wisdom of your inner being.

Abundant Life, Harmony, Free the Spirit, Inner Strength and Love are also mists that will support and empower your meditation practice.

If you don’t have a meditation practice yet simply pause for a moment, spritz your personal space, and with a deep breath become aware of your body and your immediate surroundings. Whenever you become aware of your breath and the present moment you have the opportunity to live in flow – this is where hope and creativity flourish!

Similarly, if you enjoy the practice of journaling or quiet reflection, spritz Free the Spirit mist. The oils infused in this blend will allow your authentic and creative energy to flow.

The ritual of meditating and/or journaling in the quiet of the morning creates a sacred space for you to connect with your emotions, your challenges, your dreams and desires.

Take a mindful breath

When life becomes overwhelming, it’s easy to move through the day on autopilot or in a constant state of background fear. When this happens, we can miss the simple moments that make life beautiful. Even when days are full, incorporating deliberate pauses help to bring us back to the present moment. This is an opportunity to reconnect with your divine essence.

Keep a precious bottle of Clarity mist at your desk, place of work, kitchen bench or car. A brief yet intentional pause will enable you to embrace where you are. The uplifting and refreshing oils of Rosemary, Peppermint and Citrus will help to clear and revive your mind and uplift your spirits.

Harmony mist will provide support when you feel like you are juggling too many balls at once. Take a deep mindful breath and a spritz of Harmony mist.

The amount of time you spend conducting your rituals is not important; rather, it’s the intention you put into them. They can be short and performed anywhere, as long as they are meaningful to you.

Reach for Joie de Vivre mist when feeling a little lacklustre. It is a reminder to find joy and delight in the every day. Sometimes a light-hearted approach is all that is needed to raise the spirits. Inspiring and elevating Lime, Cinnamon, Clove, Ylang Ylang and Bergamot oils instil a sense of courage of cheer, reminding us to be grateful for the gift of each day.

Unwind for a peaceful sleep

Create calm before sleep by lightly spritzing your pillow with Peaceful Sleep mist. Turning down the sheets and spraying a mist in your room adds a little indulgence at the end of the day and may even fill your mind and soul with a little loving kindness. Sleep is the most powerful healer for your body and mind.

Rituals can help remind us that we are valuable and our needs are important. They can also give us comfort and a sense of control when life gets challenging.

Above all, rituals incorporated with the harmonising benefits of pure aromatics help us to create a greater connection with ourselves, others, and all that is. Nature’s plant essences have extraordinary healing powers and have an extremely important role to play in helping to heal the planet and raise the level of awareness of those of us living on it.

“The only way to really understand what brings meaning to your life is to get slow and quiet and still, and to listen. Rituals help you to find that stillness.”

 

2
May
2020
0

Message in a bottle

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02 May 2020

Giving and receiving support

It’s times like these we can get creative about how we take care of not only each other, but ourselves – keeping our heart, mind and body connected and healthy. I feel this time of recalibration is an opportunity to expand – to expand our consciousness, our capabilities, our compassion for one another and the planet, our appreciation of what is truly important to us and our faith that all will be well. At the same time the changes we are experiencing may be highlighting to us the areas of life that are out of balance or need some love and attention.

Giving support and importantly receiving support, expands who you are. Requiring support is often considered as failure, on the contrary, it is a sign of courage and strength. We are in circumstances where it’s more than okay to ask for support. Remember you are an integral link in the chain of all beingness. Everything and everyone is connected, nothing works in isolation. Allow support to reinforce your strengths and receive with an open heart.

I have gratefully received support by way of practices that bring my attention to my heart … meditation, tapping, wholesome chats with friends, long walks and runs in nature, family moments, nourishing foods and creative projects (who knew I could use a sewing machine!). My morning exercise, meditation and journaling practice has been the greatest daily support of all – combined of course with generous misting to support my desired feelings and intentions for the day.

Each Combardis mist is created with the intention to support you exactly where you are. Essential oils combine with the power of intention to create new pathways of peace, presence and joy. Allow the whispering messages from these bottles to support you too . . . .

“Inner strength comes from a sense of peace and contentment. Your worthiness is never in dispute, only your acceptance of it. Self confidence and worth are awakened in the silence of meditation … feel the limitless power within.” . . . Inner Strength

“Wherever you are, be all there. Whenever you notice the presence of your awareness you have the opportunity to live in flow – this is where hope and creativity flourish! Take a deep breath and sink into a moment of awareness.” . . . Present Moment

“Find delight in the everyday and take a more lighthearted approach. Rediscover the simply joys of life like the smell of freshly brewed coffee or a walk in nature, taking in the beauty of all that unfolds naturally. Find joy in the art of simply Being!”.  . . . Joie de Vivre

“Open yourself to more love by radiating love from within. You are loveable. Love is all around you. Opening your heart to gratitude tunes you to the vibration of love and only pure love conquers fear.” . . . Love

“Relax, slow down, take a deep breath. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and Be with them. Be gentle and know that emotions are a wonderful part of life, not only do they create imbalance they allow us to feel love and connection with ourselves and others.” . . . Harmony

“Attract into your life all that you desire by feeling gratitude for all that is. Remember that all life flows with an abundance of love and joy. Practicing an attitude of gratitude and appreciation creates pure positive vibration. In this state you are more likely to recognise all of the good in your life, increasing positive emotions and feeling greater happiness.” . . . Abundant Life

As you find peace in your heart, calm in your mind, and a connection with all that is, carry it around with you and share it with others. This question was posed to me and now I am passing it on to you “How is earth’s current re-arranging helping me?”

For support from experts in mind-heart-body connection take a look at the resources offered by:

You are never alone.

 

 

8
Apr
2020
0

Create your favourite aromas at home . . .

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08 Apr 2020

In this world of rapid change we are being drawn inward. We are being encouraged to connect with our own divine essence with fewer distractions. We are being urged to create new habits and new family rituals to support our new way of being.

We observed recently in our workshops with kids and teens, the presence and joy that flowed from creating an aromatic item of beauty. We are now creating ‘CYO’ kits that will allow you to let your creativity flow at home as you ‘create your own’ aromatic mists.

Create your own room mists to bring that peaceful spa feeling to your home, create a mist that activates hope and optimism, a pillow mist for dream weaving, an uplifting mist to set the mood for work and new projects or a mindful mist for your meditation practice.

Embrace the ‘slowing down’ effect and trust that life takes care of itself as our awareness of the present moment expands. Savour a moment of solitude or share the creation experience with your family.

An aromatic mist is blended with purified water and heavenly scented essential oils. We provide you with step by step directions and a selection of ‘recipes’ to get you started.

The kit includes:

  • 4 x 50ml amber spray bottles
  • 1 qty of natural dispersant (almond + coconut oils)
  • 1 x glass beaker (to mix your oil blend)
  • 1 x plastic funnel (to guide your water gently into the bottles)
  • Kraft labels (create your own fab labels)
  • Step-by-step directions and recipes.

If you have your own collection of essential oils this is the perfect opportunity to use them and if not, we have selected 9 of our favourites (synchronised with the recipes) and poured them into mini bottles that you may purchase together with the kit . . . Lavender * Lemon * Orange * Rosemary * Peppermint * Cedarwood * Frankincense * Ylang Ylang * Frangipani

22
Mar
2020
0

How are you? Self care to support one another . .

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22 Mar 2020

Wow – that was a huge week!

How are you?

It goes without saying there is much to navigate right now and as emotional beings we are all feeling it.

Amidst all that has required navigating this week, we’ve been immersed in the new era of ‘distance learning’ [my key take out – education is a long term endeavour and learning comes in many different forms – for us all!]. We’ve said goodbye to our exchange student and all plans for Liv’s exchange to France are, of course on hold. And this is just the beginning. We are in new territory and I am comforted knowing we are all in it together.

I can’t help but think that an opportunity exists for us all to create a more fulfilling and resourceful life. We are now in a huge transition, one that will be felt by everyone, in so many different and potentially heart breaking ways. It is a time that is going to need all of our compassion, love and kind human spirit as we transition to a new way of being.

As the teachings of Abraham Hicks suggest … accept ‘what is’ but don’t focus on ‘what is’ – focus on the solution, which is another way of saying, where your attention goes, energy flows. Ask yourself “Am I adding momentum to the solution or the problem right now?”

I think one of the most important solutions right now is the relief of fear and anxiety.  The time is now to use all of the tools you have in your self-care toolbox to bring about a sense of calm (and share them with others!). This is the time to apply what you know and who you are to each moment.

I have loved observing leaders in various healing modalities share comforting words, actions and resources abundantly in an attempt to comfort and empower.

Let us all keep sharing and supporting one another. And in the spirit of sharing, here are some resources and tools that continue to support me, and those precious to me.

EFT/Tapping 

Yesterday, as we were at the airport check-in desk with Adèle our exchange student there were concerns from the check-in staff about the routing of her return flight to Switzerland. Adèle already feeling nervous traveling during this time, became very emotional and in that moment we just started tapping together. Almost immediately the anxiety subsided. A solution was reached and her flight was made a little more comfortable when she was upgraded to Business Class!

Here are some fabulous resources to ‘tap’ into right now:

Happisoul – Alison van Vuuren – offering free online tapping [via Facebook]
https://happisoul.com/

A morning with Dr Peta Stapleton in Sydney, Saturday 28th March – now an online event!
https://www.mindheartconnect.com/a-morning-with-dr-peta-stapleton/

Brad Yates – YouTube video – dealing with outbreak fear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AmQ9ORSNds

Nick Ortner – YouTube video – releasing anxiety
https://www.thetappingsolution.com/blog/releasing-coronavirus-anxiety/

Journaling | The Artist’s Way

Do you believe that we are always being shown the way? Desire, ask, believe, receive … Joseph Campbell “A thousand unseen helping hands.”

The Artist’s Way – The Spiritual Guide to Creativity is a book and a beautiful practice (that by happenstance came up in a conversation with the creative guru @meganmorton about a month ago) created by Julia Cameron. I was aware of this book however hadn’t explored the subject in detail. I am currently in Week 3 of this 12 Week guided journey of exploring the link between spirituality and creativity.

Getting thoughts onto paper is a large part of this journey. I am now in a regular practice of journaling – at least 3 foolscap pages every morning. The ‘noise’ is transferred out of my head and onto the paper. Writing is an incredibly therapeutic way of letting go of anxiety, channelling it into another form and it ultimately creates space for all types of creativity to flow.

Have a pen and paper? Start with creating a gratitude list when feelings of anxiety and uncertainty take over.

“Why should we all use our creative power . . ? Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate, so indifferent to fighting and the accumulation of objects and money.” – Brenda Ueland.

Tuning into nature

Simply being in nature (or even viewing scenes of nature) helps to reduce feelings of fear, anger and stress. Exposure to nature helps us to feel grounded and instantly calmer.

In a time of social distancing – hug trees! Meditate in your garden, create a herb garden, vegie patch, plant shrubs. Listen to the birds.

Tuning into voices of calm

Tune into your favourite teachers/podcasts.

Elizabeth Peru is a cosmic guide and has provided some powerful insights into the great transition that is taking place on the planet. https://elizabethperu.com/blog/coronawakeup

Sam Harris – ‘Making Sense’ podcast – neuroscientist and philosopher exploring the difficult questions. https://samharris.org/podcast/

‘The Tim Ferriss Show’ – Tim Ferris – the voice of calm and reason, helping to point out the obvious. https://tim.blog/podcast/

Eckhart Tolle – the epitome of calm – his YouTube videos and podcast will help you to access stillness and calm in the now. https://eckharttolle.com/podcasts/

Sound Healing 

The ‘Gong Guru’ Matt Omo is offering [via Facebook] free sound healing meditations and sound journeys. https://omosoundjourneys.com/

Create a spa like feeling at home 

Create a calm space where you go to find stillness as you journal, turn inwards to meditate, draw, paint and generously create. Light candles, diffuse essential oils, spray your Combardis Mist, play your favourite music. Find a place for your yoga mat and tune into the plethora of on-line resources for yoga and exercise routines. Take your cooking next level with beautiful, healthy meals that involve the whole family.

Of course, don’t forget to use your Combardis mists to supercharge your rituals, uplift your spirits and create a sense of stillness and calm.

Present Moment – All we ever have is this moment, right now. Take a deep breath and find a sense of calm in each moment. Here we can choose to be grateful for at least one thing.

Harmony – Peace will always come from within. When we find a sense of calm, we can navigate the way forward with clarity.

Abundant Life – Solutions are always inflowing – give yourself the time and space to receive inspiration.

Clarity – Where your attention goes energy flows. Set your attention and focus to that which you desire.

Joie de Vivre – Delight in the little things. The smell of home percolated coffee, your favourite herbal tea, smiles on the faces of the people you love. Scent creates mood, brighten the spaces in your home with scent.

Calmer Kids – Support and nurture kids as they navigate this different way of being for a while.

Free The Spirit – Allow creativity to lead you to truth and love.

Peaceful Sleep – Prioritise restful sleep, the foundation of physical and metal wellbeing.

Inner Strength – You’ve got this!

Let’s stay connected and support one another.

With light and love, Karen  Xx

5
Mar
2020
0

Aromatherapy for your health and wellbeing

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05 Mar 2020

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years to support general health and wellbeing. These pure essences from Mother Nature help to bring balance to the mind, body and soul.

Support your immune system with essential oils containing antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Here is a list of my favourites:

  1. Lemon
  2. Eucalyptus
  3. Tea Tree
  4. Rosemary
  5. Lemon Myrtle
  6. Clove
  7. Cinnamon
  8. Oregano

Suggested uses include:

> Combine with a carrier oil (such as coconut or jojoba oil) and apply directly to the skin – chest, back and feet.

> Rub a few drops directly onto the bottom of the feet.

> Place a couple of drops in the palm of the hand and disperse evenly over the hands as a hand sanitiser.

> Inhale using an aromatic mist or a steam diffuser or put a few drops on a tissue or handkerchief. Diffuse essential oils in an electric diffuser to help purify and cleanse the air.

Getting enough sleep each night also helps ensure the immune system has the energy it needs. Lavender, Roman Chamomile, and our Combardis Peaceful Sleep Pillow Mist help calm the nervous system and promote sleep.

Pic: @pinterest

 

 

Sensory Joy

In an increasingly disconnected world Combardis invites you to reconnect with the divine essence that is you. Allow our essential oil elixirs to awaken your senses and your connection with peace, presence and joy.

Combardis offers pure botanical mists, inspired by nature, infused with harmony and shared with love.

“Plant essences will not change us into anything but our true selves.”

Doing business for good is the new great

When you shop with Combardis, something great happens in the world. We donate a portion of each sale for good. We allow you to choose between two organisations that are dear to our heart.

Bright Futures of Bardia is a charitable initiative giving children in Far Western Nepal educational opportunities that reduce the risk of child trafficking. As a co-founder of this project I have a vested interest in ensuring every dollar raised makes a positive impact in the community of Bardia.

The Mind Heart Connect Foundation fosters peace building from the inside out, for individuals and communities using EFT and proven mind/heart healing techniques. Dr Lori Leyden is an integral part of the team supporting indigenous communities in the Kimberley Region as part of an ongoing ‘train the trainer’ support programme. Combardis is proud to be a sponsor of the biennial Mind Heart Connect Event.

We believe even the smallest businesses can make a positive impact on the world around us.

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