Just Some of The Things I Learned at Rose Cottage

• how to hug people and not feel awkward, but comfortable and connected instead
• candles and fake-fur coats don't mix
• blogging is addictive, satisfying and hilarious
• there are people in the world who will care about you, listen to you, and defend you, even if they don't really know you, or have only just met you
• how to make origami stars
• just because someones energy rubs you the wrong way, or clashes with yours, doesn't mean they are a bad person - or that you are a bad person... and it doesn't mean you can't come to like them, or even care deeply for them
• sometimes it's enough just to show up and be
• a group of women of all ages, from 20 to 60, can sit together and have hilarious, dirty conversations filled with sexual innuendo and filthy humour - and have so much fun with each other, just talking about rubbish
• howling at the moon is a great energy release
• neighbours will call the police about noise after 10.30 pm 
• teachers are just as much students as their pupils
• some things just don't need to be said out loud
• it's possible for their to be so much conversation and laughter in a small room that you can't hear the person right next to you
• sometimes it doesn't matter
• everyone has their cross to bear - and the people you least expect can sometimes be the most fragile of all
• i lived in Atlantis
• it's possible to snort and be dignified at the same time
• there are people in the world brave enough to approach you before they've even met you to say they feel a connection with you
• how to mix watercolour paints
• incense can never not smell glorious
• the most seemingly mundane objects can have profound meaning and be as sacred as anything else
• there is such a thing as "way too much information" (usually after you've already said it)
• but it doesn't happen very often
• striped socks rock!
• how to anoint candles
• more women don't wear bras than you'd think - and no one really notices or cares
• friendships can bounce back from even the most seemingly unforgivable situation
• 'moon water' can have an effect like champagne (not naming any names here, Shann)
• judgment backed by ignorance is not my problem, and it's only up to me if i let it become my problem
• deep down, we are all a bit of a fluffy bunny :)
• reiki is a gift - i will forever see it as such, and i will forever love, respect and feel gratitude for the person who passed this gift to me, and for bringing it into my life when i couldn't afford to do it anywhere else
• how to belly dance
• 'by donation' is a wonderful thing, but sometimes, we just need to buy toilet paper
• it's okay that some of the most important people in your life are the one's you don't see face to face very often - it's about so much more than that
• how to love
• how to accept
• how to tolerate
• how to be open
• how to release the fear of judgment, disapproval and ignorance
• how to touch and be touched and feel safe
• how to look into someones eyes and have them look into yours and not freak out or lose yourself
• how to laugh without feeling self-conscious
• how to create a personal bubble that actually works
• how to draw myself inwards from negativity and other's distress so that i can show compassion and caring, but not take on the pain as my own
• how to love even the people you don't like
• how to trust my intuition when it comes to first impressions
• how to forgive
• how to trust
• how to accidentally set fire to a dead bird