Muddy boots and Bare Feet

11/06/2026

Anger is a poisoned arrow we shoot out at another. The thing is, the arrow has a rope attached, linking it straight back to us. That attachment links straight into the furnace that we forged that arrowhead from: fear, rage, hurt, shame, frustration or grief. Whilst we remain attached to the anger we fired out, our furnace of negativity continues to be stoked.

Likewise, whilst the poisoned arrow of another’s anger remains lodged in us, it continues to fester. If we pull the arrow out, but continue to pick at the scab, our wound is unable to heal. The challenge is to remove the arrow, draw out the poison, allow the wound to heal and then embrace the scar of experience left behind. Like all scars it will fade, yet remain visible in certain lights.

An over stoked furnace of anger will consume you in its fire. The toxicity of another’s poison via an arrow of anger will destroy you also. Your life’s work is figuring out how to reduce your own furnace, whilst removing and healing from the arrows of others, whilst simultaneously creating your own shield from future arrows leased upon you.

It’s a relentless process.

Compassion regarding what stoked their fire helps.

An understanding of the poison that needs flushing out from within you, combined with concious acts to support your own healing and ultimately embracing the scar left behind, is what facilitates your growth. That’s what life is about, right? Experience! Feel it all, release it all, and develop your wisdom through your personal understandings of life.

Phew…that’s pretty deep for the first cup of coffee of the morning!

13/05/2026

Mostly, I say ‘I retired and set up a small holding’.

I should say ‘I work physically harder than I have ever done in my life. My psychological-spiritual self continues to show up through my work with Awaken with Yoga.’

I’m still all Muddy boots and Bare Feet. It’s just that my Muddy Boots largely refers to work on the smallholding and Bare Feet is the glorious upside seen in all the grounding I now do daily.

The therapist in me may have retired, but the Hippie-Witchy-Amish light in my soul continues to shine 🙏🏼💚✨

11/01/2026

Every time science explains something I intuitively knew, I smile. Everything is energy, including sound and vibration. I’ve used Tibetan bells & bowls since my twenties and have found deep relaxation in a variety of sound baths (Awaken with Yoga is hosting a gong bath soon, check out her page for upcoming event details if you’re interested). It was with much excitement that I unwrapped my first tuning fork at Christmas. We’ve been using it ever since and haven’t looked back.

Tuning forks are said to create harmony in the body, mind and soul. But before I magick you along with my hippy-witchy self, let’s look at some of the science behind this practice. Tuning forks emit a specific frequencies when struck. When placed on or near the body, they create vibrations that interact with our own natural rhythms.

Everything vibrates at its own frequency. Stress, ill health and emotional turbulence negatively impact our wellbeing. Sound helps restore balance. Ever been to a live concert and come out energised? Tuning forks are a gentle way of interacting with this phenomenon.

The process of donging the fork, holding it on or near the body reputedly reduces stress, improves concentration and helps relieve anxiety. Whether it’s the vibration of the fork’s frequency or just the meditative action of focusing on the vibration sensation, my breathing definitely deepens.

Tuning forks are believed to provide pain relief. Among other ways they do this, a release of endorphins would make sense to me. In the same way acupuncture and reflexology stimulate the body’s energy pathways or ‘meridians’, tuning forks are believed to clear blockages within the body, thus supporting healing from headaches, digestive problems to more chronic ailments.

In my experience, and I’ve only been working with my tuning fork since Christmas, I believe they promote sleep quality, both number of hours and the depth of sleep. Maybe, it’s the facilitation of restorative sleep that stimulates the healing process. Whatever it is, I’m continuing to use my latest toy, and investing my time into my health

10/01/2026

Own it. Own it all. The dark, the light, the shadows that dance in between. It starts with you. It always has done. Do you expect to stare into a mirror and see a smiling face if you have not yet pulled the corners of your mouth up?

Feel it. Really feel those emotions. Now let them go. Emotions are meant to flow like a river, not stagnate in a stinking puddle. It’s not easy, sure, but neither was learning to ride your bike or drive a car. Practice!

You are sooooo much more powerful than you allow yourself to believe. It’s time to believe

30/12/2025

28/12/2025

Meta cognition, the art of thinking about how you think.

This form of self analysis requires you to pause before you react, years ago I used to teach the value of responding rather than reacting. I’m finding myself revisiting this process.

Meta cognition also requires you to question your thinking rather than defending it. This links to the work of allowing every soul and/or situation, to be a mirror. Take the time to understand that which you gaze upon.

The biggest battle for the ego that meta cognition requires is the ability to understand, and accept with honesty, our own failings. I struggle with this work, my time sitting in peace at church is helping me here.

If you’re dedicated to your personal growth take the time to notice your thoughts, question your reactions, observe your emotional state. Belief systems fascinate me, especially my own. Meta cognition isn’t about defending your personal beliefs, rather it facilitates their development. This practice literally changes the way the brain is wired and it’s a practice available to everyone.

Further reading in comments.

05/12/2025

They saved them for best,
Not in the cupboard with the rest,
But on the dresser proud & mighty,
I dusted them off sighed to the Lord almighty,
How long do they wait?
How old will they get?
Before these mugs get their whiskers wet!
So pretty mugs much over due,
Time to brew tea tea for two!

~ Muddy Boots & Bare Feet 🦶

16/08/2025

Our life at Willow Tree Farm continues to evolve. Our push towards self reliance, whilst standing up as land guardians and creating a space for an ever increasing diversity of wildlife, continues to develop.

My psychological knowledge is combined with my passion for growing, foraging and cooking in my mood for food, kitchen socials:

https://www.instagram.com/the_mood_of_food_from_wtf?igsh=MTVseHFrZTc0ZG1n&utm_source=qr

We have our first smallholder experience coming up in September:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DM7wofnIGPS/?igsh=MTJtNmVkbGJvdmdsNw==

Bookings for all our events are required. Please book here:

https://bookwhen.com/moodoffood

Our Bunny Bo***ir, Hen Hotel & Small Soul Chalet is now taking bookings:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNS3h4EIkX0/?igsh=NnY3NXdqNjdoemhs

And now, I’ve launched a WTF YouTube channel. The plan is to share our journey on the smallholding with you all. Hit the link & subscribe here:

https://youtube.com/-d9m?si=bADRjmuWj0XOav7h

Our resident Yogi goes from strength to strength with a large variety of classes, events, yogi-socials, Instagram lives and a YouTube channel. Links to all here:

https://youtube.com/-d9m?si=bADRjmuWj0XOav7h

None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for the family business Dwayne Edwards

https://youtube.com/-d9m?si=bADRjmuWj0XOav7h

An introduction to our smallholding.

13/12/2023

Hello. I drew this for a friend and I think probably for me. Maybe for everyone. I hope your day is good.