Half Mermaid Journal Edition 17
Welcome to this edition of the fortnightly Half Mermaid Journal.
If you are new to the journal, a warm welcome!
Thank you for joining us and we hope our offerings serve you well!
Quotes I loved:
“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it.”
Bruce Lee
“Permit yourself to change your mind when something is no longer working for you.”
Nedra Glover Tawwab
Last swim for Winter 2024, Seaford.
Journaling questions I am pondering:
“When we aren’t distracted by culture, we move directly toward fulfilling our innate longing.” Martha Beck.
Is there a way of thinking or behaviour (conscious or unconsciously triggered ) I have that is aligned to cultural values but does not feel right?
How do I react, how do I feel, what happens, when I live in alignment to the culture?
Who or what would I be without this culture?
This week’s blog post: Ready to (re) learn.
One new thing I learnt this week:
I heard a term this week that gave shape to what I knew, but had no words for. The term was Somatic Personal Development. Learning about self and the world through the body and movement. Somatic, from Ancient Greek σῶμα, which literally means body, focuses on body oriented development and there are many disciplines that use this as one approach to therapy. Another great therapist in this field in the open water :)
Light, water, beauty.
What I am listening to:
Rana Hussain in Episode 'Belonging for Connection’ hosted by The Imperfects, after it was recommended by a dear friend. I was struck by how real and honest Rana was about her journey towards self actualisation in a multicultural society. The conversation touches on so much. What it is like to try and fit in, our desperate search for belonging, how we seek to feel safe and the difference a smile can make, wanting our ‘tribe’ to protect us, the journey of forming identity whilst treading two worlds, how guilt prohibits us from being curious and honest. An absolutely beautifully held space and conversation.
It also made me think about Martha Beck’s quote above on culture as a distraction.
Thank you Laura for the recommendation.
You can find this episode in the link here and on platforms of your choice.
On a final note!
A huge thank you to those who completed the survey. It means so much and helps me understand how I can serve the open water community better.
If you did not get a chance and would still like to help out, it is still open in the link below:
Half Mermaid Survey
Thank you for coming on the journey with us!
Till next time….
Sunrise swim in the rain, Seaford, August 2024
Swim. Cacao. Journal. Live. Love. Repeat.
Important note:
Half Mermaid is not a licensed mental health service and not a substitute for professional mental health assessment, treatment or advice. The journaling prompts and guides offered, are general in nature. If you are struggling, please see a healthcare professional or call the mental health support line in your locality.
Half Mermaid, PO Box 4012, Doncaster Heights 3109, Melbourne Australia