Mothering with Mindfulness Sponsor - The Conscious Perspective

Today I would like to introduce you to one of my March sponsors Heidi Oran of The Conscious Perspective.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I spend my days taking care of my two boys, 5 and almost 4 on our organic farm in Peterborough, Ontario. I usually have many projects on the go at all times. Along with working towards growing our farm, which mainly focuses on organic hops at this point, I am currently working toward achieving my Permaculture Design Certification. I began my blog, The Conscious Perspective last year which somewhat falls into the personal blog category, however I focus on humanitarianism, personal growth, spirituality, holistic health, and more. Because of this broad spectrum, I have regular contributors which are integral to content the blog. I like to share many "conscious perspectives".

You have recently begun a new venture, would you like to share some of the details with us?

Absolutely! I have recently launched Charitable Influence with a US-based blogger, Fadra Nall, with a goal of connecting charities and non profit organizations to bloggers. On my own blog, I regularly feature "Organization Spotlights" and discuss humanitarian causes. Like many bloggers/writers, I discovered that although I was not able to be on the front line making major changes in the world, I could use my voice to spread the message of different causes, and take then further. And so Charitable Influence was born.

How do you see bloggers and charities working together?

Our system will link charities and non-profits according to the passions of individual bloggers. This will ensure that those involved will be participating in campaigns which truly mean something to them. Through a variety of campaigns and methods organized by Charitable Influence in conjunction with the charities, bloggers will be using their voices and stories to spread the message through their various platforms.

Is there a particular charity you yourself at passionate about that you would like to share with us?

I tend to find myself very connected to maternal health and children's charities based on my own personal experiences. With my first son, I had a placental abruption, causing me to go into labour six weeks early. I was terrified, but comforted by the OB and hospital staff, and my son was born with preemie issues and a heart condition that was equally terrifying, but again, I felt comforted thanks to the care he received. The experience left me with a huge appreciation for the medical system in Canada, which certainly isn't perfect, but I appreciate that we have the option in this country to choose which type of birth experience we would like.

This experience also led into a three-year long relationship with The Hospital For Sick Children, where I showed my gratitude by donating a portion of my sales from my old business to their hospital. I have only warmth and fondness in my heart when I think of this hospital which saved my little boy.

I have also found myself connected to Every Mother Counts, which I have featured several times on The Conscious Perspective. I am drawn to this organization and the work of all that are pushing for safe births throughout the world.

You have been on your own journey to a new level of personal consciousness, what was the turning point that started you on this journey? How has this journey affected your day to day living?

In a nutshell, nearly my whole life I teetered between a state of mild depression to mildly happy, always looking outside of myself for something to fill in the big gaping whole. As an adult, this depression took the form of anxiety and caused all of my fears to bubble to the surface.

Through a series of chance events and meetings, I was introduced to some amazing spiritual authors and eventually, an energy healer. This combination allowed to really turn things around in my life.

Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now and A New Earth is my go-to guru even after everything else I have read/heard. It was through his books that I learned about the "ego" and "painbody", and I really feel like once those concepts are grasped, it becomes a lot easier to live from a conscious space and put life into perspective. (He did a web series with Oprah which was also amazing if anyone is a fan of Oprah's!)

Is there a first step you would recommend to those looking to make change and find a new perspective?

That is a great question, because it really is difficult to know where to start.

I believe that if a person is even thinking about finding a new perspective, they have already done quite a bit of the initial work. This would mean they are already questioning their beliefs and that is an integral piece of the puzzle. (And I am not necessarily talking about religious beliefs).

A lot of us are encouraged to make a change because we're not happy, or because we know we have a purpose here but are not sure what it is. I truly believe that finding our "purpose" (in reference to a career usually in our society), will come eventually, but that is much further down the line.

That said, a very important habit to create early on is to be very aware and open about messages that are delivered to you, especially if it is in a coincidental manner. "I was just thinking about that," or "I never would have thought of taking that program but it looks amazing", for example. The Universe likes to give us hints about the different paths we have available to us. 

You have a free day, no plans, what do you do with it?

We're so close to the warm weather, so for springtime onward my favorite thing to do with a day free of plans is to spend the day with my family enjoying the outdoors, making some great meals, and having some laughs. My husband and I only have one full day together most weeks, so I like to devote this day to just enjoying each others' company.

Would you like to share your favourite inspirational quote with us?

Here is one of my favorites:

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living” ~ Nelson Mandela

Thanks so much for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself with us. It was wonderful getting to know you a little better Heidi.

You can connect with Heidi a few ways:
 

Twitter @conscious_blog

Facebook