Heart-Full Musings…

Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

What’s Your Definition of Success?

I always encourage my clients to reflect on their unique definition of success. It's so much more than a paycheck or job title.

Success to me is the feeling of alignment with who you truly are and the life you desire to lead.

For some, this may indeed involve financial security, but for others, success might mean creative freedom, strong relationships, personal growth, or a sense of inner peace.

I believe the key to discovering your unique definition of success lies in understanding what truly lights you up and brings you a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Impossible Dream? I’m Possible Dream!

Setting an "Impossible Goal"—aka as the BHAG - Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal - a goal so audacious that it seems almost out of reach—can be a powerful act of self-belief and transformation.

Big dreams require us to stretch our minds and imaginations, develop resilience (Rome wasn’t built overnight), and embrace new mindsets.

We don’t have to know how it’s going to happen, but we have to allow ourselves to imagine the possibilities.
Alternatively, you can set limiting beliefs on yourself. Say it’s not possible… and you’ll be right.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

It’s all in your Design… Part 5: Authority (How You’re Designed to Make Decisions)

In the world of Human Design, your authority is the way you are uniquely designed to make decisions. This is not about making choices with your mind but about tuning into your body and the way it naturally guides you.

Whether you're new to Human Design or already familiar with your chart, understanding your authority can be a game-changer. It helps you align with your true nature, making life flow with more ease and confidence.

Let’s dive into the seven different authority types in Human Design and explore how they work, what they feel like, and who has them.

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Human Design Ann Marie Grace Human Design Ann Marie Grace

It’s all in your Design… Part 4: Human Design Profile

In Human Design, your Profile Type is a key aspect of your chart, offering deep insight into your personality, the way you interact with the world, and your life path. Comprised of two numbers, the Profile represents a blend of both conscious and unconscious influences that shape your experiences and how you relate to others. Each of the 12 Human Design Profiles carries its own unique strengths and challenges, providing a blueprint for how you naturally move through life and grow into your fullest potential. Understanding your Profile helps you align with your true self, empowering you to live more authentically and purposefully

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Human Design Ann Marie Grace Human Design Ann Marie Grace

It’s all in your Design… Part 3: Type

I’m a Manifesting Generator, 6/2 with Emotional Authority. A year ago, I had very little clue what that means. Now that I’m living by my authority and aligned with my energy type and my profile, everything has changed about the way I show up and engage in the world.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

It’s all in your design… Part 2 - Other Astrological Influences

Each astrological chart (which is a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment you were born) is divided into 12 houses. It’s like cutting a pie into 12 slices, and each slice represents a specific part of your life. When you look at your personal chart, the houses show where the planets and zodiac signs were placed when you were born, giving insight into how different areas of your life—like relationships, career, and self-expression—are influenced by these planetary energies.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

It’s all in your Design… Part 1: Astrological Houses and Their Influence on You.

Each astrological chart (which is a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment you were born) is divided into 12 houses. It’s like cutting a pie into 12 slices, and each slice represents a specific part of your life. When you look at your personal chart, the houses show where the planets and zodiac signs were placed when you were born, giving insight into how different areas of your life—like relationships, career, and self-expression—are influenced by these planetary energies.

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Human Design, Astrology, Gene Keys, Masterclass Ann Marie Grace Human Design, Astrology, Gene Keys, Masterclass Ann Marie Grace

Living a life in alignment

I’ve always been interested in self-development and wellbeing. What makes people tick and how to live our best lives. I’ve invested in a personal library full of self-development and personal growth books… a minor in psychology, 15+ years meditating… but only in the past year, has everything started truly coming together clearly for me.

When you dive deeper into these systems, you can unlock a clearer path toward living your most authentic and aligned life.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Daily Practices for Balance and Fulfillment

There are many different theories about how to live a balanced and happy life, and while I don’t claim to know what works for everyone, I can share the key elements that have made a profound difference in my own life. These nine daily practices form the foundation of my wellness journey, and I hope they inspire you to create your own version of balance and fulfillment.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Connection - Reflections on Disconnection, Loneliness, Belonging & Authenticity  

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs both Connection to Others (Love & Belonging) & Connection to Self (Esteem & Self-Actualisation) are identified as the top 3 levels (of 5) once our basic physiological and safety needs are met.

Yet most of us keep us so busy that we’re not overly connected to ourselves… and many of us are lacking strong, authentic connection to others…

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Exploring our layers of being - an understanding of healing through the combined lens’ of yoga therapy and the Hoffman Process’s Quadrinity Model 

In recent weeks, I’ve participated in The Hoffman Process - an intensive residential personal development program which integrates various psychological, emotional, and spiritual techniques to foster self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal transformation.

I noticed undeniable parallels between the ancient framework of Yoga Therapy’s different layers of human existence (koshas) and modern frameworks of the Hoffman Process's Quadrinity Model.

Here I explore how these models align and complement each other… and how I have integrated these learnings into my own life. Further I share my appreciation for these two frameworks in supporting individuals to achieve holistic health and wellbeing and how they cumulatively serve as the bedrock for the Heart-Full Connection program that I am currently developing.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

When your dharma is at the cross roads…

“Dharma is born mysteriously out of the intersection between The Gift and The Times... Each of us feels some aspect of the world’s suffering acutely… This little corner of the world is ours to transform’, Stephen Cope wisely reflects in his book, The Great Work of Your Life.

‘Do not worry about the outcome, success or failure are not your concern… your task is only to bring as much life force as you can muster to the execution of your dharma’, he goes on to say.

I discovered ‘The Great Work of Your Life’ while at Kripalu in 2018 – at a Symposium for Yoga Research. At the time, I felt fully in my dharma and that I had been following my dharma for many years.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Breaking Free… With Grace

Three weeks ago, I went through a pretty revolutionary experience on an intensive residential retreat in the hinterlands of Byron Bay. The Hoffman Process (if you’ve never heard of it - be sure to check it out) is an intense personal development program designed to help you identify and resolve negative behavioural patterns, emotional blockages, and deep-seated issues stemming from childhood experiences / family dynamics; integrating psychological, emotional, and spiritual techniques to foster self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal transformation.

Luminaries like Dr’s Gabor Maté, Dan Siegel and Jill Bolte Taylor are proponents for The Process - and now I can see why. To sum it up - this was deep, intense, life-changing work - and the experience was nothing short of mind-blowing!

I’m still in a process of integrating my learnings and I’m finding it fascinating to see how it has built upon the self-work I’ve under taken over the past 15-20 years - since finding my breath and realising that my thoughts can be slowed (or momentarily paused), allowing my inner voice & knowing space to be heard.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Pause - Breathe - Retreat

When was the last time you properly took some time off, just for you?

I’m not talking about a family holiday - where you (may or may not) have gotten five minutes to yourself. Even a girls weekend - which can be lovely - but may not allow you the time and space to stop, breathe and deeply rest?

Back in February, I enjoyed a luxurious soak in private hot springs, followed by a beautiful massage and connection time with a long-time friend. And it was exquisite. As I enjoyed my massage, I reflected on - when was the last time I did something like this, just for myself?

Years?? Never??

Of course, I go on holidays with my family, and with my husband - which are all delightful and I’m immensely grateful for. But in those, I am always looking to compromise. Putting others' needs before my own… or feeling guilty when I press for my interests. And sometimes the holiday is so full and frantic you feel you need a holiday to recover from your holiday.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Opinions are like armpits - everyone has them

I asked a bunch of female entrepreneurs the other day (via a FB group) - what they thought of the idea of 'fine wine' paired with allowing people to choose their own inspiration to paint (for an upcoming Paint & Sip).

I got a FLOOD of answers.

Which reminds me - as one of my early mentors said - 'Opinions are like armpits, everyone has them' 😝

His point, we have to be wary of who's opinions we allow to sway us.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Behind this smiling faćade - a pained heart…

Last Friday could have been a most joyous night - brimming with pride and excitement at the grand opening of my first exhibition since my college days.

But on the day of the exhibition, I found myself a teary mess!

You see, as readied for the opening night of Rebel Hearts Exhibition - I realised I didn’t exactly have the tribe of support I would have liked to be celebrating with.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Happiness is a Bouquet of Flowers

It’s titled ‘Happiness is a Bouquet of Flowers’ because simply put, that’s how I feel.

Flowers make you smile. Bring you joy. My husband says I’m not very sentimental, but I am forever stopping on a walk to take photos of flowers over taking photos of people. 🙃

A bouquet of flowers lifts someone’s heart when they’re feeling sad. It’ a living gift of joy.

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Ann Marie Grace Ann Marie Grace

Joy Surrounds

This painting is my last of the abstract expression, palette knife series created for the Rebel Hearts exhibition.

It came after the grief, after the hope, after the confusion, after the excitement and after the heartfelt expansion I felt.

I let everything out of me (after this mirror meditation) and I had poured out all my grief and devastation into Glitter in the Muck.

What was left was a heart full joy. As I chose my colour palette - I chose colours that made me feel uplifted, light and airy.

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