Sally : Sydney Flower Markets
Sally Thompson is the owner of Blushing Blooms floral studio in Sydney’s Glenhaven. Sally’s blog is a rich collection of floral designs, wedding inspiration and amazing and beautiful work from her own team and florist-friends from around the world.
We met at Sydney Flower Market, in the suburb of Flemington, for our early morning shoot.
—————————
The frenetic excitement of the markets makes me feel alive.
It’s here, more than anywhere that I feel like a Sydney-sider. That I belong somewhere, that I’m part of a real community. Being swept into this crazy, eccentric tribe makes me feel connected and intertwined with something so much bigger than me. Something richly diverse; something organic, friendly, richly inspiring, dirty yet beautiful.
I always knew I was not destined for a desk. As a creative type I wanted to work with my hands, to be with people and to immerse myself in a wash of colour and design. From the moment I began floristry I was hooked. I fell in love, hopelessly head-over-heels, devoted. Smitten. And today, with the launch of my own business I have commenced this love affair once again. More passionately and intensely than ever before.
The markets have an infectious energy, a spirit that makes you walk a little faster, your heart race a little quicker and your appreciation for nature and all her beauty unfurl once again. Even on the coldest days when the morning is still dark and the air is so cold it slaps your cheeks red I experience the giddying thrill of this chaotic, busy place.
I love old men with gnarled hands and leathered skin selling blooms they have long and gently tendered, I celebrate the shocking sea of colour and nature’s texture and I happily drown in the hustling and bustling pace of the market.
Week after week, season in and out – always the same, but every day different. As I walk, my arms ache laden vastly with blooms, the rich perfume of a million flowers bites deep in my nose. Scent-numbingly intoxicating. Over my bounty I smile at my peers.
This place that closes before most of Sydney has risen. This is my home.
Sacha : Balmoral
[click image to be taken to gallery]
Sacha is a life coach who coaches business owners, senior executives and working professionals throughout Australia to create success, balance and fulfilment in their lives. She is author of the forthcoming book ‘De-stress Your Success: Get More of What You Want with Less Time, Stress and Effort’, is a blogger for Yahoo!7 Lifestyle, and mentors other coaches through the Life Coaching Academy of Australia.
She can be found online at:
www.activ8change.com.au
www.de-stressyoursuccess.com
- – - – - – - – - - – - – - – - – -
Life is….
I believe, life is meant to be lived to the full, on purpose, and in gratitude.
What do you believe life is about?
Through my business, I’m fortunate enough to work with many people from all walks of life. I’ve noticed that the key underlying need for us all, no matter what we think we are trying to achieve, is simple: to be happy. The missing ingredient, however, seems to be that most of us are looking for something first in order to “get there” and finally realise happiness and bliss.
For me, it took years of trying to be a “successful business owner”—the person I thought I had to be in order to have what I thought I wanted, and hence be happy. I never felt confident enough, outgoing enough or savvy enough to make my dreams come true. Ironically, what I discovered in the process was that by letting go of trying to be this I actually developed a natural sense of solid self-acceptance and self-love, which in turn fuelled my self-confidence.
No more trying, just being. And a deep sense of happiness and contentment unveiled itself!
How did I make this transition? I stopped trying to define myself as something I had to live up to, I let go of telling myself some rule about what it took to be successful, I refused to look at others to see what they were doing to make sure I was keeping up and I focused intently on gaining greater presence in my life. I let my action be driven by my natural motivation, flow, intuition and strengths, rather than pushing all the time at the world trying to make things happen a certain way.
Finding this place of truth for me has resulted in a renewed ability to open my heart to others, to feel at ease in my life and to take action without fear toward my goals. In my business I’m better able to serve others and help them be happy and successful, whatever that means to them.
Does any of this resonate with you?
My mission in life is to help others to achieve that elusive work life balance, while also being successful at a career they love—to be more effective in what they do because they no longer need to please, do not need to do everything themselves and are free to step into who they really are. To teach them stress management skills that enable them to be more present in their lives, less worried and to live a healthy existence.
How are you living your life?
Without having met you, there is one thing I know… that you were put on this planet to excel, to grow, to prosper. Flow with the wind and be all you can. That way when you look back on your life you will see the beautiful difference you have made to this planet. The world will be better for you having lived and breathed.
You are unique, special, different. Not one soul roaming this planet can touch another the way you do. Take it from me—you can make a difference. Not by making some outlandish wild result never created before. Simply by being you and using those qualities that embody who you are and make others shine brighter within themselves in your presence.
It is time to step forth and claim your dues. This planet rewards action, choice and freedom of purpose. Know it to be true and engage with it fully. Devour this life, envelope your existence and reap the rewards!
But first you must surrender. For it is in surrendering your old warn out ways that you free yourself to reap success beyond anything you’ve experienced before. Success that is effortless. Success that is free.
Just a thought…
Enjoy the journey,
Sacha Crouch
Author and Coach