NEWSLETTER - MAY HIGHLIGHTS
IDEAS & INSPIRATION
Welcome to Legacy's first Ideas & Inspiration newsletter which will be delivered piping hot into your inboxes every month. We've tried to make this an informal, candid slice of life- what we're thinking, talking about, reading, listening to etc. and encourage anyone to send in their suggestions and feedback as well, all in the spirit of sharing! Let's get started...
SLICE OF LIFE - A PERSONAL NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER, CRYSTAL
When I became a mother, I decided to invest in a proper camera and start documenting the growing up years. The tedium of those early days of breastfeeding- burping-changing nappies on repeat was much alleviated by experimenting with my little captive baby boy, focusing on his tiny toes from every conceivable angle, waiting to catch that precise moment when his little pink cat mouth would open neatly for a yawn, the surgical incision of the shutter capturing it neatly for posterity.
Since then I've shared hundreds of my photos on my personal blog, mostly of life in countryside Australia. I get lots of comments from friends and random internet visitors, which are roughly divided into two categories - "Nice" and "Too nice". The first category is pretty straightforward, everyone likes affirmation, but the dreaded "too nice" is something I get a lot of as well.
Some instances - The head of Fine Art department at my University who flicked through my portfolio while doing a marvellous job of miming an excruciating bout of constipation, pronounced- "Your aesthetic is too classically beautiful. It's almost decorative." Then by way of advice, she showed me a video of a toy horse being disembowelled and some inspirational pictures of bodily fluids on glass.
Or my hipster bachelor friend, who said, "The problem I have with your photos is that your life looks too beautiful. It's unreal." before showing me some inspirational shots of suspicious mongrels hunting for food, grimy street urchins in Cambodia and closeups of wrinkly old people playing mahjong in Hong Kong.
I totally get it, I mean I love tragic movies, raw, edgy art, wabi sabi, wasabi and all... I just don't want my life to be a Francis Bacon painting. And I think that when you're a parent with young children in the countryside, in some ways, the reality quotient is off the charts. Edgy is cleaning up after 3 kids exploding with rotavirus. Tragic is a possum who has died within some hollow wall of your property, making an entire section of your house a maggotarium. Angst is when you smack your 6 year old for yanking out a wisp of his little sister's hair in the car and feel like a horrible parent for the rest of the day.
And self awareness can mean that sometimes you're all too painfully aware of your mistakes. But coupled with a good dose of self compassion and much mindfulness, it gets easier to take the learning and leave the pangs as long as you focus on what you have, not what's missing.
So the next time you see one of my photos of some bucolic sunset or a unicorn galloping over a hill shooting rainbow beams out of its bottom, please know that "Too Nice" photography is part of my gratitude practice. Every frame is a memento mori of sorts. A nostalgic reminder of a moment that will never be again and also a reminder to appreciate the moment, that life is not messy but rich. Not just busy but full. And not just surviving, but living.
x,
Crystal
Founding Director of Legacy Retreat
THIS MONTH, LEGACY IS READING. . .
LEAN IN by Sheryl Sandberg
http://www.amazon.com/Lean-In-Women-Work-Will/dp/0385349947
A fascinating, frank and controversial book relevant to everyone who has experienced self-doubt or the internal critic. More than just a feminist memoir, Sandberg offers heartfelt and universal advice on speaking your own truth, why looking for mentors can be counterproductive, how long term planning can work against you, and how to ask for what you deserve.
Sandberg has her fair share of detractors who lament her opinions and snipe about her privileged background, but as Gloria Steinem points out, "Only in women is success viewed as a barrier to giving advice."
Interestingly, did you know that Australia ranks first globally for women's educational achievement but 45th for their labour-force participation? As a mother of a girl, I welcome Sheryl's advice "I want every little girl who's told she's bossy to be told instead that she has leadership skills."
LISTENING TO. . .
James Blake - "Retrograde" - A soulful sinuous track just right for winding down at the end the day (And please someone tell us what on earth is the music video about?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p6PcFFUm5I
Sam Cooke - "A Change is Gonna Come" - If you need an anthem this is as good as it gets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaNzxniXxYE
Daft Punk - "Get Lucky" - you can't have missed this ultra catchy piece of french pop sunshine, and in some ways even more impressive, the one man cover version by George Barnett which may inspire you to dust off your guitar and start messing about in your room just for the heck of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s6NDY8FSr9M
OUR UPCOMING EVENTS
COMING TO SINGAPORE AND HK IN JUNE- LEGACY WELLNESS PRESCRIPTION WITH MARK PHILLIPS
Our wonderful Oriental Body Therapy expert, Mark Philips, will be in Singapore and Hong Kong in early June to offer a 2 day Wellness Prescription experience. Mark runs the Body therapy programme for Legacy Retreat as well as his renowned private clinic in Double Bay, Sydney. His expertise extends from Acupuncture and Marma 'secret point' diagnosis and treatment to the ancient art of Jin Jing Gong, a form of Qi Gong developed by the monks of the Shaolin temple. By combining these techniques, Mark helps clients bring peace, renewed health and inner strength to their bodies while achieving alignment with their mind and spirit.
We are offering a 2 day wellness prescription with Mark where you will receive:
- An individual Marma Point diagnosis consultation
- Two Qi Gong & meditation workshops
- Two private acupuncture sessions for detoxing and relief
- A custom tailored wellness prescription
The Clinic will give you an opportunity to get a full body review & reboot as well as take away key practices to allow you to maintain better balance and inner strength.
Hong Kong - Thurs 6th and Fri 7th June (HKD $2900 all inclusive)
Singapore - Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of June (SGD $449 all inclusive)
OUR NEXT RETREAT - LEGACY EDITION BHUTAN 3 - 8 SEPTEMBER
We're now accepting bookings for our hotly anticipated retreat in the serene and absolutely magical kingdom of Bhutan this summer when Bhutan is at it's greenest, full of wild flowers, majestic valley views and overflowing rivers.
Come join us for a once in a lifetime journey in one of the world's most beautiful and unspoilt places. Limited places available.
For more details on the programme and to sign up, please email info@thelegacyretreat.com.
We hope to see you soon, and until then, much love and blessings from the Legacy Team!
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING
"The facilitators were knowlegeable, full of love, super skilled. They were DIVINE!" - Johannes Pong, HK, Legacy Vietnam.
"Enriching, nourishing, challenging!" - Loren Shuster, Singapore, Legacy Vietnam.
"A chance to slow down the "busi-ness" and to connect with what really matters" - Roma Gaster, Australia.
"Amazing, spiritually masterful, genius team" - Lisa Crosswhite, Singapore, Legacy Vietnam.