Monday Muse: Seven Inspirations for the Week
Nature Doctors, Moments of Gratitude, Growing Things, Oats and Celtic Relaxation
1/ The book I’ve been reading this week:
This is a book I’ve had on my bookshelf no matter where I’ve lived in the world. It’s one that I refer back to regularly and have done for well over 30 years when my ex-mother-in-law bought it for me.
The book is called The Nature Doctor by Dr H C A Vogel. It’s like a timeless guide to healing, blending wisdom from nature with practical advice on all things wellness.
Vogel’s approach is rooted in natural remedies and holistic living. It gives insights into how plants, herbs, diet, and lifestyle can support the body’s natural ability to heal.
What I love about his work is that it goes beyond simply curing symptoms and instead emphasises prevention, encouraging us to live in harmony with nature and take care of our bodies proactively.
He covers everything from daily habits to specific treatments, giving practical solutions for common ailments and reminding us that true health is not just about physical wellness but also mental and emotional balance.
As he says in the book health isn’t achieved overnight—it’s the result of small, consistent actions and a nurturing relationship with ourselves and our environment. Basically self-love!
In reading The Nature Doctor, you feel like you’re being encouraged by a wise friend who truly cares about your well-being. It’s an inspiring read for anyone interested in a more natural, mindful approach to health, filled with gentle reminders that nature really does have our best interests at heart.
I saw the value of it when I was expecting my first daughter and I followed his advice to the letter as regards diet and supplements. I had a trouble-free birth and she was a very healthy baby and now 32 year old adult.
It basically covers everything you can imagine when it comes to health and wellness. Mine’s falling apart now, I use it so much
2/ What I’m grateful for this week:
Every week when I think of what to write in this section big things come to mind. Always first is my two daughters, seeing them or catching up with them on FaceTime. No matter what I achieve in life, those two will be what I’m most proud of.
My sister is the meme queen! Everything from deep and meaningful to irreverent and funny. For the first year after my marriage ended, she messaged me every single day. Sometimes it was voice messages of encouragement or just checking in. Sometimes it was a quick sentence or two and often it was a meme to make me laugh or to remind me that I would get through this, that I was strong.
But this last week the thing that stands out to me as something to be grateful for are small everyday things. I realised a while ago that if I can take a few seconds to stop and be grateful for the small things it adds up to a really huge thing at the end of the day.
As if all those moments of gratitude are glued together to make a beautifully blessed day. But not just one day, every day.
I mean little things like where I’m sitting now looking at a beautiful flowering plant on my desk, the cup of tea I’ve just drunk, the birds I hear in the tree outside because the weather is nice enough to have all the windows open, the meal I had with my friend last night, the new book I started reading last night. It’s endless once you start noticing.
3/ My favourite quote this week:
"The only thing that can grow is the thing you give energy to."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Another Emerson quote! Along similar lines to last week’s. This quote is in harmony with what I’ve been studying this week. What are my thoughts centred on? Is it what I don’t want? Or do I make sure I’m choosing my thoughts to be of what I do want?
Whatever I’m thinking about, I’m giving energy to.
4/ My healthy tip of the week:
I’m going to pull something out of the book I mentioned above for my healthy tip this week. I’ve written before about my love of porridge, and this is one of the reasons why.
Alfred Vogel highlights oats as a wonderful natural remedy, especially for managing stress and supporting overall mental well-being.
On page 370, Vogel talks about the calming and nourishing effects of oats, noting that they’re not just good for physical health but are also a gentle tonic for the nervous system.
He explains that oats are packed with essential nutrients, like B vitamins and minerals, which help the body manage stress more effectively. These nutrients support the nervous system, aiding in relaxation and promoting a sense of calm. He suggests that regularly incorporating oats into our diet, whether through porridge, oat teas, or other forms, can help stabilise our mood, reduce anxiety, and strengthen resilience against daily stress.
It’s a good reminder of how simple foods can have powerful effects on our mental health, bringing balance and peace in a natural, nourishing way.
Avena Sativa is a homoeopathic remedy for nerves which is derived from oats.
I often make myself tea with Avens Oat Straw which helps promote a good night’s sleep.
You can make or buy oat milk. I’ve never managed to make it taste very good, I prefer nut milk, but it’s another way to make use of this fabulous food.
5/ This is what I’ve been studying this week:
This week, I’ve been studying Chapter 4 of The Science of Getting Rich, where Wallace Wattles introduces the First Principle in the science of attracting wealth.
It’s all about the way we think and how that directly influences what we bring into our lives. He says that while working hard has its place, the real key lies in having a mindset rooted in abundance, the belief that the universe has more than enough for everyone.
One of the most interesting parts of this chapter is how Wattles challenges the way we’ve been conditioned to think. Most of us have been taught to think from the outside in, we let our results shape our thoughts, which create our feelings, and then our feelings drive us to act. But this often keeps us stuck, repeating the same patterns and getting the same results.
The idea is that we try something different, to think from the inside out. When we start with a clear thought of what we want, something meaningful that resonates with us, better finances, better relationships, and better health, it creates feelings that drive us to take new, inspired actions. Since these actions come from a fresh place, they create new and better results.
As I’ve worked through this chapter, I’ve been practising this shift by spending time each day visualising my goals as if they’re already real. Holding this thought, as Wattles says, lets it sink deeper, producing feelings of excitement and belief.
It’s like learning to trust that the universe is truly working with us, that by changing our thoughts, we’re changing our reality from the inside out. This approach is opening up a whole new way of looking at what’s possible.
6/ This is what I’ve been listening to:
I’ve been using this while I practice yoga. Although I do pretty much the same routine, I like to mix up the music I have playing while I’m on the mat. This speaks to my Celtic roots, Welsh and Irish, and it’s good gentle background music.
7/ My favourite meditation this week:
The most popular meditation on my podcast and Insight Timer is this one. Today though I thought I’d share a meditation from one of my favourite meditation channels on YouTube. It’s on the same subject but is obviously done differently.
You can find my meditations on Insight Timer, YouTube and on my podcast!
Did you enjoy this week’s Monday Muse? I hope something here sparked a bit of inspiration for you.
I love sharing the things that have made a real difference in my life, so feel free to let me know in the comments if any of these resonated with you. I’d also love to hear which of the 7 stood out to you most!
See you next week!
Love Georgia xx
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The Emerson quote makes me think of the Two Wolves Story:
https://createmefree.substack.com/p/art-and-mental-health-interview-with-e2e
Georgia, I am amazed to observe that you have directed your concerted efforts towards the real wealths i.e. your health (in every respect), your adorable daughters, wonderful sister and art of work-life balance. Those who express gratitude for everything no matter how trivial they appear are the ones who experience pue joy and you are one of the privileged few. God bless you!