Pathways for Living

28/10/2025

Exploring further …..

24/12/2022

We have arrived at Christmas Eve. For some of us, this will be a joyful time. For others, it is a very hard time. Whether you are looking forward to Christmas, or not, whether you celebrate it, or not - stand outside today and look at the sky - it brings us gifts every day. Sending you kindness, love and hope, for this final week of 2022 xx Helen

08/09/2022

Due to changes in circumstances we will be closing the business for the rest of the year. This has been a difficult decision. We are proud of the fact that we established the first equine assisted therapy business in south west Victoria. We have helped numerous people on their healing journey. We are thankful for how local agencies have worked with us and embraced our modality. We love this work and are so thankful for our healing herd and the energy they bring to each and every session. We have travelled the world for this modality to increase our knowledge and met some amazing people who have helped shaped us as equine therapists.

However, many things have changed in the last 12 months and it is now time to take a break, rejuvenate and see what the future holds. We are deeply honoured to have been able to hold space for all the clients who have put their trust in us over the last 12 years. So for the time being Vin, Ellen and I thank everyone for partnering with us and we will revisit our direction after a well earned rest.

17/06/2022

It also means figuring out who's s**t is who's. If it's yours, deal with it! If it belongs to others....that's their s**t...let it go. It's not your job!

13/06/2022

09/06/2022

https://www.facebook.com/317643565253181/posts/1749346565416200/
Also crediting the image as belonging to Sarah Johnston

The inability to receive support from others is a trauma response.

Your “I don’t need anyone, I’ll just do it all myself” conditioning is a survival tactic. And you needed it to shield your heart from abuse, neglect, betrayal, and disappointment from those who could not or would not be there for you.

From the parent who was absent and abandoned you by choice or the parent who was never home from working three jobs to feed and house you.

From the lovers who offered sexual intimacy but never offered a safe haven that honored your heart.

From the friendships and family who ALWAYS took more than they ever gave.

From all the situations when someone told you “we’re in this together” or “I got you” then abandoned you, leaving you to pick up the pieces when s**t got real, leaving you to handle your part and their part, too.

From all the lies and all the betrayals.

You learned along the way that you just couldn’t really trust people. Or that you could trust people, but only up to a certain point.

Extreme-independence IS. A. TRUST. ISSUE.

You learnt: if I don’t put myself in a situation where I rely on someone, I won’t have to be disappointed when they don’t show up for me, or when they drop the ball... because they will ALWAYS drop the ball EVENTUALLY right?

You may even have been intentionally taught this protection strategy by generations of hurt ancestors who came before you.

Extreme-independence is a preemptive strike against heartbreak.

So, you don’t trust anyone.

And you don’t trust yourself, either, to choose people.

To trust is to hope, to trust is to be vulnerable.

“Never again,” you vow.

But no matter how you dress it up and display it proudly to make it seem like this level of independence is what you always wanted to be, in truth it’s your wounded, scarred, broken heart behind a protective brick wall.

Impenetrable. Nothing gets in. No hurt gets in. But no love gets in either.

Fortresses and armor are for those in battle, or who believe the battle is coming.

It’s a trauma response.

The good news is trauma that is acknowledged is trauma that can be healed.

You are worthy of having support.
You are worthy of having true partnership.
You are worthy of love.
You are worthy of having your heart held.
You are worthy to be adored.
You are worthy to be cherished.
You are worthy to have someone say, “You rest. I got this.” And actually deliver on that promise.
You are worthy to receive.
You are worthy to receive.
You are worthy.

You don’t have to earn it.
You don’t have to prove it.
You don’t have to bargain for it.
You don’t have to beg for it.

You are worthy.
Worthy.
Simply because you exist.

- Jamila White

♥️

📸 unknown

18/05/2022

Life is full of rainbow moments.

05/05/2022

Working hard for a living

05/05/2022

Chillin with the gang at the all you can eat buffet

04/05/2022

Morning feed up before a full day begins. Beanie and raincoat sort of day.

01/04/2022