I have a natural curiosity and ability to listen and observe, as well as a deep desire to learn and explore, all of which have contributed to the growth of the writer in me. I began writing poems and stories before I was 10 and from an early age was very sensitive to the needs of those around me, aware of how lucky I was and wanting to make the world a better place. These two aspects, the playfully creative and the one who yearns to serve have always competed for my attention and my purpose now is to find the balance between the two and invoke their happy marriage.
Writers’ who have greatly influenced me in this regard include Alice Walker, Athol Fugard, Benjamin Zephaniah and Michael Morpurgo, all of whom create at the highest level artistically and also deeply involve themselves in the social and spiritual well being of the communities in which they live.
I currently live in Scotland, though part of my heart was given to Africa years ago and remains embedded in the rich red soil of that continent. I spent a year in South Africa and three years in Rwanda during my 20s and these experiences have deeply influenced my view of the world and the person I am, for which I am deeply grateful.
My life is varied, with jobs as a carer and English teacher being combined with writing and leading occasional workshops where I offer writing activities aimed at connecting participants with their innate and natural creativity as well as the dreams and fears that want to find a voice. There are examples of these activities on the writing prompts page of this blog.
I see writing as both a creative joy and a spiritual practice, a tool for self discovery and expression that leads me, and hopefully my readers, into a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.
At the end of last year I self published a small collection of poetry, Natural Reflections, in a joint venture with a friend and this blog is the next step in my adventure into the world of writing for a wider audience and taking the writer in me seriously, adding a healthy dose of commitment and effort to the ideas and inspiration that come naturally.
May all that you read here serve to bring us all another step closer to a world that nourishes and respects all life.
Harula xxxxxxxxx
wordsthatserve 
Very inspiring, my journals were pages filled with poems that I regrettably threw out in my early 20’s as a defiance against my childhood. Though writing as never been my forte I am deeply inspired by those with the talent. As a person who’s 6th sense involves being intune with others people’s feelings, I unfortunately don’t involve myself around too many people. Blogging has been a great source of company for me. Your poem hit a nerve amd I’m happy to have found you… 🙂
Thank you so much for your lovely comment:-) I’m so glad you’ve found inspiration here and that the poem touched you. It’s great that blogging has offered you a supportive sense of connection and company. I’m still very new to it myself and just beginning to get used to the idea that someone so geographically far away can feel so near. Yes, it’s a shame when we throw stuff out we later wish we had kept but I believe it’s all still inside us somewhere, those poems live on and I hope you’ll write more. Thanks again for stopping by. H xxx
I think it’s a great gift for someone to be able to listen, observe and watch. Not everyone can do that! Thank you for visiting my blog. =>
Thank you and likewise, thanks for dropping by:-)
What a wonderful view of life and writing! I lived in Yorkshire for eleven years, and feel I will always carry England within me. We visited Scotland a few times; Oban was stunning, as was Helensborough and Rhu. Best wishes on your writing journey!
Thanks so much for this lovely comment and for visiting my blog. I haven’t been to Oban yet, thanks for the recommendation. Place is certainly an important part of writing for me. And to you too, many blessings on your writing life:-)
What a heart moving message is encapsulated here in your About me description. It’s like feeling the very ‘essence’ of you. What a beautiful place to begin to start exploring your words. Thank you so much for stopping by my words too! ❤
Thanks for this warm and beautiful comment and I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to my about page. I certainly enjoyed taking in a few of your ‘words’ and will no doubt be back to nibble on a few more when I next have the time and inclination. Blessings and happy writing!
I’ve included your blogsite on a new post. I truly believe you are inspiring and deserved it. Happy writing!
What a lovely thing to say, thank you very much Kathleen:-)
Hi, what a lovely blog. Thanks for liking a post in my blog 🙂 Please feel free to visit it once in a while.
And oh, you are welcome to join my ongoing giveaway. Just go to my homepage and you’ll see it in the top post.
Cheers,
Monica
Thanks for dropping by and for taking the time to leave a comment – I’m glad you enjoyed your visit:-) Thanks for the invite, I’ll be sure to dip in for another read soon…blessings on your day!
Howdy! I didn’t see an email for you, just wanted you to know I’ll be closing my blog soon but opening another – still really not much on it, called leafstrewngirlblog. Come by anytime. In the meantime, keep writing that great stuff!
Inspiring words
Thank you for reading, glad you enjoyed and I appreciate the likes:-)
Thanks for the follow. I hope I will write something that will interest you. Thoughts & comments always welcomed. Take Care.
My pleasure. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far and look forward to more. Likewise, take care:-)
Thanks for following and for all of the love you left on my blog! I am happy to have found yours as well! Have a beautiful day! ~Tanni
Hooray for shared following and celebration:-) Welcome, I appreciate you coming by. Much love and blessings on your day too…h xxx
Hey Chook, I have nominated you (back) for the Very Inspiring Blog Award, thankyou for your magic words 🙂 Luv Dawny…Here’s ze link – http://littlebeut333.com/2012/12/20/oh-my-gaaaaawd-an-actual-award-thank-you-millions/
When I woke up, I felt it
Or maybe it felt me…
All I know, not one pencil broke
Great talent, I have been practicing some poetry as well, very relaxing and good for putting emotions under the knife! haha (:
Best of luck.
If majority of the world’s 7 billion folks had a disposition to serve their hearers/readers with their words, we’d have a much different world. Thanks for your service. GOD bless you!
What a lovely comment – thanks very much:-) I’m sure there are many of us, and increasing by the day. Words are a potent tool, so let’s strive to use them for the good. Blessings to you too my friend.
The passcode is allowreading
Let me know if you’r able to get in and do share your thoughts about what was read.
I LOVE your About page! It made me re-appreciate my gift and dream of being a writer. You are very inspiring to me, and your goals are so very compassionate towards others and yourself. So glad we have met! 🙂
What a lovely comment to start my day – thank-you! I believe in big dreams, and also that we need to have supportive friends to help us achieve them. I’m glad you find inspiration here and I wish you much joy in creating your new blog with your co-writer friend. Sounds exciting!
Thank you, dear friend! You’re one of my supportive friends. Hope you like the new blog…
Hi there, sunshine!! Love to stop in and see what you are up to. I have made my blog private, not sure if I will change that or not (long story) You can just click on privacy settings or request access and I will grant it to you. Keep writing and doing great!!
Kathleen
Thanks for letting me know Kathleen (and for calling me sunshine, I love that!) – have just requested access and look forward to catching up with your recent writing. Love and blessings of grace with whatever has made this necessary. Take care, H xxx
I read your positive comments to another blogger and felt compelled to come and visit! Thank you for being you and caring!
Wow, I can’t think of a nicer reason for someone to choose to visit my blog – thanks for this warm comment, and for the follow:-) Have a great week Penny. Blessings, H xxx
It was a pleasure for me to read and I became curious about you then. Nice to find others with a positive attitude on life. You also, have a most excellent week! xx
stumbled upon your blog, but incredibly touched by your gentle spirit and kind words. thanks for all the inspiration 🙂
Thanks so much for this warm, genuine comment, and for stumbling by…H xxx
Hi Harula,
Hope Im not interrupting your conference, but I just had to contact you before I put up my next post, which is about an MS anthology that has now been published and has several of my MS related poems in it (Not Slip-Slidingthough! I missed that one out!)
And I have you to thank for introducing me to Jennifer Evans who put the book together. I just found this out by accident when I was looking on her blog and saw the comment from you where you told her about me. So my heartfelt thanks for this! If it werent for you this wonderful thing would not have happened for me!
This is me giving you the biggest hug ever!!! ❤ Xx
Hooray!!! Thanks so much for letting me know:-) Can’t wait to hear more about it, most importantly where I can get my copy! Yes, I remember finding her blog and mentioning you…I’m sooooo happy for you! Here’s a biggest hug ever coming right back at you:-) XOXOXOXO
Harula xxxxxxxxx
:). :). i will put the post up in a few days!mi have no idea how to share the link and my daughter who will help is on her way back from Lanzarote tomorrow! Xx
Another fellow writer who wants to makes a difference in the world… I’m so glad I found you and this blog! I love it!
Thanks so much Elizabeth for this warm, enthusiastic comment – I too love finding like minded writers! Nice to ‘meet’ you:-) Blessings, Harula xxxxx
Hi Harula, I have thoroughly enjoy reading your blog, and I want to personally thanking you for sharing your thoughts with all of us. I have nominated your blog for the Dardos Awards. I wrote a post on it and this is the link: http://elizabeth-cardenas.com/2014/09/15/dardos-awards-premios-dardos.
Blessings,
Liz
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Dear friend, Thank you very much, I was really happy to have been following your blog. I’m still a lot to figure out, and here I can only say that you are an awesome blogger, full Inspiring and hope you can inspire more readers. Thanks and greetings compassion from Gede Prama 🙂
I stopped by to thank you for visiting my blog and have found pages rich with words! So happy to have made your acquaintance here. I will be looking forward to future posts.
What a lovely thing to say – thank you:-) I’m glad you enjoyed your visit, and I really appreciate the follow. Happy blogging new found friend. Blessings, Harula xxxxx
Hi Harula!
I couldn’t agree more when you say: “I see writing as both a creative joy and a spiritual practice, a tool for self discovery and expression that leads me, and hopefully my readers, into a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.”. Indeed. May you always feel the Light of inspiration within you.
Natalia xx 🙂
A lovely blog with a beautiful title. Your words are so inspiring. Good to be here.
What a lovely comment, I’m glad you found it so – thank you:-) It’s good to have you here! Blessings, Harula xxx
Lovely bio page Harula. It sounds like you have done a nice job or marrying your diverse aspects, writing and creating from your depth. Thanks for following my blog. I’m enjoying poking around yours. Blessings, Brad
Nice and inspiring blog, Harula! Thanks for following “Known is a drop, Unknown is an Ocean”. 🙂
I like what you wrote on those rocks, “You are loved, loving and loveable.” Now they’re special rocks ❤ You're very inspiring! Good thing I came across to your blog and I'm now following it 😀
Breathe, read and smile… is exactly what i did here. – Cezane
What a lovely comment! In that case I’ve done my job…which makes me very happy 🙂 Thank you! H xxx
Blogging really is an adventure, isn’t it? Your life sounds like an adventure! So good to meet you. Have a beautiful day. 🙂
Hi Marsha – I do feel blessed with a life that is never dull, and enough courage to seek adventure when it doesn’t land on my doorstep…but often it does just land on my doorstep:-) Or on my blogstep! Thanks for taking the time to read and for this kind and encouraging comment. Blessings on your own adventures! H xx
Thanks! Keep lots of notes! I wish I had taken more notes and photos about my classroom experiences. Blogging helps put that all together.
Thanks for visiting my blog, good to meet you 🙂
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I agree with all you say about writing and creativity, spirituality, nurturing – kindred spirits 🙂 So pleased Calen pointed me in your direction!
Thank you so much for the follow of my blog – I look forward to connecting with you 🙂
My pleasure! And me too 🙂 xx