Esperance – Eucla – Port Pirie – Mildura – Home

As we fly from the granite coastline of Albany our world is moving to the lovely town of Esperance. Our journey home is thrown around with weather and storm cells are chasing us, so our focus for flying is, as you know it – weather. I just want to point out my last blog didn’t mention it once. I had full intention to forgo the discussions this time too, but it seems our life depends on its actions right now, so unfortunately my intentions are lost.

As our flight is to move over the Nullarbor it exposes the land of sand to the sea. Cliff edges exposing colours of the rainbow white pointer filled torquoise waters embracing it. They call it the great Australian bite, because that is exactly what it looks like, with the Great White shark as its reflection.

The weather is not looking good, we are thrown around and visibility is closing in. We are VFR, yes an acronym. This is visual flight rules, regulations where we must be able to see where we are going, if not, land. Not really much time for contemplation. It looks like landing is our next desire. Finding an airport now is our focus; the weather is speaking for itself. Lets turn around we have Eucla dirt strip to land on. Hopefully the rain has not made this strip a clay potters dream.  We land the plane to chill for a while to see if the storm will roll over. Yes it did, but rolled in circles above us. We rang the town of Eucla, which consists of a roadhouse and about 45 full time residents. This place was amazing. I loved it – Eucla – the spirit of the desert originated from the aboriginal word meaning bright. I look forward to spending more time in the future in this emptiness, this region has a great hum to it.

Our heading is Port Pirie to be carried by a tail wind, which hoots us through the skies at 190 knots this translates to 350 kilometres/hour. Yes this little Pheonix really knows how to fly. We have decided to take advantage of the support of nature and continue this flight for Mildura. Mildura is experiencing the JJJ hangover of ‘one night stand’. We are one day late for a rocking finish to this little safari, but hey I’m not sure this little Marie could of handled a hip hop finale.

As we head over the ranges towards Wollongong fun bounce experience begins. Hold on – the phoenix is finding the cumulus and the ranges combination a dance that feels like I’m in that mosh pit after all. Who needs jjj when the nature makes me shake?

I’m excited. Over 10000km of travel in three weeks.  It has been an epic trip of discovery on so many levels. I am tired and inspired. It has only been a few weeks, but I feel like it has been a lifetime. My phantom in the project ‘Bill’ has been a legend. Sharing his knowledge, his willingness to support this project and continue to support the voice of many. I thank you Bill for making it possible.

I have been exposed to the power of voice of individuals in each community working, exploring and healing their worlds. Awareness continues to grow and I see many individuals that over ride the experiences of their past by fuelling, focusing and firing up their authentic self . This is a space of hope for individuals, communities, governments, religions and institutions to let go of the actions which do not serve our lives and create systems and ways of being that do. How fun is it to dance in the space of possibility, personal power and peace. This is where the fun is, laughing is loud and love is eternally present. Thank you to everyone that have donated to ‘White Ribbon’ and ‘Bravehearts.’ I know their work fuels those spaces and that is the power of lifting the voices of many organisations who are doing incredible work in supporting others.

Forever grateful. Marie Louise

I want to share a voice of inspiration. Imogen Bessler. Imogen wrote to me to share her story of hope. She is a woman who does amazing work in sharing her voice, hands and authentic self with those that she touches. I thank you together with all of the others that I had the privilege to connect to. ‘The Awemakers’

 ‘Imogen Bessler

One day I decided that I would no longer be the victim of what happened to me. I decided that I would live my life in spite of what they did – no longer in fear because of what they did. 

It was far from an easy road from that point on. I hit rock bottom, the lowest of lows over the next three years, but I also discovered how strong I am. It’s easy to feel strong when life is a breeze. True strength, I have found, is having the courage to crawl once more up off the floor when your despair is at its peak… and live another day. 

And here I am now – living, loving, realizing dreams, finding the magic – BEING ME… There is no victim here. Instead there is a woman who has opened to the adventure that life is… embracing my challenges… facing my fears… following my heart… awed at times by my own resilience and courage. 

If I stood beside myself back then in those darkest days where healing began, I would not recognise me – but I would say to me – just keep going, you are so worth it. Life is worth it – there is so much more for you than you can see now. You are much stronger than you think. Have faith… and perhaps I did – perhaps they were my own words in my head urging me to take another breath, wake up another day. Never, ever give up. 

The only way they could truly have me is if I let their actions continue to control my life. Instead I have grown far beyond anything their actions could ever touch again. And 12 years after making that first commitment to myself to heal, I know without doubt that life is a gift – and now I live it with my arms wide open to the infinite possibility that I have discovered life to be.

Imogen Bessler

Albany WA