"Giving it Wellie": Continuing to Show Up

Eileen Bray's article today is a continuation of her post entitled “Eirì” (meaning "Rise"). Today, enjoy more wise words of (Irish!) wisdom from this talented singer-songwriter and creator of the "mantra mashup" phenomenon Celtic Kirtan.

"Giving it Wellie!" This is one of my very favorite Irish sayings of late. It makes me smile so much! It's a new one for me, one that we didn’t have when I was growing up there.

What on earth does it mean?

So, in Ireland our wellies are an absolute necessity of life. For those not familiar, wellies are rubber rain boots. When I was young the only color available was black, now they come in a rainbow of colors, designs and price points! Far from rainbow wellies we were reared I say! :)

“Giving it Wellie” literally means going for it hard, giving it everything you’ve got, not stopping, continuing to show up! Putting your heart and soul into something you believe in.

When I think of those that are “giving it wellie” at this time a few badass women come to mind.

Firstly, my new beautiful friend Sarai Humble (www.alliswell.ie) who has lived and traveled in her van for the past 6 years caring, tending, restoring and educating about the Holy Wells of Ireland. There are over 3,000 of them! Selfless, heart-centered and sometimes grueling work that is all done on the down low and very often alone in the bitter cold.

Another warrior friend there, Jen Maynard, has sent up a home school program called Academy of Magick where the children navigate the week through the 4 elements and are so connected to the land. An integral part of the program are her 4 untethered Magickal horses including 3 “Capaill Bàn” (white horses) and one Shetland pony named Unicorn. :) These enlightened beings ground and hold steadfast the healing energy for the children.

The publication you are reading is another example, being birthed in 2021 by Kirem Marnett and Marci Lingelbach. After the events of 2020, so many pivoted their lives and went after their dreams. Daily offerings of high vibrational content to soothe and nourish us. Offering those of us who are not professional writers a voice and a platform for our medicine. Hours and hours of unseen work on the backend. “Hard grafters” they are as we would say in Ireland!

This is the work of the New Earth.

We are getting a glimpse of what it is like. It’s already happening.

I’ve been taking my wellies out for a good ole spin around Ireland with my Celtic Kirtan this past 6 months.I’m continuing to show up wherever I’m asked to. It's been a joy and a privilege and I'm continuing it here in the USA.

Why am I giving it wellie? Because I don’t want to leave this beautiful New Earth and not have shared my medicine, however terrifying it still continues to be at times.

“TRUST, SURRENDER, LET GO and SHOW UP” has been my inner mantra these past 2 years.

So far so held.

Where do your wellies need to be taken out for a spin? The New Earth is waiting to embrace, hold and nurture you and your unique medicine.

One of the best nuggets of advice I have ever been given was from Spirit in an Akashic reading in 2018. I was expressing my crippling fear about stepping out with my music and my guides responded with:

“Remember It doesn’t need to be perfect to be impeccable!”

It changed everything for me!

The world doesn’t need your perfection, it needs your heart!

One of the favorite pieces I do as part of my Celtic Kirtan is my version of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. This man was so connected to the land and its sentient beings. I’ve always been so inspired by him. I added my own affirmations at the end and have included the most beautiful mantra in Sanskrit

“Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu” meaning “May ALL BEINGS everywhere be HAPPY and FREE”

Here is my perfectly, imperfect, unfinished recording of it with my friend Kai San softly on Bodhràn (Irish drum), as well as the lyrics below so in true Kirtan fashion, you may sing along! It is my prayer for the New Earth and all its sentient Beings.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
And where's there's doubt let me sow faith

Where there's despair let me sow hope
And where there’s darkness let there be light
And where there's sadness let there be joy
O Divine Master grant that I may
Be not consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
For it’s in giving that we receive
Aud it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned
and it's in dying we are born to Eternal Life (x3)

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
(May all beings everywhere be happy and free)

Repeat first 4 lines

Where's there’s War let there be Peace
Wheres there’s Division - Unity
Where there’s Differences - Respect
Where there's Conflict - Tolerance
Where there’s Anger - Calm
Where's there’s Depression - Hope
Where’s there’s Fear - Love
And where there’s Loneliness - Community
Where’s there’s Cruelty - Compassion
Where’s there’s Dis-Ease - Wellness
Where there's Tyranny - Freedom
And where theres War - Peace (x3)
Lord make us instruments of your Peace

Eileen Bray is a singer, textile artist, professional voice-over artist and the creator of Celtic Kirtan. She is also a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, Infinite Possibilities Trailblazer, and a Celtic Shamanic practitioner in training. She splits her time between Co Tipperary, Ireland, and Nashville, TN. Find her online at eileenbray.com, facebook.com/CelticKirtan, and on Instagram @mysticalceltvox.

To hear some of her medicine firsthand, Eileen continues to "give it wellie" this Saturday March 18th in Shangri-La Hot Yoga in Clarksville 5-7 pm. She is joined by some of Nashville’s finest musicians. Then she hits the road for NYC to host one there in April, then travels up to host one in Rhode Island before returning to Ireland mid April.

Saturday, March 18th at Shangri-La Hot Yoga in Clarksville, TN

• 5-7pm
• Tickets are $30, or $25 for studio members
• Tickets may be purchased via Shangri-La's web site here.

Eileen then hits the road for NYC to host Celtic Kirtan there April 5 (details coming soon) and in Rhode Island (TBA) before returning to Ireland mid-month. More details and booking info can be found on her Facebook pages, Eileen Bray and Celtic Kirtan, and on Instagram @MysticalCeltvox.