(Part of)
My Story
“The only thing in this life that is real is the moment you’re in and the way that you feel.” Melissa Lyons
International Best Selling Author, Speaker & Life-Reimagined Coach
A Knowing…
I have always had a strong sense of ‘knowing’. We all do, right?
The whispers that give you the confidence you need, just at the right moment, telling you that you are good enough. Also present are the all too familiar whispers that convince you that you simply aren’t good enough. They lead you to question yourself and give you reason to believe a myriad of lies and excuses that keep you small and leave you wanting.
For some, this will ring loud and clear, and for others, it just won’t resonate. Which one are you?
For me, this once rang very loud and clear. Today, that’s no longer my story.
I have a new story and here is how it goes: Everything starts right here, right now. When we live in the moment and consciously choose our thoughts and reactions, we can create and experience anything we want!
Looking back over the years, I can see what happened I was one who sought to please and conform, and in doing so, I missed the signs that were trying to get my attention. For decades I avoided the hints, nudges and messages; I lived my life as I thought it was supposed to be lived. But there was always something wrong, something missing, something that just eluded me.
Then years later, when I least expected it, a wonderful opportunity presented itself, and I was given the gift of time. Time to slow down, unwind and “listen” as I had never listened before. I decided to take three months “off,” pulling away from work and the pursuit of a goal-driven life. The three months seamlessly morphed into thirty months, because as it turns out, stepping away and allowing one’s life purpose to present itself is not something that can or will be rushed.
Allowing a dream to unfold…
It was on an island in Thailand when the words to I Will Always Love You came pouring out. Seriously. There was no warning, no conscious planning and certainly no life experience that can explain what happened as the story unfolded. It was simply a morning at a cafe on Sairee Beach with a cup of tea, a tasty chocolate-banana crêpe and of course a conscious decision to allow life to unfold and to listen to my heart.
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Some background information…
In 2014, I sold my business and embarked on a life changing journey which unexpectedly developed into a radical sabbatical. At 48 years of age, with a myriad of successful experiences, I still felt professionally unfulfilled and very curious. Three months were set aside to read, meditate, and write (journal). This opportunity was like everything else in my life to that moment; there were goals, a timeframe and expected results! Not surprisingly, the three months became four and so on… I learned patience, to let things unfold, to find joy in the moment, and to substitute disappointment, anger or sadness with gratitude for the lessons. After thirty months of this deliberate ‘self-reflection’, soul searching and pondering scenarios that resonated with me, an incredible event took place and my first book came to life.
It’s true. I was mindlessly journaling one morning when I a took moment to review my work. To my astonishment, there was a story! Not just any story however, it was a story about loss, about hope and about how to find joy in life. It was a story that was in my journal and I had no idea where it came from and even more remarkable I was astonished to see that it rhymed!
Since that momentous occasion, my life has changed in the most wonderful ways. I trust that the story came to me for a reason and I am honoured to spend my time making sure that the comforting words and message of hope are shared with the world.
Family Life…
I am grateful to my family for their loving support. It’s rare for us all to all be on one continent these days, however when we are it is always an exciting adventure!