A few years ago my life, on paper, would have looked perfect. A nice house in a beautiful village, three happy healthy children, lots of hobbies, friends and a thriving holistic therapy practice. Then I had a car accident and in seconds everything changed. I lost my mobility and at first, felt like I had lost myself too.
Before my accident I had thought I was happy. I had been a holistic therapist for 8 years and loved my job. My thirst for knowledge was insatiable. I was a complete course junkie who always wanted to know more and I strived for credibility in everything I did. I have a ridiculously long list of qualifications, none of which filled the gap inside me. Looking back now I realise I was on a quest to find the ‘answer’ but of course this is impossible if you do not know what the question is.
Time suddenly became infinite. I went from feeling there was never enough hours in the day, to literally listening to the minutes tick by as I sat on my sofa, day after day, staring at the clock. After a period (a rather long one truth be told) of feeling sorry for myself I stumbled across the story of the Starfish Thrower which was a pivotal turning point for me. For those of you who don’t know it; a boy is walking along the beach when he stumbles across thousands of starfish that have been washed up. He starts to pick them up and throw them back in. A man approaches him and says “son don’t bother, there are too many, you won’t make a difference”. The boy picks up another, throws it back in and says “I made a difference to that one”. and again, everything changed for me. I suddenly recognised that I didn’t have to know what my ‘purpose’ was or to be fit, healthy and determined enough to change the world. We can all do small things to brighten someone’s day with a positive attitude and loving intent and that really is amazing. Following this I co-created www.thehappystarfish.com, an online community dedicated to health, happiness and peaceful living.
Daily meditation practice; expanding my consciousness and changing my relationship with my mind has made me realise I am more than my disability. I knew that I couldn’t change my physical condition but I could change the way I felt about it. Sure, my body has changed but the essence of who I am remains. I felt depressed when I looked at the past and what I had lost, anxious when I looked to the future, as I didn't, and still don't know how complete my recovery will be. For my peace of mind I have to live in the Now. I realised I don't need to constantly strive for other people to validate me. I am enough just as I am. I no longer look for the plausibility in everything. Some things just are, and need no explanation.
Alongside my therapy practice I want to use my teachings and life experience to help others live fully. I may not have freedom in my body but I have freedom within my mind and it’s awesome. Join me.
Mind detox and coaching appointments are available via Skype.
Holistic therapy appointments available via www.balancinghealth.co.uk
Available for group and corporate talks.
Workshops and meditation groups available.
Freelance writer.
I believe life should be an awesome adventure filled with love. Love life and life will love you back.
I know from my own life experience it is possible, with a little guidance, to live in internal peace despite your external circumstances. Through workshops, meditation groups and one to one therapy (in person or via Skype) I want to share with others the tools to enable everyone to live from a loving heart and be Present.