As seen on RTE's Nationwide T V

Developing Trust for Following Your Instincts

Developing trust for following your instincts can take some trial and error but it’s a powerful feeling when you get a clear sign that you did the right thing.

I published my book 'Seven C's to Calm - Reclaiming your Anxiety-Free Self' in 2017 and within a few weeks of launching it I was being sought after to go on national TV to discuss the topic of anxiety.

RTE Nationwide’s reporter Helen Mc Inerney took time to visit my website and realising I there was more to my story she persuaded her editor to allow her the scope to share it.

In particular Helen felt it was important to highlight my story of leaving the security of a teaching job, venturing into the unknown of developing my creative talents.

"Developing trust for following your instincts can take some trial and error but it’s a powerful feeling when you get a clear sign that you did the right thing."

My Story

I left a teaching career in 1999, following burn out from stress and anxiety. Simply putting it I was a mess. I had kept an external façade of everything being OK but with the demands of work and useless coping mechanisms I reached a point where I simply had to stop.

The sad thing is, I constantly see people (men and women) who are allowing this to happen to them, some know they are risking burn out and others are in denial mode. In 1999, you could be somewhat forgiven for being in denial mode as there was less awareness in the public domain regarding wellbeing and mental health. I didn’t even own a computer that time and I had a very simple mobile phone with no access to internet. Now, it’s different and you would have to be in serious denial mode to be blocking out the signs that you’re neglecting yourself.

My burn-out experience was humbling. I had to stop and take stock of things. It was a turning point in my life. Through my search for ways to recover and become more resilient, I uncovered my own healing and creative abilities.

3, 2, 1 Action

I had great fun with the staff at Carlow Library during this shoot. It was fitting that they shared the spot-light as they had been a tremendous support to me, providing a beautiful space to launch my books and to showcase my paintings.

The feature also included The Visual Gallery Carlow as my books are available in their gallery shop. Thanks to Helen all the right people were mentioned in the clip including my parents who were proud to have their garden on show in one of the scene and our family dog who has since gone to greener pastures.

Get your copy of Seven C’s to Calm

The Tension of Anxiety - Seven Cs to Calm

Imagine for a moment that you're holding the delicate stem of a flowering plant between your thumb and index finger. What will happen as you apply pressure to the stem, squeezing it slowly between your fingers?

As you apply more pressure (tension), you will notice the crushing of the parts and the wilting of the flower itself as the entire stem loses its structure and strength.

Tension is a symptom I associate with anxiety and have experienced it in parts of my body at times when anxiety was at large. There were times when I just accepted this unease and carried on with my everyday business but deep down I knew this was not something I should be accommodating.

We all experience anxiety from time to time, there are a wide range of symptoms which I will address in additional articles but just for now I am touching on the symptom of tension.

Tension is a Symptom of Anxiety

Like the flowering plant, the human body is made up of delicate cells. Each of these cells have their individual and collective roles of carrying out functions in our body, such as generating energy, eliminating waste, protecting us from infection, transporting nutrients and so much more.

Each part is vital to our well-being. When we feel anxious we sometimes tense or feel un-edge, as we consciously or unconsciously perceive a threat or a situation that we are not entirely comfortable with.

The energy that goes into applying this tension can leave us feeling tired or restless, unable to let go, relax and unwind. In the long-term, like the wilting flower, we render our body to a less efficient state of carrying out its functions. Some may experience what is termed as ‘irritable bowel syndrome’, digestive issues, difficulty breathing or perhaps endure headaches and migraine.

Relieving anxiety has a lot to do with knowledge, understanding what’s really going on and the ways in which you can gain control.

It is largely the business of getting to know yourself completely and addressing the issues that have caused you to succumb to such unease.

The practice of allowing calm to reign is highly recommended and it is certainly advised to seek support if you find it difficult to make a start or get stuck along the way.

Seven C's to Calm - Reclaiming your Anxiety-Free Self offers encouragement and support for people who no longer want to live their lives in a limited way. I've written the book from my own perspective of what it took to free myself. It's a great starting point and the strategies shared in the book can be applied to other areas of your personal development too.

I want more calm in my life

Almost Nationwide | Shaws Carlow | Art Festival

Nationwide at Last

Remember that Shaws radio advert back in the day? ‘Shaws! Almost nationwide!’In some typical Irish banter with friends, we en-acted the scenario of a Carlovian emigrant eager to know about things back home: ‘tell me this....did Shaws ever make it nationwide?’

Many Carlovians have grown up with Shaws department store at the heart of their shopping experience. A family owned business in its fourth generation, since Henry Shaw first opened its doors in 1864, it seems they have indeed ‘made it nationwide’, with stores in 16 locations across Ireland.

The new tag line for adverts: ‘Shaws, your complete department store!’

Art Show Case | 2017

Shaws Carlow have traditionally featured the work of a local artist during Carlow Arts Festival in June and this year, I'm delighted to have my work featured in their windows.

As you stroll through Tullow Street, watch out for a sample of my paintings from ‘The Sacred Lives of Trees’ collection, along with a selection of my limited edition prints.

Gift a Ganga Dreaming Limited Edition

The Chosen Ones | The Sacred Lives of Trees

After a whole collection of Sacred Tree paintings completed, which ones would be most admired, chosen and cherished?

Thoughout my exhibition tour, thesee were the ones most admired: 'Treedom', 'Evening Tide', 'Loves Light Upon Us' and 'Gaurdians'. Other paintings had more individual response from viewers.

My buyers chose differently during my launch event; 'Sacred Tree' was the first to be snapped up.

'Tree's Of The Golden Dawn' was next to be claimed, followed by 'Sacred Universe', whose owner was besotted before the painting was even completed.

I invite you to honour the natural world by enhancing your workplace or home with a colourful tree painting or print.

The Sacred Tree | Prints

Sacred Universe | Prints

Trees of the Golden Dawn | Limited Edition

The Sacred Lives of Trees:

Trees have been instrumental in my healing journey. My exhibition tour of The Sacred Lives of Trees was a huge success in giving people the opportunity to express the relevance of trees in their lives.

While many of the orginals have been claimed there are still a few to choose from along with a selection of prints and limited edition options. Explore my on-line gallery to choose your favourite tree painting. Get in touch and make it yours.

Select a Sacred Tree Painting or Print

That Day In The Forest

That Day in the Forest

I remember that day in the forest,
Savouring a sense of pride,
After taking the leap of faith.

Called to honour trees, to give voice to others
Who silently appreciate their healing capacity in their own lives.
I could have ignored those nudges,
Too daunting to consider.
When I listened to my heart and took the plunge,
It felt right.

The Sacred Lives of Trees,
The biggest collection of paintings I'd ever created.
I was in the infancy stage of exhibiting my art work.
Once a teacher of maths and science, hah!
Leaving a secure job and career is not an easy thing to do.
There's no safety net when you pursue an artistic path
Courage is required.
But there is one surety,
Priceless riches of mind and spirit.

I remember that day in the forest,
Wondering who would come to my exhibition.
I’d already had a successful crowd-funding campaign
To generate awareness for my launch.
The support I experienced was tremendous.
It was like hearing trees talking back to me
Through the people who applauded my efforts.

That day in the forest, I thought about the adventure of it all,
The gigantic butterflies that had lived in my tummy for months,
Putting me on the edge of my seat.
The mystics said it was a good sign,
They called it ‘an opening'
An 'expansion of the soul'.
It felt like a never-ending fright.
I stuck with it and completed my mission.

Here I am standing in the forest,
Days before my exhibition,
With a lot of love in my heart,
Soaking up the positive energy of the adventure
And paying homage to
The Sacred Lives of Trees.

Caroline Cunningham Author & Artist & Coach

Authentic Path Inspiration

Following your Authentic Path takes courage. Often we need some inspiration and guidance on our way to becoming more open and purposeful. Trees have been instrumental as healers in my own journey. I invite you to check out my paintings and prints from The Sacred Lives of Trees collection. Add vibrancy of colour and nature inspiration to your home or workspace or consider adding my tree art to your gift list for special celebrations.

Select Art Work from
The Sacred Lives of Trees Collection

Mind The Gap | Commission

'Mind The Gap' painting and its accompanying poem, were commissioned in March 2015 within a few days prior to being transported to New York for presentation as a gift in for in time for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

The Carlow Association of New York invited its London Carlow counterpart to join them in their celebrations that year, along with a number of dignitaries from Carlow.

It was John Nolan of Carlow London Association who made the call to commission this piece which I christened 'Mind The Gap'. I'm told the phrase was well used during the weekend of St. Patricks Day celebrations, replacing all greetings and salutations with a resounding 'Mind The Gap!' We're still using the hashtag #MindTheGap.

Stregthening Bonds Between Countries

It was a very exciting project to be involved with as an artist. Within a few days the painting and poem were dreamed, assembled and presented in New York by the end of the week.

These are magic moments. I especially love projects that strengthen bonds between people and places, bringing us all more closely together in friendship and unity. Below is the poem that accompanied the painting. Enjoy.

Mind The Gap

Red, yellow and green hail

The majesty of Mount Leinster and its graceful fields

Far from the sight of it, I am mindful of the gap

The promising stars and rewarding apple of New York

Remind us of our connectivity,

As we observe the same constellations

And are nourished by one Earth.

From London Bridge the Thames joins the water

Flowing from the Hudson, Barrow and Slaney.

Water represents our emotion,

Our passion and love for Carlow.

Our connection is deepened by reminders

Of people who made Carlow their home five millennia ago,

Through the Dolmens they created.

I present a piece of Carlow.

Mind The Gap!

If you have an idea for a commission that you would like to explore, get in touch via the contact page. I'll help you to make your idea a reality whether it's a story, a poem or a painting.

Get in Touch to Commission a Piece of Art