Huge thanks to Woman’s Way Magazine for granting me my first paid writer’s commission!
This is my published article which tells you why I am passionate about encouraging people to BE AUTHTENTIC!
"Have you ever told someone you love to ‘just be yourself’? Maybe you were trying to help an adult or a child to be at ease in a situation they were anxious about, like starting a new school or job.
When I was growing up, there were times when I wished someone could have handed an instruction book on ‘How to be Yourself’! Looking back, I realise it had a lot to do with understanding the world around me and getting to grips with how I could play my part, with an optimistic outlook.
But for many years I didn’t have this insight, I was plodding along, ignoring signs that all was not well. Eventually stress, anxiety and tension led to distress and emotional turmoil. I was forced to stop and examine how I had ended up in this situation. I call it my moment of ‘Break True’, it is also the title of one of my subsequent paintings.
The year was 1999. I left a teaching career in the countryside and headed to the city to find employment that would allow me the space and time to change my ways. I have never regretted this decision.
It was a time when access to online information was not as apparent and our society was still coy about addressing self-care and mental health awareness. The idea of someone ‘following their dreams’ would have seemed ‘whimsical’ to many. I quietly got on with my studies in the arts and at the same time developed a curiosity in the area of healing.
Here I was finally, discovering the instruction book I craved as a teenager. I call it my ‘Authentic Path’ and for my current work as a visual artist, writer and reflexology therapist, I use the tag-line ‘Inspiring your Authentic Path’ as my goal.
I want to share with you what being authentic means to me and why I believe it’s important for our wellbeing and happiness. I used to be full of anxiety, lacking in assertiveness, with unhelpful negative beliefs. I was no stranger to mental anguish and physical pain from time to time. I was spending my valuable energy hiding my true nature and gifts from everyone, including myself.
Finding my purpose had a huge part to play in my recovery from this ‘lack-lustre’ way of living. I sought out the best teachers, mentors, holistic therapists and business professionals to help me on my way. I discovered that putting my heart and soul into what truly ignites my spirit, led me to feeling stronger in myself. I was more motivated and willing to learn.
Over time, my physical pain was eliminated completely, I worked on developing a more positive attitude, suspending judgement and letting go of tension. I took courses to help me to become more assertive and to learn how to deal better with conflict. I moved my body through yoga and dance and I learned how to practice self-care and healing.
Overall I became more grounded, confident and capable, not because I faked it, but because I spent time acquiring knowledge in the topics that are essential to my work. When you learn from sources that can trace their origins more assuredly this too leads to a more authenticity in all you do.
In recent years the word ‘authentic’ has become a buzz word, as marketing and sales professionals realise that customers respond better to something that has a more ‘authentic’ feel about it. It’s nothing new, but when a thing is repeated over and over, we tend to pay less attention. That’s why I believe it is more important to inspire authenticity by our presence and actions.
Every person has something very special and unique to offer to the world. By being more present and exhibiting the best of ourselves we can have a very positive effect on others. Give yourself a moment to think about this in relation to your own life.
Today is the best day to make a start on your ‘Authentic Path’. We are all capable of learning and adjusting. Nobody can tell you who is the real you, that part is yours to discover more fully but you can seek inspiration and support on that journey.
I am aware that self-expression can be dangerous in some situations where people are bound by rules of their society or cultural beliefs. It takes courage to ‘Break True’. There are people far more courageous and inspiring than me but I do what I can in this moment in time and if one person can be inspired by my actions then that’s a fantastic result.
I help people to make their lives amazing by guiding them on their paths to authenticity, wellbeing and success. If you seek a more meaningful life take action by choosing from my range of books, and courses and coaching programmes.
The business network event was soon to start as Karen entered the busy conference room. I heard her say hello to some people behind me. She politely excused herself as she passed through the row of seats and sat next to me. She was dressed smartly in her business attire, having come from work. She sat with a straight posture and gazed ahead towards the platform in front of us.
"I know networking is an important part of business but I just feel so tense from start to finish. I end up telling myself it’s not worth it."
Karen – Senior Business Consultant
As we awaited the announcement of the invited guest speaker, I introduced myself and enquired about her business and her expectations for the evening. Karen, a senior consultant in the corporate world, seemed initially reserved and a little tense in her response.
Being a holistic therapist, I often sense when a person is feeling uneasy and do my best to bring comfort by being friendly. She asked me about my therapy work and wondered what kind of issues it was particularly suited to. I listed a number of health benefits and added that I also help people with anxiety.
It was at that moment Karen leaned a little closer and almost whispering, she confided that she was in fact feeling quite anxious. I could sense her dismay that this was her demise. ‘I usually avoid these events’ she explained. ‘I know networking is an important part of business but I just feel so tense from start to finish. I end up telling myself it’s not worth it’. I assured Karen that she is not alone feeling this way as many people suffer in silence with their anxiety, afraid that others will find out.
You’re Not the Only One
I encouraged her to seek a way to deal with it more effectively, instead of feeling ashamed. ‘It is quite possible,’ I added, ‘that the person sitting on the other side from you is also feeling the same way’. She smiled a little and just then her face softened and with it too, her eyes revealed a kindness. She spoke briefly about personal loss and changing life circumstances, it seemed she had a lot to deal with at this time.
Soon the guest speaker was announced and we listened attentively to the insights and pieces of wisdom being offered by this well-travelled lady. As the event concluded, Karen and I spoke more excitedly about the interesting points of the guest speaker’s talk.
"Underneath this disguise she was struggling to hold everything together to appear strong. The energy it took to do this robbed her of joy and cloaked her true authentic nature which was of warmth and kindness."
Anxiety Hides Your Authentic Self
On the way home, there was so much to think about. The guest speaker had done many daring things and fulfilled many of her dreams. I thought too of Karen and how she had been so arrested by her anxiety when we spoke initially. I thought of the transformation in her persona when she admitted her anguish and relaxed a little. At first she had seemed distant and cool but also confident and elegant, yet underneath this disguise she was struggling to hold everything together to appear strong. The energy it took to do this robbed her of joy and cloaked her true authentic nature which was of warmth and kindness.
"We should not consider acceptable that which robs us of joy and ease."
I remembered also, a man who had attended my therapy practice for reflexology. His wife sent him, as part of their fertility treatment plan. He was a friendly quite out-going person, working as an expert in the financial sector. It was during the second treatment that he confided that most of the time he felt really anxious. He didn’t know why or when he had started feeling this way but he just never seemed to be completely at ease. He was at a loss to know how to gain control of his discomfort.
Anxiety is a silent torment for many people. You might not notice this because they become so adept at disguising what’s really going on beneath the surface.
In addition, some people assign themselves to a more restricted way of living, avoiding anything that might aggravate their symptoms.
Changing our World One by One
We have entered an age of personal development like never before. Internet and social media have provided the perfect platform for sharing story’s and knowledge. More and more events and groups are convening to support those who suffer all manner of mental unease and it is now time for anxiety to have its turn at being revealed, unravelled and put to rest.
My own life was impacted by anxiety and panic attacks in the past. I learned how to successfully develop calm, self-awareness and improved coping mechanisms. I love my life now. I write books to share the useful strategies that helped me. A book is a tiny investment for the seeds of your freedom.
"What is Reflexotherapy of the feet and who is Hanne Marquardt?"
Thanks to my studies of the history of reflexology, I already knew that Hanne Marquardt has played a key role in it's research and development.
In the summer of 2014, I enroled in a workshop to discover more about this fascinating pioneering therapist and teacher.
'I'm going to be '80' soon', Hanne informed us at the outset of our two day course. Her eyes twinkled perhaps with curiosity as to what this new age bracket might herald. That curiosity has remained alive and well for Hanne, who as a young nurse and physiotherapist became most interested in the findings outlined by Eunice Ingham in her book 'Stories The Feet Can Tell'.
Eunice Ingham is attributed with developing the term 'reflexology'and with the mapping of the whole body onto reflex areas of the feet. Thus we have a micro-system which reflects the whole person in the feet.
Hanne wistfully reflected on the fact that she actually set out to disprove Eunice's findings. In those early days of investigation, the claims of reflexology were considered quite radical and new.
As I attempted to probe Hanne with my own investigative questions I got a glimpse of how brave she must have been to challenge her pioneering teacher.
Hanne admitted humble defeat in her efforts to disprove Eunice's results. Instead she developed a growing respect for her teacher and the practice of reflexology.
She has earnestly and whole-heartedly, continued its development and practice, fine-tuning the position of reflex areas and treatment techniques according to her own findings and thereby opening the door to her use of the term 'Reflexotherapy'.
Two days we spent with Hanne, eagerly listening as she imparted much wisdom and knowledge interspersed with humour and anecdotes for living simply and fruitfully.
We watched intently as she demonstrated techniques for treating sensitive reflex areas and harmonising holds. We were put through our paces as she challenged us to locate the reflex areas corresponding to scars on the body of the person being treated. We practiced the treatment of scars and all that she demonstrated to us, under her watchful eye.
Thanks to pioneers such as Eunice Ingham and Hanne Marquardt, reflexology has grown to be a highly respected and recognised therapy.
In Germany, however, Hanne has gained even further recognition for her use of reflexotherapy, as she treats 'patients' instead of 'clients', and for 'specific illnesses' rather than 'generally'.
'Always remember', she paused for effect, 'you are treating a person not a body or just their feet but a whole person.' In order not to forget this fact, Hanne urged us to use the term 'someone' as opposed to 'somebody'.
Studying with Hanne as our tutor was a productive and valuable learning experience. As we parted company she urged us to be creative in our practice and to be mindful of the unique potential that exists in all of us.
Have you experienced the benefits of reflexology?
This article was listed in the Finals of Ireland Blog Awards 2017 in the category of Best Corporate Article.
I was already a fan of reflexology before I qualified as a therapist. Throughout my training I was thrilled to discover the immediate benefits my treatments were providing for case study clients.
I was fortunate with the variety of clients I had for my 40 case studies, a requirement of my diploma. I practiced on feet of all ages, shapes, colours, textures and sizes.
Each pair told their own unique story. As time went on I began to notice patterns and traits that corresponded with the individual themselves.
Results were noticeable and varied. Relaxation was the benefit most reported by my 10 clients. In fact one person told me it was the first time that they ever managed to feel so relaxed.
As relaxation provides optimum conditions for the body to heal and function with ease and efficiency, this was a very important benefit for the receivers. One client reported that even the opportunity to do nothing for one whole hour was rare. At the end of the course of treatments, this client had made a life decision which would improve his career opportunities.
"Reflexology provides many benefits for wellbeing. With the client and the therapist working together there are usually good results."
I noted in my case studies that many clients enhanced their treatment by implementing some of the suggestions I recommended to them as part of their treatment plan. These ranged from taking in some extra walking, fresh air, water and self-treating the reflexes on the hands.
Sample Results
As a result of their resolve, some of the results were quite impressive, such as:
the absence of sciatica pain for as long as 2 months after treatment
improved breathing for a client who had high blood pressure (a therapist in her 70's who gave me great confidence in my ability).
a client who started a walking routine to boost their energy and then discovered that jogging was more fun.
a client who found space to relax and get clarity on a new career path.
Conclusion of 40 Case Studies
Reflexology provides many benefits for wellbeing, with the client and the therapist working together there are usually good results. Clearly, regular deep relaxation achieved through reflexology, contributes to healing for mind and body, counteracting the effects of busy stressful lifestyles.
If all is not well, a change of routine can help, slowing down to allow for mindful listening and the development of a more self-caring attitude in order to achieve balance once more.
Reflexology is an effective holistic treatment, performed mainly on the feet. While its a highly respected therapy, it is not a replacement for medical diagnosis and treatment.
Author Update
In 2024, I retired as a therapist after 11 years of successfully assisting clients with their wellbeing.
I continue to assist people in their healing through my books which are available online. If you like this article, explore my work.
