Ganga Dreaming - The Call Of India

Is there a country, a city or a town you've been to that changed you forever?

India was it for me. On arrival in New Delhi, my senses accosted from every angle, I was compelled to go with its helter-skelter. I returned home with a clearer sense of purpose, less inhibited than ever before and prepared to host my first solo exhibition ‘Indian Heart Way’.

Indian Heart Way: a collection of 8 paintings, depicting a journey through India via the heart of the journey-maker.

Varanasi Sunrise - (Labelled for Reuse) — Sunrise over the Ganga, Varanasi

The exhibition was a huge success, art buyers and guests marvelled at the sense of place and time and even smells the paintings evoked for those who had travelled in India. Most sought after was Ganga Dreaming. That little boat on the Holy River aroused much curiosity.

It captures a memory of days spent sailing on the Ganga in a little row boat, camping along its banks in nights full of peace and magic. Quiet days too, occasionally passing groups of colourfully clothed country folk doing their washing along the shore. Kingfishers and dolphin-like creatures appeared to us, while ever-present was the hazy fog that is typical at that time of year.

Night time, equally enchanting, as my ears attuned to the haunting howls of jackals roaming nearby hills and the comforting regularity of tabla drums from a distant camp, as if in worship of the starry heaven above.

After three days we sailed into Varanasi ‘City Of Light’, in time for new year's eve celebrations. Memories I hold dear forever.

Ganga Dreaming, now available as a limited edition giclee print, enshrines these memories in the ripples of the water, the bright sails of the river boat and the curiosity of its destination.

The perfect gift of serenity and wonder for loved ones or a lovely addition to your living room, yoga retreat or workspace.

Ganga Dreaming Limited Edition Print €110

Get Your Ganga Dreaming Here

Transformation - What happens in the process of change?

Have you noticed how the word ‘transformation’ gets used a lot nowadays, especially by holistic entrepreneurs? What is transformation and how can we make it happen?

From my experience of transformation, it doesn’t happen overnight and it rarely happens without the support of a knowledgeable mentor, guide or therapist and lots of books or some sort of big adventure. It's an on-going process and it takes time.

When I speak of transformation I mean the decision to strengthen ones character, like the person who decides they are no longer going to be invisible or unheard. This person may decide to step into the role of leadership, determining his or her values and standing over them despite past experiences that gave them false signals that they were weak or insignificant.

It's an on-going process and it takes time.

Transformation may also involve a commitment to developing talents and new skills or it may entail taking a positive stance while enduring a life threatening illness or ordeal. The person who commits to transformation vows to go beyond their fear. Travelling this road one needs to be brave like a warrior because there will be much resistance and opposition on this path. There will be days when the results of all effort seem nil and there will be resistance from people who prefer the ‘meek’ version of your former self.

"Transformation is the process of bringing the best of ourselves into the light."

We all learn lessons as we age but a lot can pass us by if we choose to ‘look away’ or if we avoid the options that are available to us. Some people go through life making tonnes of excuses to keep themselves from growing in a more positive way.

Break True Limited Edition Print Can be Yours

The person who commits to transformation vows to go beyond their fear.

In 1999 the year of my 'Break True', I visited the place where South African leader Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment. I bought his book ‘Long Walk to Freedom’. This true life story became my inspiration on the importance of never giving up on a dream or goal, even though there may be no guarantee of success and it may take a very long time.

My own progress was initially very slow and often only noticeable to myself and a handful of people who witnessed my efforts. I’ve learned that the most worthwhile and lasting things in life are attained from hard work, patience, commitment and learning from a good source. It is important to measure and acknowledge progress on this path, especially when it feels like we are stuck.

"I’ve learned that the most worthwhile and lasting things in life are attained from hard work, patience, commitment and learning from a good source."

I am passionate about promoting self-care and helping my clients in their healing process. I see well-being as a means to allow us to pursue our life’s work, whether that is in the home or in the wider world.

My life's work is to inspire others along their Authentic Path. Transformation is the process of bringing the best of ourselves into the light. Seek out those who can help you on this journey.

For inspiration and supports for your journey towards authenticity, wellness and success join my Authentic Path newsletter.

Yes, I'd like more wellness, authenticity & success.

Be Authentic! My article in Womans Way Magazine

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.

Choose Your Path to Wellness & Success

Focus for Success

Kick Starter Guide

(e-Book)

Focus for Success

6 Week Programme

(on-line course)

Personalised

Wellness Coaching

The Moment of Break True

Burn Out Forces You to Stop

Sometimes when I tell people about my experience of burn or I relate someone else's story, I notice some listeners' discomfort and desire to distance themselves from the topic. Their comments suggest 'how could someone let that happen' or 'this couldn't happen to me'. And yet, people continue to fall into this trap of burn out, a state of complete physical and emotional exhaustion from too much stress or over-working, not minding 'self' or not addressing some trauma or need.

The fact is, many people do not recognise the signs that they are heading for burn out. Even if they do know the signs, they fail to register that the worst case scenario might happen to them.

From my own experience, burn out was a very distressing and humbling experience. I thought I was getting ahead by over-working myself but instead my depleted health forced me to stop and put me at the bottom of the ladder metaphorically.

My Terrifying Moment of Burn-Out

The year was 1999, I didn’t heed the signs that all was not well. I knew nothing about self-care or mindfulness back then. Mental health was a taboo topic. I worked day and night to keep up with my work as a teacher.

That particular year, I happened to have been time-tabled in a way that that meant every class I was given was doing end of year exams. The 'mock' exams were coming and all papers were elected to be corrected by teachers in the school, in our own time.

We all experience the demands and pressures of work from time to time but when aspects of our health and wellbeing are not being addressed, stress takes its toll. Truth is, I had been experiencing cycles of mild depression and anxiety for years. I had accepted these states as if they were part of my personality, that’s how misguided I was.

Finally, a wave of despair took hold. I was catapulted into a chaos of unrestrained emotions, it was both tremendous and frightening. I wept continuously for a week. Prior to that moment I had been supressing a deep sadness, afraid that if I cried, I might not be able to stop. I did eventually stop and that was when things started to change for the better.

Get Focused for Success instead of Burn-out

Breaking True

For the first time in my life, I dared to consider what I really wanted for myself. I left my teaching career (of Science and Maths) behind and moved to the city. Taking temporary office work meant I could use my evenings to explore other options such as finding ways to improve my health and wellbeing, while exploring the creative practices that intrigued me.

One morning, when I had the house to myself. I did something I hadn’t done since my teens. I got some art material ready and asked myself this question: 'Who is the person inside, who wants to be seen and heard? A blank canvas starred back at me. After some loose sketches and determination, I started to paint. I was amazed at what emerged.

Break True boldly stated her intentions through the blue and menacing swirls. She appeared fearless and strong. I felt her power as I painted her. It was just a glimpse. I was reminded of a quote by Mahatma Gandhi:

"All that appear and happens about and around us is uncertain, transient. But there is a supreme being hidden therein as a certainty and one would be blessed if one could catch a glimpse of that certainty and hitch one’s wagon to it. The quest for that Truth is the summum bonum of life."
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi, An Autobiography Page 250

The Importance of Seeking Authenticity

Break True had given me a glimpse of what I was to become. My transformation took time, as it does for anything lasting and worthwhile. Years later my refined version of Break True painting found its perfect owner, an inspiring woman who had also transformed herself and who continues to inspire others.

Break True is a reminder of the importance of seeking authenticity. By being more true to ourselves we make it easier for others to be themselves, eventuality we see the transformation in society.

Break True is currently available as a limited edition print. It is presented with a certificate of authenticity and can be shipped worldwide. It’s a popular art print with clients who have initiated the process of transformation in their own lives and it has been purchased as a gift to provide inspiration to people starting out on that journey.

Your Break True Limited Edition is Here

I work with people who want to realise their goals and dreams. I provide books, e-learning programmes, personalised coaching and mentoring services to help you get started or back on track. Check out the options below or join Authentic Path Explorers.