Being Authentic Gets You Places Including the Finals of Blog Awards

Ever wonder what your life would be like if you had the courage and know-how to move beyond your limiting beliefs, otherwise known as doubts & fears or even trauma and anxiety?

This story is just one example of what can happen when you dare to walk the road less travelled or what I now call the Authentic Path.

I was so excited when my article 'Autism - Reflexology Offers Calm' got selected as a finalist in Ireland Blog Awards of 2018, listed in the category Best Business Blog Post!

Finalist in Ireland Blog Awards

"Reaching the finals of these blog awards is a reminder of what has really been won, a lot of confidence and authenticity and freedom."

Here’s why reaching the finals was so significant:

I have every right to feel proud of myself, no be-grudger can take that from me. However, the point I really want to make is this:

"If I could rise from place of doubt & fear and very low confidence in myself then it is definitely a fact that many more people can do the same."

Getting by in life on a low-grade feeling is not what any of us really want.

We want to feel alive and usually we want to feel that our life matters, that we have purpose. I went in search of that purpose in 1999, I call it my 'Authentic Path' and it has brought me a lot of adventure, happiness and success.

What happens on the Authentic Path?

I’m still learning on this path but I’m also capable of using my teaching, caring and creative skills to help more people on their 'Authentic Paths'.

Each person who steps forward to make positive change in their life, has the capacity to positively affect their wider community. Working together to bring about this change is invaluable. Are you ready to step forward on your Authentic Path? Check out my courses, books and coaching programmes or simply join my newsletter to receive inspiration for living your amazing life.

Yes I Want to Start Living My Amazing Life

Autumn Leaves & Dreams - Carlow Creative Event

Autumn Leaves & Dreams
Creative events during autumn 2018 in Carlow town, brought to you by Caroline Cunningham.
event

Autumn Leaves and Dreams
Venue: The Shaw Room, Carlow Library

September 29th to October 6th  2018

Art of Caroline:

View my artwork inspired by nature and dreams on a theme of well-being and simplicity. Explore original paintings from The Sacred Lives of Trees, including a selection of limited edition prints, books and greetings cards.

Wellness Workshop:

I'l be providing a self-care workshop designed to support people who live with the discomfort and restrictions of anxiety. I'll be out-lineing the ‘Seven C’s to Calm’ as per my book of the same title.

"Art and creativity are as important as the bees for our continued survival."

An Art Client’s Comment

An Evening of Poetry & Singing

To finish week of creative events, I provide an evening of songs in the Irish and English language, along with poetry from my book The Whisperings of Nature.

Thank You to Carlow Library

My creative and wellness events have been offered free of charge to allow the public the opportunity to sample and benefit from my work. I'm a self-funded artist and have been very fortunate to have the support of Carlow Library who've generously provided me with a beautiful space to host my creative events. By purchasing my art work and books you allow me to continue on this creative path of giving to others.

Explore Art of Caroline

Add Colour & Inspiration to Your Life

My art is an expression of stories that awaken dreams and keep them alive. I love vibrant colours and the freedom of allowing imagination to seep through reality.

Explore my artwork in the interest of feeding your own dreams and keeping them alive. You'll find landscapes, trees, scenes from lands such as India and Portugal. Choose from original paintings in a variety of sizes or a range of prints including some limited editions.

See something you like, get in touch, make it yours!

Explore Art of Caroline

Calling out Anxiety for what it is!

Top Secret Stuff

If you suffer from anxiety it is quite likely that along with the discomfort of the anxiety itself, you have also been working hard to keep it top secret.

In this competitive world of ours, we do all we can to keep the bright side out, to look our best and be strong. Appearing weak and vulnerable doesn’t seem to fit with the way of things. Yet, sometimes by exposing that very part of ourselves we actually grow stronger.

More and more people (including myself), are calling it out that they have suffered mental anguish and despite this they have managed to overcome all sorts of trials. Our stories of triumph over anxiety contribute to the ending of stigmas and inspire others to take action to seek an improved life experience.

What it is & What it’s Not

Anxiety is actually more like a learned behaviour, habit or response to something that has caused trauma at some point in our lives, particularly at an early age when we are most susceptible and lacking in knowledge.

It’s suggested in some circles that being of a more sensitive disposition makes us more susceptible to anxiety. I am of the opinion that without role models to show us that sensitivity is actually a strength and not weakness we may fool ourselves to thinking it’s all our own fault and not much we can do. We owe it to each other to be that role model. Recovery from anxiety is possible whether you have the gift of heightened sensitivity or not.

What’s Going On

Some amount of anxiety is normal and, similar to fear, it alerts us to take stock of something or pay attention in certain situations. Messages we pick up through our environment, combined with thoughts/stored memories can lead to sensations in our body, triggered by our nervous and endocrine (hormonal) systems.

Adrenaline is one of the notable hormones being released into our blood stream when we are anxious. The term ‘fight or flight’ is used to describe how adrenaline prepares our body when we feel there may be some threat or danger imminent e.g. delivering more glucose and oxygen to specific sites such as muscles to help us move faster by generating more energy.

Anxiety (including panic attacks and phobias) however can be triggered when there is no apparent threat. Parts of our brain (e.g. the limbic system) house an extensive record of stored memories, for comparison purposes, with our on-going life experiences. If a significant match is found in these records, suggesting something in our current environment is not good for us or may cause a problem then the stress response is likely to be triggered.

Damaging Long-Term Effects

When anxiety is constantly being triggered you are effectively ‘leaking adrenaline’ into your system. Left unattended, this constant excess of adrenaline has consequences for our long-term health and well-being.

Energy level, sleep quality and concentration are all set to suffer. There can be consequences too for creating imbalance in our endocrine system, as hormones affecting fertility and digestion are impacted by excess amounts of adrenaline.

Another detrimental factor of prolonged anxiety (especially if it presents as panic attack or phobia) is the avoidance of places, situations and people. This in turn can lead to restricted life experiences which can impact our self-esteem and mental health by cutting off some of our basic needs which are obtained from social engagement and personal relationships.

"Seven Cs to Calm is a good investment for people who want to restore calm and experience life with more purpose and joy."

Caroline Cunningham Author & Authentic Path Coach

Seven C’s to Calm Book

I wrote ‘Seven C’s to Calm – Reclaiming your anxiety-free self’ to provide support and encouragement for people who are suffering with anxiety and especially for those of you who do not know where to start.

In this little book, I share insights and tips that I’ve learned from my 20 years+ of personal experience and study, which have empowered me to live with greater authenticity and wellbeing.

Designed with Purpose

  • The book is intentionally small and simple because we tend to feel over-whelmed when anxious.
  • Seven C’s to Calm can be discreetly carried in your handbag or satchel and can act as a powerful anchor as you go about your day to day business.
  • A workbook is provided to make it easy for you to implement the suggestions in the Seven C's plan.
Purchase Seven C’s to Calm Today

Reader Reviews

My readers have given Seven C’s to Calm a resounding thumbs up for its effectiveness and no-nonsense approach.

Laura, Carlow, Ireland

"Seven C’s to Calm’ is a handy guide that can be easily referred to because of its size. The content and the 7 C’s idea is good. I am going to use it with an anxious child of mine."

Teresa, Dublin, Ireland

"Seven C’s to Calm is absolutely excellent, informative, honest and easy to comprehend"

Mary, Dublin, Ireland

"Love it! I found ‘Seven C’s to Calm’ very positive, I loved the idea of a three month plan and finding your comfort place. I am going to start now writing down three positive things that happened during the day and look back over them at the end of the week. A lovely idea and I think very positive. I will read this again. I think ‘Seven C’s to Calm’ is something you can keep referring to."

Bernadette, Wexford Ireland

"Seven C’s to Calm’ is beautifully written and full of useful and meaningful information.  I also found it very calming. I like the way you made it very simple and instructive as to what people can do and you continued to remind people that it is small steps that matter. I really like the writing style as it is easy to read and not jarring.  You know the books that tell you it’s all so simple, which is nonsense but the fact that you have been through this really pulls in the reader to act on your suggestions."

Margaret, Dublin, Ireland

"I have just finished reading and re-reading Seven C's to Calm. I found it very inspiring. When you’re feeling anxious it's often overwhelming but the practical ideas in this book make it seem manageable. Setting a three month goal is a great idea as sometimes people think it's an overnight fix and that there is something wrong when not feeling better straight away. Also I found giving helpful suggestions for the daily and weekly plan is great as sometimes even wondering what to do for that can cause anxiety in itself so when you see the suggestions it's really helpful."

Janet, London, UK

"I read your book and I have to say I found it very good, it is very clear, precise and to the point with good suggestions. I will certainly use it in the coming months."