This week I met one of my teachers in person for the first time, Dr Gabor Mate.  I confess I was rather giddy with excitement and thrilled to be so close to the real person. Living in Canada, Gabor was on a book tour and yes, I got my book signed and we had a short exchange. I enjoyed the feeling of excitement and connection when we met.

I have been studying his Compassionate Inquiry approach through a series of videos for the last 12 months and recently graduated. The programme was a deep dive into self awareness and techniques for supporting others through trauma and addiction and his work is really transformational.

It was wonderful to receive my certificate and to meet Gabor within a few days of each other and really closed the year off beautifully. 

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn this approach and to now be able support my clients in new, deeper ways. I am grateful for all my teachers including @George Kao for sharing their wisdom with us and supporting us on our journeys. May we always pass it forward so others may benefit 🙏 

🔥 If we share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame cannot survive. Empathy has no script.

🔥 There is no right or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting and communicating that incredibly healing message ‘you are not alone’.

🔥 Connection is why we are here, it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.

🔥 I have 1 or 2 spaces for individual clients working in person in Chesham or online.

🔥 My approach to coaching combines the therapeutic skills of compassionate inquiry with mindfulness tools and life & recovery coaching skills that will help you move forward towards the life of your choice.

🔥 With a self-compassionate focus and through a trauma lens, I will help you to increase your self- awareness, bring understanding to your patterns and challenge your thought patterns whilst healing the wounds of the past.

🔥 For those with addictive tendencies, there is hope. We begin where you are at, set goals and create a wellness action plan. You will be supported every step of the way.

🔥 Please don’t suffer in silence anymore , click the link in comments for a free consultation and begin the process of change today 🙏🤗💖

#coaching #change #believeinlifechange #lifecoaching #traumarecovery #addictionrecovery

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underneath this post I attached a head shot - this is my 'what I do ' post, I would be grateful for constructive feedback as to how it is received, thank you x

(This is from an FB post I made today. I do short pieces there, and share them to IG as well.)

Water Hibiscus grow in the water. Our Mother Plant seeded a pot near the pond and actually grew an impressive stalk of its own.

I noticed it Saturday night when this gorgeous bloom demanded my attention. 

Then I remembered another sprout that recently appeared in the gateway between our backyard and our neighbors. Sara (our neighbor )asked if she could transfer it to a pot for her yard. Yes, of course!

I love how the Water Hibiscus decided to expand its options and thrive in less than ideal habitats. 

I can't wait for hers to bloom, hopefully next year, to create a third generation from our hearty and quietly persistent Mother Plant.

Our choices can exceed and transcend our perceived limitations. Something to dream about. Good night!

Photos by Mara. The Bird of Paradise really wanted to be noticed so, hey, why not

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Every moment and experience you’ve ever had has led up to this one. All your experiences prepared you for now. 

How do those statements feel? Heavy, like a burden or responsibility? Or light like a feather?

I’ve had so many “learning opportunities” in my life. (Yes, that’s code for challenges and shit I really didn’t want to have to deal with.) I’ve also had a great deal of education, not only academic, but also personal, spiritual, mental, and physical. So many of the experiences seemed meaningless in the moment, only to prove pivotal later on.

As a child, my biological father gave me up for adoption to my dad. (Ironically, as I write this, it is the anniversary of my adoption.) At the time, that event was devastating. My opinion of my bio father was “if God died, he was next in line.” 

I was crushed when I learned of my parents’ plans for the adoption. I felt abandoned and bewildered. After many years of therapy, learning, chats with wise friends, and just plain time passing, I now see that event as a gift. I have the best dad a person could wish for, and I am remarkably strong and resilient by having survived that challenge. By facing it head on, I was able to grow and flourish.

Every day you grow through your challenges. Each day you’re wiser than the day before, and this cycle will keep repeating until the day you take your last breath. That knowledge doesn’t have to be a burden. It can be a gift, allowing you to trust your experiences and trust the wisdom inside you.