22/11/2022
Oh, my goodness I am pinching myself as I write this …
Today I am proud and excited to announce that my book “Messages drawn from Nature: The art of mindfulness through adversity” is now available on Amazon… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1913719820?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 A percentage from the proceeds of sale will go to charity.
The launch of this is so important to me in so many ways. Living with symptoms similar to dyslexia, after a serious head injury as a young child, I never envisaged being an author.
This is a personal, and philosophical reflective journey through adversity (including the dark night of the soul). Most of the paintings were painted during the pandemic and within the seven months of lockdown.
Self-taught and having not painted since leaving full time education, I followed my bereavement councillor’s advice, from back in 2018. She loved my analogies and suggested I get them down on paper… this is where the start to my journey of healing began.
Having sold the former matrimonial home after my divorce during the pandemic in 2020, I rented a friend’s property, in an area unknown to me. Being, the youngest out of my siblings, having a large network of family and friends, I found it extremely lonely and isolating.
Having no television or distractions gave me the opportunity to find the passions of my inner child. Focussing on painting, nature and meditation, helped me to empty my mind, live in the present moment and ultimately provided natural healing.
Learning to be alone with no stimulation, is the hardest lesson. I grieved and at times felt abandoned by the world. However, this was my time to heal and now, on reflection I am so grateful for this time.
The biggest lesson in life is learning to let go of ego, greed and attachment to people and things. In letting go of things that no longer serve our highest good, we make room for Mother Nature to provide new positive energies and experiences.
The influences and inspirations about my journey have brought me to this present moment through faith in my ability to get through situations, hope in better days to come, courage, endurance, persistence, patience, and positivity. The aim of this book uses both art and literature to engage with all types of “reader” as every picture tells a thousand words!
By expressing my journey with paintings through adversity and using the art of mindfulness, I hope to inspire others in finding inner peace and embrace their passions.
Having shared my paintings with clients over recent years, they expressed how they could relate to them on a personal level. It was interesting as each client had a different interpretation of the paintings. It made them open-up to their own emotions, which as my bereavement counsellor had done with me.
This gave me the idea to include spaces and blank pages so that readers can use the book as a journal for their journey of emotions. One day they will be able to look back and see just how far they have come, and how much hidden strength they have within...
Being our true self brings serenity; as too does practising love, compassion, and kindness to everyone that crosses our path, for we never know who an angel in disguise is!
I would like to thank everyone that has supported me on my journey. However, it is my publisher, Sarah Houldcroft from Goldcrest Books, with her professionalism and brilliant eye for detail that turned my dream into a reality. It has been an such a pleasure working with Sarah and I am eternally grateful.
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