Feeling Motivated to Pay it Forward
“Don't let the expectations and opinions of other people affect your decisions. It's your life, not theirs. Do what matters most to you; do what makes you feel alive and happy.” ~ Roy. T. Bennett
I’ve been interested in this month’s theme of authenticity for a long time. In my mid-thirties, I was living an inauthentic life, trying to be someone else, for someone else. It wasn’t working out so well for me. That’s when I began my excavation, to uncover the ‘real’ me. But it took an emotional breakdown and a series of difficult decisions before I was able to fully love and accept myself.
I’ve been putting forth my best effort to walk my own path ever since. The first big step I took to change my life was when I left the abusive, controlling and negative relationship that was my first marriage. Out on my own for the first time in over twenty-five years, with my adult children living their own lives, I felt myself begin to truly blossom into my authenticity.
In the fall of 2011, I packed up everything I could fit into my car and left the life I’d been living to start fresh on Vancouver Island. One of the tools that helped me in my goal to uncover my true self was the daily journaling practice of the morning pages, an integral part of Julia Cameron’s 12-week course, The Artist’s Way. Making time for daily writing and reflection created space for my awareness to grow and I began to build the foundation that set me on my path of healing.
Fast forward ten years, to the launch of my first novel, The Healing. Based on true events, I wrote the story of Cate Henderson’s journey towards self-love and living an authentic, joyful life. She discovers that her healing isn’t a place to arrive at, and it isn’t something someone else can give her; it is a place she discovers, deep inside. It is an inward journey, of the soul.
I decided to tell the story behind what led to Cate being in an abusive relationship in a prequel titled The Holding. In my second novel, I dealt with the difficult themes of trauma and abuse, and how post-trauma can lead to low self-esteem. While the unconditional love Cate felt from her father transformed her scars into resilience, the wounds that remained from her abusers were at the root of her willingness to accept disrespectful, unhealthy behaviors from men.
Last October, I published my third book, The Holding & The Healing Companion Journal. The first two sections of the guided journal explore messages and inquiry that Cate used as part of her healing process. The second two sections are all about Authenticity.
In section three of my journal, titled Uncovering Your Authentic Self, the prompts explore formative experiences in early childhood, family of origin, unconditional love and acceptance. The reflection continues, to recognize your unique strengths, gifts and talents. The writer is encouraged to examine her physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of self and to identify her core beliefs and values.
The prompts in section four of the companion journal, Living Your Authentic Life, focus on putting what you learnt into practice. Routines and habits are examined. Questions assist the writer to pinpoint her wellness goals. The section wraps up with some extension activities, like creating a happiness collage, describing a perfect day in detail, and developing a gratitude practice.
One of the goals of my writing is to pay it forward. When I felt lost and confused about how to create my authentic life, the wisdom I learned and applied from others was so critical. Now that I’m older and wiser, I’m motivated to share my own insights, so I can provide the same support to others who are still searching.
A storyteller who writes from the heart, I hope that the messages and themes I explore in my novels, journal and blogs have a positive impact on my readers. It’s not always uplifting. I don’t shy away from the hard stuff, because that’s the reality of life. Life is a constantly shifting contrast between highs and lows, and everything in the middle. The secret isn’t in avoidance. The power is in adaptability, resilience, and the ability to overcome adversity.
In my soon-to-launch third novel, The Rogue Scorpion, I write about living an authentic life through the struggles of my main character, Isabella Ricci. An artist with an adventurous spirit, she searches to discover her purpose, to trust in her intuition, and to live in a way that honours who she is; a deeply spiritual and emotionally sensitive human being.
I believe we’re all here on this planet for one simple, basic reason. To live our authentic life. Just like snowflakes, there is only one you. What kind of miracle is that? In a world with a population of over eight billion people, there is only one you. So, what is your purpose? Like Roy. T. Bennett, I encourage you to do what makes you feel alive and happy. To discard all the shoulds and advice about how to live, to stop looking outward and look inward. To uncover your authentic self and live your authentic life.
So yeah, I’m feeling motivated, to pay it forward.
COMING UP…
Books & Projects:
· The Rogue Scorpion launches April 23, 2023. It is now available for pre-order on Amazon.ca , Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes & Noble, and Chapters-Indigo.
· All three of my previous books are available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo and Barnes & Noble. You can also find them at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.
Reviews & Interviews:
· TBA: Interview with Valeria Teles Fit for Joy Freedom to Feel
· April 21: Author Q&A with Laura Smith of Laura’s Books & Blogs
· April 25: Interview with Anne O’Connell of OC Publishing Author Journey @ 1 pm EST
· April 27: Interview with Tea Time with Miss Liz 3 pm EST
· April 27: Interview with Dr. Jacalyn USA Global TV's Corner Bookstore, 12 pm EST
· You can read reviews or listen to interviews on my website.
Events:
· Thursday, April 20 @ 5 pm Author Signing Event at El Hombre de la Mancha Coronado La Terrazas Mall location.
· Sunday, April 23 @ 5 pm The Rogue Scorpion Launch Party at Luna Rossa Restaurant in Coronado.
· Thursday, May 11 @ 5 pm Author Signing Event at El Hombre de la Mancha Panama City Multiplaza mall location.
· stay in touch for all the details.
YouTube Channel:
· Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer on YouTube.
· Watch The Holding trailer on YouTube.
· Exciting new content is under way for my channel, including special guest interviews and a book trailer for The Healing, coming soon.