By your own efforts waken yourself. Watch yourself. And live joyfully.

Gautama Buddha

In May 2006 I ran a women’s event called Inspiring Women with 3 other ladies in Glasgow. One of the reasons we came together was because of events that occurred between February and  September 2005. Back then I was asked to be a guest speaker at a fabulous workshop which was hosted with 3 men (they will remain nameless but 2 are very well known now internationally!)

Most of those attending were women and in the mid 30′s upwards age range. I observed that they were all quite successful in many ways but apparently were looking for inspiration and also it seemed some masculine energy! I really enjoyed speaking at it and helping out but I promised myself that I would start something that helped women grow and evolve and discover their own inspiration (and fuel mine too!)   I also decided I would seek out more women mentors and discover my own way to be successful in my own right (rather than through marriage or depending on a man etc) Now that wasn’t so easy to do as I soon discovered because a) there weren’t that many female mentors  that inspired me and b) trying to get my own business to work and make money was more difficult than I anticipated!  I had no real business model to follow at that time  and no idea how to leverage it or where to seek advice that would work for me!

Anyway I did succeed at setting up Inspiring Women with 3 others and within 3 months we had created an event that attracted over 30 women to it without too much difficulty. We had 6 speakers including myself and we all gave a talk to inspire and motivate the women who attended.

Mine was all about moving from desperation to inspiration -as that had been part of my own journey to better health and a happier life!

Having had my own health issues and going through a pretty dramatic healing crisis and experience in 1998 I knew that there is more to all this than meets the eye!

One of the most inspiring quotes for me that actually came true in June of that year was this!

We thrive and we heal in ecstatic moments when our spirits become stronger than our bodies and our bodies can respond to our spirits.~ Caroline Myss 

So I knew that feeding our spirit is just as important as changing our diet or exercise regime!  When you are in  need of healing  (that’s any kind of  healing!) be open to reading stories of miracles and divine interventions because it will help you more than anything else and then remember to ACT on your guidance!

That’s what I had started doing after reaching a low point in 1994 in my own struggle for better health and to get my life back from the brink of chronic depression related to this. I watched the film Alive (when I felt pretty close to wishing I was dead!)  and 2 things really struck me.

1) In the film Alive a Uruguayan rugby team miraculously survive a plane crash but are stuck on a mountain with no obvious way of summoning help for themselves or those injured! They initially wait for a rescue team to come and find them by doing some of the usual things (like trying to make themselves visible from a distance and searching for a radio and transmitter) After 9 days they hear that the search has been called off and their leader (the rugby teams captain) dissolves in tears -in despair at their plight!

Nando -one of the members of the team who was injured in the crash and very nearly given up for dead miraculously comes around after a few days (only to discover he has lost his Mum in the crash and that his Sister who is seriously injured will not recover). However on hearing the “bad” news regards being “rescued”  he actually “cheers” and tells everyone it’s good news!  Now, he says rather than waiting for someone outside of them to come and rescue them they can set about liberating themselves from their plight!

Secondly my own perception of God at that time was very much shaped by what I had  learned through organised religion and didn’t much serve me anymore (or those on the fatal plane crash in the movie either!)  One thing that comes through the film  is a much greater realisation that without God we really are nothing -which is rarely acknowledged in our sophisticated society outside of a church!!

A  definition of Desperation -means in despair and reckless –action undertaken as a last resort ; having a strong need or desire. Tends to move us away from undesirable behaviours/ activities or negativity.

A definition of Inspiration-means fill with enthusiasm , stimulate, arouse an emotion. Briliant idea.

So inspiration tends to move us toward new experience, positive life enhancing behaviours and activities that we may never have thought of without being in a difficult situation and surrendering our personal Will to Divine Will (or God/Higher power)!  In saying that prayer we acknowledge that we are not in control of everything and that without the humility and willingness to ask for guidance  and help we may be left in that abandoned state for some time!

So in a way the two are closely relate which is why a breakthrough is often preceded by a breakdown of our ego and ego defences.

It is not danger that comes when defences are laid down ~ it is safety. ♥ A Course in Miracles

And as so often happens we look for more obvious solutions and reasons to avoid surrendering but only when we do, can the inspiration and briliant idea show up that will be our passage out of our own ” inner hell”

Just as the way shows up for the boys in this true story, as they follow their guidance and trust they will be guided to safety and survive!

And of course they do get home despite their impossible situation!

Most times truth is stranger than fiction!

Tags: Caroline Myss, chaos, Dark night of the Soul, Destiny, Hero's Journey, inner guidance, life purpose, Prayer, spiritual crisis, Spirituality

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