This isn't one of my usual Wit and Wisdom newsletters but the start of an occasional spotlight on one of my amazing clients.  One of the most common sources of inspiration, people tell me, is hearing how others have overcome obstacles to create a life they love.
 
Here this week is one such story.  Sally contacted me about 5 years ago deeply grief-stricken after the death of her beloved grandmother who had provided her with a lifetime of inspiration, guidance and wisdom.
 
Sally was working too hard, juggling family life (husband and 2 children) and her job was unsatisfying and fraught with political issues.  Life seemed bleak and had lost its flavour. 
 
We embarked on some coaching work around what Sally really wanted in her life.  The city was getting her down and she yearned for wide open spaces, she said, a new creative side to her job, a horse would be nice (she'd always ridden as a girl) and a bit of work/life balance wouldn't go amiss. Did I have a magic wand?  No, but turned out Sally did.
 
So imagine my delight when Sally caught up with me recently, after several years, with some incredible news.  "I am living in the country, I have a beautiful horse called Rubis and my first novel is out this month!" she said with her characteristic modesty.
 
Sally went on to say she now had more time to spend with her children; instead of always "apologising" and although she said life still threw its challenging set-backs "the coaching had given me a different way of thinking to overcome them and not be defeated by them", she revealed.

 
 Sally with Rubin

Sally Morris' book Trick or Treat is a paranormal romance about a girl who can see ghosts but has to sort out their lives before she can sort out her own.  A romantic comedy with a good slice of British humour, she tells me. 

 

 
Of course Sally's life is no modern fairy story itself.  She says she got hundreds of rejection letters when trying to get a publisher and even had a stint selling retro objects in Birmingham's Rag Market in a bid to find a new career direction.
 
"Like you and probably because of you I believe you should explore everything because you often learn new skills, meet new people etc who can take you where you want to be. 
 
My next book features a vintage clothing store.Without the characters I met and my experiences from Retro-a-go-go it would not have the colour that I hope it will have so once more proof that there are No Wrong Turns!"
What is moving is that Sally says that there is a lot of her grandmother in the book too. 
How wonderful, thank you, Sally, for sharing your story.
 
Be inspired, be very inspired.  I am and you can.
 
Do you want to something like this to be your story too?  Book a 30 minute taster session with me today caroleann@realcoachingco.com 
Wit and Wisdom next week as usual.