You may very well know where I am coming
from when I say I have been avoiding writing this newsletter. It's one of those that when I've finished and
my finger will hover over the Send button with
trepidation and then I will live in dread of what comes into my Inbox
thereafter.
Career suicide? I do hope
not.
So I take a big breath in when I say that I
am writing this on a beautiful sunny day with the cherry tree in my garden bejewelled
with magenta orbs of sweet goodness and the sound of children, the smell of
BBQ's and the joys of summer alive and present.
 But a little while ago sunshine could not
penetrate a permanent black cloud that followed me around like a shadow. The weather forecast was predicting a warm
front across the country while a depression hung over my little corner of West
London.
Now I know everyone is doing it. Columnists and celebs owning up to more bouts
of the blues than a New Orleans jazz band in a hurricane and depression may be
the new black (sorry but couldn't resist that one); I realise I am not new or original.
But when the black dog barks at your own
door it feels as though you are in an invisible prison of one and there's no
foreseeable parole or pardon on the horizon. Take some out-of-the-blue distressing family news, add a sick, ageing
and increasingly needy mother, throw in the
countless commitments I have as a mum, businesswoman, wife and the rest and
suddenly I felt lower than a woodlouse in a limbo contest.
 Like a walking washing machine on fast spin,
a variety of soul destroying thoughts whirred round and round in my head. Even though armed with my tool box of brain
training and turnaround disciplines these were not enough to shift the chaos
and destruction wreaking havoc with my synapses.
I was lucky. Yes, really. I wasn't so bad I couldn't function. I was still able to get through my days, work and commitments without
taking to my bed and on the whole most people wouldn't have guessed.
Weird really considering I felt utterly raw
and in the pit of despair. It's amazing
how a dab of Estee Lauder can cover up the pit of despair - but I'd hate to see
the ad campaign! But behind that seemingly brave face I'd unraveled and come to
the end of me.
It was horrible, horrible, horrible and I
don't want to go back there. Just one
month of doomdom but it felt like a lifetime.
I wanted to share this with you, gentle and
enquiring reader, as there are few of us on this journey who don't get ensnared
by the pernicious serpent of despond and gloom. It respects not age, wealth, success or status.
It's
not the first time and no doubt wont be the last. I survived without resorting
to drugs (tho the occasional G and T worked wonders) and amid the alchemy of
angst there were some real nuggets of gold which I wish to share. And if anyone out there has experienced a
hint of what I am talking about or is going through, I trust your journey was
and is a short one. I hope you find your
light on your way.
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Things to remember when the clouds gather
- Acceptance is everything
- Find someone you trust to talk to - and keep talking
- Aim for forgiveness of yourself and others
- Be very gentle with yourself - and some
- Really don't sweat the small stuff - when you've had a stock take of your life - a lot of what we worry about doesn't mount to a hill of beans
- Love and cherish your friends and loved ones even more
- Do something you adore every day
- Take solace where you can find it
- Simplify your life
- I found Dark Nights of the Soul by Thomas Moore to be a beautiful companion
- Give yourself time
- Believe that the Technicolor will return and the black and white will fade
- Watching Jeremy Kyle will not improve your mood - like ever!
- Even this shall pass
 So now the rock has lifted, the light has come in and I feel like I've learned something and yet it's even hard to write, find the words or pin point what that exactly is but as it is at this moment I am peaceful and I am grateful. |
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Some More Good News
My friend and fellow coach Jenny has made one of her own dreams come true. She saw a house on the island of Portland that she grew to love from afar and vowed somehow to make it hers. Through some ingenious and courageous ways of finding the funds she now has ownership of the Jasmine House which she has transformed into a beautiful retreat for those wishing to take time and out and re-design their lives.
Why not take a trip there yourself with this mini movie? click here For more information visit www.thejasminehouse.co.uk
Congrats to my client Jo who recently sang in front of thousands of people at the Hammersmith Odeon recently and is also playing alto sax in her own band to great acclaim. Now she is featured on the Rock Choir album out now click here Lovely to see my client's name in lights.
Calling coaches, consultants or entrepreneurs. My sister company Real Coaching Solutions is presenting a free teleclass on Thurs 29th July "Master Your Mindset to Generate a Six Figure Income". You will discover among other incredible things the 4 steps to create flow and abundance and how to discover the real fears holding you and your business back. Book your place here. Spaces limited. click here
And finally...
Some old readers rue the loss of my Bug Bear of the Month and Nicola Scott-Taylor wrote to me to get his off her chest:
"All the noise America is making (rightly) about the oil spillage has not made a jot of difference to the 'gas guzzlers' still rolling off the manufacturing line". Well said, Nicola.
Why not email me something that you want to vent about?
Caroleann@realcoachingco.com
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Quote of the Week
"The
most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of
all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no
longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are
closed"
Einstein
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The Wit and Wisdom Newsletter
Pictures
by Louisa Walsh 
