I want to encourage everyone to ask themselves what constitutes the elegance of their existence.

Such questions levelled my playing field, and took me outside the hierarchy of economics regarding my worth in my post cancer world.

The core of what I did beyond naming what I did became more significant.

When I asked myself if I wanted to continue as a shiatsu practitioner, I froze with a thousand questions. But if I asked whether I wanted to continue holding people on a somatic level, standing beside them through their emotional turmoil or physical pain, then the answer was yes.

And this was the true essence of what I brought as a somatic bodyworker and teacher.

Exert Memoir of "My journey across the cancer seas 2021" 
​Am I far enough from the scalpel?
 
"Am I far enough from the scalpel? Far enough from my own personal hospital drama episode to reflect? These were questions rolling around this head of mine. For months. I pondered about writing of my experience, encouraged by friends, but it made me feel nauseous. The thought of sharing the terror of those first weeks after diagnosis left me distracted and distant. And yet a larger part of me knows that only in coming out into full expression will I have a gnats chance in hell of surviving this emotionally.
 
By nature I’m a recluse. More firmly connected to the trees, hills, seas and hidden places. I think many more have found this gift for self reflection in the arms of nature again. These times we are living in are intense, but I digress. Its often been the way I escape the reality of life, it feels too harsh to me. Humans feel too harsh and unkind. But with a cancer diagnosis I can’t really hide anymore. I think folk like me are needed, or so that’s what the social media memes would have us all believe. Something about standing and being seen, helps when you are redefining your life to have a living meaning..." 
Exert from Medium blog post 12 April 2021

I look back on the woman who wrote those words with pride. That even in the midst of my deepest challenge this lifetime I still wanted to share my journey. At that point I had no idea if I would survive, yet I knew that it was somehow important to share. I am on the other side of treatments now, in remission and stitching my life back together. From this place I understand how crucial it is to have a way-shower at points in our life journey. Someone who has traversed the depths of the challenge and is driven to hold out a hand of support for others.

This is what mentoring is to me. Non evaluative person driven support, where your story informs your treatment.

I don't profess to have it all figured out, but I will stand beside those who resonate with me and find solace in my presence. I can offer you the gifts I have learnt over a lifetime, listen to you, see your beauty even when you can't, but more than this I can show you its possible.

Possible to be you.

Possible to find your own grace.

Because ultimately you know what you need, and I am just here to help you clear your vision.