I am in one of the most intense periods of my entire life. Opportunity, after opportunity has been presented to me. I have stretched and stretched myself, until I thought that it was not possible for me to go through yet another door. Having met these challenges head on, I am getting weary. I feel like I have been agitated in an old ringer washing machine, put through the ringer and hung out to dry. And yet, I am experiencing excitement and anticipation, knowing that something profound is occurring. A part of me that has been laying dormant is about to be reborn. I am the caterpillar, making its way out of the cocoon; the snake shredding its skin. I see another door in the distance. I have wanted to go through this door all my life.

I have found blogging to be a very freeing experience and I would encourage you, if you feel so inclined, to give it a go. It has helped me to step out of my limited comforted zone and into my heart. This freedom to express ourselves is a precious commodity and very liberating. To speak from my heart and not from my head is a gift beyond measure. When I sit down to write, a feeling of deep peace comes over me.
I feel in harmony with myself and all is well in my world. Though I have a number of commitments and deadlines to make, I do not feel anxious or worried.
Sitting quietly, I take time to contemplate and listen to my heart. I know, without question, what it means to be heard.

Following your heart can be very challenging, and I must admit, I am finding it quite overwhelming. For the past seven years I have spent a lot of time with ‘myself’, and it is as if I am just waking up to a new me. Getting ready to move into our new home, means I am seriously putting down roots in Ireland. It has been ten years since I had my own home and I feel both ready and a little anxious. My work is expanding and taking a new direction. I continue to follow my heart and hold fast to my vision. I do not know what it means to feel completely free, but I am experiencing a sense of personal freedom, that I have never known before.

Here I sit, in total amazement, of the journey I have taken to arrive at this place. It has been an incredible experience. Seven years ago, I met a wonderful man Michael, who is now my partner. When we met, I was living in Windsor, Ontario, Canada of which I am a native and he was visitng from his home in Ireland. There was a connection the moment that we met and I felt sixteen all over again. We only saw each other twice that week, but when we went to the airport to say good-bye, magic happened. I will not even try to describe the experience, but it took us both completely by surprise.

Upon his return to Ireland, he phoned and asked if I might like to visit Ireland and I said yes. We talked almost daily for three months and then I arrived in Ireland for a three week visit. We spent our first week in Donegal and it was beautiful. Our little white Irish cottage was by the sea, with mountains in the background, it was heaven on earth. We both love hiking, nature and exploring ancient sites. We could not have been in a more ideal setting.

The fresh air was invigorating and the sun shone all week. Later, I was to discover, that this was a miracle in itself. At the end of the three weeks, the plane took off without me on board. I had decided to extend my visit. A special bond had developed between Michael and I and we felt it important that we spend more time togther. Five months later, I could feel that it was time for me to return to Canada. Michael and I said our good-byes at the airport, not knowing where to go from here.

But by the time I had arrived home, my decision had been made, I was moving to Ireland. Michael and I had no doubts; we wanted to share our lives together. I arrived back in Ireland five months later and our journey began. That was six years ago and in two months time, Michael and I will be moving into the home we have been building in the beautiful Irish countryside. We have had our ups and downs, we have laughed and cried, but neither of us would change a thing.

For me, it has been the hardest thing that I have ever done, but the best. It has been the gift of a lifetime. Ireland has turned me inside out and upside down, and I have journeyed deeper into myself than I thought possible. I feel like now is a new beginning, I can ‘feel’ it.

That is the reason I wrote this blog. I am where I am, not because it was the logical thing to do, but it was the right choice for me to make, when I followed my heart to share my life with Michael in Ireland. I must tell you that this was not simply a romantic notion. I could feel it intuitively, there was no logic involved. I followed my heart and received the gift of a lifetime. Trust yourself, believe in yourself and embrace your life’s journey.