“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitation, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”
Patanjali (1st-3rd century BC)
I was at an all time low when I first started seeing Donella, I had been suffering from severe panic attacks, depression and extremely low self esteem due to the breakdown of my long-term relationship with the father of my children. I had suffered a great deal of trauma due to my ex partners addiction problems and abusive behaviour and had very little trust or faith in anyone being able to help me pick myself up, let alone recover and heal.
Donella took her time and gently helped me to understand that although I could not change the past I could move forward into a brighter and happier future if I took the time to examine my past and learn how to care for myself better. Through the combination of fortnightly sessions, practicing daily affirmations and watching The Reach Approach recordings I have managed to achieve things that I could not have imagined possible in my wildest dreams thanks to Donella.
I still at times battle with the demons from my past but feel better equipped to manage my bad days and I feel certain that I would not be in this happier and calmer place had I not had the help from Donella and The Reach Approach, I really cannot recommend Donella enough!
Lucy (London)
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Anne Frank (1929 – 1945)
It has been such hard work looking at the issues that brought me to therapy. My anger frightened me and I hated how it changed my state of mind and spoilt my relationships. I was a mess. I had no self respect, leading a half-life where there was nothing wholesome, nothing nurturing. I love the holistic aspect of the work I do with Easton. I’m learning to feed my mind properly and also to treat by body with respect. I’m learning that each impacts deeply on the other. It’s been a revelation to me – literally like breathing in fresh air again when I had been breathing toxic gas. Thank you will never be a big enough word ….. but for now it’s all I’ve got!! THANK YOU.
David Croft
“Respect yourself and others will respect you.”
Confucius (551BC-479BC)
A poem by Ayesha
People say I have black, white, Chinese, Asian features
Like they’re all a different breed of creatures
I would have thought we share one common human race
But looking at society!… that’s not the case
Every sub-race is appointed their place
Areas, schools, jobs, you’ll see a particular shade of face
But what happens when these shades create a new type of blend?
Should the child choose, ignore or pretend?
Should there become a sub-sub-race with a different culture and trend?
Or shall she pick both sides to defend?
So she’ll pick a team, like the one she feels inside
Head up high, wears her new identity with pride!
But what’s this??… Breed? Mongrel? coming from the ones she thought were on her side?
Self loathing, confusion, hidden. Feels that in no one she can confide
Memories are evoked of the first days of school
Being asked where she comes from!… Kids can be so cruel
She continues to hear… “why don’t you go back home?”
Like in this place she wasn’t welcome to roam
But don’t let me start about who’s welcome where
The history of brutality have people forgotten? Do they care?
So much wisdom, knowledge and power, brought down and left with faith and prayer
Now they’re the ones in debt!? Tell me!… how is this fair?
She carries it everyday deep within
With half and half she feels no one can win
This internalisation of the old, long fight
The battle between being BLACK and WHITE
Ayesha
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013)
Since starting my work with my counsellor from Reach I can honestly say I feel like a different person. When I started the work I was in a very dark place, I was self harming and constantly punishing myself for anything bad that happened in my life whether it was my fault or not. Through my work with Judith I began to see that things weren’t always my fault and I didn’t need to punish myself. I began to see what other’s saw in me, the loving caring, trustworthy person I was and when ever I found myself entering the dark places again I was able to bring myself back out by using the techniques I was taught during my sessions with Judith.
I would like to thank Judith for helping me and making me believe in myself, I really don’t know where I would be without her help.
My journey with Reach woke me up after being anaesthetized by life; I had little expectation and I believed that my life was okay, however if my heart were to speak it would have felt something totally different.
After each session all aspects of me would experience a sense of pure love radiating from the heart. I was soon to understand after only 6 sessions that I was on my way to rediscover and to fall madly and deeply in love with myself. This was quite a revelation. When I first came to Reach I was told that I had been held together by Evo Stick, not even Superglue. After 9 sessions I truly believe that I am held together with love. My heart not only believes in me but honours me, which is totally transforming.
My sessions have become very much food that my heart has fed on very happily. This in turn has created clarity and sharpness in my life – it has certainly nourished me and has made me complete.
Reach has been my portal of hope and I give thanks to my inspirational and loving teach/sufi for leading and guiding me to the innermost part of my spirit.
Namaste
The Six Mistakes of Man
- The illusion that personal gain is made up of crushing others
- The tendency to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected
- Insisting that a thing is impossible because we believe we cannot accomplish it
- Refusing to set aside trivial preferences
- Neglecting development and refinement of the mind and not acquiring the habit of reading and study
- Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do
Marcus Tullius Cicero. (106 BC – 43 BC)
I came to Reach in 2002 following a period of depression after having my first child. Pregnant with my second I was keen not to experience it again and via a friend’s recommendation I was privileged enough to meet Jo Kilburn and walk upon an unimaginable journey to this present day. Jo showed me enormous kindness and friendship and my gratitude is immeasurable. I feel blessed to have discovered Reach, shared its knowledge and be able to offer it to others.
Reach has changed my life. I know how over used that phrase is, but it is the simple truth. It has enabled me to see things so much more clearly, exist so much more fully and enjoy life in ways I never thought possible. It has given me an enormous bag of tools such that whatever life presents, I am equipped. It has taught me that mistakes are all part of it, to be kind and gentle with myself, forgiveness and acceptance. There is not one relationship I have with others that has not been greatly enhanced because of the years spent with Jo.
Aside from this, Reach has given me the biggest gift ever – and that was to be able to enjoy my children. To live in the moment and treasure their journey. To believe that I will parent them well. To know that I am free from my own personal experiences and they will know they are truly loved. To value what is truly important. I have no fear and I am free
My eldest daughter discovered me doing affirmations in front of a mirror this year. I offered a brief explanation and she seemed happy. Later I heard her explain to her little sister that in the bathroom was a magic mirror and that if you looked straight into it and spoke it made amazing things happen. Reach is my magic mirror.
“The predominant thought or the mental attitude is the magnet, and the law is that like attracts like, consequently, the mental attitude will invariably attract such conditions as correspond to its nature.”
Charles Haanel (1866-1949)
