“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty”.
Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
For One Who Is Exhausted, a Blessing
When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,
Time takes on the strain until it breaks;
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight.
The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before
Now become laborsome events of will.
Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.
The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground.
Something within you has closed down;
And you cannot push yourself back to life.
You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drove you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self
You have forsaken in the race of days.
At first your thinking will darken
And sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.
You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.
Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.
Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.
Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.
Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.
Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.
Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart
And the joy that dwells far within slow time.
John O’Donohue (1956 – 2008)
“You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him to find it for himself.”
Galileo Galilei (1564 – 1642)
To enter into counselling with absolutely no sense of self or purpose, and to leave a few months later with clarity, self-worth and hope is an amazing journey.
It wasn’t a traditional journey – The Reach Approach contains so many more aspects than just talking therapy, but it was all guided skillfully and purposefully by Jo, underpinned by the wealth of material available through the handouts and on the Reach website.
I never felt alone or unsupported, and the transformation has been nothing short of life-changing.
Ruth Graham, Midlands, UK
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”.
Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
Having counselling was probably the best decision I’ve ever made. I was 14 when I was told I had anxiety and depression, and being so young I didn’t want to speak about it with anyone because it wasn’t normal but I knew I had to because if I carried on the way I was I don’t think I’d be here right now. There have been too many times that I had wanted to commit suicide and too many times that I have self-harmed. Having someone to talk to and let all my feelings and emotions out without being judged or thinking everyone is going to find out was so relieving.
I didn’t think that I would get out of that mental state but having counselling helped me so much, I still have a while to go but I know that I’m on the right path and reach have helped me do that, so thank you!
Anon, UK
“Sometimes, we are not given what we want because we are not quite ready for it yet. Instead we are given the gift of time. Time to heal, time to grow, time to resolve the past. Time to become the people we want to be, the ones we want to show up to our soulmate loves, our dream jobs, our children, the gate to the flight of a lifetime. There are seasons of our lives designated solely for the purpose of preparation. So if it seems as though things aren’t happening quickly enough, maybe there’s a reason. Maybe there’s something inside you that knows it’s not time yet. Listen to that, and get to work. One day, you will look back with gratitude that you did not let yourself move forward until you were the best version of yourself possible, someone who was ready and able to completely savour the biggest moments in your life”.
Brianna Wiest (1992 – present)
Dearest Jo
Please accept my deepest gratitude for all the encouragement, guidance and support you have given me and I truly appreciate the confidence you have shown in me.
You have taught me so many wonderful things by sharing your insights, wisdom and knowledge and for this I am truly grateful. Your passion, enthusiasm and belief in all you do has been inspiring. You are just the best!
You really are making a huge difference in this world and I am honoured to know you. You have walked with me through some of the most turbulent times in my life and for that Jo I am eternally grateful… and you have always inspired me to be the best version of myself that I can be.
You have taught me that I and others have a story and that our stories matter and despite all our flaws and hurts our stories are still valid. This has given me strength to be able to validate other people’s stories too.
The Coaching Plus course I have just completed has taught me to see the world differently and as a result I have learned to treat the world differently.
Jo thank you for always understanding, thank you for accepting me and having such a wonderful open mind and compassionate heart, which has always comforted me. Thank you for being yourself.
You truly are a wonderful role model for me and others and I hope that one day I can make such a difference in the lives of others just like you have in mine!
This quote reminds me of you: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”.
Much love today, tomorrow and always,
Sally, West Midlands
“When you are labouring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.”
Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC)
I was given Sat’s details by a former work colleague who highly recommended him. Initially, I asked for Sat’s assistance to assess the viability of a self-employed prospect which I was considering in addition to my full-time job. Sat gave me some invaluable advice pertaining to this.
However, due to a change in personal circumstances, it became clear that, unfortunately, I was no longer able to pursue self-employment. Instead, as my situation worsened with the onslaught of serious health issues, Sat’s focus turned to encouraging and supporting me mainly with the importance of the implementation of self-care. It was clear that his advice and guidance as well as the Reach handouts and guided meditations he chooses are in direct response to the immediate needs of the person he is coaching and are, therefore, very much on an individual basis and adapted if needed.
The last 10 months have been extremely challenging for me, but I feel now that I am in a much better position moving forward with my life and the events of these months have taught me the lessons that I needed to learn in order to better myself and lead a much more content and happier life. Sat’s ability to listen without judgement, his kindness and his hope for the best for me has really helped me for which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
Anon
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination”.
Jimmy Dean (1928 – 2010)
Sat has worked with me for a number of years now, guiding me through many personal challenges I have faced in my life. Initially the coaching sessions were looking at my goal of moving out of paid employment in academia, to running my own business. This proved to be very successful. Sat used a variety of techniques including visualisations, invocations and hard core basic business tips re my business model and how that would work in practice. Through his fantastic guidance I left my paid employment and am now running my own successful business. It has been a wonderful journey and from feeling trapped at work suddenly I was liberated. This opportunity then allowed me to start looking after other areas of my life, as it created time and head space for me.
An entrepreneur once said to me being self employed is linked to spiritual growth. This proved to be the case for me. I returned to Sat to then look at other areas of my life and to work out a work life balance. The work has evolved very naturally and at a steady pace. We looked at ‘The Story of Health’ including the importance of water, a dietary review and advice re supplementary nutrition tailored to my own health story. I had bouts of eczema which are very much under control now. I now have numerous non negotiables in my life such as right exercise, nutrition, yoga and meditation which are all part of my regular routine. This has led to me being at a stage of far greater self care than ever before. I am no longer over trading now, having a healthy work life balance. Also with the help of Sat, I compiled a number of invocations for different areas of my life, as well as a vision board and personal prayer. These have proven to be invaluable in terms of looking at where I am in life and wish to be. All of these practices have helped ground me and have provided a foundation that has stabilised me during some big changes in my life.
2017 in particular was a big year in terms of arranging two house sales, one house purchase, the move of both my parents and also complex financial dealings, including a court order. All of this went relatively smoothly and I believe this was due to the ongoing work I undertook with Sat. Having the time and space with Sat to talk things through objectively made a huge positive impact to the decisions I undertook. Although very unknown at the time, the 3 moves that took place have all worked out well. My overall wellbeing was maintained I believe due to the work with Sat and the fact I was now running my own business meant I had greater flexibility for dealing with major decisions. In the year Sat had great instinct and insight as to what was going on and his ability to listen in a constructive manner was invaluable.
The work continues with Sat (foundations are in place to keep me firmly rooted through life’s inevitable changes!!) and is going deeper year on year looking at a diversity of issues including forgiveness work, emotional freedom work and a life map to see how major points in my life have shaped me to be who I am today. I am also far more compassionate with myself and this along with my increased gratitude keeps me very grounded, grateful and resilient. The multitude of handouts from Reach have been extremely beneficial for example the power of thanks, forgiveness and gratitude, waste weakens, the 3 A’s, change is a process not an event and the three aspects of consciousness.
The absolute key though with the success I have had through the coaching process is the relationship I have built up with Sat. Trust, empathy and honesty have been the foundation on which everything has been built from. These qualities are innate in Sat and have allowed me to be truly authentic in the process and to leave no stone unturned. This connection with Sat has been priceless and has allowed the process to truly flourish.
Sat is a great communicator but he also has a real skill of active listening and intuitively picking up on what may really be going on from what is being said. A fantastic coach for all different areas of one’s life. Highly recommended!
Angela
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart”.
Helen Keller (1880 – 1968)
We have been working with Sat to provide group and individual coaching and mentoring to international students. Sat has provided a wide range of coaching to our students including wellbeing support, dealing with stress and anxiety, exploring the international environment in the UK and interview preparation and practice. Sat is a responsible, proactive and supportive coach. He does his best to understand every student’s needs and support them all the way through difficulties by providing effective coaching face-to-face or via Skype. He is a professional coach who brings positive energy to others. I would highly recommend Sat as a great coach and mentor.
Sherry Xian – Achieve Mentoring
“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.”
When I first met Niki I had been searching for most of my adult life for a way of understanding myself, a way to be at peace with myself and a way to live my life. I had read a lot of self help books, read articles online, had many conversations with people, and been referred for counselling, all these things gave me information and inspiration but not answers.
After my first couple of sessions with Niki I knew I was in the company and safe hands of someone who understood me and what I was about. I felt safe and secure in her company and I trusted that she would guide me through a way to find my answers, understand myself and help me to find my way to live my life.
I will say it was not an easy journey and it was not without a lot of tears being shed, and a lot of emotional energy being spent, but for where I stand now it was worth every tear, every word and every second. Niki’s knowledge, understanding, compassion and guidance has left me feeling very whole, very secure and very safe within myself. I hold my hand on my heart and it feels cleansed, lightweight and joyful. I feel a strength from the existence of the Reach Approach, and will be forever grateful that I was fortunate enough to have had this experience. Thank you Niki.
With love and very best wishes
Alison
“If we don’t plant the right things, we will reap the wrong things”.
Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014)
Make a start
You kid yourself your feelings are fake,
You supress and make relentless excuses for your heartache.
Each time that pain starts to bubble,
You reach for a mask to disguise your trouble.
Sometimes you can make your feelings go numb
For a moment you are fooling everyone.
But you’ll never honestly fool yourself.
Pain and anguish sat dense on the shelf.
What would happen to lift it off?
To embrace the truth that you scoff?
Would you still be so afraid-
If you learnt that you are perfectly made?
To let it go and be at peace with now.
Not when or why or what or how?
Very simply, just to be.
Oh yeah, that would be enough for me.
Emma Hewston
“Put your heart, mind and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success”.
Swami Sivananda (1887 – 1963)
Acceptance
I’m still shedding layers of unacceptance…
Still adjusting to my growth, whilst honouring my journey of acceptance.
Life is not a destination, and still I am free falling.
I’m still discovering the new self, to love all the woman I am and have become.
The part of me that never makes it to social media or the great calling.
But still unlearning old habits, learning to be my best and most authentic version of myself.
Accepting myself takes time!
Learning to truly love my real self has certainly become a gift of mine.
It takes a bit longer, rewriting positive scripts from negative ones is prime.
Spanning and developing over time, it can be done,
Step by step, day by day, the battle can be won!
And certainly in a loving way I’d say.
Many things I may never fathom out, or even reach.
I’m not perfect but it’s okay, this is my speech.
But today I stand today a woman of understanding and honour.
Because only Christ is perfect, yet they killed him I still ponder.
So who am I? To be accepted any better by others,
So that’s why I am learning to forgive?
So now I accept that I’ll have to live my life the best way possible and learn to live and let live.
Better than average, above expectation and better than what is perceived.
I am who I am and will follow my dreams regardless of however it’ll be received.
This is my mantra: I can do all things through Christ… this strengthens me and not think of that word impossible.
Sheena Letford
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style”.
Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014)