When I look back, I think there have been many versions of me. The 20-something Belle who thought she knew everything about everything. The 30-something who blamed her childhood for everything. The 40-something who lost everything and had to piece her life together again. And the 50-something (current me) who, I like to think, is finally becoming everything she has ever wanted to be.

Over the years, like most people, I have experienced some wonderful highs and equally devastating lows. There has been much love, but also much heartache. At times I have felt strong, confident, and in control of my life, and at other times, I have not known which way was up.

However, through it all, there has been one constant–a connection to something deep in my heart that I know, with absolute certainty, has always been there for me–always trying to show me the way through whispers, niggles, and occasionally, red flags.

Unfortunately, I haven’t always listened. But one thing I know for sure–every single time I have tried to control the narrative of my life, and ignored that ‘something’ inside, I have found myself in a place so far removed from my true self, that at times, I didn’t think I would find my way back.

I have learned the hard way that the greatest battle I will ever wage is the battle I wage against myself.

Where the Connection Began

Looking back, I think I was very lucky growing up. My mother always encouraged me to search inside for answers. Whenever there was a choice to make or a problem to solve, mum would ask, “What does your gut tell you?” or “What does your heart say?” I thought it was how everyone made decisions.

Tapping in to that special something was as natural to me as breathing. It has shaped not only how I live, but also how I hope to inspire others.

Finding My Passion

In 1987, a television mini-series opened my mind to a whole new way of thinking. I was 18 and living by myself in Goulburn, New South Wales, over 2,000 miles from home. Whilst I loved working at the local radio station–my first full-time gig in radio–I found myself searching for something more. I started reading up on different religions and found myself drawn to people who also seemed interested in life beyond the physical.

And then, one day, my friend David invited me to watch Shirley MacLaine‘s autobiographical series “Out on a Limb“. At the time, it was considered somewhat ‘woowoo’ and ‘out there’. Critics ridiculed Shirley’s exploration of New Age thought and spirituality. But for me, it was life changing. Ironically, it was a character named David who also introduced Shirley to this new way of viewing our purpose on Earth.

Up until that point I had always joked that the little voice inside was my wise little soul, but Shirley’s series made me wonder if that little voice was something more. Was I actually tapping into something beyond my human shell?

Ms MacLaine’s series posed some big questions: Why are we here? What happens when we die? Have we lived before? I was fascinated by her experience and the questions raised. It was like someone flicked a switch inside of me, and from that moment, I was hooked.

I wanted to know more, and began reading everything I could find on life after death, philosophy, psychology, the power of the mind, new thought (now often called the ‘law of attraction’), and more. I also began a journey inwards and began asking questions of my own–Who was I? Why was I? Where did I fit in? What was my purpose?

My Purpose Hiding in Plain Sight

For almost 40 years, my professional life revolved around communications. I was a journalist, broadcaster, and creative writer.

I helped launch the ABC’s first 24-hour radio news network in Australia, co-hosted breakfast radio shows, headed up the creative department at Sydney’s number one radio station, and programmed the UK’s first all-female radio station.

But privately, my passion was where my heart really longed to be. I attended seminars and talks on self-improvement and eastern philosophy, studied topics such as NLP and meditation, and devoured countless books, from Norman Vincent Peale’s “The Power of Positive Thinking” and Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” to Michael Newton’s “Journey of Souls”, the Tao Te Ching, and A Course in Miracles.

Increasingly, I felt a niggle inside telling me to do something with all I was learning. I knew my purpose was to communicate–only it wasn’t news and weather or the latest dishwashing liquid I needed to talk about–but a different kind of story. I needed to talk about the most important communication of all…the conversations we have with the still, small voice inside.

A New Chapter

And so, after a lifetime of learning, the time has come for me to step into my truth and focus wholly on my passion. It has been calling for way too long, and at 56, I figure it’s now or never. I have no idea where this may take me, but I am buckled in and ready for the ride. So long as I stay true to myself, trust in that amazing ‘something’–the Universe, God, divine wisdom, my higher self, whatever you want to call it–then I know everything will be okay.

As you’ll learn in these pages and through my podcast, sometimes we just have to take a giant leap in the direction of our heart even if we don’t know exactly where it may lead. Trust ourselves, feel the fear and do it anyway; it’s exciting and terrifying in equal measure. But if experience has taught me anything, it’s that taking that leap usually opens doors we couldn’t have imagined for ourselves. So, here goes!

Through my podcast, blog, and talks, I hope to share my knowledge and insights and inspire you to connect with that part deep inside that knows what is right for you. I will also be posting regular updates on Facebook and Instagram – so, I hope to see you there! Whether it’s through a podcast episode that changes the way you see your world or a talk that plants a seed of hope, I want to create a space where you feel empowered to step into your true self.

The next chapter begins here, for both of us!