Sheila Steptoe - Master Your Own Destiny

Contents

Chapter One
My awakening begins

Chapter Two
Core conditioning

Chapter Three
The power of your mind

Chapter Four
Believing in yourself

Chapter Five
Appreciating life

Chapter Six
The grand design

Chapter Seven
Goal setting

Chapter Eight
Spiritual extras

Chapter Nine
You can do this too

Appendix A
Would you like to explore a little more?

Appendix B
Places to visit or read about

Appendix C
Books, people and websites

Appendix D
School for parents, College for carers

Acknowledgements

There are many times when I say to my friends: Thank you for being in my life, as I acknowledge each one of you as the blessing you are.

Many people inspired me to write this book, and I am grateful to you all and to my work colleagues. I cant mention you all by name but you know who you are!

There are just a few people I have to say a huge thank you to; without you, this book would not be so special to me.

Geoff Holdsworth, a friend and artist, for his patience and lovely drawings I think I drove you mad!

Mark, Caroline and Margaret, who reviewed my ramblings before I sent them to the editor. Thank you, as you all spurred me on with such wonderful feedback and encouragement.

Max, Nick and Lesley in your own special way.

Everyone who has attended one of my workshops or listened to me giving a talk or presentation, I would also like to thank. Many of you have asked when my next book is coming out, and it has been my pleasure and joy because youve all inspired me as much as I hope I inspired you!

And last but by no means least Fiona Cowan, my editor. I loved that you liked this book from the beginning so I knew I could trust my baby in your hands. You made me cry sometimes with your powerful praise especially when you said that some of this resonated with you. Its been great fun working together, and your delicate sympathetic tweaking has made this a book I am proud of.

Thank you.

Foreword

You are so much more than you think you are

We are all wired for joy, happiness and inspiration, because at heart we are spiritual beings. We cant not be, but we can become unaware of who we truly are. Indeed, most of us are asleep to our magnificence. Sometimes it takes a difficult time when we experience pain and suffering to wake us up.

I have met so many people in my life who have waited until the pain gets too bad before they change. They are not being punished, but awakened. When we suffer, the choice each of us faces is this: What will we do with our experience? What meaning will we glean from it?

In essence, we face a decision: Do we build higher defences to keep life out so as to try to save ourselves more pain or do we allow life to awaken us, open us up, dismantle our defences and transform our pain into a gift for ourselves and others?

All over the world we see examples of the former: people wanting revenge to try to feel better, not forgiving so they nurture grievances, but causing more pain and continuing the cycle. Gladly, we are also seeing more examples of the latter. More people than ever want to transform their suffering and end that cycle and awaken.

Sheila is a wonderful living example of taking what life has thrown at her and using it to awaken and transform her challenges, discovering a new foundation for her life. She embodies this ultimate generosity by taking her own experience and offering it as a gift to you. I believe this is one of the most generous things a human being can do. She has woken up to a more powerful existence within her, and is now holding a hand out to you to help you do the same. She has discovered she is more than she thought she was, and now wants to help you discover yourself.

Take her invitation to explore who you truly are, not what you have come to believe you are. You are an amazing being, powerful beyond measure, creative and loving. Enjoy your journey into self-discovery and enjoy having Sheila be one of your guides into the true you.

Nick Williams, London 2009

About me

When I was a child I saw my life as just plain fun. Nothing fazed me.

Then I grew up and this big wide world came calling. Hmmm life is not always such fun , I soon realised! But, through the eyes of a child, you can do anything you want. The magic of life can be wondrous if you choose to open your eyes or you can walk around in darkness.

Over time, many things happened in my life. However, the last fifteen years have been a real adventure. I have gone from being an ordinary housewife with a little part-time job to having a career which a few years ago I had never imagined. I have gone with my flow and I have had support from many unexpected sources!

A few years ago I wrote a book which some of you will have read. I had an urge to write another but, like many people, procrastinated for some time until the urge became so strong I couldnt resist any longer. So many brilliant things had happened to me that I wanted to share them and give hope to other people. A few of these stories I have touched upon again in this book, because they are so profound. As you read on, you will see how these events have changed my life.

I want to give you a glimpse of what life could be like, if you suddenly decided to take a leap of faith and get more meaning into your life, and go for what you truly desire.

We all have down times. Outside influences can have an enormous effect on us as human beings, especially in this economic crisis. However, we need not feel it all has to be doom and gloom; life is meant to be fulfilling and wonderful. It can and should be.

Over the years, my fun journey has led me to do lots of things I probably shouldnt, such as indulge in red wine or something a little stronger to relax occasionally. But my biggest love is socialising! I love people, discussions till late at night, and trying to put the world to rights in a friends house having dinner round the table.

I have become a daredevil too. I have gone deep-sea diving, ridden on horseback in the Australian outback, driven around a race track, tried paint-balling, go-karting and even White Water Rafting in Australia which was the most hell raising experience. And I am going to do something else too but you will have to read to the end of the book to find out what that is. Dont peek yet as you will spoil the fun!

Over the years I have trained as a Counsellor, Life Coach and now I am studying Quantum Physics because it fascinates me. I have worked for some of the top-selling national newspapers as an advertising sales representative, a job I loved but which never fulfilled me.

Life moves on if you go with your flow, and I have now found a career which I adore; I can never see myself retiring. My next mission is to travel the world and to be able to visit and see many different cultures and places. I might even spend three months in South America and volunteer to help in an orphanage and then travel although I need to get fit first!

I love my little cottage, my friends and family, reading and learning new things. But I also value peace and quiet by spending time on my own or walking in nature. Many people have helped me on my journey where we have laughed or cried together and I am eternally grateful to everyone. Thank you for being in my life.

With love, light, blessings and smiles,

Sheila

Introduction

Something drew you to this book. The reason why you picked it up may be connected with the reason why I wrote it. Lets see if some of this resonates with you:

Are you aware that your life so far is only part of a bigger picture? Are you curious about where it will lead you next, and in the longer term? Do you wonder how much choice you have in the directions your life takes?