In May, 2003, when I was released from the living hell of an abusive relationship by two police officers who walked in and arrested the man who had promised to love me ’til death do us part and was taking the death part way too seriously, I knew I had received a miracle. In that miracle, I knew I had to share my joy, my belief — it’s never too late — to start over again. To say, I’m sorry, to forgive, to embrace Love. It’s never too late to live the life of your dreams.
I wrote, The Dandelion Spirit: A true life fairytale of love, lies and letting go, to share my journey of healing from the hell of that relationship to inspire other women, and men in their healing journeys.
Last night, while meeting with a woman on a project that we are both involved in (a really worthwhile and exciting project to honour the memory of women who have been killed on the streets) she mentioned someone she knows who just walked out on an abusive relationship with only her two sons, the clothes they were wearing, and her car. “We rallied together and got her all fixed up in an apartment,” she said. “Now, she has to figure out what happened to pull her down.”
I pulled a copy of The Dandelion Spirit out of the cupboard, wrote a note to this courageous woman and handed it to my friend. “Please give this to her. It will help.”
I know The Dandelion Spirit helps because I have had many, many women and men, email me to tell me what it meant to them. I’ve had people at Choices, the personal development program I sometimes coach in, stop me to tell me how the book changed their lives.
I wrote the book to make a difference. And it still does.
When I met with the woman last night to discuss the project, I believed working on the project was the difference I was consciously making yesterday. And then, ‘the difference’ opened up into being of service to a woman for whom my wisdom, experience and book can add value and healing to her life. I am grateful that I had a chance to pass it on. To share my experience to create value in someone else’s life.
Currently, the website for The Dandelion Spirit is being moved to a new server. I haven’t done a lot to promote the book, I’ve let it slide. In last night’s conversation I am reminded that I have let self-doubt interfere in my capacity to serve the world.
The lesson for me is to never let self-doubt prevent me from serving the world. The world needs me and you and all of us to continually be of service. The world needs us to shine!
Shine On!
Dare Boldly 
Who you are makes a difference in my life. Thank you ever so much!
LikeLike
You are most welcome Christy — call anytime! 🙂
LikeLike
Your project, your blog & your Being inspired me to record my acts of making a difference. What I am discovering is the simplicity of opportunity. All I have to do is show up wherever I am in a spirit of present (there are many connotations within this word – I embrace them all), openness and Love. The Universe does the rest!
Thank you for your inspiration,
Dave
LikeLike
Thank you Dave. It is wonderful to be making a difference with you through every breath and every deed.
LikeLike
i noticed
my family needs to eat vegetables and fruit,
and
if i wash an apple,
slice it,
and offer it…
they will usually eat some.
LikeLike
What a wonderful noticing Nance! In it, your giving notice, your family receives.
LikeLike
Thank you Maureen 🙂
LikeLike
At Recover Your Joy, Louise’s other blog (http://recoveryourjoy.blogspot.com/), the link to buy her book is working, in case you do not want to wait until the site move is finished.
LikeLike
I know that your story will inspire the one who is in the story at the moment.
Thank you for never giving up- fighting the fight, so that you can coach those who are in the fight.
🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Christa! Your light always brightens my day. Hugs!
LikeLike
Hmmm…. as to the link — I’ll have to check that out. Thanks for letting me know.
My Dandelion Spirit site is being moved so I had no link to share! 🙂 I’m working on it today! Thanks Mark for always being a light of reason. You shine!
LikeLike
LG,
two observations
1. on your right column side of the page, you have a link, all I see is some non-clickable HTML text rather than a clickable graphic
2. in your post today, when you mention your book, there is no clickable link to where your readers can buy it
Cheers,
Mark
LikeLike
Hi Lisa, thank you my friend! Yes, The Dandelion Spirit is my book — the website is being moved so isn’t current and so… one of my tasks today was to put a page up on my louisegallagher.ca website — as soon as I do I’ll let you know. if you click on my Recover Your Joy badge there’s a bit about the story in the About Me section. 🙂
Hugs — and thank you for your inspiration.
Also — if you google The Devil You Know — it is a documentary series on Oprah (OWN) — there is a one hour segment called: Devil in a Pinstripe Suit — that is the story. cheers!
LikeLike
Louise, I have so much admiration for your strength and determination to help others on this journey. I’m curious about The Dandelion Spirit … is it your book? I couldn’t find it in archives. Can you include a link somewhere? Or maybe you did and I missed it (still learning the social media ropes!). Inspiring post, as always.
LikeLike