Family life is dynamic so a balance of structure with flexibility is key for everyone to be able to grow with the changes. Think of a tree – it has a great deal of structure and strength to the trunk and branches but is also able to flex with the changing winds.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Like most healers, I have had a difficult early life to overcome. I have experienced religious brainwashing that squashed all sense of self in my childhood. An ill-fitting and soul-destroying first marriage of obligation that I believed I had to endure ’til death do us part’ and work environments in which I felt equally completely trapped and powerless. I have had periods through and after all of this where I fell flat with depression and chronic fatigue and then periods of very high anxiety also. I’ve seen the worst of the divorce process, but out of it all have created a unique and joyous blended family with a marriage with the intimacy, kindness and reciprocal honour that I always craved.
We have one child on the ASD spectrum who is also now navigating their transgender journey, another child overcoming an eating disorder following a high-pressure modelling career and our third child has type 1 diabetes and is completing high school via distance education. But through it all, we still have love, joy and gratitude. I joke that I have already lived 40 lives within my 43-year life this time around!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The cons are the lack of security and predictability – although the variety and autonomy on the other side of this is also a pro. The ability to build my own dreams and contribute to others is also an immeasurable bonus! Every time I facilitate a class, there are people who then go out and create greater for themselves and their families and friends – that exponential ripple-out effect is an absolute source of joy and not one I’ve been able to find in any 9-5 job!
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I absolutely relish facilitating classes, especially with parents and children so would love to create more opportunities to travel all over Australia and the world bringing these amazing tools for life to families everywhere, and empowering them to truly be their unique magic in the world.
To find out more about the services Caroline offers, head to the Thriving Possibilities website and join her supportive communities on Facebook and Instagram.
