manifest

(image: E. Mandelstam)

This week I was on a call with a very special friend, the talented illustrator of Arabella and the Worry Cloud (our kids book on anxiety)- Shelley. I was speaking to her about the challenges of being a self-employed independent writer- financial and as a founder, everything being on you. She told me to believe in myself and my writing and not give up! Those kind words have meant everything during a challenging time.

Then, today, I decided to pick an affirmation from my flip chart (that another lovely friend had got me for my birthday) without looking. I flipped the chart over and not only does it have pink roses (a special flower to me that is a positive sign I asked for) but I received the message,

‘The greatest things take time so never give up.’

And so, even though being a writer, a creative can be exhausting when you aren’t famous with lots of money coming in- I remember why I wrote Arabella, the children I wrote for and who need to hear its message. And because I have had this message twice this week, I will not give up. On my writing, on my journey through life and its ups and downs. I won’t give up on my first book either.

Please don’t give up too.

With love,

Eleanor x

Whenever I have felt unwell, low, hopeless and like nothing would ever change (often after experiencing a low or high bipolar episode and being unemployed/ feeling very alone), I have found that certain prayers and ideas have comforted me and helped me grow and have hope.

One of these (as well as many Jewish prayers) is the Serenity prayer. Its words give me comfort. They have even been put to a song by India Arie, whose music aims to heal others struggling with difficulties, broken hearts, stress, sadness.

So today I thought I would share it with you. I would say I am quite a spiritual person and I believe that prayers really do manifest if they are meant for you- your heart is listened too. At times when I have felt hopeless, I turned to God (if you don’t believe in God replace with the universe). And even if my prayers didn’t manifest directly at that exact moment- they often do manifest – even if it takes a year or two.

I hope this will help you feel a little comforted or healed, like it always does for me. Serenity is so important, even if it takes a long time to reach

Have hope :

serenity1