Growing up in the time Czechoslovakia was under the communist regime sure was different from the freedom there is now. So while there were many restrictions, I learned that resilience is the key to overcoming obstacles, to keep my mouth shut when not asked, to be invisible, and that there are both borders and boundaries defining everything.

While at college I was part of the demonstrators against the communist government. At times we faced human shielded barriers and were expecting tanks to come rolling down at us. Fortunately for us all the time was right and the communist regime fell down before our eyes.

Later on after college I took on a few good jobs. English was still not a commonly used international language like it is today. Nudged by my parents I went to London  for a year to study English.

While there I supported my studies by living with, and looking after, two young girls. Childcare was never my strength. The younger girl was at times so challenging, that I would leave them both downstairs playing and watching TV and locked myself in my room upstairs.

One day I was so tired after a long weekend partying, that I slept when the family came home without keys. As they could not get in, the younger girl had to climb through an upstairs window to get home. All I recall was her entering my room, and as I was still asleep she screamed on the top of her lungs: “HANAAAA”! That much for my child minding qualities.

Upon return back to Prague I worked in a few good jobs and then found my way to the finance department of the British Embassy in Prague. A dream job working in a prestigious organization; with lovely group of people, meeting some well-known authorities. Among them was a quick personal chat with Prince Charles when he visited. I also assisted with the convoy transport of the delegates of NATO summit in Prague, having a great opportunity to enter the Air Force One plane while the crew was having a break.

All that was just perfect. However, I knew that if I stayed in that job, not much would change. I would most likely retire there and would still live with my parents.

So at a spur of a moment, I decided to take a chance and travel to the other side of the world to go to my friend’s wedding. It is a long journey so I decided to make the best of it and arranged to stay for the whole year. Not at my friends place of course, as that would be overstaying my welcome.

The first 6 months were tough learning. I went from a high profile jobs in Prague to not being able to find work in my field. Everywhere I asked, they told me they wanted someone with ‘local experience’. After some searching I took a job in hospitality, preparing sandwiches.

Coincidence had it that after some time making delicious sandwiches I was offered to run an overseas student agency in Sydney. One thing led to another and soon enough I have met Rado. Now, as it turned out, he was a great reason to stay in Australia. So I did extend my stay for another year, then another few, and later on made it permanent.

We happily settled in windy Sydney and later moved to sunny Brisbane. Life was good most of the time. Then in 2008 I went to all the possible and impossible seminars out there. Whether it was healing, investing or internet marketing, I’d done them all. After the massive dose of personal development, I left my corporate carrier and started my own healing venture. That seemed to be a bad move at first, as my confidence in my skills was lower than that of my clients.

So after a while at my home office, I fell into a depression which lasted for a few months.

Then I regained strength and trust in life and found an interesting retreat that promised (in my mind) the ultimate peace of mind and well-being on all levels. So I eagerly signed up.

After 6 days in total silence I was in total bliss. THEN ON DAY 8 MY WORLD SHATTERED.

Several years later I was still in the midst of the mental upheaval that had spun from the retreat.

I went through a massive dose of depression on several occasions, only to find out that depression is a sign of changing values and beliefs about our world construct and us.

The hopelessness that I felt back in those days was only understood by those who once went through it. There was no rational reason for me to be depressed. I had the life of other people’s dreams. And still… or maybe just because of that… I felt life was pointless and each day was a dreaded nightmare. That feeling lasted for some time. Understand months and years.

Then, after the worse passed and with a lot of support, I was back on my feet and ‘right in my head’. To be back to normal state of the mind was such a bonus. I felt recharged and regained some of my former self, with a new zest for living.

Only when I could see and accepted that I was actually fine, that life was worthy living, that people cared and that I had a mission to live, I recovered.

I found my calling in guiding others. In writing articles, blogs and books, coaching and teaching. I love the AHA moments of clarity, when things just come together. There is the deeper knowing, which means the truth is being revealed. Whether that is during writing of a text or the coaching session, it’s one of the most profound moments offered on the journey of self-discovery.

My mission is to live as an example of recovery, assist to found joy in life, help others create a future by design and trust in the higher power to deliver it.

May you be inspired and find your truth and joy.