Spotlight On: Donna DeNomme

I have been very blessed.  For many years, my professional life has been one of adventure and creative work.  I learned early on to follow my inner guidance and it would take me to places I would have never dreamed of going and lead me in ways, which unexpectedly enriched my life, and those I worked with as clients.  We have shared many delightful, empowering spiritual retreats in beautiful, inspirational places.  Every year, I take a group up to Grand Lake for the changing Fall colors.  For six years, I led groups to Mexico to swim with the dolphins and visit ancient Mayan ruin sites.  Then, there was Maui and the lush tropical rain forest and the whales.  Oh!  The stories I could tell you!  The miracles I have seen!  I did not choose those roads - they chose me.  Since I was a little girl, I have been aware of my inner guidance, and knew that the very best things happened when I followed those nudges.  I was literally told to pursue certain paths far more adventurous, then my own conservative nature.

So, life was grand… and, yet there was something I had known for a very long time that I wanted to do.  Something that feeds my inner being in a way nothing else does.  It was what I turned to in moments of great joy or great sorrow.  I wanted to write.  Yet, with a private practice that could consume all of my time - when?  How?

Through one of those larger than life "coincidences", I connected by phone with Susan Schachterle, an author of several books, including the fascinating story, Between Darkness and Light.  Although we had never met, she literally drove to my house and sat at my kitchen table to have a chat.  Within minutes, she said to me, "You have to give yourself permission to write."  I began sobbing.  Here with a virtual stranger, I found that there was a deep well of sorrow from not doing what my being longed to do.  There was a need far greater than even I had known.  There was a part of me that in the midst of all the gratifying work that I do, was still, truly untapped and unfulfilled. 

As a spiritual coach, I know when I see something too significant to ignore!  That day was the turning point.  I included my intention, formally, in my "Mission Statement".  Writing was now a part of my job.  I made time for it.  When I was writing, I no longer felt torn away or guilty for not doing the "work" that needed my attention.  After all, this was my work!  

A year later, I completed my first book, "You get You! Turtle Wisdom" which was published in January 2005.  Soon to follow was a children's story, "Dahlila Drop Learns to Trust" (soon to be released).  I have three additional manuscripts in process and many more creative thoughts every day.  The floodgate has been opened and through the glimmer of those powerful tears on the day I was told, "You have to give yourself permission…"  I have seen that no matter how wonderful our lives are, there may still be sweeter things we have yet to do.

Donna DeNomme is the founder of Inlightened Source Healing Arts.  She is an energy teacher, licensed spiritual coach, workshop facilitator, author and speaker.  You can contact her at 303-271-0510 or inlightenedsource@earthlink.net.