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Life Lessons:
Ilona Svetluska

*Are you happy at the moment?

Yes. When I focus on this very moment I feel happy and fulfilled. This practice is also recommended in Buddhism – be right here and now – no regrets about the past and no worries about the future. That is the key to happiness.

What also makes me happy is that my life has a purpose. I love to hear from my therapy clients, friends and owners of my paintings that their lives have changed to the better. That fuels me to work long hours and also at weekends.

And last but not least, relationships do make me happy – with my partner, family, and friends.

*If you could go back and say anything to your 16-year-old self now – what would it be?

I would tell me not to give up. At the age of 16 I was going through a harsh period. My father worked in the capital and he visited us only at weekends. I was captive of my mother’s bad moods and could not quit the situation. Nevertheless, at that time I developed my sensing abilities. I needed them to survive my mother’s mental terror. At present I get on well with her. Once she even thanked me for the lessons I taught her.

*What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year?

Believing in others is over. Believe in yourself. Do not conform. Be yourself.

We are in the times of transition. We all have great talents which are sometimes covered by unnecessary clutter. I have worked as a therapist for 15 years now and seen many cases when a simple 1.5 hours consultation and clearing has helped the person to lead a 100 % better life.

And make peace with what is.

If I wish to change something it is first necessary to accept it the way it is. Only then can I work with it. Be it my own body, job, boss, partner. But the catch is: I should not try to change them, but transform my own objections to them.

*What do you most want to achieve in the next 12 months?

The goal for 2014 is already set: I would like to build a healing retreat center where clients could make within 5 days a quantum jump in their development. The stay will include treatment for the body and the soul. In the future I would like to franchise this idea around the world.

Another goal is more private – spend less time in my 9-5 HR manager job and more with my healing and painting. And I would like to write a book, too.

*What’s your secret to happiness?

I follow my passion. I do only the things I like to do and leave the rest to others. This way I gain time for therapies and painting. And two young students helping me out get opportunity make money.

I believe it is important to keep the good mood. It is also beneficial in the sense that the good vibes attract more positive experiences and over time the quality of your life simply skyrockets.

*What one ritual or practice keeps you grounded?

It is my morning meditation. I do it on my way to work, 5-10 minutes of total bliss. Sometimes on a busy day I add one more session on the way back from work.

There is though one powerful alternative: Yoga. I attend a kundalini yoga class once a week and I feel 100% zen for 2-3 days. My goal is to cover the whole week, so 2 classes per week are optimal. The “breath of fire” is crucial for calming the mind, I recommend everyone to check it out. In fact, breathing is the only way to affect the autonomic nervous system. In this sense, any kind of yoga or breathing exercise is a gift from heaven.

*What’s your biggest regret?

To be honest I do not regret a thing. When I look back everything in my life made sense and was in fact good for me. At least I learned something.

*What’s the most important lesson you’ve taught your kid(s)?

I am planning to have kids in the future. I would like to tell them that their intuition is their guide no matter what the others say.

*What bad habit would you most like to change about yourself?

I do not take much time for myself. I sometimes get so involved in my activities that I relax only at night. Regular visits to a spa or sauna would do me good.

*Aside from motherhood/fatherhood and marriage what are you most proud of in your life?

Many of my dreams came true, I am well on my way to develop my potential to the fullest and most importantly my work is beneficial to people.

*When were you happiest?

When I moved abroad after I divorced at the age of 26 and started to live alone. That was the first time in my life when I was truly independent and completely self-sufficient.

I started to travel, meet new people and also became an organizer of bigger events such as weekend retreats and exhibitions.

*What ten words best describe you?

I am intuitive, creative, kind, clairvoyant, angelic, enthusiastic, goal-oriented, efficient, encouraging and intelligent.

Therapist at 19, translator at 21, language teacher at 23, heading off to Brussels at 26, diplomat at 30, painter at 33. Now working as a Human Resources manager.

My life has not been always easy, but usually those “wounded shamans” have the urge to help others. My great joy and happiness arises from clients reporting new relationships, jobs, achievements and… Children 🙂 And also that my paintings really provide their owners with positive energy and healing.

You can find Ilana on Facebook, Twitter, and at http://www.ilonasvetluska.blogspot.com/.