I have a varied background of skills, experience and expertise, which means that I bring a unique perspective to everything I undertake.
As a bit of an over-view, the many strings to my bow include Interfaith Minister and Celebrant; psychotherapist; hypnotherapist; spiritual mentor; communications coach (including presentation skills if required); relationship coach; stress management and emotional intelligence specialist; media guest and contributor, professional speaker, laughter yoga teacher, and author of “How to do life: powerful pointers for powerful living” (2004), commissioned work “Do I Kneel or Do I Bow?: What you need to know when attending religious occasions” (Kuperard 2010) and the “Bliss-Out” CD for serious relaxation. I’m also a voluntary chaplain to a major charity, and a public sector body.
For many years I was in the Corporate world in senior Human Resources during which time I retrained to be a psychotherapist specialising in Stress Management and latterly Emotional Intelligence. I founded my first business, Lonsdale Associates in 1987 and conducted training programs and coaching in my specialism for major blue chip companies. During that time I was also commissioned by Boots Plc to produce a range of spoken word relaxation cassettes on a range of topics. These were then sold nationally through their stores and latterly through high street retailer, WHSmith. I have also worked in the NHS (National Health Service) as a GP Counsellor and trainer in Communication Skills.
My calling to Interfaith Ministry came suddenly during the Iraq war, but my spiritual journey consciously began at the age of four. Despite my mother being an agnostic and refusing to allow me any involvement in religion so that I wouldn’t be “indoctrinated”, I always knew there was something more and I was always curious to know what that might be.
Over the years, I have studied many religious and spiritual traditions and what I find is that at the heart of all of them are the foundations for healthy living: love, respect, compassion, integrity, forgiveness, truth, generosity, community and friendship. However, my choice to become an Interfaith Minister rather than be aligned with any particular form of organised religion, is that I love the inclusivity and respect for all faiths and sacred traditions – or none. It was the core tenet of the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation “Many Ways: One Truth” that immediately spoke to my heart.
My journey to this point has been one of deep personal enquiry and development born of painful beginnings, but I am a total believer that we are sent (or create) what we need to really stretch us in life – to overcome obstacles and find the true meaning and purpose for being here. If we are awake to this, we will always see the signposts that lead us where we need to be.
One thing that has been totally consistent throughout my life is my passion for people. As a child I was a “people watcher” and I have always loved understanding what makes people tick, which is no doubt what led me to the different career choices I made. I am now blessed with being able to consolidate and offer my lifelong learnings, through Interfaith Ministry.
People often ask me “what do you do when you’re “off-duty?” Personally, I never consider myself to be “off-duty” because for me Ministry is not a job – it is who I am and flows through every encounter I have, whether that be a passing smile, a general conversation, when I’m shopping, when I’m grumpy – or when I’m enjoying the privilege of creating ceremonies for wonderful people. I am passionate about what I do but when I get spare time, it is generally spent with my husband of twenty years, John Gloster-Smith, and friends.
Wishing you peace, laughter and fulfilment.
