Embracing My Journey ~ Living with passion & purpose!

Her name is Susan Pease Banitt, a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) here to share her story, the creation of her dream life, lifting herself up from sadness and abuse and moving into gratitude and happiness.  It is not an easy task and as Helen Keller once said “You will find a joy in overcoming obstacles”  Susan has moved forward with grace and gratitude and now blesses others with her gifts.  Thank you Susan for sharing today.

Tell us about the path you traveled to arrive where you are today:  I was not handed some easy cards in this lifetime.  I was fortunate to have a wonderful education in Palo Alto, CA.  I struggled with depression in my early adulthood and PTSD later in life due to early abuse.  But I always knew there was an answer to each of my problems.  I embarked on two lengthy courses of therapy to straighten them out.  I worked hard even when I could not “afford” it, even sacrificing car ownership to stay in therapy for a period of time.

I listened to my inner guidance and became the first in my family to graduate with a professional degree (Masters in Social Work), putting myself through graduate school.  I paid attention to the helpful advice of others and threw out what did not work for me.  I was always up for trying something new!

I maintained a vibrant inner spiritual life that has continued to grow even to this present day.  Being of service to others has always been a top priority in this life, and I’ve been given plenty of opportunities.

What kept you moving forward on the days things were not going exactly the way you were hoping they would?  Some days were beyond tough I can tell you.  What kept me going was knowing that things could not stay where they were.  Change is a constant in life.  I knew that if I could just hang in there it would get better (or perhaps worse and then better).  I sought out good friends and good advice.  I have a deep and abiding faith in the goodness of life and the universe and in a warm friendly presence in our lives that watches over us.  I had good clean fun whenever I could. I’ve laughed a lot!  Most of all, my husband and children have kept me moving forward.  I don’t know where I would be without these amazing beings in my life!

What piece of advice would you give to someone who has decided they would like to live in a world of their own creation?  I don’t think people create their own world in the conventional sense- that’s too much like magical thinking for me. It is also the kind of thinking that blames victims, and, sorry, I do believe people can be made into victims against their will; it is planet Earth, after all. If you deeply understand your own mind, that means your unconscious motivations (hard to get to!) as well as your conscious ones you open up more options for your life.  You will cease to be “your own worst enemy”.  As a psychotherapist now myself I see that too many people think they know what they want to manifest, but when they look more deeply they find deeply held beliefs that are at odds with what they think they want. This is tricky stuff!
 Be clear on what you want. Keep moving forward. Be grateful for what you receive. Share the wealth – that would ultimately be my advice. 

What special things do you do for yourself daily to maintain your momentum and energy levels?  I found out 2 years ago that I could not eat gluten and then conventional dairy so I have eliminated those things from my diet.  I meditate in some form daily.  I take many helpful supplements. I go to acupuncture weekly. I laugh every day. I tell the people around me how much I love them, and I stay connected!

If you could spend 3 days on a deserted island with two people of your choosing, who would they be and why?  Wow, hard one.  I would really like to have a long heart to heart with Jesus. How he did it, how he maintained his love for humanity through everything he suffered.  What does he think of modern Christianity?  Did he like Religulous as much as I did?  Does he have spiritual guidance for me etc.?

The other would be my great grandmother who came over from Ireland to work as a domestic servant in New York.  I don’t know a lot about my family; most died before I was born. This woman was put on a boat at 14 with her sister and as far as I know never saw her family again.  I would love to spend some time getting to know about her and her life at that time.

What is your favorite audio material and what do you enjoy most about this material?  I love Prairie Home Companion because he addresses the human condition warmly with humor and respect.  My teacher Babaji Bob Kindler has some unparalleled tapes on all things yogic. They are wise, uplifting and sublime. You can order them through srv.org.

What is your favorite reading material and what gives it that special place in your heart? I am often asked for my bibliography because I have so much wonderful reading material I have found. I will list a few here for you:

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahnsa Yogananda
All of the tracker books by Tom Brown Jr. (The  Vision, The Quest etc.)
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
A Thousand Names for Joy by Byron Katie
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna translated by Swami Nikhilananda
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The Ego and the Id by Sigmund Freud
The Yoga Vasistha by Swami Venkatesananda
The New Testament – Jesus’ teachings

These are all books I have come back to time and again.  They are wise, helpful transmissions from masters that benefit my life in ways unimaginable.  I have read each of them many times.

Who has inspired you and what is it about them that you found inspirational?  Sri Ramakrishna, the “mad saint of Bengal” is a unique master in history. He attained samadhi in many different religious forms because he was “mad for God”.  I have a special love for this man and all he represents, especially the ultimate unity of all religions.

Oprah, that unstoppable woman who has made her own and many others’ dreams come true.

I have been profoundly inspired in my career by many skilled, humble practitioners who toil in relative obscurity but who are shining beacons of healing wisdom to those around them.

What do you see in your future?  I am writing a book called The Trauma Toolbox: A Comprehensive Guide to Surviving Overwhelming Events.  I see myself completing this book and promoting it to the best of my abilities while turning it over to Divine will for the benefit of all.

I see my children growing into happy, strong confident teenagers. I see my husband and I growing old together.  I see death, but this is not a bad thing.  I keep the consciousness of death close to me every day. I do not want to waste a single minute of this precious life!

Where is your favorite place in the world to spend time, what is special to you about this location?  There are so many places.  Hawaii. The Oregon Coast. The mountains anywhere. I love being on the road in my RV with my family out on the open road.  These places connect me back into myself and to my spirituality.

Who has been your greatest support system and how have they shown you their support? This one’s easy. My husband has been my champion, my support, my best friend.  He has taught me the meaning of love and healing in this life.  I am a lucky girl!

What / who are you most thankful for and why? My husband for being so great.  I am grateful  for my three Bobs: three spiritual teachers all named Bob (rhymes with God!).  I am grateful for my wonderful preternaturally wise twin girls. I am grateful that my mother gave birth to me.

What is your favorite way to contribute or give back? I give back any way I can. I love to help people get to the next level with themselves, whether they are friends or clients.  I also love to sprinkle fairy dust (money) on great causes and people.

Please share the top three things you feel people would benefit from doing if they truly desire to create the life of their dreams?
1) Do it for the world.
2) Do it from the deepest part of your being.
3) Get help doing it.

Anything I missed that you would like to share?
Don’t get too attached here.  Sometimes we meet our goals only to find that our chronic dissatisfaction has not left us. Go deeper!!!
What products and services do you offer to assist others on their journey?
Therapy
Spiritual Counseling
Look for The Trauma Toolbox in the next couple of years!

Thank you Susan for taking the time to share your words of wisdom.  I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and connect with Susan on her website at: http://www.myspace.com/lotusheartcounseling.

In gratitude,
Caryn

Caryn Gottlieb FitzGerald, “the Manifesting Queen”
Set your mind to it and create it today!
http://www.CarynFitzgerald.com

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 8:17 am and is filed under Caryn's writing, Living the life of my dreams. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.