My seven secrets of survival

Published on Tuesday 17 February 2009 13:53

JILLY Greig, colour therapist

1 Ever since I was ill quite a few years ago I have found the outcome of "life challenges" are really helped by a positive mental attitude. This helped me fight breast cancer, and later to get through the death of my husband. I'm convinced that, had I just curled up and surrendered to the pain, I would not be here to tell the tale. Positive thinking makes you strong. Learn to have faith in the universe, go with the flow and believe all will be well. It really works.

2 Clear clutter from your life. This is not just about having a tidy up, but decluttering physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. The best time to do this is after a full moon. During the waning cycle, get rid of unwanted things. This can include people. Fair-weather friends who you no longer have anything in common with, or who drain you of energy, should be cut loose – for both your sakes.

3 I have a store of little notebooks, usually covered in beautiful Indian textiles. I fill each page with things I want to achieve, or to have in my life (including the ideal chap). My notes have to be extremely detailed and very specific. Then I meditate on those things daily, visualise the wonderful outcome, and they always manifest eventually. I follow up with a huge tick across that page. This is how I achieved many aspects of my life that I value – including my lovely rural cottage.

4 If I am having a rotten day, I go for a very long walk over the fields with the dog, playing my iPod extremely loudly all the way. If it's a bad day romantically, I'll listen to Leonard Cohen. If it's a bad day business wise, I might play Metallica or Jimi Hendrix. The only rule is that I have to sing along at the top of my voice. I'm probably well known locally as the "weird witchy woman that cannae sing".

5 I have become a person who won't suffer fools gladly, despite the fact that I was never like that in the old days. However, when you bring up five kids, run a house and a business on your own, you get tough and learn to say what's on your mind, rather than wasting time pussyfooting around people. Sometimes it's just what the doctor ordered, allowing you to work through problems quickly and move on.

6 I am a great believer in having a good psychic medium. You have to be extremely selective about this, and I have worked my way through many to find the good ones. If I ever have a challenge that requires an outside perspective, I consult a medium. Departed loved ones and angels help you get another point of view. You might ask why I don't just ask my friends for an opinion. However, they are usually too attached and can't be objective. I highly recommend speaking to a clairvoyant instead, but you do have to be very selective about who you consult.

7 I'm very lucky to have many good friends. A good laugh and a gossip over dinner and wine does me no end of good. It makes me feel grounded, and can turn potential nightmare scenarios into hilarious episodes of the ridiculous.

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