I am an ordinary person – with labels: complex and severe PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Like you, and especially in recent years, I have endured grief and worry, work insecurities and long lapses in seeing those I love and care for.

I also have cerebral palsy which hinders me with permanent pain. It is another label… yet I am extremely blessed that it only affects my right hand side – my parents were told that I’d never be able to talk or walk. I don’t know why, because I eventually learnt to walk aged three. And as for talking… I’ve never stopped!

I find labels restricting – I don’t like them. They reveal nothing about the authentic individuals that we are. They dampen the spirit, they quash dreams and hopes. They interfere with the natural drive that we have, or once had, and they distort the will of our wonderful human minds.

And yet, like many of you I have fragile mental health, and whilst I’m a formidable actor in my professional life, my private life takes daily management: battling the damaging narrative in my head, ignoring the flashbacks…

Sadness is a piece of barren land. It resides within many of us.

We are living in a challenging era.

Yet, being content and finding happiness is what we deserve.

When we learn how to connect with our original selves, we find the seedlings for new awareness and growth.

We are reminded that we own the land. We are awake once more…