Dream 2 Reality Coaching

What an incredible group of coaches, mentors, healers, change makers and lightworkers ready to share their incredible stories and gifts with you ahead of the launch of our book🙌

The book goes on sale on Amazon 24 April 9am GMT and to give you a taster to encourage you to buy it, we will ALL be delivering a 30 minute talk and taster of what we’ve written, from 10am each day on 24 and 25 April LIVE. Trust me, you do NOT want to miss what these fabulous people have to share with you!

We don’t expect you to be there live for every session so the replays will be available afterwards to catch up on.

Sign up below to see the full speaker schedule and to get nudges and notifications about the speakers and the book…

https://aishlingmooney.com/party

Phoenix Rising Book Launch Party! Starts 24th April!

Aisling Irwin
Florence O'Donnell
Elisabeth De Charon
Martha Fraser
Marcia O Regan
Jo Medhurst
Piya Piya
Hazel Basnet O Doherty
Sylvie Giroux
Mary Fletcher Burke
Melanie Moore
Amanda McKenzie
Tracey Igoe
Stephanie Barrows
Siobhan Gannon
Sharon Keenan
Liz Corbett
Jenny Wilson
Karen Marshall
Marie Tully

To everyone who has lavished upon me your fabulous support and encouragement over the past six months - my heartfelt gratitude.
🐦‍🔥 The Phoenix Rising 🐦‍🔥 book collaboration containing 22 inspirational women's stories of triumph, transformation and divine intervention, compiled by Aishling Mooney, is published next week on Wednesday 24th April 2024.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone asking how to get your copy. For more details on how to obtain Phoenix Rising on 24 April, sign up for my FREE Queenage Quest newsletter at www.stephaniebarrows.com/contact and join The Angel Circle Community with Aishling Mooney where all notices will be posted.

You are also invited to our FREE Phoenix Rising Book Launch Party.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW:
https://www.aishlingmooney.com/party
24th and 25th April 10am to 5pm UK time Both days.
🐦‍🔥 22 Healing & Transformational Livestreams in a Private Facebook Group

At my session on 14.00 BST on 24 April, I will be sharing some tips, tools and techniques to turn your Queenage dreams into reality by purposefully pursuing your pathway to prosperity, so do please join me and bring your friends!

Legacy

Had a few hours to spare today, so made a cheeky visit to Curzon Mayfair to see A Haunting in Venice, the new Poirot film.

Drinks and nibbles whilst relaxing in luxury seats in this wonderful old cinema is always a treat. On the journey home from town, I was reflecting on my coaching, writing and drama work and why I do it. It’s important to know what going after a goal will give you – your “Why”.

Many business people will say they are following a course of action to make money. The question is, what will that money give you? Security for yourself and family? The ability to retire early and follow your dreams and passion projects? Knowing what achieving the next goal will do for you will help you get going when the going gets tough.

Revisiting my vision of how semi-retirement would look inspired me to write the following poem. I’m passionate about retaining ancient wisdom and passing it on to the women of the future; for them to pick up the baton and improve on the old ways with modern science to create the physical and spiritual reality we wish to inhabit.

For me it is important to be inclusive and my goals relate to Deaf/Hearing collaborations in the arts This is my “Why” when I consider new projects/actions. Will they take me a step closer to my big vision? Are your goals a good match for yours?

Why?

Heartbeat’s rising.
Not surprising.
There’s no disguising
Plan’s revising.

Vision starts to fly.
Standards held high.
Milestones passed by.
Signposting ways to why.

©Stephanie Barrows/September 2023

September often represents a time of new beginnings in many areas of our lives. Some feel the need to cast off the old and bring in the new. Oxfam often run a September Secondhand challenge to see how we can re-use others’ cast-offs to create something new and this inspired my poem today.

Many people I speak to who are entering the autumn of their years talk about new beginnings as the work/life balance of their everyday lives change. Some find it difficult to let go of the old ways in order to embrace new ways of thinking and living.

What’s helped is repurposing skills and resources they already have to create the change they want in their world. Motivating and empowering yourself to seize the day and take the first step from where you are right now, using what you already have. Identifying and picking up extra skills and resources as needed on your pathways to success. Learning from those who’ve trodden similar roads before. Often there’s no need to reinvent the wheel, merely repair or repurpose it and give it a new lease of life.

Second Hand

Pre-loved or hand me down
Pots and pans or summer ballgown;
Woollens, linens, coat or bag
One girl’s old treasure’s another’s new swag.

Moving out, moving on,
What creative eye chances upon.
New purpose, whether plain or grand
Reuse and cherish what’s second hand.

©Stephanie Barrows/August 2023

#

NationalCinemaDay today had me thinking about our life stories. What do you wish to be remembered for? What mark have you left on the world? Who would play you on the silver screen? Taking my inspiration from all the wonderful women who’ve gone before: my today.

The Silver Screen
Striding boldly into shot,
She proudly claims her rightful spot.
Shoulders back, her head held high
A lifetime’s showreel flashes by.

From zero to hero over many years,
She’s overcome challenges; faced her fears.
Followed her dreams to the final scene,
Truly a star of the Silver Screen.

©Stephanie Barrows/September 2023

 

I’ve been working intensively on a passion project of mine over the past couple of days (more details in due course!) and as I rest and reflect a little today, my thoughts and poem have turned to the next steps and how I will up my game during September, a time when we start to reap what we have sown and Mother Nature matures into seasonal gold.

*** What seeds have you planted this year that are starting to come to fruition?
*** Who and what do you already know that can help you take your project to the next level?
*** What gaps are there in your learning and resources?
*** How can you ensure that you are in the right place at the right time to take advantage when opportunity knocks?
All questions I’m currently asking myself and I’d love to hear how your passion projects are progressing too.

Steptember

Striving and striding,
Stepping out
Of comfort zones,
Overcoming doubt.

Steptember time to
Season with clout.
Step up your projects
With passion’s shout!

©Stephanie Barrows/August 2023

Thanks for another amazing afternoon of dance classes with and . Always fabulous to catch up with the ladies and to make new friends.

I was reminded last night about doing the best we can, from where we are right now. I forgot to take a picture of the ‘past its best’ veg stir fry I did last night to use up the old stuff before going shopping today. It was delish. It feels right today to share an old poem of mine about another ‘crush up’.

Schiacciata dalla Mamma (Mum’s Crush-up)

Commence with Curiosity
Start a Soffritto with equality
Be inclusive. Waste not your wrinkly veg
Forage the Fridge/Freezer
Love your Leftovers
Look in the Larder
Tip in Tomatoes
Heap the herbs
Sprinkle some spice
Pepper with a pinch of seasoning
Kindly Slow cook for hours until the whole melds into a melting pot, far greater than the sum of its simple parts.
©Stephanie Barrows/January 2022

Like a warm hug with Mamma.

And so another tour comes to an end and I feel blessed to have been at the final Him and Me in Southend last night.

Reflecting today on how dance makes my heart sing. The sheer joy and energy created at every show lifts my soul for days, inspiring and motivating me to push myself to be the best version of me as I learn to dance (albeit very late in life!).

Thank you so much and and the ridiculously talented cast of Him and Me for once again bringing your A games - I'm in total awe. Lots of love and every success in all you do next.

42nd Street with my girl 👧

poem today. (12 minutes on the clock and one read-thru edit as usual).

I've kept seeing people using the acronym GOAT and never really known what it stands for. I know... showing my age! Thinking today of the Greatest Of All Time - all the amazing people who have and continue to make such a difference in our world.

GOAT
Today years old and just found out
What the word GOAT is all about!
It’s made we think of what’s my prime?
Greatest people and days of all time.
 
Who and what has made me smile?
Gone way beyond, the extra mile?
Brings emotional lump to throat?
You, my friends, are totes the GOAT.
©Stephanie Barrows/June 2023

   

At times it can be difficult to find joy in our lives, but after a post I saw about being happy today and every day, I was inspired this morning to write a poem called Happy. About finding happiness, however small, in whatever circumstances we face. (see https://www.instagram.com/p/CsnpNcDI0pd/) What makes you happy? Here’s something about my own passion…

I was born hearing in only one ear. I’ve never considered myself Deaf, rather that I’m Hearing, sometimes with difficulty. I’m blessed that my Hearing ear works at almost 100% and covers the 0% hearing in my right ear. My difficulty is when people stand on my right as they might as well talk to the wall – there’s no room for the sound to travel around to my left ear. I’ve always got round this by positioning myself on the right of people and also where I can see their faces and lip-read.

I give you this background as, regardless of the partial lack of hearing, I’ve always loved language. Spoken and written English, learning foreign languages, the language of music and dance and, more recently, I’ve started learning British Sign Language to improve my communication and ability to work with the Deaf Community. I love words. I love to create patterns with rhythms and sounds in my poetry, lyric and story-writing.
When I’m immersed in music and lyrics (writing, singing or dancing), when I’m learning to speak and use new languages, when I’m groping for just the right word for a piece of writing, this is my Happy. Wishing you every happiness today.

Such a great night last night. Such a treat to see the Strictly Professionals’ amazing dance routines and lovely to get to know more about each of them. Standouts for me were the Luba and Karen and Nikita and Carlos routines, as well as the hilarious banter between Neil Jones and Diane Buswell and so many other moments of pure raw energy and emotion. Well done everyone – FAB-U-LOUS
Gorgeous too to have a quick chat with .a.e, and .

Did you know we have 6 studio spaces available for hire?

For more information and availability drop us a message or email
✉️ [email protected]

Taking inspiration from Day 6 of Week. and Coronation Day, here's my poem, 12 minutes on the timer and one read-through for the poem today.

A Deafining Moment

A new beginning, a time for reflection.
For close inspection and introspection.
Will this Carolean reign promote inclusion,
Bringing communities together out of seclusion?

A deafining moment for communication
For the whole D/deaf and hearing nation.
Accessible creative group collaboration
To achieve all our dreams post-Coronation.

©Stephanie Barrows/May 2023

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Waking up at the start of on a real high after going to see in Made in Italy last night. The whole show brought the house down, in no small part due to BSL interpreter, Stacey Green of wonderful performance. She conveyed every mood to perfection with a stylish, funny, expressive, emotional and musical performance - brava!

Even strong confident women can have moments of self doubt... and this morning when I was doubting my capabilities and feeling my age, in the very next second I came across a post saying "You're never too old and it's never too late". As I said yesterday, I always pay attention to synchronicities.

I've been mulling over ways to achieve a goal for weeks and I'm reminded today to keep in mind my WHY? What does achieving that specific goal mean for me? When we keep in mind the big picture, we can be open to other options and opportunities to achieve the same result in a different way.

There are gaps in my knowledge and expertise and I know (from having learned to Ballroom and Latin dance, speak Italian and learn BSL over the past couple of years) that now in my 60s I'm not too old and it's never to late to learn something new. Keeping my Why in mind will motivate me to find a solution and a pathway to achieving my dream. Wish me luck 🤞

How do you motivate yourself to start living your dreams? Let me know below.

I spoke yesterday about turning my dream of doing whatever we can to become a into reality and my own work to promote Deaf/Hearing collaboration in the Arts. I mentioned a blog article I'd written about what Signing Means to Me. Here's another article "Deafining the Future" https://www.signature.org.uk/deafining-the-future-stephanie-barrows/

"‘The best way to predict the future is to create/invent it’ is an often used quote. When we think or say, “Somebody needs to do something about being inclusive of the Deaf Community”, let’s complete that sentence with “and that somebody is me”.

One in eight people of working age in the UK have hearing loss (source: RNID) and represent an enormous amount of potentially overlooked talent to be catalysts for change."

Just imagine the collaborations creative visionaries of the future could make if we taught all kids to sign from birth.

📚Happy World Book Day📚

Here's wishing everyone a special day of reading and dressing up as characters in our favourite books.

Thought I'd share a poem I wrote (which is now part of a play), reminding us to be the heroes and heroines of our own stories as we bravely show the world who we truly are and follow our heart-felt dreams.

As we approach World Book Day on Thursday, I came across an old picture of my notebook in which kindly wrote the message: "Continua ad imparare!!!". (Keep learning!!!.). I was taking my notebook away with me whilst on an immersion course to learn to speak Italian more fluently as I want to spend a large part of my retirement in Italy. I'd also just achieved Level 1 BSL, inspired to learn by him and .a.e creating their incredible collaboration between the hearing and deaf communities through dance. I'd set a goal for my spare time in Florence to create a first draft script. I completed Draft 1 "Deafining Wernicke" on the plane home.

Giovanni has been my dance teacher since January 2021 when I joined him every night for 6 months online for Lockdown Dance Classes, and subsequently attending studio classes. His wonderful dance captain on , , has been teaching me Paso for a few weeks for my character in "Deafining Wernicke"

I'm proof (if ever it's needed) that you are never too old to keeeep learning. 62 now, every day's a school day for me and I take inspiration for my writing from many areas of my lifelong learning. My vision is that "Deafining Wernicke" will, in the fullness of time, be an example of how visionary creative young women from the Deaf and Hearing Communities can learn from and collaborate with each other to be the change we want in our world.

Half deaf since birth myself, this is my first project where I'll be working collaboratively with Deaf creatives using BSL. I am really excited to "Keeep learning" so that we can become catalysts for change, showcasing inclusivity through incorporating BSL, mime and movement alongside spoken English in theatre, film and TV.

I'm reaching out to the as I'm looking to work with a Deaf BSL writer and also to cast an 18-25 year old Deaf female actor who uses both spoken English and BSL. Interested?

Solutions

As a society, we've become so used to having access to a wide range of goods year round, that it can set us on the back foot when they are not always available. In the old days (yes... I am ancient!) we ate what was in season, conserving gluts of vegetables etc. for leaner times. We were grateful for and did the best we could with what we had.

When I got my first flat on my own there was often too much month left at the end of the money, but I was fortunate I was in work and able to get a second job to make ends meet, even when that meant eating tinned tomatoes and drinking hot water for a few days till pay day. I am so grateful that I was able to keep the roof over my head, put 50p in the meter for electricity and wrap up in my duvet to keep warm. I worked in a pub 3 nights a week as well as 40 hours a week in an office. Those 3 nights a week were my social life and I'm so grateful to have made many friends whilst working there, as well as learning valuable life skills and confidence-building in a hard East-End pub - not for the faint-hearted!

This was the best I could do with what I had and to this day, I still try not to throw anything away, often making what I call my Schiacciata dalla Mamma (Mum’s Crush-up) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZEet6JIU0c/

Some days it may be difficult to find anything to be grateful for, but we can always be thankful that we are awake and breathing and willing to learn something new every day.

I'm extremely grateful to have my Elder tree at the bottom of the garden (shown here). This is a gift from nature that sprouted from seeds that were dropped by birds. She is a very welcome addition to the property and we respect her position. Not only (according to folklore) does the Elder Tree Faerie Queen watch over and protect the home and family, but this tree has inspired my latest play "Deafining Wernicke". I am eternally grateful.

Dream, believe, achieve. What do you dream of becoming? Ask not who will let you become it, but rather who will stop you? Believe in your dream and your ability to be great and you will overcome challenges to achieve more than you ever before believed possible.

Follow me to find out when and where you can see "Deafining Wernicke", the story of how magic happens when a young Deaf girl dances to the beat of her heartfelt dreams...

Excitedly waiting!

As a half deaf actress and writer in her 60s, I'm passionate about sending the elevator back down to support creative young women of the future. We've been looking to cast an 18-25 year old Deaf Actress for the lead (spoken English + (ideally) BSL), but so far not found The One! We are really looking to celebrate collaborations between women of all ages within the Hearing and Deaf Communities in this magical fantasy story about a young Deaf girl coming of age and dancing to the beat of her heartfelt dreams. Really want to cast a Deaf actress in the lead.

Info about the play: https://visionrcl.org.uk/event/deafining-wernicke/ Could you be our leading lady or know someone who fits the bill? Paid role in London. DM if interested.


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