As told by Tina Thrussell

We all find spots on the road of life that feel rocky and tough to travel. I hit an especially rough patch of road when my mother-in-law chose to stop her life-saving kidney dialysis treatments. When Ma died, it turned my world upside down. How could Ma, a woman who once held such passion for life, such a sense of adventure and a willingness to laugh, come to feel that life was no longer worth living? It made me question the quality of my own life. Was I living the life I wanted? Did I feel a sense of purpose and meaning? I began to examine everything about my life – my job, my lifestyle, my relationships, even my marriage.

My examinations revealed an unsettling discontent with my life. I was raised to hold high expectations for myself, and the more I examined my life, the more my confidence and self-esteem waned. I could only see the places I’d failed, the dreams I hadn’t fulfilled, how uncertain I’d become about who I was and what I wanted from life. I became more and more unhappy.

Of course, while I was facing this inner turmoil, Neil had to deal with it, too. My searching forced us both onto a rough and rocky road. We lived through a tough year, nearly separating. Looking back, I can see we were at a place where we really could’ve used some help, but I, like so many other people I’ve met, had been taught that it’s a sign of weakness to ask for help.

Thank goodness Neil and I finally realized that the belief about asking for help as a sign of weakness is a big fat lie!

It actually takes great courage to seek assistance when you think you should be able to do things on your own. It’s a sign of wisdom to turn to those who can pick you up from the roadside and shine a light on a new path – or show you the way back to the path that you strayed from, so you can move forward once again.

One day Neil and I finally got the phrase, “Ask and ye shall receive.” We asked the Universe for help and it arrived quite quickly, in the form of an invitation from a friend who gave us tickets for an introductory seminar for a supposedly ‘life changing’ workshop.

Attending this seminar was, in fact, life changing because it opened a door for us. We saw a crack of light beyond the door that led us to a new path of life – a path of personal development and spiritual growth. As we engaged in a huge range of workshops, seminars and life-enhancing retreats, we became far more conscious about the way we were living. The more we were exposed to, the more we wanted to learn and change. We read countless self-help books, experienced the benefits of personal coaching and got involved in a spiritual community.

Each of these activities was a light that shone the way for our journey to the place we are now – happily married (to each other!) for over 26 years, living passionate and fulfilling lives, experiencing wonderful relationships with friends, colleagues and clients, feeling deeply loved and willing to share that love with the world. We are very different people than we were ten years ago!

“It only takes the light of one person to lead us out of the darkness.”

It only took the light of one person to point us to a pathway out of the darkness. Heading down an illuminated path, we learned to embrace our unique talents and gifts. We came to acknowledge that we are meant to share our gifts with the world.

We acted on the visions we received to develop powerful workshops and retreats. We tapped into our intuition to become powerful coaches. And we have attracted similarly heart-open guides and coaches who have as genuine a desire to return the favour of the gifts they received from their guides as we do.

We are now a team of loving, caring facilitators and coaches – life-enhancement specialists – who live and work the philosophy of Shin Dao – the way of the heart. This means we offer very a very unique style and environment for you to discover your new path.

“This retreat was amazing! I opened my heart to all the love I was missing in my life. I leave feeling complete.” -Kaesi, participant in the October 2009 Sage Within retreat weekend

If it only takes the light of one person to lead you out of the darkness, imagine where you can go with a whole team of lights!

“I learned how to be more in the moment where I can truly, whole heartedly experience life, enjoy life more, and enjoy and appreciate people more. Just as importantly I feel that I have more love to offer, more peace… Thanks for changing my life….”
-Erin, participant at our June 2008 Sage Within retreat weekend

Yes, over the years, the ‘lost travellers’ who have approached us to act as guides on their journey through life have told us that we bring deep love and compassion to their journey.

At times we shine a light for the travellers, so they can see their path. At other times we help them ignite their own inner light to shine their own way. Some travellers stay with us a long time, first following our light, then eventually walking beside us. They enjoy the sense of community we share. Others are with us a short time – just long enough to discover their intended path and set off on their own again. Some even find their way to new Guides through us.

Regardless of how long they stay with us, each ‘traveller’ will share heartfelt appreciation for all the caring and love they have felt and discovered along the way.

One week after attending our Spiritual Warrior retreat weekend, Shona wrote to us:
“Truly, words can’t express how grateful, peaceful and wonderful my last week has been. You’ve helped open up my mind, body and spirit on so many levels. Thank you for that gift.”
(Shona has participated in several of our events since that moving weekend.)

Kevin wrote to us, months after completing a series of workshops with us:
“I think my favorite thing about Believe in Yourself, Beyond Fear, and Hear and Be Heard, is the safe and supportive atmosphere within the groups. There is an opportunity for you to challenge yourself and walk forward towards the fears that limit you and hold you back in life, without the risk of judgement or rejection. I have found this to be very useful practice for dealing with situations in the real world. In your exercises I have built more confidence to go out and try things that I would have never even considered a year ago. I have learned that there is no need to hold yourself back in life because of doubts and insecurities.

Most importantly, I have stopped restricting my life. I feel that I can set higher goals and I consider it possible for me to reach them.”

You, too, dear traveller, can share these types of moving, loving experiences.

All you have to do is be willing to accept a little help and inspirational guidance for your journey.

Begin with the first step of receiving the gifts we are offering you:

The enlightening e-book, the inspirational audio recording and our weekly e-zine Heart and Mind Matters, which offers you inspiration, uplifting messages and news of opportunities to experience personal growth. It’s a bright little light in each week – a short email through which you’ll get to know us and begin to feel the sense of community and support we offer.

If you haven’t accepted our gifts yet, please fill in your contact information in the box to the right.
Then, browse through the various options we offer (in the tabs at the top of the page) for shining a brighter light on your path to live a more joyful, fulfilling life.

We look forward to sharing Shin Dao – the Way of the Heart – with YOU.

Tina and L. Neil Thrussell,
co-founders of Best U Can B Inc.

Comments or questions are welcome.