Finding Strength in the Ashes: Reflecting on The Year My Life Burnt Down

I woke to the zzzttt zzzuuutttt sounds of the electrics at 1am on Sunday morning in June 2008.

Frightening doesn't even come close to describing the flood of emotions experienced when faced with a house fire.

Then the adrenaline surged as I drove to find mobile reception and dial 000.

The speedy arrival of the RFS brigades, the arrival and support from neighbours was overwhelmingly fantastic.

Watching our home burn down due to an electrical fault was horrendous.

Loosing family treasures, books, furniture, homemade quilts, Italian leather shoes, jewellery, my grandmothers treasures from the 1960's, rare books, all my preschool teaching resources from the 80's that had been made with attention to detail.

Over the next decade, I dedicated myself to rebuilding and savouring the simple joys of spending time with family and friends. I confronted my fear of fires with a strong resolve to recover.

We adopted the indigenous practice of cool burns to protect our bushland home from bushfires. We gained valuable insights from the RFS brigades and understood the critical importance of disaster preparedness. This included conducting fire drills both at home and in the workplace.

Demonstrating courage

Making the most of opportunities that came my way and reaching out for inspiration, support and living a life that looks for the positive in the negative.

Fire has the power to induce change and purification. Fire purifies. The historical method of refining gold is an age-old practice. Gold is heated in a crucible with fire, causing impurities to surface and be removed as the gold liquefies.

Similarly, during a trial, we might feel as if we are being roasted in the midst of an intense fire.

I kept confronting my fears, allowing myself to grow and heal.

Thirteen years later, I returned to pursue my dreams and passions.

The sorrow of what is lost.

The mourning for what can no longer exist.

The value of letting friends and the community help you rebuild and recover.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes,

Reborn.

Deciding to contact a career consultant was significant, but I needed to make changes. This choice resulted in a 20-minute strategy call on 9/4/2021 with Kate Langford Career Consulting, where we tackled tough questions and deeply explored my situation. We worked on identifying the missing elements or obstacles preventing me from achieving my goals and discussed how to progress smoothly.

This led to business coaching in July 2021

Creating a business name in September 2021

Working on the logo in October 2021 and the website in November 2021

And a challenging interview was recorded and uploaded to Kate Langford's YouTube channel, which you can watch on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy4jGNU9FDM&t=44s

The key was to take the first step, and the original business plan included Sandtray Therapy, Play Therapy, and Pet Therapy. These were all activities we were passionate about, but unfortunately, our beloved Elliot, intended for pet therapy, was diagnosed with lymphoma, prompting us to revise our business plan and concentrate on Sandtray Therapy.

It has been far from easy, especially during the Covid lockdowns. I tried to enrol in play therapy, but traveling to Melbourne for the university course in 2021 was not feasible. Both of us completed an introduction to Play Therapy with the Centre of Play Therapy.

I was determined not to give up and continued to search for solutions.

I delved into reading research and learning how to start a business. I collaborated with local families, conducted interviews, applied market research findings, and earned a certificate in Sandtray Therapy in August 2022 with Opengate Institute

During this time, I also demonstrated courage by returning to classroom teaching after 13 years in Child Protection and OOHC. I was extremely fortunate to discover a supportive school community that provided both professional and nurturing assistance, allowing me to achieve my Proficient Teacher Accreditation.

In October 2023, I enrolled in TAFE Women in Business and was interviewed about my journey, which was quite exciting 😎

To those who know me and have supported my journey into Sandtray Therapy and the establishment of my business, thank you!

This endeavour required the incredible support of my husband and family, along with meeting individuals who had the expertise to help turn my dreams into reality.

As I continue to study the symbols and metaphors as a Sandtray Therapist, I feel much more confident in facing my fears, and taking each day as it comes while still pursuing my professional and personal goals and dreams.

I continue to rise like the Phoenix 🐦‍🔥

Fire can symbolise and embody various aspects of our emotions, perceptions, fears, and needs. It has the potential to cause disaster, initiate rebirth, foster regrowth, and provide heat and warmth.

In sandtray therapy, a child safely explores creativity by lighting small candles under adult supervision, surrounded by miniature scenes and objects.

Initially, we intended to be mobile, going 'from the bush to the beach,' as reflected in one of our early logo designs. In 2025, we plan to hit the road, bringing our skills and therapy to the people we encounter.

Logo symbols representing diverse therapies: a eucalyptus leaf for the journey from bush to beach, a shell for sandtray therapy, a hand for play therapy, and a paw print symbolising pet therapy inclusion.

Warm sunset casts feathered shadows across the wall, creating a serene and artistic display beside the glass jars filled with natural elements.