In the following video Joanne speaks about her life and many of her struggles as a single mother and a woman.

It was interesting to read that J.K.Rowling, one of the most famous women on the planet these days; did suffer at one time from severe bouts of depression.

We don’t know a lot of the details, and frankly we don’t need to.

What is important is here we have an accessible example of a woman who battled depression and come out the other side. - And in a spectacular way.

It is very interesting that she acknowledges that the Dementers, were inspired by her depression. What a validation for those who suffer from horrible visions in their anxiety! The Dementers must surely be some of the most horrendous creatures ever imagined, and provide an insight into what J.K.Rowling must have been through.

She states that she was never remotely ashamed of being depressed, and is proud of the way she got through it.

What a positive message for those who might be feeling embarrassed by their condition or about seeking help!

She admits to having suicidal thoughts; not just miserable thoughts, definitely suicidal ones.

Again a validation of what happens to many women who suffer from depression, and of a subject that no one wants to talk about.

So if you think you’re alone, if you are beating the crap out of yourself mentally and thinking there’s all these wonderful women out there who can handle anything and you’re not one of them…think again.

Reach out, listen to whats really going on out there. Everyone has a story, and most of the time it’s not what we assumed it would be.

I would highly recommend you watch the following video which is one in a series On Youtube.

J.K. Rowling’s life is a real inspiration for women on many levels.

A single mother, separated, unemployed …

I love it when she speaks about how neccessary it was for her house to be messy so she could write.

A woman who clearly had her priorities in order!

(The following video begins with her speaking about her pictures and then moves on to her life as a single mother living on seventy pounds a week.)

Estelle Dragun has spoken about how her daughter suffered from anorexia in the early nineties on a recent Australian Story episode.

Apparently it was triggered by an incident which occurred when walking past a construction site.

One guy whistled at her daughter, but then another said “She’s looking pretty good except for that fat ass, what a shame”.

Charmain jumped to her death from the Gap in November last year, although a budding television star and about to be married.

Here is another example of where an incident from the past can live on in our heads and ruin the future.

Like the U2 song , Stuck in a moment, we can’t seem to move forward.

I encorage you to honour Charmains memory not by feeling sorry about what happened, or demonising men at construction sites.

Rather, remember to value yourself, love yourself, and make yourself the inner voice that directs you.

Don’t be seduced by the ridiculously high standards that are set up for women, sadly  in many cases by other women.

We have the world at our feet, as women we can do and be anything.

Every day is another precious opportunity to shine as the beautiful creations we really are!

This is an amazing song about change and how if we run away from it, we will be stuck in the same cycle.

 Sung beautifully by Aimee.

I have also included the version from the amazing movie Magnolia which featured a bevy of brilliant actors including Tom Cruise, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, William H.Macy, Alfred Molina, Julianne Moore and Jason Robards.

At the end of the song the lyrics say So just give up.

However this means Letting Go, not giving up as such.

In this clip Ana talks about how she was going to Harvard Law School but ended up doing something quite different.

She pursued without reservation something different and very special.

A wonderful example for all of us that:

1. Its ok to change your mind

2. Its never to late to try something new

3. Be yourself ad shine!

There is so much in this movie about life and the challenges a woman or a young girl can face.

You will love this film, and the music, and the horses, and the scenery.

Superbly acted and executed with intelligence and sensitivity, a must see.

 A great mother and daughter film.

In the film my Best Friends Wedding, we see in technicolour a wonderful example of where hesitation and procrastination can lead us.

Its o.k to make a mistake, it’s o.k to change your mind.

It’s not o.k to settle and not have the life you deserve.

The only people who are not making mistakes and having to start fresh on a regular basis, are in the cemetery.

Don’t be so hard on yourself, you deserve love and you deserve to really live!

This movie contains so much juicey stuff in it about life, love and women. Meredith’s journey in this film is highly instructive, as are the journeysof the women around her.  - All very different, but all the same. I wont give the story away, just see this film if you can!

There is a little bit of Meredith in all of us, and she’s not all bad. She’s just allowed herself to get a bit of course. And as it turns out, she’s not the only one.

I love the vibe of this place. There’s a distinct flavour of non-pretension and non-judgement wafting about on the breeze.

I know a lot of people don’t like some of the development that has taken place around Byron, but I don’t think it’s taken away from that special feeling.

When last I was there it was the most crowded I’d ever seen it, being the school holidays for both New South Wales and Queensland.

But when you’re happy in yourself and in love with the world and your life, crowds don’t bother you.

The water was still sparkling, the Bay was still smiling, and the Byron Hills smiled down upon me.

This was breathtaking. The sound quality isn’t very good on this video but it was the only one I could find. You’ll love it. The classic Split Enz song Message to my Girl has never sounded better. What an inspiration!

A reminder of how powerful dance is, and why we should make time to do it, its more important than housework!