Happiful – September 2019

(Wang) #1
Brian’s story will resonate
with anyone who has had to
face major life changes. They
can be frightening times and,
like with Brian, its easy for

OUR EXPERT SAYS


I gradually


tackled the


elements that


held me back


Rachel Coffey | BA MA NLP Mstr
Life coach

Left: Brian exhibiting his work, Above: Brain’s original painting entitled, ‘Saturday Night
Sunday Morning 3.24am’

Over the next few years
I established myself
on the local art scene
and became quite well
known. Then, two years
ago, I thought it was
time I got involved in the
London art scene.


I have spent a lot of time
travelling up to London
to meet people and make


friends, and I’ve taken
part in around a dozen
exhibitions. All this will
culminate in my solo
exhibition at the Royal
Opera Arcade Gallery on
Pall Mall in October.
So my message is:
no matter how bad
things are, you are
able to change your
circumstances by
changing you. I was a
loner with few friends,
racked by self-doubt,
with a negative outlook
on life, and in the grip
of the crippling disease
of alcoholism. But I
changed.

I gradually tackled the
elements that held me
back from being fully
me. I had to, otherwise
the drink would have
killed me. It’s not easy,
and requires real effort. I
did it because I thought I
was going mad and then,
as realisation dawned, to
avoid death by alcohol and
to get a new and better life
back. You can do it, too.

people to feel lost and bereft.
What his story illustrates
perfectly, is those seminal
moments actually create us,
not destroy us.
It’s easy to be afraid of
change, however the really
hard bit is trying to keep
things the same when we
know they aren’t working.
Brian reached out to others,
and made a commitment to
himself. In doing so he set
himself free to
be the creative,
happy person
he is today!

September 2019 • happiful.com • 89
Free download pdf