Catriona takes us on a special journey From Grief to Gratitude

FROM GRIEF TO GRATITUDE

Written by Catriona Whyte

Published by Spero House

Price: £11.99

IT'S NOT often I’d say someone feels like a long lost soul sister before actually meeting them, but that’s exactly how I felt when I read From Grief to Gratitude, a beautifully honest and heartfelt memoir written by Catriona Whyte, documenting her life journey and experiences of grief and loss and her subsequent road to healing. Of course, when we did meet face-to-face that feeling was cemented and I just know our relationship won’t end there. Let’s just say we are very similar beings with much in common.

Catriona is an incredibly grounded and modest girl who told me she‘s just a normal working person who’s ‘seen a bit of light.’ But I disagree, she’s so much more than that. There’s a tranquility about her, an earthiness that oozes from her very soul when she speaks to you.

Catriona was a medical nurse for years, but now practices a more holistic approach to healing as a Reiki practitioner. The word Reiki is derived from the Japanese words ‘rei’ (universal) and ‘ki’ (life energy), so it’s easy to see how she retains such a calm demeanour. When we did finally say our goodbyes—after almost four hours—I felt the better for it. My energy was balanced in such a way that I was reminded of how energy flows through all living things. Let’s be honest we all know people who drain our energy, and likewise those who radiate positive energy. Our bodies tell us instantly.

Catriona’s story is a straight forward no nonsense read, and totally relatable. We quickly get a true sense of this fun loving sociable girl who attended Holyrood Secondary School and then went on to study nursing, working primarily in the Victoria Infirmary on Glasgow’s southside. Sadly she lost both parents by age 18 and would go on to suffer further profound losses through multiple miscarriages. She had depression and anxiety of varying degrees at various times, however, she discovered the healing effects of Reiki, being in nature and working with the breath. I’m a yoga teacher so I know and understand the impact of breath work intricately. It may seem odd that someone coming from a nursing background and being married to a doctor could veer into such an alternative career, but having personally felt the power of Reiki she has never looked back and now practices from her Glasgow home.

As Catriona continued talking about her journey from grief to gratitude, one phrase really stood out for me: “Acceptance is key.” In having acceptance of all that life has thrown in her direction, she has been able to heal, move past it and reset her own trajectory, steering her life in an entirely different direction, no longer allowing her pain, suffering and loss to define who she is today—and I just love that and admire it so much.

Now that Catriona’s book is published she has been asked to speak publicly at book launches, something she wasn’t always comfortable doing. But she has grown in confidence as a person, a former nurse, a mother, a writer and a Reiki practitioner, and her self-belief is soaring—as it should be by the way! There are so many phonies in the wellness industry whose only interest is the almighty buck and/or fame, so it’s refreshing to sit down with a real woman, with a real story. It’s not an extraordinary story, but it’s so relatable, as is her journey towards healing. It was a pleasure to read this book and being another female writer I think it’s imperative that we have each other’s backs, which is why I was so keen to review it for The Irish Voice.

We all have to face grief in our lifetime. It’s unavoidable, and Catriona’s approach and advice is both candid and down to earth. Admit to yourself you need some back up. Go speak to a good counsellor. Practice self-care—none of us do this enough by the way. Listen to music and dance like no one is watching. Remember how you felt when you were young. Embrace nature. Get out there and walk. Forgive, both yourself and those who have hurt you. And most of all, feel the gratitude because that’s what it’s all about people.

In the meantime I will leave you with An Irish Blessing which Catriona’s pal Noreen read out at her wedding in Holy Cross Church in Crosshill as a tribute to her Irish roots.

May the roads rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face.

The rain fall soft upon your fields; and until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

From Grief to Gratitude by Catriona Whyte is available to buy on Kindle and paperback from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. Catriona’s website address is: www.nurturingholistics.co.uk and she can be found on Facebook and Instagram under Nurturing Holistics too