Val Blair
Q. Who were the biggest influences in your life during your formative years?
I was raised by my maternal grandmother and paternal grandparents when my mother passed away. Growing up, they were a critical component in helping me navigate grief and played a major role in an empathetic understanding of people’s challenges and life experiences.
Q. At what age did you realize you had a gift to help others?
I knew at a pretty early age (around 5 years old) that I had a purpose to hold sacred space and to be a guide for others. I could feel others’ emotions or even physical pain. I could “see” events before they happened or loved ones in spirit. Whether it was a playground or restaurant, I would walk up to strangers and just start talking to them; by the end they would leave in shock that I somehow knew what needed to be said. While I knew I saw the world differently we didn’t have books and movies like Harry Potter so sharing that I could speak to spirit was frowned upon. Therefore this realization was not something that I discussed widely – only with my grandparents.
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Q. What was your motivation to enter the corporate world?
My family instilled a strong work ethic into me. I came from a family of educators, composers, historians and business leaders. I had a passion for learning about historical events; that passion turned into wanting to pursue a path in law and more specifically in international law, with the hope of working with the UN in Geneva. Synchronistic events that took place in my life would lead me to leave the legal field and move into Marketing instead.
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Q. How do you juggle being a CEO of a business whilst maintaining your spiritual practices?
For clarity, I run a marketing consultancy, a practice as a life coach and healer, and I am also a CMO with a well-respected company. So, to answer your question, “How do I juggle it?” I don’t know yet. LOL. But, I know when we are engaged in work that has a purpose and “fuels our passions” then it doesn’t feel like “work” and everything just seems to flow. Also having a well, thought-out calendar, with time blocks on where to focus my energy really helps :)
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Q. What was your biggest challenge as an adult so far ?
Navigating grief when I became a widow was a huge challenge. Not only because of the emotional trauma but the physical challenges that came as well. I had lost my memory for several months as my brain tried to reset itself. I had to learn how to perform basic functions like learning how to use utensils to eat or putting on clothes. I had even forgotten how to drive, which is a huge passion of mine.
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Q. How did you over come it?
I was falling into depression with deteriorating health, I began seeing a grief therapist only to find temporary relief. One evening, I had a panic attack and I closed my eyes and dreamt of Derek. I experienced a life-changing “aha” moment. He asked if I wanted to throw in the towel and come with him. I knew if I took his hand, I would not wake up. But also in that instant, every personal accomplishment, scene of love, joy with friends and moments of inspiration flashed before my eyes. In spite of what I believed to have suffered through death, loss and grief, I had created a beautiful life. I kept choosing to see light in the chaos.
There is a poignant quote from Brother David Steindl-Rast “Can you be grateful for everything? — no, not for everything, but in every moment.” I wasn’t grateful for losing the love of my life but I still felt a call to help others. But I also knew that healing needed to start with me.
It was a process but I learned to have grace and patience with myself and be open to where my grief led me. As I surrendered to the healing, my grief led me to taking a class with the Dalai Lama, meeting my mentors and Reiki teacher, leaving a stressful job, finding an amazing therapist and so on. I created a strong support group and toolkit that helped me to learn to move forward while also honoring Derek.
Q. How do you maintain your strength while extending so much energy towards helping others?
Self-care and creating balance is very important for anyone. After every session, I block time to do something that shifts my mental and energetic focus whether it be dancing or walking outside barefoot and eating ice cream. Also driving helps me to reset and recharge.
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Q. Where is your favorite holiday destination?
I travel constantly so I do not have a favorite. But the place that most impacted me was New Zealand.
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Q. Why was it your favorite destination?
There is something about the energy, land and people that connected with me on a very deep level. As soon as I got off the plane I just started crying and felt moved by every experience and interaction I had.
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Q. What brings you the most joy at this time in your life?
I enjoy taking long drives and discovering new places and people. Each experience teaches me something new and fuels my “joy center. “
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Q. If you were able to leave one thought or item in this world that could last through the generations what would it be?
There is a quote by Ram Dass that really has become the “north star” for my life; it is “We are all just walking each other home.”
In this journey called life, each and every one of us are connected - whether it is through long-term relationships (family, partners, friends, etc) or through a brief encounter, smile or kind word. Our connections matter and they impact the stories we create in this tapestry of life.