I grew up outside a little village in Scotland called Saline, with my older brother David, Mum, and Dad. Saline is and always will be my home. It is my relaxing place. The air is clear, the birds and animals are aplenty, and the uninterrupted view toward Stirling and Wallace monument is beautiful. I just love it!When I was around 9 or 10 years old, I remember sitting on the front steps of our house with my Dad, as he enjoyed a whiskey, and we watched the sunset over the hills and the bats come out to catch moths and bugs in front of the leylandii trees.Instilling positivity and encouragement in everything my brother and I did, Mum and Dad dedicated their lives to our dreams.Saline could fill a bunch of storybooks in one go! When a hay bale rolled down the hill and hit the corner of the house; to David getting stuck in the dung heap in his welly boots, making a gang hut with him in an old, disused hen house with booby traps (that he always tested on me first!), building a rope swing, playing cowboys and Indians, football, badminton. The myriad of animals that live in and around the house and countryside. The smell of roses from the bushes in the summer. It was the perfect upbringing, and I wouldn’t change a second of it. I am so grateful for the space, freedom, unspoiled protected uniqueness, and independence that came with that. David and I were very close growing up. He moved to London when I was aged 14 and I don’t actually remember many specifics of Saline after that. Now I am older, I realise that he played a big part in my life and enjoyment of Saline. After 18 years, away in Japan, 26 away from Scotland, my brother David decided to come home to Scotland, having become enlightened/awakened/aware of non-duality (there are many terms for it). In not understanding what he may have ‘gotten into’, I began what has become a spiritual journey myself. My reading and research into spirituality reminded me of concepts I had lost in my late teens, and I look back at them with love but also feel that for almost 30 years I had lived another life, not true to myself. Living for others’ expectations and/or society’s expectations of me. Through my spiritual studies, I have found myself again, and my one true nature.This, and the positive outlook on life that I purposefully and consciously live by now, has rubbed off on my children who view things differently in the world and it allows me to help them look at the brighter side of life – even when bad things happen.I use my writing to encourage children to retain and listen to their inner voice. I provide happy stories with a gentle message for children – and adults alike - that anything is possible. Finding their inner confidence, facing their fears, or seeing beauty in their own (and everyone’s) unique design.Read more about this authorRead less about this author