Tammie
Meet Tammie Day of Vibrant Women – Counsellor, Author, Retreat and Workshop Facilitator.
1. What types of events do you run?
I facilitate personal development workshops and retreats that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, enhance the quality of life and contribute to the realisation of dreams and aspirations.
Overall Vibrant Women Personal Development is designed to support busy women to slow down and connect with themselves, in beautiful locations in a fun and supportive way whilst in the company of other like-minded women.
2. What event have you attended that has made a difference in your life?
The 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy course. (I like it so much I did it twice!) Prior to this, I was a terrible worrier! Now there is hardly anything I worry about. Mindfulness totally changed the way I perceive the world. This course also started my interest in Buddhist philosophy.
3. What is your favourite quote?
“If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself, if you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.” ~ Lao Tzu
4. What character from a book, movie or show do you identify with and why?
Erin Brockovich. I am a counsellor and social worker by profession and I also currently work for the Queensland Community Visitor Program which is a human rights position protecting people with Intellectual disabilities and those with Mental Illness from exploitation and abuse. Issues of social justice have always been important to me and my overseas retreats always contribute to local charitable organisations. I feel it’s important to give back to the communities we visit. For example in Bali, Retreat participants visit Bumi Sehat a local birthing clinic and take with them things they were able to fit in their luggage such as chewable vitamin C tablets, iodine, latex gloves etc. We are saving women’s and babies lives by providing these much-needed resources. Did you know that childbirth is still the biggest killer of women in non-western countries!!
5. What was your favourite thing to do as a child?
Daydreaming, which fits nicely with your theme for this newsletter. Mind you it’s not just a childhood thing, but I’ve had to work hard to keep it alive. Adulthood can knock these things out of you! This is where my creativity and vision comes from, it’s part meditation, part fantasy, part inspiration.
6. If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?
At the moment because I’ve got a retreat happening in Bali in September I’m having a bit of “Bali Dreaming”, mossy temples, rice terraces, mangosteens, the smell of kretek cigarettes, banyan trees wrapped in checkerboard cloth, temple offerings, black rice pudding, tiny red squirrels and the sound of the gamelan orchestra drifting through the silky night.
7. What song would you have as a personal anthem?
Ong Namo by Snatam Kaur
“Oh my Beloved, Kindness of the heart, Breath of Life, I bow to you
Divine Teacher, Beloved Friend, I bow to you again and again
Lotus sitting on the water, beyond time and space, this is your way, this is your Grace”
I’m so thankful for all my teachers and friends in this life. They have made me who I continue to support in ways that enable me to realise my dreams. I am truly blessed.
8. What is one thing you would never give up?
My health, for me my health involves a Mind, Body, Soul connection and I spend time attending to all these different aspects of my life. The things that support me to maintain my health are my partner, yoga, meditation, sleep, walking, reading, hanging out with friends and eating yummy (sometimes healthy) food.
9. What personal characteristic supports you in being able to run fantastic workshops and events?
I think I’m a reasonably calm, peaceful and accepting person, and I believe people appreciate that energy, but I’m also upbeat. I also fancy myself as a bit of a comedian, lookout a little bit of wee might come out at my workshops!
10. What is your grand vision for your business?
Hmm … I’m perhaps a more of a small step kind of person. I recently read, “The Passions Test – The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Destiny” by Janet and Chris Attwood and found that retreats are my number 1 priority. This also feeds into another vision which is to support disadvantaged women through philanthropy. I’m not so much attached to the outcome these days, it’s the day to day living that has to be rewarding for me. When I do things I feel passionate about and enjoy the rest seems to just fall into place.
