Get Real
courageous, compassionate, creative conversations
Re-ignite Your Spark!
Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
(Howard Thurman)
My name is Sam Donaldson and I host courageous conversations, brave learning spaces and slow, sacred retreats, helping people and organisations navigate this time of multiple system failure, the sixth mass extinction.
I have completed a PGC in Psychosynthesis Leadership Coaching and I am a practicing Zen Buddhist and Quaker. I have a first class BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, and an MA in Post-war Recovery Studies from York University.
I write, organise for peace and eco-justice, and love to read, listen to music, play tennis, watch rugby and walk in nature.
I long to live in a world where everyone is reconnected with their innate fire, depth and ground, crafting brave, balanced, beautiful lives, lives that are better for them, better for those they love, and better for our world.
Do you feel lost or burnt-out on rat-race living, and find yourself longing for a more adventurous, grounded and creative life?
Are you overwhelmed by the mess our world is in, and wonder whether its possible to live a sane and happy life amidst all these crises?
Is there so much more for you to give to the world than you are currently giving?
If so, you are not alone!
I have spent my life exploring the art of conversation, and can offer you or your organisation:
- Deep Listening
- Facilitation, hosting and training
- Life-changing questions
- Guided meditations, reflections and imagination exercises
- Resources
- Support in articulating a 3-year 'Daring Dreams' vision document for your own life or for your organisation
- Support in crafting a 'Rhythm of Life'
- Connections with likeminded people and projects
- And more...
What I offer:
Contact me at sjdonaldson@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested.
I produce a regular reflective newsletter on Substack called Rewild Your Life, a secular-spiritual resource for adventurous living.
Testimonials
Femi
Author
Not long ago, I made the tough decision to leave my corporate job and become an author. It put me in a lonely place and I had few people I could talk to about what I was going through: most career coaches don't speak to the matters of the soul; and therapists don't usually have uniquely insightful advice around things like building a fulfilling career while paying the bills! But talking to Sam, I got all of the above and more. He helped me find a meditation style that worked for me, got me reflecting more about life challenges I'd faced in the past (and continue to work through) and he constantly challenges me to think big and deeply about my day-to-day work, and what's most important for my immediate next step. He's also just a really nice person, who listens without judgement, so our chats have always felt like a breeze rather than a climb. I recommend him without reservation to everyone I know.
Modupe
Artist
I recently learned that in Latin, the word "doctor" translates to "teacher". Earlier this year, once I came to the near end of my (mental) health, Sam came to me as a friendly teacher. Sam has taught me how to be a better friend, to others and most importantly, to myself.
Why Get Real?
Every human being wants to be happy. Every human being also now faces the immense challenge of living in a time of multiple system failure, the sixth mass extinction.
We all need to find ways to face up to the reality of this present moment and to discover what it means to live lives that are sane and satisfying, happy and whole, courageous, compassionate and creative.
We all need to get real!
It takes work - delving into our inner depths, facing our shadows and demons, healing our wounds - for us to do this. Without this work, we often end up lost, trapped in mistakes, fears and delusions, and as a result, we suffer.
Getting real is about slowing down and embracing the truth of who we are and where we are. It is about asking the questions we have been running from and allowing the answers to unfold in their own way. It is about exploring what wants to heal, grow, and emerge in and through us.
Deep conversations can be an invaluable aid on these journeys of getting real with ourselves and our world.
Rather than striving and struggling to perfect ourselves, driving ourselves on to reach imaginary ideals, the invitation before us is to courageously face our fears and to change and grow from there.
Are you ready to get real?