Solitaire

This is a highly personal memoir of a woman finding her truth, and coming home to herself through her soul's calling to lead a solitary life, albeit a highly creative one. Barbara was renowned for her highly successful graphic design business that was responsible for the inception of the most powerful wine brand in the world - [yellow tail]. However, she relinquished the business for the sake of her spiritual inner health, along with her second marriage and perfectly constructed life. The book will take you on a journey of discovery; illuminating universal concerns of the heart, and exploring questions and actions on what it takes to walk your own path when you feel you are not living your truth.

She states; "From the time we are born we are on a journey. Many of us do not have the luxury of determining which train we will catch, nor which station to either disembark temporarily or where to terminate. In fact, many human beings don't have a lot of choices. So if you have the advantage of 'choice' in your life, you are fortunate, and I am one of these people. To choose (or not) is akin to Shakespeare saying 'to be, or not to be - that is the question'. Do we let life carry us along blindly following paths directed for us by our parents and even our own perceptions of a comfortable, but conformed life? We are not all the same, and I am not trying to advocate any sort of doctrine about 'how to conduct a successful life' or 'manifest your dreams'.  The book is quite simply a compilation of heartfelt chronological short stories created over a 10-year period of my life, and I write in the hope of inspiring others by sharing my gift of art."

Through painting and writing the author reveals her existential questioning, painting her soul's desire and search for a meaningful life. Barbara was also led back to her first husband upon learning of his inoperable brain tumour and went to care for him. It was through this act of compassion that she learned the (inner) art of forgiveness and surrender. Upon this return to one of the most notable and important social constructs of her life, and the one thing she questioned the most: marriage and companionship, gave her all the answers in the end.... to 'the game of life.'