HOME         MY JOURNEY      FULL FLOURISHING      BLOG      ABOUT ELSA      CONTACT

MY JOURNEY from STUCK
to FULL FLOURISHING

I've been on this journey for a very long time - over 4 decades. On the other hand, you may only have a few minutes to take a look. So I'm going to start with My Journey, in Short.

I've actually ended up writing four versions, each one longer and fuller than the last, each one adding to the story. And more keeps coming to mind.

You are here: 1. My Journey, in Short
2. A Bit More
3. An Ever Fuller Story
4. Ever So Much More Coming to Mind

In addition to those versions, a few years ago I did a short video on my father and myself. So many connections between us, as well as huge differences in our life paths.

But now, first . . .

1. My Journey, in Short

FROM STUCK TO LIVING FULLY,
FROM LONGING TO FLOURISHING

THE STARTING POINT: STUCK
Discontent Frustration Longing Trying

I remember so well the pain of being stuck in a relationship I knew, so utterly within me, was not the right relationship for me. I wanted out, but had nothing that qualified, for me, as a “reason”. No abuse, no cheating. Just . . . I didn't quite know. Maybe boredom.

And there was the pain of not being in the right life, of having “everything” - and nothing that I longed for. Nothing that felt meaningful to me. I was a flight attendant. I stayed at the Hilton in Paris, the Radisson in Los Angeles and Zurich.

I did not know what to do to move to a life that felt right to me.

I remember a nightmare I had, over and over. I was floating on the ocean, wanted to move. I could not. Not even a finger. I woke up. Terror and despair.

I know how I ended the nightmares. I read of a technique: tell yourself a better ending and that will happen. I had no idea how to change things. So I just told myself, before falling asleep, that my dreaming self was to find a solution.

Once again, I was floating on the ocean and could not move. Terror and despair. And then a small wave under one hand moved the hand. And suddenly the hand could move, and then the arm, the other arm, and all of me. I woke up.

The nightmare never came back.

But I had not solved what the dream was about.

___________________

MY TURNING POINT: A TINY STEP
with a huge impact, over time

I have no idea where I heard that, as a student, I was entitled to 18 free counseling sessions. I didn't go because I felt stuck. I easily got angry at little things. I wanted very much to change that. I decided: I'll take a couple of sessions to get rid of the unwanted anger.

I didn't take just 2 sessions, but the full 18. Each week I would book an appointment for the following week.

___________________

THE DECISION MOMENT

At the end of those sessions, I had a dream. I was coming out of a changing room at one side of a huge gym. My therapist - overweight - was running laps without running out of breath or sweating. My thought: she is much better at this than I am.

My decision: I want much more of the changes that have been starting, more of the talking in a fuller way than was normal for me and being listened to. I want what she has, able to run without effort. I decided to reach for more.

___________________

DECADES OF EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY

That decision led me on a long long long journey - fantastic, yes - also frustrating as I knew what I wanted, full flourishing, but found that so hard to reach.

A bumpy road.

So much exploration and changing - including grief, and coming to a flow of poetry that has continued.

Slowly I developed my own vision of a fully developed person who is able not only to feel and express their feelings, but to perceive and to think, and to connect with the world.

Most important in my approach is an emphasis on small steps, especially on recognizing small steps it feels right to take, and taking them with support.

As for myself, I've found there is always another hill to climb. This journey has been so different from what I imagined. It hasn't been about learning a few quick lessons - though that did happen.

So much ongoing discovery and movement

___________________

EVER MORE FLOURISHING

I was a flight attendant taking classes. I felt that so much was missing. I became a prof, writer, poet, songwriter, thinker, coach.

I have an ever so much greater - and still developing - understanding of what is going on in the world. Basically I was questioning so little. Now I question everything.

I have a much larger reach: from the few people I talked with; to my students, discussing so many interesting subjects, including Knowing the Inner Self; to a online audience reaching thousands with explorations, ideas, information, and also stories and poetry.

Most, I have such a sense of flow in my life, of being able to take action and be fully the person I am - not with so much locked up inside. There’s a fullness to life.

t isn’t always easy. Sometimes, in fact, it is quite difficult. However, I have the sense that I have or will find the needed inner and outer resources.

As for “the world . . .” Wars. Puppet masters behind the scenes. Will the stock market crash, bringing huge devastation? Or will the puppet masters keep the system going, for their own profit? What about freedom of speech? What about injustices, such as an extremely high influx of people into the West, often without adequate resources for housing, etc? What about security - financial and physical - for citizens? What about the push for euthanasia? What about narratives that push us to take one stance or another?

In the midst of this, some of the people we thought were on the side of truth have shown themselves to be against some truth tellers.

And there I am, there we are, trying to find our way with all that is going on. Trying to find more like-minded people. Trying for an inner sense of strength and the ability to deal with things. Trying also for ever more love, work satisfaction, and financial well-being.

Recently, I’ve started, rather accidentally, writing a musical. A couple of days ago, I got an answer from the musician friend I thought of collaborating with - his music, my lyrics. His answer: I am sure we can work it out. Supper or lunch would be included.

Will it work out? I don’t know but I am eager to try. I can hear, in my mind, the first big number:

wake up, world
from your slumber

How do we live well with all that is going on, as well as our own individual situation?

I think of Reiner, in prison since October 2023 - with such a strong spirit within him, doing all he can, his relationship with his wife deepening.

I wish I could report: Heaven on Earth!!!

I cannot. Griefs, doubts, hesitations. And some really hard things. including massive injustices. Also, awareness of ongoing inner blocks. Also, ongoing openness to - even eagerness for - further learning, like recently for Cognomovement, which is becoming part of Full Flourishing.

I still come to dark nights of the soul. But I do not stay in them for years.

Ever more reaching and flourishing.

Imagine being on a high plateau. It isn’t heaven. But it is often breathtakingly beautiful. Most, there is a large wide view. Not closed in. There are actions you can see and take.

If you have the sense of being blocked and stuck, if you often feel frustrated, overwhelmed and maybe even despairing, if you are lonely, or if you have a big sense of longing but don’t know what you might do, here is an invitation: schedule a free 15-minute Discovery Call.

When I think back to my long ago self, I shake my head in wonder. I cannot believe the distance I’ve traveled.

I am so grateful to my much younger self who took the very small first step. She had no idea all she would find. She wanted to get unstuck. She got that and ever so much more, including the flow of her own deep creativity and living fully.

___________________
___________________

FOR MORE:
You are here: My Journey, in Short
2. A Bit More
3. An Ever Fuller Story
4. Ever So Much More Coming to Mind

There is also a short video on my father and myself. So many connections between us, as well as huge differences in our life paths.

___________________
___________________

Chris Zahn

Before I met Elsa, I had wanted to be a writer for years, but I didn't write. With Elsa, with her baby step formula, I started writing.

I also felt disconnected, didn't know anyone else like me, who was questioning things. I was anxious from all the hysteria. I was worried about the future. There was crazy talk about the “New Normal."

I was referred to Elsa and Full Flourishing right then, when I was seeking a like-minded group. I found what I was seeking. A group of thinkers who weren't willing to accept the propaganda we were being spoon fed.

What I found was a group of like-minded people. And I'm connecting with way more like-minded people outside the group.

It has been transformative to work with Elsa and the group. The world had gone insane. Elsa and the group were a breath of sanity.

We learned a lot from each other. I learned much more quickly than I would have on my own.

Elsa and the group are very caring. This encourages engagement. I'm encouraged to engage within my sphere of influence about everything.

I recommend Full Flourishing and Elsa's ACE method (Awareness, Caring, Engagement) for everyone.


Chris Zahn, friendly guy who can't help being logical

________________________

Maria Nardi

Dr. Schieder's “Getting There From Here” was a wonderful experience for me. Many times, people don't take initiatives simply because they don't know what to do or how to start.  

Dr. Schieder has a way of helping people not only define what it is that is holding them back, but she provided a framework for activation and execution of goals.  

Our group meetings were engaging and fun.

It gave me the motivation and support I needed to formulate a plan.

Once I began the process, the stress of feeling static left me and instead I was energized and renewed with a deep sense of purpose.

I highly recommend her program for anyone wishing to take their goals from thoughts to concrete action.


Maria Nardi, software developer

________________________


Mary Andrew

When I came upon Elsa's work, I had been galvanised to protest by the horrific slaughter of children in the Manchester bombing.

But I felt isolated, downcast and daunted by the mountainous size of the problems. 

I have always been utterly anti-racist, but because it involved terrorism, my friends thought I had become a bigot.

I didn't know what to do. 

Elsa's amazing, inspirational work has become a beacon of light to me, and her friendship has furnished me with the encouragement and support (and occasional rap over the knuckles!) which I desperately needed to become tougher, more confident, and much more active.

I no longer feel alone; united we stand! 

Thank you, Elsa, so much for all you have done to embolden me, and nurture my development. I am truly grateful! 

Mary Andrew, working for a voice in mainstream politics

________________________


Jane Bayler

Elsa is a strong and wise leader who has inspired me massively with her commitment to humanity and her powerful leadership.

She is super smart and at the same time very compassionate and caring.

She is utterly dedicated to the advancement of justice and human rights, and ending unnecessary suffering in the world.

Elsa will truly help you to flourish and achieve your full potential both as an individual and in the context of your wider role in society.

I encourage you to engage with Elsa who will help you to flourish fully as a human being and reach your highest potential in terms of the impact you make in the world.


Jane Bayler, entrepreneur, proud cancer survivor, marketer and trainer who helps thought leaders and experts generate impact and authority through their online presence and communications.

________________________


Nicole Davidoff

Elsa is a spiritual healer and a brilliant writer and thinker.

And her music videos are a reminder that there is a beauty in this world too!

She is also for me a pillar of strength and a voice of reason.




Nicole Davidoff, passionate advocate of human rights and freedoms, passionately against any ideology that is totalitarian, cat lover

top of page


CONTACT


Terms of Service          Privacy Policy




copyright © Elsa Schieder, 2020-2026, all rights reserved
For any further information, please contact.