Rev Deb Connor MBAcC is the author of ‘The Little Book of Dao‘ and The 12 Step Colouring Book. She is a transformational life coach, interfaith minister and Daoist priest-in-training, a writer and mixed media artist. Her workshops include ‘Arts for Awakening’; ‘Write for your Life’ and ‘Understanding the Enneagram for personal and spiritual growth’. Rev Deb provides a range of bespoke spiritual ceremonies and blessings for people of all faiths and none. Lovely vegan, all round good falafel and ‘big sister’ to all, she provides face to face coaching and courses as well as online services for the global community.
1) What is your name and where do you live?
Reverend Deb Connor. I’m known as ‘Rev Deb’. I live in St Helens, Merseyside, UK
2) What is your favourite soulventure?
My life has been an amazing roller coaster of Soulventures. Highlights have been finding myself in the middle of hundreds of schooling mackerel while scuba diving in The Seychelles. Being the only woman on a seven-person mountaineering team attempting an unclimbed peak in Kyrgyzstan, the weather was the worst that particular mountain region had seen in 10 years meaning a collective decision was made to summit a previously climbed peak. I left a senior nursing role in the National Health Service to return to full-time study. Many of my then colleagues thought I was mad, however I haven’t looked back as that was the start of my current weaving and winding 15 year soulventure. Having graduated with a first class honours degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Acupuncture, I travelled to China for further study at the Beijing Hospital of TCM. During my studies I fell in love with Daoist philosophy; an integral part of Chinese Medicine. Through a few unexpected twists and turns in my life the most heart opening and personally healing Soulventure for me has been my training in the OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation seminary. I stepped into ordination as an interfaith minister in July 2018- the same day my first book ‘The Little Book of Dao’ was published. Becoming an interfaith minister and publishing my first book are my favourite soulventures… so far!
3) What’s something that no-one would guess about you?
I’m a Daoist Priest in training. People are often surprised to find out I’m an interfaith Reverend- and even more so that I’m a trainee priest!
4) What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
If I could read and write more quickly. I’m not the fastest at either of those. I’d especially love to be able to read faster, while still absorbing and remembering what I’ve read.
5) If you could be doing anything, anywhere, right now, what would it be?
I’ve created a life I truly love a combination of working as a transformational life coach, writer, artist and designer/ facilitator of bespoke ceremonies and workshops. I work in the UK and online which allows me to be anywhere doing what I love. I’m enjoying lots of time in Bali, Indonesia in 2019 it’s a wonderful place to be writing, painting and leading workshops. I’m so much in my joy doing any of these things. If I had to pick one; right now in this moment I’d choose to be in Bali painting a huge canvas with acrylics. I love the gooey stickiness of acrylic paint it reminds me of my own tenacity.
6) Of what are you most proud?
A Daoist concept is to ‘celebrate but don’t be proud’ I love the feel of that- a celebration without any showing off! Of what am I most in celebration? My willingness to show up as my authentic self, I feel it gives others permission to do the same. I celebrate my capacity to be real, raw, honest and vulnerable in front of others, to ‘hold my shape’ not being dinted by or bending to others opinions- being the true me.
7) Who do you most admire and why?
Anyone who keeps coming back, who shows up doing the best they are capable of in the moment, who keeps trying despite knock backs, put downs and challenges. I admire those people it’s their experience, strength and hope that keeps me coming back, showing up and trying again even when I’m feeling things are a struggle.
8) Best kiss of your life?
Oh My Dao! I remember it well. I’d led an ice climb in Rjukan, Norway and my climbing partner, Neil, had just seconded up the route- which had be a bit of a tough lead for me pushing me to the top end of my climbing ability and out of my comfort zone. As he topped out it began snowing, big huge flakes; we kissed. A real-time stands still long lingering tender kiss. After that kiss, at the top of that ice climbing route, as snowflakes kissed our faces we decided to get married. We’ve just celebrated 18 years together and our 10th wedding anniversary.
9) What is a new skill you’d like to learn (and why?)
I’d like to learn some printing techniques. Screen printing appeals to me, I’ve already booked onto a course. I’m also drawn to lithography and collagraphy. I’m interested to take my artwork in that direction and see what happens.
10) Woods, mountain, city or sea?
I love different aspects of each of them, do I have to choose one? I can narrow it down to mountains and sea. I love time climbing and mountaineering; I love time swimming and diving. Just one? Sea!
11) If you could say one thing to lots of people, what would it be?
12) What makes you happy?
Me. I can choose to be happy, that’s inside of me. Letting go of my happiness being dependant on anything outside of myself- any person, situation, place or thing and finding my happiness within has given me a contentment and serenity I previously thought impossible.
13) What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Guilt in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a real health damaging emotion, so I do try to avoid it. I don’t have a TV at home, so when I’m staying somewhere with a TV I watch reruns of 80s cop dramas sat in bed in for an afternoon. To maintain my wellbeing I immediately forgive myself and release any associated ‘guilt’ of an afternoon enjoying classic 80s telly!
To find out more about Rev Deb and her life, go to www.debconnor.co.uk
