Meet Ria Ray

Ria: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience is the ability to stay the course no matter what happens. Resiliency is also the ability to run into, to go through, and accept the blessings and burdens of your gifts with grace. Resiliency is what I began to learn after my uncle sexually abused me at age eight. Despite that, my family continued to send me to his home to babysit my one-year-old cousin. From these early hardships I learned that it is not what happens to you in life, but rather your ability to transcend those experience to become whole again. To become whole (and touch your inner core) you must delve deep into your soul and use the experience to find deeper meaning. When things happen that melt your voracity for life, it is natural to want to give up. But after I lost my entire family to a carbon monoxide poisoning accident in my early 20’s, I learned that giving up was not an option. I refused to be defined by the circumstances that beset my path. Instead, I embraced the fact that I was alive for a reason. The reason, I thought, was to serve others in their pursuit of becoming conscious. Becoming conscious means to touch the infinite goodness of the pure self (or soul). This pursuit of a higher (more elusive) inner goodness is what colors our world and makes it purposeful and peaceful. This is not something that comes natural in the West. We are taught that what’s outside is the most important thing to focus on and to cherish.

But I learned through tragedy (and resilience in the face of tragedy) is that the inner world (the soul) is the truth that we all seek. It is what makes life worth living and where true joy resides. I often wondered if resilience was something you were born with. And, I believe this is true. It seems that everyone can tap into their reservoir of inner strength if they allow themselves to go through the levels of pain that prevent it. After my search for meaning and resolve, I believe that we all hold the power to persevere through pain and turn it into something positive. We all have opportunities to create, and more importantly, to love unconditionally.

The ability to bounce back (and keep going) gets easier when you understand, and accept, your true purpose. My resiliency became the light that led me to the truth. Not because of some dream or fantasy, but when I realized that everything that happened to me was for a higher purpose in my life. This did not happen overnight. You cannot gloss over pain and abuse. But after time – and deep inner searching – I realized that adversity empowered me to become my true self, instead of a hopeless victim. Being resilient also showed me that I was not a prisoner of my circumstances. Quite to the contrary, I learned that I was powerful beyond my wildest imagination. And, that I was the only person with the key to unlock the imaginary cage and set myself free. Resiliency gives you new perspectives as well. Each time you get up after being knocked down, you see an entryway to a higher level of purpose and greatness.

It also shows you a new way to express your truth, your love, and your freedom.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we have for you?
I am an artist and healer who is deeply obsessed with the power of the soul. As a spiritual healer and teacher (for over 25 years) I was able to heal myself and then help others live a soul-filled life of meaning, creativity and freedom. I work with people all over the world. I help individuals, families, couples and businesses grow spiritually, financially and emotionally through my private sessions, workshops and retreats. I also do space clearings, which is increasingly important. The space we hold can add to our greatness or take it away. My art creates an elusive portal on canvas that acts as a meditative, yet healing device for the viewer. In my healing and with my art, my goal is to inspire and awaken self-love. I have become a channel; a doorway into a more honest, truthful and creative existence in this beautiful world.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The qualities I believe that are the core of Self- Actualization are patience, consistency, self-love and practice. For me, the goal is to stay in a state of divine flow and surrender to the miraculous beauty of what happens in your life (and around you). Being patient often seems like a waiting game, or a waste of time, when in fact, it is your saving grace. The reason is because the truth is revealed at the right time when you not only need it, but can accept it. I learned a long ago not to mess with divine timing. I also learned that universal law is always in sync with our lives, regardless of what our watch says. Through much trial and error, I came to the irrefutable conclusion that my need to be in control limited the outcome, and that miracles happen exactly at the right time.

To be in sync with your higher consciousness requires consistency and balance. Through balance we create a peaceful existence. This inner – and outer – peace gives you the ability to listen (and hear) you intuition. Your intuition is your north star; it is your inner compass. This compass steers us in the right direction at the right time. Our ego, on the other hand, takes us into the highs and lows of human existence.

Our soul allows us to stabilize what matters most; to stay grounded in what’s real no matter what happens around us. It also leads us to an existence bathed in love. Working toward this consistency takes you out of the need for validation from the outside, and helps you stay focused on the dream within.

It also provides you with an uncanny sense of your inner core. That soulful journey leads to a natural knowing and powerful sense of self that allows you to see through, and overcome, any form of upheaval.

Practice is everything. When we practice anything in life, we get better at it. It’s not important to be perfect, but to experience the wonderment of life. And the wonderment of life is what gives it a joyful countenance that is not dependent on what others say or do. It is your unique journey. Your special central space in the movie of your life. Every day we get a chance to practice a skill, a new lesson or an adventure. However, this plays out in your life. Change takes time, and the only way into the next version of you, is to practice what you don’t know and to strengthen your weaknesses. Not from a place of fixing, but from a deeper space of pure, extraordinary learning.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My children and my art. They have been the most instrumental in my growth, my learning and my success. Jacob and Lia inspire me to cherish adversity and create. Being the best version of myself for them is everything to me. My painting has always been the most profound entry into my soul. My art has always given me fast access to my healing and wisdom within. Without it, I would not be whole. I would not be myself.

My son Jacob arrived early in the loss of my family. He was my inspiration to paint and to stay alive. His calm is breathtaking. My daughter Lia is has been an infinite teacher of strength and courage. Both are soulmates in my life. Together they mirror back to me every mystical place within that I need to embrace, let go and strengthen. As a mother I cannot guide them, or create with them, without being the most authentic version of myself. For that I am eternally grateful. They both push me to stay within the borders of my true self, and are the soft landing we all yearn for. Every day I get to see how life is changing and evolving by our relationship. When I see them, I also see into my own soul by way of their openness and goodness.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.riaray.com

• Instagram: @riaraysee @riarayart

• Twitter: @riarayspeak

• RIA RAY – MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ARTIST A