Cultivate an attitude of gratitude: Interview with Gretta Mohan
Things are busy here at Hearts+Minds as we prepare for our next Overnight Getaway! The theme for the weekend is “Discover what makes YOU come alive and do it!” and we’re so excited to welcome Gretta Mohan to speak to us about how exactly to do that.
Siobhan Scullion, our online editor and a fellow Northern Irish native, caught up with Gretta ahead of the Overnight to find out how she has navigated this journey of discovery herself. After reading this interview, it would be hard not to be impacted by Gretta’s zest for life and all its “precious moments.”
Gretta, could we perhaps begin with you telling the readers a little about yourself?
I’m in my mid 30’s, originally from Fermanagh in the North of Ireland, but fell in love with Connemara, and now I live and have a home in Galway. I’m a Gaeilgeoir and very active - running, sea swimming, hiking and cycling. Professionally, I’m an academic health economist and did my PhD in the school of Medicine at Queen’s University in Belfast about 10 years ago now. I work for the Economic and Social Research Institute, and give seminars and lectures nationally and internationally.
The theme for the weekend centres around finding what it is that makes you “come alive.” What does “coming alive” look like to you?
I get such a buzz and indescribable joy in my soul in nature and the wilderness. I spend a lot of time on my own cycling and walking the beaches in some of the remotest parts of Connemara.
I also love spending time with friends, family, and strangers. I get such a thrill from meeting and learning about the lives of people of all generations - from the fun with young children, to the awkwardness of the teenage years, through the bonds and shared experiences with my own peers, listening to parents of young families, aunts and uncles who have raised their families, and precious older people who have lived life and have amazing reflections.
What have you learned about yourself through this process of discovering and then doing what makes you come alive?
Tuning into to the present moment and having gratitude for the simple blessings in life is absolutely essential to finding that sense of being fully alive - be that bracing yourself as you enter the cold waters for a swim, relishing the warmth of the sun on your face for a minute, appreciating the vibrant colours of wildflowers, or hugging and laughing with people you connect with - these are all precious moments to be realised and appreciated fully.
In your experience what obstacles do women encounter in this process and how can they overcome them?
I’d say as women we care too much of what other people might think of us - and wish to be liked, to be thought of as pretty, successful, capable or whatever the case may be. This deep yearning to be admired or thought well of is part of human nature but should not have an overbearing influence on our lives. Overcoming this involves accepting who we are in life, and where we are, counting all our blessings and even our tough life lessons as they contribute to our growth and development. Easier said than done of course! But we must actively cultivate this attitude of gratitude and a spirit of resilience for life's challenges.
Could you share with our readers the best advice you’ve ever received?
No single piece of advice comes to mind - seeing people who live out their lives authentically, embracing who they truly are and accepting the cards that life has dealt them has had the biggest impression on me - with a little bit of laughter and mischievousness of course!
To find out more about the Overnight Getaway and to book your place, click here.