The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sandy Donaghy

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sandy Donaghy

Summary: I’ve just finished reading your book The Longest Journey for the second time and was surprised by how uplifted I felt. Here at Bookbag we’re delighted that you’re happy to answer some questions for us.

Date: 28 October 2010

Interviewer: Sue Magee

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Hi Sandy

I’ve just finished reading your book The Longest Journey for the second time and was surprised by how uplifted I felt. I'm delighted that you’re happy to answer some questions for us.

• Bookbag: When you close your eyes and imagine your readers, who do you see?

Sandy Donaghy: I see people who are seeking a change of direction in life.

• BB: In 1985 you were a homeless alcoholic who was contemplating suicide and it was a chance spiritual encounter which gave you the opportunity to turn your life around. How do you feel when you see homeless people on the streets today? Do you feel that society should do more to help them?

SD: I feel compassion and Love when I see a fellow human being on the streets. I think that Society today is responding to Homelessness far better than when I was on the streets. It feels to me that progress is being made, and for that I am grateful.

• BB: I was most impressed by the fact that you obviously have a strong faith in God but a questioning attitude to many of those who try to bring religion to us. Have you found a church with which you’re happy or is your connection with certain individuals of whatever faith?

SD: I think that I rather like what a priest once said: Religion is for those who are afraid to go to Hell and Spirituality is for those who have been to Hell.'

I do not belong to any church, but respect those who do belong to a church. My own experience of the 'God of my understanding is personal and on a one to one basis. I talk to the power of the Universe all the time.

• BB: In looking at similar systems to the Nine Keys I've always come adrift when asked to find a higher power. I have no particular religious faith but your phrase god of your understanding is gold dust. How did you come to this phrase?

SD: The phrase comes from the Forever with God Prayer. You can see this on my website.

• BB: Did you struggle at all with forgiving people – or yourself? Do you find that most people struggle with certain keys or are the 'ridges' fairly evenly distributed? Which was the most difficult key for you?

SD: No not really. I think that because I was such a broken man, stripped of pride and ego, I found forgiveness a wonderful release of my Spirit and something I was desperate to do. I think that the most difficult area of forgiveness was around myself.

• BB: You describe the Nine Keys as bringing ‘’health, wealth and happiness’’. Is wealth important to you?

SD: The book was written because of my passion for helping my fellow Humans avoid the pitfalls that I have experienced. I am not a writer as such, but I am a communicator. I feel strongly that if such a book as mine was available to me 30 years ago I would not have descended to the level that I did. I paid for the publication of the Book myself as no publisher would touch it. I spent my savings to achieve this and I feel good about it.

I was Guest Speaker at the Launch of the Drug Awareness Campaign in Bristol yesterday. There were some local celebrities in attendance and children aged up to 14 years of age. For me it was a thrilling, humbling and rewarding experience talking to these people.

The Wealth and Happiness relates to your Spiritual experience, condition or Peace of mind.

• BB: What prompted you to put your nine keys to health, wealth and happiness into print?

SD: A strong desire to make all my past Life experiences work in a positive way, helping others to avoid pitfalls and to experience a life beyond their wildest dreams. There is nothing more rewarding than to have feedback from people all over the World who thank me for the book and tell me how their life has blossomed through working the 9 Keys.

The book is a Tool not just something you read and put away. The 9 Keys have to be worked to experience positive change in your life.

• BB: I’ve met few people who give of themselves to help others quite as readily as you do. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by other people’s problems?

SD: No I do not. I see past their current problems. I focus on the changes that are coming to their lives as a result of working the Keys. I chose Keys and not Steps as we are all shackled with stuff from the past. Working through the Keys from 1-9 in that order will release the shackles.

• BB: In The Longest Journey we learned quite a lot about the man Sandy Donaghy used to be, but you seem to have little need to tell us much about Sandy Donaghy today. What gives you real pleasure?

SD: Watching others Transform their life and go out strongly into the world re-charged and freed up to meet all challenges. It`s Brilliant.

• BB: What’s next for Sandy Donaghy?

SD: More of the same Sue. I would like to set up CYA ( Create Yourself Anew) groups all over the country, that would be terrific. Talking about Terrific, I have to say that sums up my experience with The Bookbag.

• BB: It's very kind of you to say that Sandy - and I have to say that meeting you has been a real pleasure.

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