Paradise Shattered, But Not Lost

By Gaia Grant Oct 15 2002

I live in Bali, and love the island dearly. Only a few weeks ago a book I have written about my family's experiences of living in Bali was released - A Patch of Paradise. It tells of the idyllic lifestyle we have come to enjoy here, of the incredible sense of contentment and fulfilment that our tropical island existence has brought to us. But it also describes the deeper underlying tensions that have been simmering below the surface, threatening to bubble up and overflow for so long.

The peaceful image the island has enjoyed internationally for so many years has suddenly been shattered – literally blown to smithereens. Though Bali has been able to maintain some sort of proud independence from the wider worldwide terror, a safe haven from the madness – mostly due to its peace loving Hindu population and a heavy reliance on tourism as a source of income – you cannot brush aside the fact that the island is actually situated in a country in serious turmoil, in an unstable region… and is currently at a point in time when emotions are high and motives are strong. Even paradise cannot escape the implications. Perhaps I should say – especially paradise cannot escape the implications. For the island is, in fact, an ideal target for any group wanting to grab the world's attention.

As soon as the initial dust settled after the blast and important immediate concerns and needs had been dealt with, I decided that I wanted to write about the event from a personal perspective – partly because I think I can offer an insight into the trauma from a unique standpoint, partly because I hope that by trying to share the surface events and underlying causes we can all become more informed of the real issues and therefore better prepared to take action, and partly because I find writing a therapeutic exercise…. It is a personal attempt to cope with the tragedy.

Don't Fight Fire with Fire

Buy "A Patch of Paradise" E-Book

A Patch of Paradise eBook can be purchased as a full Book or
as separate chapters!

Full Book

Prologue

Chapter 1-3

Chapter 4-6

Chapter 7-9

Chapter 10-12

Chapter 13-16

Chapter 17-20

Visit "A Patch of Paradise" e-book store page >

Share & Social Bookmark:

New Book, Seminar, Survey, etc.

Just Released !!

A breakthrough new book by the Tirian executive team

New Book: Who Killed Creativity?

Your help is needed to crack an unsolved crime: creative thinking is declining at an alarming rate - so how can we get it back?

Published by Jossey-Bass (ISBN 9781118232521), Paperback, AU$29.95 / NZ$33.99

Available from: Amazon (US) & Amazon (UK) | australia bookstores from March 2012, Asia & UK bookstores from April 2012, | US bookstores from May 2012.

In The Media

Asian Wall Street Journal: "A Wealth of Happiness" Finding the Balance

A 3 week special series looking at happiness research throughout the world. The final week features Andrew & Gaia Grant's lifestyle change that carefully balances a successful work and family relationship, and how they are now able to help other executives manage this balance. More..>

About the author

Gaia Grant

Gaia Grant is co-director of organizational development firm Tirian International (www.tirian.com), and is a well-known speaker, and author of 'A Patch of Paradise' and 'The Rhythm of Life'.

Drawing from extensive corporate training experience and dramatic personal lifestyle transition stories, Gaia is able to inspire and empower individuals, couples or groups through clear and motivating messages to find a balance in life.

"I dreamed of finding a simpler lifestyle, of getting back to the core values that made life meaningful for me."

"I wanted to find a traditional village somewhere and absorb myself in a different way of thinking and being..."

Permanent seachange