Author: credo2014

Being that friend

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At a retreat last year the guru explained how to have those great friends you have to first be that great friend and never a truer word was said.

In life there are those that give of themselves effortless then there are those that are takers. We were encouraged as children not be selfish and naturally gravitate to positive optimistic individuals.

However, we have to be generous of heart which can be tiresome when those we try to support and help really cannot or will not help themselves. So what is the answer?

Life does not knock on your door unless your kerb appeal is good (as Estate agent’s say) Even making a little effort to be friendly and kind to others will reap rewards and I constantly remind people that kindness is a strength.

Life is indeed what we make it and the more we try new things the more we grow and even surprise ourselves of our hidden abilities.

Action speaks the priority: “If the goal in our life is very important, and we are not taking any step to complete or fulfil that goal, then we need to reassess our priorities.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Time for hot choccy before supermarket dash..

Friday night is music night

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Tonight BBC Radio 2 at eight o’clock we will have the opportunity to listen to the BBC Orchestra’s tribute to William Shakespeare.

I was fortunate enough to go to the live show – a really brilliant and eclectic musical evening. Songs from great musicals and jazz favourites are just a few treats in store.

After a rather emotive week of sharing with some special friends who face great challenges beyond comprehension one realises life is good and oh so precious.

To lose oneself in music is ‘simply the best’ and..to a special friend ‘we have nothing to be guilty of…’

Finishing the week on a positive optimistic note, and, to quote the great wordsmith

‘We know who we are..but not what we may be.’

Falling into place

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Isn’t it funny how life takes us on mini journeys where we find ourselves experiencing and trying new things which at the time may not be obvious.

Then further down the line whilst on another journey we realise that what we have learned previously is exactly what we need to carry us further.

Life is full of fate placing us with people and situations and for all good reason as eventually it all starts to fall into place.

Had a very positive chat with my amazing big brother who didn’t really understand why I had been studying so hard these past years, almost been a recluse…but the projects I can now go after and the right ones are coming my way make it all worthwhile.

Dala lama ‘The time has come for us to consider seriously how to change our way of life and not through prayer or religious teaching but through education.’

I say it often; we are never too old to take up new studies.

My number one follower will like today’s quote for sure!

Out of comfort zone

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Sometimes even when we are prepared and experienced we may find ourselves feeling a bit nervous or wishing we could have done better… because we know we could!

I was discussing this very subject yesterday with a colleague and it may not necessarily mean the situation was out of our comfort zone, but if it is linked to something we really want our passion may distract us.

Last week Meryl Streep one of my favourite actresses confessed that she still suffers from nerves so that’s my new bench marker!  I remember a musician boyfriend explaining before going on stage nerves are what drive us and that a certain amount of adrenaline is good if used well.

However, there are some instances where nerves will hamper our success and I will apply that thought process as best I can later this week. Hoping to report some positive news in this connection. Change that last statement to I will be reporting a successful conclusion.

Listen to the grime

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I had a short lesson in grime music with my daughter recently. I will probably be in trouble saying this but I think it’s rapping. Seriously, She played me a few tracks and showed me a few dance moves and I did my very best…to howls of laughter.

She played me a track by Drake and the words were;

 ‘Started from the bottom now we’re here’

A good message for the young that we do indeed have to start somewhere and build our way up…sometimes against the odds. So as an adult I would suggest we are not so quick to be dismissive of this style of music. Admittedly some tracks have some colourful language which I prefer not to hear.

Whilst learning my new moves I picked up one phrase in a Stormsy track;

‘Hot chocolate and a pannini to go’…that’s lunch sorted.

As I frequently say on my blog…we are never too old to learn something new and I’m off to practice those skanky leg movements. (If you can do the Charleston you may be in with a chance.)

I knew I still have it… I just can’t remember where I put it!

 

Coffee with a stranger

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So often people are quick to criticise younger people for not having any manners or being unsociable.

This morning I had the pleasure to encounter a lovely young lady in Costa Coffee near Farringdon Station. (If you are reading my blog you know who you are). Her manners were impeccable and we soon engaged in a very open and positive exchange.

I really hope this young lady is successful in pursuing her dreams she deserves to do well and if I were her Mother I would be extremely proud.

Often when we are younger employers exploit us or treat us unfairly because they can. What they do not realise is how damaging this can be to somebody starting out in life and needing their confidence building up not destroying.

Beautiful hair by the way!!

Vulnerable and fragile

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Last night I watched Monday’s Panorama ‘I’m broken inside’ Sara’s story. Anybody that watched this emotive documentary will no doubt be as angry as me that this young girl was failed by the very systems that are put in place to help. I was horrified when her sister reported that Sarah was even subjected to ‘the powers that be’ arguing over funding for her help…disgraceful.

My heart goes out to the family and huge respect for making this documentary about their beautiful daughter. For families still going through the process hearing that professional help is not as successful as we probably imagine must be equally as alarming.

I have known people who have worked for CAMS and know that the counsellors’ case loads are overloaded and funding for support for families is short and slow in coming…sometimes too late.

I remember being at a meeting last year with several supporting agencies and community heads; we agreed when somebody seeks help they are often already in serious trouble then they are reliant on GP funding to refer and there is a long waiting list.

Sarah Brennan from Young Minds spoke about the serious problem teens now faced with cyber bullying (a subject I often write about). This modern media has resulted in bullying 24/7 and I know schools are faced with supporting more cases than they can cope with.

Early this morning whilst I was reflecting on the programme and the notes I had made I was distracted by a small thud outside which sounded like something had hit the upstairs window. As quickly as I heard the noise I saw a bird fall to the ground.

I opened the patio door to see such a pretty little bird gasping its last few breaths. I assume it flew into the window or fell from a nest. As I picked it up I felt saddened but there was nothing I could have done. Sometimes in life these things are symbols which make us stop and think. I reflected on Sara also fragile and in need of help but it wasn’t forthcoming and another Mother has to live with the loss of a beloved child.

The government must put more resources into support for mental health issues and making available resources closer to the patient’s family to aid their recovery.

Any petitions that we see being organised by support agencies and charities we must sign to get the numbers they require to take their complaints and requests to government.

 

 

 

Benefits of being a mature student

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I initially enrolled on four counselling courses with the BSY Group as further self- development, to help me focus my research for my bereavement projects and enhance my people skills for clients. Distance learning can work really well for those of us with work and family commitments as you can fit it around schedules and also work to your own pace.

The positive comments from the great team of BSY tutors on my returned assignments really spurred me on to complete the next lesson and proceed to final exams. We are never too old to accept compliments and I was thrilled when my tutors nominated for an Adult Learning Award last year.

I guess my message would be one is never too old to learn and grow in terms of emotional intelligence and gain new qualifications – with the support and flexibility from the team at BSY the journey is easier than you think. The standard of lesson material is so much higher than many other courses so speaking as a Quality Consultant I would say the courses are really great value for money.

So if you have been putting off doing something for yourself then now may be the time to do it! Have a look at their website the choice of holistic courses is excellent.

Two leaflets..one too many!

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Today I took delivery of two leaflets. One I had the privilege of working on for our local Independent Councillor who has worked tirelessly for the good of our community for some 18 years. The other being the Government’s no-expense-spared leaflet on remaining in the European Union.

Let’s be honest here; if they really felt it necessary to send a leaflet to every household surely it should have included elements of benefits to leave for those wanting to vote that way. Whilst I am not personally anti remaining within the EU, I do however object to the huge cost of this leaflet. I recognise, as do many, what good those monies could have done if ploughed into the NHS say… or to save our steel industry…dare I say producing this costly leaflet is conservatism at its very worse!

In today’s age of so many media options those that didn’t feel informed had many ways of finding out, not least of all via TV and Internet -do they think we are all idiots? Our newspapers could have easily spared the editorial space for the material within this glossy offering if current party leaders didn’t lead such colourful lives.

On a more positive note I will be off shortly to proudly deliver a respected man’s leaflet.

Crazy or just a bit quirky?

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Today I was reminded by an old school chum that whilst he thought I was an intelligent girl he also thought I was a bit mad! Of course he is right on both accounts creative people have to be just a little bit crazy to be inventive. I prefer to say I am quirky.

There is of a course a very fine line between being insane and what others see as normal, but who are we to judge?

I am also aware that over the years my happy disposition, positive outlook and enthusiasm can be just a little bit annoying too!  But we all are what we are, but with a little change and consideration of others we can all rub along quite nicely. What a great shame it would be if we were all the same eh?

Some people bring out the best in us, some bring out the worst and others bring out the craziness. One of my very close friends and I have had some really funny times which would of course be construed by others (especially our children) as uncool and embarrassing or just plain mad.

So to said old school chum… to play on words… I am not wild…I’m furious. just kidding!

By the way the idea of comparing types of affair as ‘conventional or sexual’ is beyond belief by the way. An oven is conventional or fan assisted!! What’s cooking?