Morning fellow bloggers, whilst working through an anti-bullying course today I am reminded that in any situation often what most people want is to be listened to and understood.

So for the beginning of 2016 remember the act of being a good friend is often making time to listen to others who for whatever reason are struggling.

Often there isn’t a solution but by talking things through it really does help us to understand our own feelings and the distress of others. Whilst empathy can be learnt if its something you have in abundance then don’t waste it and be that good friend you would like to have too!

Happy New Year.

I know I mentioned the Christmas holiday workers in an earlier blog but my daughter and I had the benefit of the kindness and efficiency of both our local Police and an AA break-down recovery service the other evening.

Having broken down on a rather manic roundabout, we were so relieved to be saved by a patrol car who moved our vehicle to safer spot. I cannot believe the idiots that drove around us like they were on a race track whilst we watched in fear that our little car would be demolished.

We were eventually attended by a really nice guy driving the recovery/pick up truck spending the holiday season helping others…ladies in distress!

To the selfish ones out there let’s all slow down and try to be just a bit more aware of what is happening around us and for those that do help a huge thank you in appreciation.

Drive easy and get there alive!

Friends and family often buy me beautiful writing journals. October I received a fab new one and immediately wrote a list of achievements and dreams to work towards for the last quarter of 2015.

Having just re-read ‘the list’, I had a giggle at some.  Emotive reflection on others i.e. ‘have fun in mum’s memory and be more grateful’

However, I have done pretty well and some on the creative work and self-development list have even been reached earlier..some of those that I haven’t worked on are still relevant so will form the new list for 2016… the diet for instance!

As we all wind down for the end of year it doesn’t have to be a case of feeling negative about what we didn’t manage to do as there is often a bigger reason for this which will become clearer.

Far better to be grateful for still having our health and loved ones around us and reflecting positively on what we have achieved and what we have perhaps learned from our mistakes.

For the start of the new year..whilst it’s good to set ourselves targets these must have a realistic time frame set to avoid feeling we have failed.

Remember life gets in the way of life and learning how to prioritize and cherish the days as they fall will enable a far better state of positiveness and fulfillment.

So the advice is to live, love and laugh often and be mindful.

I have lost count of the number of friends that have said Christmas has just become a marketing fiasco which starts too soon too.

Today I will be going to the Crib service with friends and family at our Local church the lovely St Mary’s and that is where the real Christmas will begin.

I will be embarrassing my daughter as I have been asked to wear my Mummy Christmas outfit for the little ones…sorry!

Followed by a few mulled wines at a local watering-hole…the other spirit of Christmas.

Happy holidays fellow bloggers and followers and remember it is better to give of yourself, your time than an expensive gift.

Day two of working through Anti-bullying Alliance’s online course.

I thoroughly recommend this free course to anybody wishing to develop their understanding or what represents bullying and communication skills whether working within education and/or parenting.

The course is easy to follow with excellent resources for extended learning of the various acts which apply to situations you may encompass.

For those new to  SEN (special educational needs) you will find this both informative and helpful. It outlines the difference between Medical Model Thinking and Social Model Thinking.

Increased awareness is invaluable as we know knowledge is indeed power.

Their website: http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk 

Had a very interesting discussion last night with a good friend and retired Police Officer. We shared how times had changed and how sadly the excellent work that our Police do goes un-congratulated..we only get to hear about the mistakes they make.

Whilst I would never make light of any genuine case against an officer, however, I remember as a child we respected the Police.  I guess for me my positive relationship has been enhanced by having family and friends in the Police force and having had the privilege to work alongside community officers.

Recently I engaged with a brilliant young officer connected with The Child Abuse Investigation Unit  and was really impressed how he handled a very delicate situation. I made the effort to say thank you to his unit and wondered how many people take the time to do likewise? Not many I bet!

On a day to day basis our officers never know what they will be met with. Maybe we take them for granted  and need to remind younger generations that they are there for our protection and deserve our respect at least.

That’s today’s rant over with…

I have always been supportive of any initiative to stamp out bullying and remove the power from the small minority who like to bully others.

I have written and ghost written articles on this subject and of course nowadays this includes cyber bullying which is on the increase.

The Anti-bullying Alliance have a free online training course well-worth exploring. If you want to take advantage of this and/or donate to their organisation. Please visit their website:-

http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Like many parents I am excited at the prospect of having my beautiful daughter return from university for the Christmas period.

We all tend to take those dearest to us for granted and miss them terribly when they are not around.

Whilst enjoying time with our families and friends this year let’s all spare a thought for those families who have relatives in the forces who will spend their Christmas away from home.

Additionally, when tucking into our Christmas dinners remember all those that work the Christmas shifts in hospitals and the emergency services who are often over stretched at this time of year.

With a week to go stay calm and relax and enjoy what you have rather than stress over what you haven’t got! It’s just stuff..loved ones are what matter most.

Signing off to tidy up and get ready for a huge hug with my girl!

Recently I was asked what problems can NLP help?  I guess the answer to a certain extent is any…if we put out mind to it!

We all have friends and family members who are unhappy with certain aspects of their  life. Indeed they verbalise about it but for whatever reason don’t feel ready to take the plunge and change their life for the better.

Whilst I recognise that many people need to identify when the time is right for them, but many will never feel the time is right.

This is when a life coach can step in and start them on their journey to make those first steps to change and start to live the life they want and moreover deserve to live.

As we rush towards the end of the year many of us will start to examine our lives and what we may want to achieve in 2016.

Remember anything is possible and it is never to late to change the way we view our life, interact with others or indeed to learn new skills.

NLP may just be the answer you have been looking for…what have you got to lose?

How is it our parents  spent so long encouraging us as children to always say thank you,but as adults we too often forget those two little words?

Everyday we encounter people who we may feel are just doing their job so we forget basic manners.

Additionally,  we are so readily to complain about service but equally shy to congratulate and give credit where due.

At this time of year we are all so busy,   often stressed with so many things on our to do list. Please spare a thought for those in the service industry dealing with customers and smile and say thank you!