curiosity

Rainbow children

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

I had an interesting chat yesterday with the spiritual side of the family about Rainbow Children. I have to say the past few years I have read some amazing spiritual books about how we are evolving into a more spiritual peaceful time.

Whilst studying I became more and more aware of just how much of a guru my own mother was and after reading ‘Many lives many masters’ it just resonated and loudly so that she was indeed a master and sent for good reason.

It is a relatively easy decision to be positive in one’s approach to life and relationships though I am mindful that many find this extremely difficult. However, once automatic negative thought processes are removed any of us can lead a far more rewarding and fulfilling life and enable those around us to achieve their goals and place of contentment too.

If, as suggested one of our latest arrivals is indeed a Rainbow Child I will look forward to seeing what this certain young man becomes and just how he does his bit in the evolution of humanity.

But, as I always say all children are beautiful in their own way if just given the opportunity to shine…in their own way.

Broken Forest

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

At the weekend I attended a Gig locally(ST Albans)  and had the opportunity to listen to Luise (Broken Forest).  I was very impressed with this young artist who treated the audience to a great acoustic set.

If I have any criticism it was too short…but that was because she was accompanying another band also known to me.

Seriously, this female singer/musician has a truly silken voice and as I complimented her… it was like a clear Celtic vocal. I understand her roots are in Germany but as we agreed, if we are honest, we are all a mixture of various nationalities and she was not offended by the Celtic comparison!

Wherever this vocalist gets that voice from it is  well-worth going to see her live.

Her website is http://www.broken-forest.com

By the way Luise I love your visuals on your promotional material and the lyrics were very poetic. Enjoyed the Peter Pan inspired track.

 

Down’s Syndrome Awareness

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

This morning I watched the extremely emotive, empowering and brilliant advertisement in support of Down’s Syndrome run by Mencap.

Thankfully some of the myths and ignorance of the 1960’s has been replaced with more awareness and correct information to empower those children with Down’s. Slowly and hopefully we are educating the proportion of society that remain ignorant or indifferent to people with challenges to overcome.

Over the years I have known and had the privilege to work with young adults with Down’s Syndrome and they are truly  beautiful and inspirational to observe and get to know.

To find out more information please visit http://www.mencap.org.uk.

Elephants and Castles…observers of life

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

Last night I went to see the London based band ‘Elephants and Castles’ play live at The Farmers Boy in St Albans. Great night listening to this really interesting duo who write their own material. OK so do a lot of bands… and I know I am a writer… but their lyrics really impressed me. I found myself hurriedly scribbling a few down on the back of my business cards having scrounged a pen!

The band members Chris Anderson and Rob Spencer are also both teachers with the former being a music teacher who really makes a difference to the lives of the children he works with.

Chris Anderson has been known to me for nearly twenty years and I have enjoyed attending gigs in the past with other bands including ‘Missing the Ferry’ in which he plays with three other band members two of which are his equally talented and musical brothers Kevin and Paul.

My followers know that I don’t often stray from my main blog theme but these guys deserve a mention and one particular song really resonates with me and my work with the elderly..  ‘Larry and Janet‘ is an emotive song about how changes to areas affect those that may have lived there for most if not all their life and are expected to move away from all that’s familiar. And, as their lyrics state:

‘What’s left for you and me, we don’t fit into next year’s plans. …One way ticket to the outskirts..they’re gonna push us out’

During the course of the evening I was informed by loyal fans about the inspiration of so many of their songs, these guys are keen observers of life. I was equally pleased to learn ‘Outdoor kids‘ another brilliant song was inspired by Redbourn my village!

If Chris and Rob get to see this I hope I scribbled the lyrics down correctly.. after consuming a few large glasses of wine. Thanks for making a Sunday night memorable and I will be playing your disc later.

Keep an eye on these two…they have some amazing musical messages that need to be heard!

 

 

 

World Teachers Day

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

Being a teacher is a very stressful yet rewarding career and I think far too often teachers are not supported by parents and/or the various personnel who should be valuing their role.

There are so many teachers that really go the extra mile with our children and inspire them to follow their dreams. It is very sad that burn out seems to be happening far sooner in new teachers too.

So to all those teachers throughout my own child’s schooling I say sincere thanks and to the lecturers at University who are now continuing to inspire her in her educational journey.

I have many colleagues who work in pastoral within schools too who are helping teens in trouble with various intervention projects and pastoral care..remember these staff too who are tackling the real issues on a daily basis.

Useless facts

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

 

We are in an age of information which is brought to us 24/7 from all forms of media but isn’t funny how we can read a newspaper from cover to cover taking in all sorts of facts and figures and political scandals then one strange comment seems to register…

I have found myself remembering the last few weeks that supposedly there are three chickens to everyone of us living on the planet. OK, yes I did keep chickens once but why should I retain that snippet when like so many of you I have various lists around the house of important things I must do today, tomorrow…next week that I will forget unless I remind myself.

I think a lot of it is brain overload and how we have great expectations of just how much we will get done..only if the day goes according to plan eh? Now where’s that list?

Three chickens…interesting. I only had two though!!

 

hen night! 15-06-08_1722 - Copy

 

Finding time to relax

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

Life is one continual rush for most people  I meet and finding time for one’s self is so often put to the end of the list. It is not a crime to want mind space for yourself or to take time out to do something you enjoy.

I have been recovering from rather painful tooth abscess and extraction and was pleased to receive a great gift in the post. An adult colouring book!! I know I have teased many female friends and family members for indulging in this trend the past year or so…but I am now hooked.

For my screen break yesterday I coloured in a few very fine cats using my lovely coloured pencils bought for me by my daughter and it was a very calming and enjoyable session.My book also had little cat poems and thought provoking quotes.

I am currently working with and researching ways to help various clients in stroke recovery and/or dementia sufferers and I will be using this creative relaxer alongside my other sensory and reminiscence writing work.

So whether it be colouring in, listening to music of reading that book…just do it. Don’t feel guilty and be like me go the whole hog and eat a crunchie bar too.

Happy weekend fellow bloggers and followers.

Weighing up options

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

When I worked within a legal environment we would call ‘weighing up’ the balance of convenience. Throughout business and personal lives we are often faced with challenges and choices to make and weighing up the pros and cons can be difficult.

Aside of being feared of change, the word compromise can be just as frightening. Not everyone has the personal attitude towards their life to see an experience may be a good one, albeit a second choice and perhaps not quite what you had in mind as the next best move.

If the life of a freelancer has taught me one thing its that life throws all sorts of curved balls for one to juggle and/or bat away. We think our skills and qualifications are taking us towards a definite route but along the way we may be distracted by something which we made need to reach that final goal…and perhaps didn’t realise until now!

Today I am doing just that weighing up and reflecting on what to do the coming months, or longer…watch this space.

 

Technical fears

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

I suspect like a lot of people I hardly scratch the surface of the packages lurking on my laptop. Without any formal training I do the best I can with now and then asking a male colleague with more IT knowledge. I confess I hate asking for help but realistically we can’t all be experts in everything.

I remember my mother’s words where technology and indeed men were concerned:-

‘Don’t be beaten by man nor machine.’

Sound advice, sometimes I confess it can be a generation thing, whereas our teenage children just explore without fear, but in my own defense the fear is losing perhaps stored valuable material. But today that fear has been replaced by discovering new aspects of my word package previously unknown to me sadly.

The past couple of days I have spent downloading material and visuals from my website in fear of the host company losing it all for me. Not amusing when ambiguous emails are received, requests to help desk go unanswered and phone lines constantly busy.

Things I have learnt from this exercise:

a) make sure you save info you may have uploaded directed to website somewhere else.

b) get to know the packages you bought more         and

c) stop for coffee and choccy biscuits girl…you deserve it!

When is the right time?

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

I had to confess to a close friend that i was having studying withdrawal symptoms…how sad am I? Seriously, I had given myself a little break from my list of courses to do. I had decided not to start up again until my daughter went back to university. Then today I found myself seeking out one of my proposed courses and starting to read my first lesson…

If I am honest I was concerned the longer I put off starting the worse it would be to get back into my routine. As any fellow mature students will realise one has to be really committed, self-disciplined and motivated to return to studying.

I have to say the past few years I have found gaining various qualifications a positive move and I have really enjoyed the reflective reading and evolving as an individual. Finding the right position to make ultimate use of said qualifications has been harder than I envisaged but I know the right role is out there.

For me of course it was a two prong plan as my counselling qualifications have also given me credence to my serious writing projects, currently with my publisher. One has to be patient as some dreams take longer to chase, catch and become a reality.

Q: So when is the right time? A:Now!!

Remember we are never too old to learn new skills.