happiness

Being grateful…volunteer

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It  is very easy for any of us to focus on what is wrong in our lives rather than recognise the many things we have to feel grateful for. Nothing hits home more than perhaps visiting a childrens hospital, nursing home or watching programmes on TV like DIY SOS. Having seen the presenter interviewed about a particular episode I sat down to watch it on catch up. Two men had fostered then adopted four children three of them had severe disabilities of one kind or another and these amazing men were providing them with a home, a real family unit – love in abundance and tremendous care. This is kindness beyond compare and, rightly so, they were helped by the team of volunteer builders and trademen who, as the couple expressed had given their children independence by the changes they had made and a future. They cried and I did too.

We all too easily take the health of our loved ones for granted, but as I know from experience those parents with the most to cope with are often the ones that never complain about their lot. I salute them all on a regular basis and help where I can. As we know these are the very families that the system often fails and they are exhausted from their everyday life and having to fight for help.

As the DIY SOS programme shows the greatest gift we can give and quite easily so too is of course our time.  So if you know a family that may need a bit of help this week, step up and volunteer you will find it so rewarding and any help is really appreciated.

Living safely..because of our Police

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Once again we have seen amazing demonstrations of bravery, love and kindness in the face of adversity in response to unforgiveable actions at the weekend. We all have family who live and/or visit London on a regular basis and our first thoughts are to see they are safe. Mine were thankfully, but our hearts go out to anybody who has lost loved ones, watching those they love recover in hospital from their injuries or comforting those that witnessed the events unfold. The ripples are widespread.

All our emergency services have, as always, done us proud. Where do we ever see such a efficient response in eight minutes…I’ve waited longer on the phone to many an organisation.  Yet, we will still see people wanting to criticise our Police, their actions are governed daily by intricate laws, many of which do not apply to today’s society and, as we know often with a shortage of staff. However, where London is concerned last Saturday all the emergency services were on the spot and treating and helping people within minutes and in many cases putting their own lives at risk.

What an amazing visual seeing a Police Officer dancing with children at the Manchester One Love concert..our Police are human, brilliant and often taken for granted. We can only go on with our lives in the safe knowledge we have such dedicated individuals and that should never be forgotten.

I have always argued that we need Police visuality it will always acts as a deterrent and not just in inner cities but rural villages too.

Tell Mum…chocolate brownies go with everything!

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Today I shared a moment on media with an old school chum, blog follower too. In the absence of my great Mum being around I shared my little educational success I had received as a mature student.

The older we get we miss those loved ones more not less and I often find myself wanting to share something with my mum…these are all natural feelings of course. The biggest gift is to love with all your heart and to remember that love is a gift in itself.

Aside of talking achievements I shared the discovery of a new ice cream…equally as important I would say.  Coconut ice cream with lime sorbet yum! Whatever flavour icecream..don’t you find that a chocolate brownie goes with it??? Indeed, a chocolate brownie goes with everything and that’s a fact known to serious choccy lovers.

Oh come on fellow bloggers and faithful followers I cannot be serious every day and my random blogs are posted just to see if anybody is actually paying attention. To those still taking exams it is a medical fact that chocolate is good for you…I read it in a book so it must be true surely!

It is now Pimms o’clock so signing off.

 

 

Kindness of strangers

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Been away from my blog the past two days and even as a writer words fail me for the events this week.

However, all any of us can do is try to focus on the positive energy and feel blessed by the kindness of strangers. In the face of adversity communities pull together and as always we must be grateful to the emergency services who are first to attend when tragic events happen.

Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones and those that will nurse and help recover those that are injured. In addition to the visual and physical scars we of course must consider the emotional trauma that those who witnessed the situation unfold will suffer.

Many people will suffer albeit misplaced survival guilt and these emotions will not disappear overnight. We must also remember those we know who have been involved in similar tragic circumstances before as their wounds will re-open.

We can only offer help where and when we can and encourage our own loved ones to try where possible to go about their lives positively but with caution. It is of course hard for adults to make sense of it all and even more of a challenge for children who must be dealt with sensitively with age appropriate explanations.

Remember: Our security forces are doing their utmost to keep us safe and instead of criticism we must offer praise for all they do all year round.

 

Helping students

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Communication has always been the key to success whether in business, teaching or parenting. Innovate My School’s website has an amazing wealth of advice provided by experts within the education sector. I am always happy to be associated with this great procurement tool as one of their contributing writers.

Please read my latest article on combating student stress.

http://www.innovatemyschool.com/ideas/combating-student-stress-through-communication

Start the week with kindness

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Regular followers will know I often write about kindness and how it is a strength and not a weakness.  As children we were taught to be considerate of others and their feelings and how simple acts of kindness can go along way.

Somewhere in the midst of modern media the kindness factor seems to have disappeared and replaced with bullying as though it is ok to be unkind, rude and insensitive. I encourage mothers of teens to get them off of social media and out in the community.  Working with families I see on a regular basis just how damaging the ‘modern techno fun’ really is. Cyber bullying is causing all sorts of health and emotional issues for students and at a time when they are really vulnerable.

‘It’s a generation thing’ I am constantly told..sorry that doesn’t ring true it’s either right or wrong and hiding behind technology is no excuse.

I consider myself so lucky to have had a great mentor and friend in my own mother who quoted positively on a daily basis.  ‘A Mother’s Love’ Gospels according to Dorothy is available to download from Amazon Kindle which includes her story and mine and simple parenting advice.

Mother-s love (1)

Being kind can be cool you know kids!! 

Stroke Awareness

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Following on from yesterday’s blog dear followers and fellow bloggers keep healthy aside of feeling good, having more energy and looking better you will cut down the risk of heart attack and strokes.

Preventative rather than cure always works for me. If your blood pressure is high, get it checked, if you are having headaches or breathlessness see the GP ; doesn’t mean you have anything sinister going on but they can be signs of a slight adjustment in diet or health style may be called for.

I know my consultant said if he had his way he would have everyone on Asprin a day in their 40’s and, as medical opinion continue to report, it can be a real health benefit.

The most important thing is if you suspect somebody is having a stroke ring 999 the quicker they get help the more of the person you can save and that’s a fact. On a more positive note people do recover from strokes, some fully.

I remember one of our guinea pigs had a stroke and the vet we saw wanted to put him to sleep…I said no! Having had a stroke myself I wasn’t written off so why should he be! With a great deal of tlc, massage and love he recovered. Though his head was on a slight slant but we agreed it just made him look cuter..he lived a long time after.

 

 

Stroke Awareness

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Whilst supportign the various awareness days and weeks I am neglecting one of my mine awareness campaigns which is of course Strokes.

Over the years I have written many articles on this subject as many people believe that strokes are just happening to the elderly. A stroke can happen at any age and we should all endeavour to keep fit and healthy to cut down the risk factors.

However, many people never find the cause of their stroke and I include myself in that category at the tender age of 43 I could not tick any of the boxes normally associated with strokes.

Equally as important is everyone being aware of the signs to look for to help a loved one to be treated quickly; we have all seen the FAST campaign by The Stroke Association, Face, Arms and Speech..time to call 999.

For anyone recovering from a stroke there is amazing information and support avialable from The Stroke Association’s website but try to keep positive recovery is always enhanced by a positive mind.

Kindness and patience is required remember for Stroke Survivors losing the use of speech or limbs even temporarily is like a mini-bereavement and a very frightening time.

Dementia Awareness

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Aside of helping people with Dementia which I can personally vouch is extremely rewarding spare a thought for those partners and families that care for their loved one it is not an easy time.

There are a lot of people who are very isolated and may not have people locally to help so if you can give somebody a break from their situation please offer.

Help is not always to hand 24/7 and can vary from area to area. It is available in the form of Dementia Cafes and meetings although often people are too proud to ask for help or may consider drop in centres is not for them.

We all need to help with awareness whenever we can and encourage more funding to go into this particular health issue.

 

Dementia Awareness Week

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Anyone who has either worked with or known somebody with dementia will know it can be a very sad time for all concerned.

However, personally I cannot recommend The Alzhiemer’s Society enough and I help with awareness all year but great to see a dedicated awareness week. They have such amazing literature available giving invaluable advice to help carers and family members try to understand and work with their family member/friend that has been diagnosed with this condition.

It is a shame that more support isn’t readily available at local GP surgeries as not everyone in close proximity of dementia has the time or energy to search out help and advice. For carers it can be nearon impossible to get out to local events as having to get cover can be extremely difficult.

Like with most serious illnesses those around need support and comfort too, so if you know a family having to cope offer a helping hand if you can. You can become a Dementia friend too all the information is available from The Alzhiemer’s Society’s website.

Remember: Kindness, patience and understanding go along way in oh so many circumstances…and the biggest gift any of us can give is our time.