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School holidays

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School holidays are still terribly long for many students as well as parents trying to finance their children’s activities. For older students it is of course an ideal time to get some work experience and names on your CV.

There are plenty of local charities who might be willing to give a student a placement and be grateful for their time. In life nothing we do should ever be a waste, but an investment in our future. Often by volunteering aside of experience we often open doors for job opportunities.

If you cannot find the ideal placement best suited to your chosen career path you can still show your willingness to be community spirited and contribute socially. These are all worthwhile in the longer term and for those students who will be needing to write personal statements next term any voluntary work will be a bonus and prove your capability of taking the initiative and being responsible.

Please read my article on Innovate My School‘s website:-

http://www.innovatemyschool.com/industry-expert-articles/item/1332-how-to-help-students-with-university-personal-statements.html

Supporting our teenagers

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Being a teenager is a very stressful time and this week I have had the privilege of meeting with and working alongside individuals and charities who support the education sector in one way or another with intervention.

Intervention within schools as well as continual professional development of teachers has consistently grown in necessity. The reasons and causes are many and this week personally I have been examining and researching both for a project.

Revision of exams, taking exams and then finally waiting for the results provide months of stress and anxiety for students and parents alike. As I often mention on my blog remember a second choice may well turn out to be a better one for your child.

Yes, we want our children to achieve well in their exams and hopefully get the university of choice and the career of their dreams but we must be ready to support if these do not become a reality.

There are many outward signs that as parents we may be able to see, but there are also those children who hide their feelings from those close to them…so we need to ask.

Communication in life as in business has always been the key to success.

 

Please read my latest piece on Innovate My School’s website:

 

http://www.innovatemyschool.com/ideas/the-true-value-of-cpd

 

Stroke awareness…please sign the petition today

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Bloggers and twitter  followers

Please support the Stroke Association and promote and sign the government petition. The stroke strategy comes to an end with no provision to replace it..sheer madness.

Please support this charity any way you can with donations and awareness they offer superb support to stroke survivors and their families.

 

Encouraging optimism

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Over the years I have had many a debate with colleagues about my optimistic nature and attitude towards life but I don’t know any other better way do you?

An ex-boyfriend who I sometimes accused of being negative if he threw too much water on my latest dream….would correct me and say he was just a realist.  However, on the other hand he so often congratulated me recognising that I was a great ideas person. He stood back in amazement at how in no time whatsoever I would be talking about a project and then doing it. I guess that can also be described as an ‘I can do’ ethos, maybe a  passion in believing in myself and my abilities to succeed. Then again others would say sounds like sheer madness.

Having said all this, I used to work within a legal environment so I also come from a position of preventative rather than cure… so what may appear to some as an instant decision, I will have been planning for some time and have really agonised about the risks.

So I believe what I am saying is we creative types are not completely crazy you know and more often than not our ideas do come to fruition and often help others in the process.

In life we have to sometimes just run with things and hope beyond even our own wildest dreams that things will work out. If we don’t at least try how will we ever know our own limitations? Being curious is what keeps us interesting after all isn’t it?

I strongly believe that things that are meant to be will be, however we can help our destiny along by being proactive and optimistic rather than sitting around waiting for life to happen and complaining when it doesn’t.

Tell somebody you love that you love them today

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My amazing mentor so often said the time to be good to people and show them you care is when they are here and alive.

Many of my close family members and good friends have no problem in telling one another that we love each other but not in a flippant way but just when it feels right. For the un-lovey-dovey minority using the word love doesn’t dilute it’s value… if you mean it when you say it.

Ok for some people saying how we feel and showing emotions is difficult but life can be far more difficult for us and those close to us when we don’t.

I know a friend chose ‘The Living Years’ by Mike and The Mechanics song for his father’s funeral and the words ring true about how as children we always think our parents are from another planet. The essence of this song is quite beautiful and poignant if you have lost a father and wish you had talked more.

Vic Botterill (a great after dinner speaker I know) within his training DVD   ‘Living, Loving and Stress’ reminds his audience how important it is to tell loved ones that we love them and on a regular basis. Vic is an ex Police Officer and has had to deliver tragic news to loved ones..he knows his stuff!

So my message today is tell somebody you love…just that..you love them.

Young at heart

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Part of feeling positive I guess to a certain degree is remaining young at heart. I am known for being sensible and professional when required but also know how to play and have fun.

As my mentor used to say ‘laughing is as good as a tonic’, same said lady was an expert at playing the yo yo. She could do all sorts of tricks and we were always buying her new ones and ones that lit up.

Last week I treated myself to a new wooden yo yo and had great fun last night playing with it much to the amusement of my daughter! It’s almost as much fun as blow bubbles.

Seriously, taking time out to just be and enjoy simple things in life can place us back in the moment  remembering halcyon times as a child… and, for a while, forget about whatever is troubling us.

As for the troubles…these too will pass.

I know it’s Monday but find time to smile and enjoy the day whatever it brings.

Ollie Foundation

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The Ollie Foundation was set up by Stuart Falconer a grieving father who lost his own son Morgan only last year. Speaking to Stuart earlier today I am pleased to hear that interest and support is gathering momentum for the foundation.

I always respect anybody who turns their personal grief into positive action to help others through increased awareness. My followers know male suicide is something which I often write about.  None of us as parents and/or friends should under estimate how important it is for young men to be encouraged to share their emotions, feelings and fears.

Teens are under so much emotional pressure these days which is one of the reasons I write about the true value of CPD for teachers and intervention within the education system. Indeed I work closely with fellow counsellors and life coaches who are proactive in this area.

Please read my latest article on Innovate My School’s website: –

http://www.innovatemyschool.com/ideas/the-true-value-of-cpd

The Ollie Foundation aims to fund intervention training within schools in Hertfordshire and help remove some of the stigma attached to suicide. Having written two books on bereavement I never shun away from raising the subject of suicide nor the fact the families need even more help with coming to terms with their loss.

If you would like to find our more or feel you can help The Ollie Foundation in some way please visit:

http://www.theolliefoundation.org. 

Society generally needs to improve their attitude towards suicide it is getting better but we still have a long way to go.

 

 

Second choice

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During my screen break walk today I met a mother of a teenager awaiting exam results. I  shared my genuine belief that sometimes one’s second choice can be the better option.  I am reminded how last year so many exams had to be remarked..albeit it too late for students to secure their first lost places at the university of choice.

Many students have been surprised just how better a fit their second choice or their clearing place has been.Disappointments in life is something we all have to learn to live with and accept and at any age.

Indeed just today, one of my own projects was rejected and this soon will be revealed perhaps a blessing. As a close friend says ‘what is meant for you won’t pass you by’.

I finish my blog today watching the news to witness the soon to be appointed second female prime minister in my life time. Whether you vote conservative or not it will be interesting to see what Mrs May will contribute the coming years.

I have to confess to be just as interested as to what would happen to the cat at No 10 who is staying put…if he could talk eh?  I bet he is a lib dem voter truth be known!

Dorothy’s education

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Whilst writing my tribute to my mother ‘A Mother’s Love‘ (Gospels according to Dorothy) I guess I have been indulging myself somewhat in my memories of not just her pearls of wisdom but of the times we spent together.

Like many people my age I grew up with Doris Day tunes playing on the radio or wireless as mum always referred to it! Mum was an avid fan of both this actress of the time and of course Clark Gable. To dad she was ‘his Doris’ and to mum he was ‘her Clarke …he even had the moustache and was a nappy dresser!

Today I was treating myself from time away from the screen and found an old film on Netflix ‘Teacher’s pet‘ which featured both these actors of the time. It was a magical era where men wore suits and women didn’t go out without their hat and gloves classic! Clark was an editor on a newspaper and the beautiful Doris a teacher of journalism.They fight over which is better education or professional experience?

There were some great one liners in this old gem of a film which I had to write down:-

‘Education teaches a man how to spell experience’

‘Experience is the jockey, education the horse’

Later there is a debate wherein a very well educated psychologist argues that; ‘if you have knowledge through experience you have an education. If you look up the word knowledge it means to know’…valid point.

The school of life is indeed a great teacher and our experiences are the lessons!

 

One more day..

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Bereavement leaves one longing to be with and reunited with a loved one. Whatever your beliefs may be some may find comfort that eventually they will meet up with their loved ones in the next life.

So often we hear grieving relatives say how they would give anything for just one more day with their parent, child or partner. I heard somebody say recently that grief transcends value and I guess in a way it does. We should never take those we love for granted but cherish the time we have and the opportunity to show and tell them we care. My own mentor used to say frequently the time to be good to people is when they are here.

Life changes constantly as our lives evolve through meeting new people and losing old friends and sadly saying goodbye to loved ones. To celebrate the life of those we have lost will help not only keep them alive but help us through the changes we have no option but to accept.

We cannot change fate but we can indeed challenge it and perhaps the way we continue along the new path it has mapped out for us and ensure that we live life to the full.

Withdrawing from life and previously enjoyed activities may seem ‘the right thing’ to do. So often people feel guilty for being seen to enjoy themselves…this is not what your loved one would wish for you.