Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all, and here is my round-up for December as a career coach, writer, and human being.
She’s home…….
Our daughter’s arrival for Christmas from university has me reminiscing about my first trip home from Poly.
I breezed in at 11 pm, having called mum at 1 pm to say I was on my way – if I had stuck to my initial plan, I would have been home by 5 pm at the latest.
The trouble was I ran into a friend, well more an acquaintance (that is a whole other story); once we were in London, we went for a burger and then had a few drinks in a wine bar.
Somehow time slipped away – I did not think to pop into a phone box and call home. Back in the day, during the early eighties, there were no mobile phones, no means to text or social media.
I don’t think I fully appreciated the worry and angst I must have caused until I became a mother myself; sorry, mum.
Nonetheless, I am thankful our daughter made it home before the strikes and the snow. I am also delighted she is more sensible than her mum ????.
Action for happiness
In all honesty, Christmas has never been my favourite time of year – I am Mrs Grinch, hugely relieved once it is all over.
But I must admit this year – I have struggled more than usual. Mainly because of the general doom and gloom in the world today. So, when details of the Action for Happiness 10-day programme dropped into my mailbox, I signed up. I felt I could do with a bit of a lift to help me focus on those small actions that can make a difference.
I am on day seven, but I have been quietly impressed with how much content Action for Happiness manages to pack into a two-minute video, the range of topics and the small call to action at the end of each session.
It helps me remember and appreciate that small actions can make a difference – if you are interested, take a look. It might be just what you need.
Childhood dreams and ambitions
I wanted to play the piano when I was ten years old, and it still means the world to me that mum was prepared to find the money for lessons at school. Unfortunately, we didn’t own a piano, and it wasn’t possible to get hold of one. So, without the ability to practice at home, the school ruled there was no point in me having lessons.
Fast forward thirty years or so – my husband asks me what I want for my birthday, and I tell him, ‘A few piano lessons,’ thinking I can give it a go and move on. What I didn’t fully appreciate was that the same rule applied.
There is no point unless you can practice outside lessons, which is how a slightly battered and beat-up keyboard appeared in our living room on my ????th birthday—assembled while I was at the Co-op.
All it cost was a bottle of red wine and the petrol to collect it.
Well, that was the start.
I did not realise how much I needed and wanted to play the piano until I saw that keyboard, and I have been happily playing now for over ten years.
So, what childhood dreams/ambitions might you need to pursue?
Signing off
I sincerely hope this isn’t the only train I see running over the Christmas holidays ???? – but this is me done until January. So, whatever your plans, I wish you and your family a restful, peaceful, and restorative holiday and if you can chuck in some joy, even better.
Let’s see what 2023 brings.
Until next year.
