I am grateful

In these troubled times, uncertain, heartbreaking, scary, I am grateful.

When you’ve had a bad week…

Have a curry and a glass of wine.

Plan the following week

Find the nuggets of good that DID happen : the compliment you did get from your boss, the project that did progress, the person you did help.

Whose opinion really matters ?

What do people think of you ? Most humans ask themselves a version of this question everyday.

Do they think I am clever ? Do they think I am beautiful ? Are they jealous of me ?

Review of 2019 and resolutions for 2020 !

Happy new year ! I hope it brings you and your families many joys and successes !

Did you celebrate the new year arrival last night ? For once, Lion and I stayed home, had a nice quiet dinner with the girls and went to bed before midnight. And it was HEAVEN ! My 16 year old self would laugh at me but being 6 months pregnant and with 2 kids, this was the perfect evening.

Your yellow shoes…

They were your very first pair. You were a late walker, starting at 17 months, but you have used them until the sole became very thin.

Normality is good

As far as I remember, I have always wanted to be out-of-the-ordinary. I am posh and annoying that way.

Holidays in Spain lounging on a chair in the sun, sangria in one hand and a book (or a cigarette) in the other ? No thanks, give me cycling in Myanmar or rafting down a cold river.

To doing it my way

Yes, I am a nice girl. I tend to help people. I assume good intent. I like to connect, share a laugh or a coffee. I am liberal and accepting. I smile a lot.

The problem is, people take advantage. Not everyone of course. The political ones. The competitive ones. They equate kindness with lack of character. Simple terms with lack of expertise. Friendly conversation with laziness.

“Mama stop looking at your phone”

Instead, ask me how was my day. Ask me if I saw some ladybirds in the park. Ask me how long I had to wait to get on the swing in the playground. Ask me what I had for lunch. What story my nanny read to me at nap time.

On second chances

Me ? I try to seize them. Growth mindset, learning from past mistakes, believing once more. Trying with all my enthusiasm, my eagerness, my ethics.

Others ? Quick judgement. Unfair gossip. Success is fleeting but failure is sticky.

Ever had one of those days ?

Those days when you wake up blue for no particular reason.

When mood is morose, smile is discreet and eyes don’t sparkle .

When your work seems useless, inconsequential. Like it doesn’t matter.

Feeling you are not where you should be, but unsure where that actually is.