Over lockdown I learned that although I do have a busy life, it is me filling every second and not, as I always said, that there is too much to do! I am still learning to navigate my way past this and do less but at least being aware that it is, in some respects, my choice, is giving me a different perspective.
My Dad always said we never stop learning and that is very true – every day I learn something new – a new word, a new fact, a new idea – and that helps keep me growing and developing.
I learn a lot from this website and the wisdom of all who participate – a big thank you to everyone!

Like Craig, I often take for granted the parts I can’t see although there are still times when I marvel at what they are doing inside me, with no conscious direction. As someone with health issues, I am more conscious of certain parts and try to look after them but your questions reminds me that my body is a temple and should be treated accordingly. And, despite my problems, I am so much luckier than many, so I should give thanks more often for what my body can do and how well it does work.

I have just read the most inspiring book “The end of your life book club”, about books and someone living with terminal cancer. As I read it, two thoughts dominated – the first was that it was as if I was reading about my mum, the second was that both mum and the lady in the book were actually living as I can only aspire to and I fear I can never achieve their heights. How can I sum up their qualities? Truly loving, caring, listening, believing, inclusive, proactive, positive. Actually living their beliefs and making a difference to all they meet…
In my own small way I try every day but I admit to letting life get in the way, not to mention taking the easy path at times. But at least I can strive to follow as closely in their footsteps as I can. We can only do what we can do.

The knowledge that I have God on my side, not to mention my husband, mother, friends….The lovely quote from Mother Julian “”All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well” (and she survived the plague!)…The fact that I have survived so far and come through some very dark times, and have surprised myself by how resilient I am…The knowledge that I am only a small speck in the world and that the dark is, probably, equally small in that perspective…and finally, a bit of inherited optimism, I guess! My Mum is the most positive person imaginable even in the face of life changing problems. I have a lot to thank her for.

The Earth and everything on it is an amazing gift. So much to see, hear, smell, touch…So many emotions it generates – awe, wonder, thankfulness….
As well as enjoying the beauty, I love the way it puts things in perspective – I’m such a small dot on the earth.
But most of all I love it’s healing properties. At my lowest points, it has been turning to nature that has saved me. Even now, I walk every morning, rain or shine, dark or light, cold or hot and I always feel renewed.

Like Carol, my first thought was how lovely that everyone here is defining success by the good that is done rather than material success.
As always, my Mum springs to mind -her whole life has been devoted to thinking of others before herself, something that she believes in incredibly sincerely and she has been so successful in so many ways – generations of school children have benefited, as have family members, “adopted” family, adults in her music group, my foster children, her friends…the list is endless and equally all have enriched her life.
My aunt was a headteacher and was sincerely devoted to getting the best for and from her children.
My husband who quietly does good around the Parish, often unnoticed except by those to whom he makes a huge difference to their quality of life, is sincere in his wish to help his community.
I try to live up to them all.

I grew up here in Norfolk on the coast, roaming free (well, it felt free to me!), on the marshes, on the boats, on the dunes….Even when I left for university and teacher training, my heart was there and eventually I came full circle back here – and I still love it. It eases my soul as I take my daily morning walk before work and makes me feel like nowhere else on earth can.
I remember a friend driving me back from university commented on how I changed as I got back here. It is so beautiful and makes me feel safe, secure and deeply content.
I love going other places but I’m not sure I could live anywhere else. The landscape and I are irretrievably entwined and part of each other.

Tricky one. I have come to realise through this website that for some reason I frantically avoid any down time – I fill every moment with useful things – and then wonder why I am exhausted. Somehow it feels to me that it is doing useful things that gives me worth. And somehow I just can’t let go enough to relax into down time. I am trying to relearn my behaviours but finding it quite stressful, I just feel I need to be doing. But I am not quite sure what this is trying to teach me! It seems to me that I need to not just recognise but believe/internalise that I am too driven and that some time out would be beneficial?
I also definitely avoid confrontation but more out of fear of how I will be viewed and if I will upset people rather than because I can learn/practise patience/strength/endurance as EJP said earlier. In that one short sentence they have made me look again and shift my perspective – I will try to reframe the situation next time I meet confrontation.

I was brought up both by teaching and modelling from my parents to serve and I have always tried to serve in whatever way I can.
Digging deep, I think my bottom line intent is to bring love. If it is only for a moment, it is worth it. As a teacher, we have often taken children no one else would take. I feel that if we can offer them love even for the short time they are with us (sometimes just a matter of weeks) it might be the only love they experience. If I can spread a bit of love to, for example, the lonely old neighbour, the friend having a bad day etc etc, I feel I have done the best I can and made a difference in the world – I will have served my purpose.

Like so many others on this site, recognition from a stranger/passer-by, be it a smile or a cheery good morning, always gives me a sense of well being which perhaps can be equated with lightness and ease.
My husband’s little touches really give me the same sense, and I smile just thinking of them – something as small as getting me a drink, or emptying the dishwasher for me, just makes me feel cared for and thought about which is so lovely.
And (as those of you who see my comments regularly might know), self care in the form of my walks in nature, especially first thing in the morning, also give me a sense of lightness and ease – and are indispensable to my happiness – and my ability to get through the day positively, whatever it brings.

I do agree with Chester – every day is new and filled with potential possibilities but I have been making an effort this year to proactively seek out new things to do so I have had quite a lot of firsts this year – new food, new skills, new learning, new books, growing my own veg, finding new music etc.
Specifically this week, I am a teacher and on Tuesday I took myself out of my comfort zone and taught a new subject to a different age group – and enjoyed it! So I was glad I pushed myself to do it.

My Mum and Dad passed on so much – a love of learning, a love of music, of books, of nature, independence and a set of values that enable me to live a happy and fulfilled life working well with others. My science teacher passed on her love of chemistry which set me on my path to study chemistry at university.
So many people have passed wonderful gifts on to me, and I believe we always have the opportunity to learn from others and accept gifts from them if we are open to the possibilities.

Definitely my Mum who lives with a chronic illness and great pain every day but remains positive and proactive. She sets a high standard to live up to!! My husband’s Mum, who lost her beloved husband too young and, although grieving deeply, said firmly “it can’t be changed, we just have to get on with it” – and she did!
Workers on the front line in any emergency – to knowingly put yourself into danger for other people’s sake is awe inspiring and heartening.
And, finally, all the people in this community who bravely share their stories and their way of coping positively with life despite everything that has happened to them.