At the moment I am finding it is my Uni course, even though online, it makes me feel energised and I am always eager to join the class. However, I am struggling to feel ‘alive’ with most other things I am involved with, but I still joined and am always so grateful for feeling more ‘alive’ by the end. The energy and love of others keeps me alive.

My mind. It needs investment right now to try and stay calm and objective. I need to invest in my mind so that it can support the minds of others. Especially one of my nieces who is seriously struggling with her own mind.

Today it was the fact that my uncle called me first with some news, and was ask for my advice. When family reach out to me I smile on the inside.

That my best is all I can do and to accept that, but also forgive myself when I have done my best yet still feel I could have done better. My best is enough.

Struggles from my past. I am working with my therapist to forgive my younger self and to also acknowledge anger I harbour for a certain person. I have been given the task to write 2 unsent letters to try and release some of these feelings which I hope will allow me to grown and move on better.

By embracing change, accepting new things and learning when to say no too expanding my own comfort zone with my life and what I do. This way I allow diversity in my life that enriches my soul.
When it comes to people I have a multitude of different characters in my life and I remain committed to not judging the new people I meet, opening them into my life with open arms as best I can.

Others. The chance to support and communicate better with others. I learn for me and in turn that will help others. I am training to become a counsellor which will allow me to help many people as well as me and I am learning Russian so I can communicate with family in Ukraine and Russia.

We are all human, we ought to all be humane. We don’t need to understand each but to offer love and respect regardless.

From my husband. When it comes to my family I get overprotective and a little controlling when they visit. I know that I can be abrupt and short with him, he forgives me and I try my best to pre-empt my behaviour so that there is less need for forgiveness and understanding each time.

I have hopes for my three older nieces, that this year brings them happiness, stability and a light to guide them on their new journey. I have hope that my baby sister will be able to marry, I have hope that my brother’s life settles for him and becomes filled with opportunity. I long for a world where people see each other for what we all are, the same, human beings that ought to love and respect one another. But until then I will do my best to work on me and bring hope to others.

At the moment, my motivation is knowing it is ok to focus on me, in that to achieve the things I want to is ok and that by doing so I will achieving something to help others too.

My friend called me, she had received a gift in the post, anonymously. The act of someone sending her something out of the kindness of their heart and not wishing for recognition is heartwarming.

The future, looking ahead with positivity despite adversity.

In so many things, the Parish News I edit is nothing without the community input. The business, community group I run is nothing without its members, I am nothing without my family and friends, life is better shared.

I am not a naturally curious person really. But the new path I am taking now is leading me in a new learning direction and I am curious and eager to learn more as it fills me with purpose and drive, thank you.

By practice, daily, including visiting this site. My incorporating gratefulness into my daily life it becomes a part of me, of who I am and that naturally will affect my relationships with others in a positive way.

Have trust in it, have faith in what I am doing and that it will create the future I want. Lessen the anxiety associated with it and feel that it is already happening.

By allowing myself to be tender to me as I am with others. Recognising by being tender to myself, I am in fact strengthening my ability to be tender to others. It starts with me, but being tender to me I somehow find more difficult.

I break it down into more manageable bits. When things are difficult I become more overwhelmed and the simplest of tasks can seem daunting. So I break things down and they become less overwhelming, meaning I will continue to benefit from the practices still.

To be grateful for everything ‘negative’ that caused fire in me, because that fire has given me the desire, strength and determination to change my life.