tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56488200590355407272024-03-16T11:53:09.319-07:00Leading LightA blog about people, HR, business and things that interest me.
All comments my own.KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.comBlogger427125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-25699824984583826092022-02-28T09:37:00.001-08:002022-02-28T09:37:29.219-08:00Is it a priority?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The last time I wrote something on here was in June 2019 – just before my life became very difficult. From July 2019 onwards, I needed to find some way of giving myself time to focus on urgent priorities, namely my mother who had become seriously ill and my autistic sister, as well as my work and all the other people I care about. My mother died just as we plunged into the pandemic and my work, as was the case for so many in HR, became more complicated than I have ever known it, but also more rewarding and impactful. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK7eVPmKLqTv6n0D45LHQMuWpFpCMm1n2rQvfx7X8ERGcwD_gXCYOzY12MONtYgG8CZncRXNrFZ9QonxSSCwGsf5Q25VYL3Rvd2n8eFqXFWvXQpFGmdn29KCP0pref4MMRaH7W4OkbBZy9nFSyebZEuL_-n5XQ7oeY-gULS9ikyIO5i04GJuqI1F92-Q=s1035" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK7eVPmKLqTv6n0D45LHQMuWpFpCMm1n2rQvfx7X8ERGcwD_gXCYOzY12MONtYgG8CZncRXNrFZ9QonxSSCwGsf5Q25VYL3Rvd2n8eFqXFWvXQpFGmdn29KCP0pref4MMRaH7W4OkbBZy9nFSyebZEuL_-n5XQ7oeY-gULS9ikyIO5i04GJuqI1F92-Q=s320" width="215" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>There is no doubt that in the past two years HR has stepped into the limelight, really showing how and where it can add value, and I am so proud of what I and my team achieved in collaboration with others. Supporting colleagues, clients, and my family through Covid, whilst simultaneously coping with grief and the demands of probate, meant that I didn’t have sufficient hours in each day to do all the things that I wanted to do, something had to give. The easiest things to drop were those that gave me personal gratification but were not crucial for me or others and that included blogging. Although writing has always given me immense pleasure, I had to stop. Now, finally, I feel ready to resume. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It does feel slightly indulgent writing again, and I hope that my words don’t seem superficial when there are so many awful things going on in the world. I know that I am not alone in being transfixed by the horrifying situation in Ukraine and, like many, I am only just beginning to appreciate the repercussions that will have a direct an impact on us all. I know that I am incredibly fortunate to live where I do and to enjoy the freedom and opportunities that surround me. The fact that I have the right to expression and can publish my opinions is a privilege that I value. I have always written in part to help me clarify my thoughts on a subject, but also in the hope that some of what I have to say might be of use or value to others. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqzilnfWZm--mGAfVV_FNiqe2wwdNS9JbrUUKurx0lD1SPsViSRhu1PsjA1HjUg-XRILNzGHYPTqDPb1OxxatkBM64fC4c8TID0TgSp3TwymxNOrib2eY1zTn2BXkcyi1ZCnOolyi8RQcJDZ61_1cIDizJUFc_v6m9XXM1HrVes-yek1kI6PytYEntqA=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1400" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqzilnfWZm--mGAfVV_FNiqe2wwdNS9JbrUUKurx0lD1SPsViSRhu1PsjA1HjUg-XRILNzGHYPTqDPb1OxxatkBM64fC4c8TID0TgSp3TwymxNOrib2eY1zTn2BXkcyi1ZCnOolyi8RQcJDZ61_1cIDizJUFc_v6m9XXM1HrVes-yek1kI6PytYEntqA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Given why I stopped writing, it only seems right to produce a post on prioritisation. We all prioritise – doing so is a fundamental part of each of our lives. Should I grab a bite or finish writing this? Should I walk to get some exercise and enjoy the view or go by bus as that will be quicker? Should I write that report or have a 1-2-1 with a member of my team? I do think that organisations’ priorities have shifted slightly over the past couple of years. Even three years ago HR used to have to fight to get Boards and senior leaders to talk about wellbeing, culture, mental health, purpose, and values - they were seen as “soft and fluffy”. At that time the focus was all too frequently on just the bottom-line, to the exclusion of everything else. Clearly commercial results are vital, a business cannot thrive without them, but those results are produced by people, and it is the way you manage, support, educate and encourage those people that impacts the business’ results. Many years ago, my uncle, who was a partner for a leading global accountancy firm, was Lord Mayor for London and he chose ‘People Count” as his motto, because he knew that success comes from people not dry financial figures. It is noticeable that organisational priorities have shifted: CEOs are proactively asking their CPOs what can be done to make people appreciate their work and workplace (and only for a few is this simply a cynical reaction to ‘the Great Resignation’ and a desire to manipulate people into staying), most leaders want to foster an environment where people can enjoy what they do, appreciate the people they are with, and be able to grow and thrive. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh82WkT6fsGaqCuJDHmh1Wn5gn8MTvIg7bQIDGE1hIvXUTLHzEXDcOk4X24Bhi9r5iWTL4A1Pe8Z9NTePSdSHWD2gXyZHaD1UG2Sr8GBxvTUmXRO0JFpNkDJSRJAR7MX_Q3drv5Z_rzAQRQugpuaVliGj19qUhFEWVyJRVIs_Dk4V0IhOfSZPpxo92iRg=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh82WkT6fsGaqCuJDHmh1Wn5gn8MTvIg7bQIDGE1hIvXUTLHzEXDcOk4X24Bhi9r5iWTL4A1Pe8Z9NTePSdSHWD2gXyZHaD1UG2Sr8GBxvTUmXRO0JFpNkDJSRJAR7MX_Q3drv5Z_rzAQRQugpuaVliGj19qUhFEWVyJRVIs_Dk4V0IhOfSZPpxo92iRg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The recruitment market currently is red-hot, with many employees choosing to quit either because </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">their priorities have changed during the pandemic, and they want a different lifestyle. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">they have been approached by recruiters and/or potential employers. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">they have been inspired to move having seen the roles that their friends are getting; or simply because they now feel that the time is right to move. </span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Individuals are having to make decisions about their futures and their places of work. I am one of those people. My former employer has been bought by a successful American group (a great outcome for all) but it has resulted in my no longer having a job. I suspect that my posts over the next few weeks will be about my experiences as a candidate. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioh403Ve9sahBq4q0k29Uw2SFIfo1PnZ3oD8r_haHQfHihp5U8VrqSvYPB8pdPiLK_h3JNgPTsWOBs_w4YcP3PcUL5wzag1Ez6rnx1dvMB488l1dgNCqk_nwSov6AcUQq390cOOtC3Fe0u1X_w7imD_E24hWqoAwVGgAQ2rn-3xRWREa79YavTRuxhWw=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="800" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioh403Ve9sahBq4q0k29Uw2SFIfo1PnZ3oD8r_haHQfHihp5U8VrqSvYPB8pdPiLK_h3JNgPTsWOBs_w4YcP3PcUL5wzag1Ez6rnx1dvMB488l1dgNCqk_nwSov6AcUQq390cOOtC3Fe0u1X_w7imD_E24hWqoAwVGgAQ2rn-3xRWREa79YavTRuxhWw=s320" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most recently I have had a disappointing experience and it was entirely my fault – I should have prioritised better. I was in Somerset, supporting my sister, but had a meeting scheduled with a leading UK head-hunter. I have known them for years; I respect them immensely and they are a leader in their field. We had had a date in the diary for a Zoom meeting on Friday 18th February. I was really looking forward to catching up, as well as hoping that she could help me. Given all that has happened over the past ten days, you may have forgotten that the UK was hit by severe storms in mid-February. Storm Eunice, an intense extratropical cyclone, hit the UK in the morning of the 18th of February; one of the worst impacted areas was the South West of England, which was where I was. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxHkjA5xV6bT_ajSpCm7bm5oVQgbJgtHPUxRFn3_dBp56skF0u_LMU8yCpWuwSKsX2i9N9el5abh1MpQG-DbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The noise was terrifying, and the movement of trees had to be seen to be believed – the Cedar in my sister’s garden looked like a 1920’s Flapper dancing the Charleston. We lost our electricity, but others lost roofs, animals, greenhouses, and ancient oaks. I was getting worried at the lack of power and, if I had been sensible, I should have cancelled the Zoom meeting to focus on supporting my sister. As it was, the electricity came back on less than 10 minutes before my meeting was due to start and I opted to plough ahead. I dialled in, but I was unprepared, and my mind was distracted. I made a mess of even simple questions such as “What have you learned over the past six years?” and I know that I did not create a favourable impression or do myself justice. I should have taken my own advice and re-prioritised to fit the circumstances, and rescheduled, thereby ensuring a better outcome. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZkvU_0OIXw1HcAtRzgasCiMufqwwt3ETYVwnKMHw2Wno752UBVhWbeQRdNk_SXGMNDo9otustMdJTuzt_OIz5lv-iTNalCurpOaX8HcndVCFodf5lWzngPeZy74e1fDNkwUvp8hhNmMIJt7K8uJjSo6YLEMX1yXzCD_BBs3OGLBLn1MRSb6vfqJ3Gbw=s794" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="794" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZkvU_0OIXw1HcAtRzgasCiMufqwwt3ETYVwnKMHw2Wno752UBVhWbeQRdNk_SXGMNDo9otustMdJTuzt_OIz5lv-iTNalCurpOaX8HcndVCFodf5lWzngPeZy74e1fDNkwUvp8hhNmMIJt7K8uJjSo6YLEMX1yXzCD_BBs3OGLBLn1MRSb6vfqJ3Gbw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>So, do I regret prioritising and hence not blogging for a few years? ( there is no doubt I was busy - I was supporting my mother through the final months before her death; figuring out how to care for my autistic sister who was not only losing her mother and constant companion but also her existence as she knew it; aiding other family members and friends who were struggling in a multitude of ways; my work was in overdrive as we cemented our organisational transformation from bankruptcy to being a desirable wealth manager and simultaneously coped with the onset of Covid-19 and the pandemic; I am a mother and both my sons were at crucial stages in their lives.). Don’t get me wrong, I am not seeking sympathy – so many people have much worse and more difficult lives than me. However, I did what needed to be done and what I felt that I wanted to do at the time - the point I want to make is that at times it is right to let things go, because there are other priorities that must come first. You need to be aware of your circumstances and act accordingly. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here’s wishing you every success when making appropriate decisions for the future.</span></div>KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-38143501936778361062019-06-23T02:40:00.000-07:002019-06-23T08:35:10.057-07:00Take a Good Look at Yourself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I awoke this Saturday morning to news that police had been called
to the home of Boris Johnson (the candidate currently in pole position to
become the new Prime Minister of the UK) and his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds,
due to their neighbours having concerns over Miss. Symonds’ and Mr Johnson’s safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure that a private tiff should be
headline news or that neighbours should be recording each other and sharing their
recordings with the press. However, there is no doubt that the altercation has
the potential to damage Boris Johnson’s reputation during his bid to lead the
Conservative party. Certainly, the conduct and character of the person holding
the highest political role in a country is important. Indeed the character of
any leader, either in or outside of politics is significant. I work for a
financial services business and we expect honesty and integrity from all our
staff, indeed we would not hesitate to dismiss someone whom we discovered was
not acting in the best interests of clients, had lied for their own gain and/or
whom we found not to be treating colleagues and third parties with appropriate
respect and consideration. What we do and how we come across is important and,
I for one don’t spend sufficient time considering how I seem to those around
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-667KOgsC8dU/XQ9FJXh551I/AAAAAAAA3Ck/iX2cncPHnEEED62JfPFBJ8yrXjARn02NgCLcBGAs/s1600/standing%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcrowd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="600" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-667KOgsC8dU/XQ9FJXh551I/AAAAAAAA3Ck/iX2cncPHnEEED62JfPFBJ8yrXjARn02NgCLcBGAs/s320/standing%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcrowd.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My boss gave me some constructive but challenging feedback
last week – he told me that some people in the business suspect that I have
favourites. That for me, as an HR Director, is a significant cause for concern.
It is crucial that I am seen as impartial, fair and interested in everyone. I
have given his comments a lot of thought (hence this blog) - it is true that
one former colleague of mine from a decade ago, a supplier who agreed to jump
ship and come in-house and one person I met via a charity we both support, have
joined our team – they were recruited without my involvement, but I can see how
people, without my being aware of it, might have felt unintentionally pressurised
into offering a job to a person who had my initial recommendation. I am
confident that each new member of my team has been able to demonstrate well
above average skills, but I can see how their hiring could be
misperceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to state that I
am hugely proud of the people who were in HR when I arrived. The HR offering
has changed significantly for the better and it is entirely down to the team.
When I arrived I made a deliberate decision not simply to “replace the bulbs” (despite
encouragement to do so from some quarters) – I knew that every person had skills
and capabilities that would prove invaluable as we turned the business around.
Much better to turn bulbs on and demonstrate that positive change can happen – HR
has been at the forefront of much of our business transformation and we take
pride in leading by example. I have an amazing team. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcu87v-3IJU/XQ-bP7QRrDI/AAAAAAAA3DY/b5lHireLU1sevlUxyplC8PRvnSa19c0YgCLcBGAs/s1600/Thanks.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="502" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcu87v-3IJU/XQ-bP7QRrDI/AAAAAAAA3DY/b5lHireLU1sevlUxyplC8PRvnSa19c0YgCLcBGAs/s320/Thanks.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I genuinely try to treat everyone with equal consideration,
but that does not mean that I shy away from difficult conversations when
performance dips or when people do or say things that unsettle others. I
appreciate that people don’t like it when I call things out, but it is the
right thing to do. I know that there are some who are going through tough
times, physically, financially, emotionally and mentally - I am grateful that
they have let me know - and I have tried to be supportive and understanding. It
did not occur to me that those with whom I was spending less time might feel
that they were less valued as a result. In my mind, they were fortunate, in
that their lives currently seemed less complicated than their colleagues’ and
hence they did not need or want as much attention or reassurance. Each of us is
different. Some people like to keep work and home very separate. However, perhaps
the problem is me and that I haven’t listened well enough or they have not felt
comfortable sharing aspects of their lives or problems with me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKXmz6aucYo/XQ9Gbhtv89I/AAAAAAAA3C0/CwRZWhwGRvsIOTCBzn2fhFcVO6Cx937lQCLcBGAs/s1600/listening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="500" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKXmz6aucYo/XQ9Gbhtv89I/AAAAAAAA3C0/CwRZWhwGRvsIOTCBzn2fhFcVO6Cx937lQCLcBGAs/s320/listening.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whilst on the subject of impact and impressions (and this
post being somewhat confessional) - at the end of a meeting in my office
yesterday a colleague made a joke about the messy state of my desk. I am
comfortable working with a collection of papers and objects piled around me (it
is a family trait I seem to have inherited from my academic grandfather, who co-invented
the iron lung, and my lawyer father who was a recognised leader in his field),
but perhaps I should be more mindful of the impression it creates on others. There
has been lots of research into working space and tidiness. A <a href="https://www.blogger.com/ww.brother.co.uk/business-solutions/mobile-print-and-label/messy-desk-tidiness-genius-research-statistics">survey
conducted in 2018</a> on 2,000 UK based employees showed that 41% of workers
believe that an organised space is key to doing a good job, but on the flip
side, <a href="https://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/a-messy-desk-is-a-sign-of-genius-according-to-scie.html">Thomas
Edison, Albert Einstein, Mark Twain and Steve Jobs all had messy desks</a> and
they seem to have been quite productive. Indeed there is <a href="https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/tidy-desk-or-messy-desk-each-has-its-benefits.html">academic
research</a> that shows that people are more creative and better at problem
solving when they operate within a more cluttered environment. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TJZ4ODMI-g/XQ9HAvSoLjI/AAAAAAAA3C8/TQkTAB0LTGo2cn9IEpC7GASGDRo0hJtoQCLcBGAs/s1600/Twain.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="976" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TJZ4ODMI-g/XQ9HAvSoLjI/AAAAAAAA3C8/TQkTAB0LTGo2cn9IEpC7GASGDRo0hJtoQCLcBGAs/s400/Twain.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mark Twain at his desk</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tidy desks only
became expected when the industrial age really started taking hold and
Dickensian clerks were being closely watched over. That doesn’t alter the fact
that I should be more mindful. Various people at work’s words to me have been a
wake up call to contemplate how I am seen by the people I live and work with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I thoroughly enjoyed a recent trip with a much-loved and
perspicacious friend to the National Portrait Gallery. One of the things that
we discussed as we wandered through the 19<sup>th</sup>, 20<sup>th </sup>and 21<sup>st</sup>
century galleries, all full of famous people, was the impression that each
individual had wished to create through their portrait. Did the sitter choose
the setting and expression, or did the artist decide that? I suspected that it
depended on the sitter – if they were a grand patron or member of royalty they
would have more control. What was the choice of lighting (candle or daylight)
and why? Why did a number of portraits all share a similar trait (for example a
physical one such as ruddy cheeks, perhaps to look like the monarch of the
time, or all looking sideways towards the horizon rather than directly
confronting the viewer – although many actresses of the same period<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>seemed to prefer to look you in the eye). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj4_6mTbsSk/XQ9HhWpQTKI/AAAAAAAA3DI/WzXD1L5KD5MSIg7PPtn267oAUgRXUNz4gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Sir%2BWalter%2BScott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="585" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj4_6mTbsSk/XQ9HhWpQTKI/AAAAAAAA3DI/WzXD1L5KD5MSIg7PPtn267oAUgRXUNz4gCEwYBhgL/s320/Sir%2BWalter%2BScott.jpg" width="234" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I
enjoyed spotting small details that people used to convey messages – the bust
of <a href="https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portraitExtended/mw05669/Sir-Walter-Scott-1st-Bt">Sir
Walter Scott</a> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">was carefully carved to indicate that he was dressed in plaid
and proud of being Scottish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">James “Jem”
Wharton, painted by the Liverpudlian artist William Davies, shows the highly
successful boxer at the height of his career – he commenced fighting in 1833
and retired undefeated in 1840. He then ran a tavern in Liverpool as well as
being a boxing trainer and promoter. The picture is a very early depiction of
boxing gloves and they seem to indicate that Jem had been training before the
painting was done, as gloves did not become mandatory in fights until after the
adoption of the Queensbury Rules later in the century. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9K0Nz4XsDM/XQ9AC4wCFUI/AAAAAAAA3CE/QT2izOR09CEBuMyMqaZDfucq_EQbEFWrwCLcBGAs/s1600/Jem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="609" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9K0Nz4XsDM/XQ9AC4wCFUI/AAAAAAAA3CE/QT2izOR09CEBuMyMqaZDfucq_EQbEFWrwCLcBGAs/s400/Jem.jpg" width="303" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">What looks like a
dashing Spanish shawl tied around his waist are in fact the “colours” from his
latest victory (we still talk of sportspeople winning their colours – but
they no longer wear them tied round their midriffs.) In Jem’s days wearing the
colours were an important message, advertising his skill and success. Not all
the portraits at the Gallery were intended to convey a meaning, the charming
sketch of <a href="https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw00230/Jane-Austen?search=sp&sText=Jane+Austen&rNo=1">Jane
Austen</a>, done by her sister Cassandra, is just that, a frank family sketch painted
simply to depict her likeness. Many have commented on the fact that, with the
advent of photography, painted and drawn portraits of everyday people are
becoming less common. Most of the 21<sup>st</sup> century pictures had clearly
been commissioned. The picture of the chef, <span style="background: white; color: #262727;">restaurateur and writer </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fergus Henderson
cradling a suckling pig in his arms was a particular favourite of my companion
– it is witty and says so much in such a simple way. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yL8gVmllExg/XQ8_sRENf8I/AAAAAAAA3B8/IvfoS8vEW8IUQ8hth8KEjOUdFJ71qGWKQCLcBGAs/s1600/FH%2Band%2Bportrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="600" height="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yL8gVmllExg/XQ8_sRENf8I/AAAAAAAA3B8/IvfoS8vEW8IUQ8hth8KEjOUdFJ71qGWKQCLcBGAs/s320/FH%2Band%2Bportrait.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Fergus Henderson beside his portrait <br />now hanging in the National Portrait Gallery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Some leaders in business and politics are effective at using
items to make a simple statement. I was particularly struck earlier this year
by the dignity and compassion displayed by the New Zealand Prime Minister, </span><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-size: small;">Jacinda Ardern</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> following the terrible killings in the mosques in
Christchurch. </span><a href="https://gulfnews.com/world/oceania/new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-wearing-hijab-meets-christchurch-terror-attack-victims-families-1.1552726262565">Her
wearing a headscarf</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> said so much and was noticed around the world (and
indeed her action was followed by many women in New Zealand to demonstrate
their solidarity with the Moslem community).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aV7tzXbBg1k/XQ9A6Mtby0I/AAAAAAAA3CM/LJkrZdNVeNw2QF4IXzWMLChXqMbvLxt-gCLcBGAs/s1600/Jacinda%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aV7tzXbBg1k/XQ9A6Mtby0I/AAAAAAAA3CM/LJkrZdNVeNw2QF4IXzWMLChXqMbvLxt-gCLcBGAs/s320/Jacinda%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Corporates can make decisions
relating to the appearance of their staff that make a statement to the wider
community – the mandatory wearing of high heels has been much debated, in
contrast, this week Virgin Atlantic announced that it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/04/virgin-atlantic-drops-mandatory-makeup-for-female-cabin-crew">is</a></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/04/virgin-atlantic-drops-mandatory-makeup-for-female-cabin-crew">
no longer compulsory for female cabin crew to wear make-up</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Have you considered the subliminal messages
provided by what you wear or don’t wear? One area for consideration is </span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41003867">colour</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">. There is a considerable
amount of </span><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331278960_THE_PSYCHOLOGY_OF_CLOTHING_Meaning_of_Colors_Body_Image_and_Gender_Expression_in_Fashion">research
into the psychology of colours</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> and how they affect emotions, perceptions
and reactions. Roman Emperors wore Tyrian purple because it made a statement
(it was so expensive and difficult to make, relying on the death of at least </span><a href="http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/roman-clothing/colors-of-roman-clothing.htm">ten
thousands snails per toga</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">).</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ukYFi_POyTs/XQ9Bm6yxaVI/AAAAAAAA3CU/yq_TIEUjL6gZCimdtkR01Nz8qraofBZwwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tyrian%2Bpurple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1096" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ukYFi_POyTs/XQ9Bm6yxaVI/AAAAAAAA3CU/yq_TIEUjL6gZCimdtkR01Nz8qraofBZwwCLcBGAs/s320/Tyrian%2Bpurple.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Influential Puritans in Britain in the 17<sup>th</sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Century reportedly wore black – it no</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">t only demonstrated that they were pious
beca</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">use they used no colour to adorn themselves, but also told people that they
were </span><a href="https://oureverydaylife.com/a-description-of-what-the-puritans-wore-12538276.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">successful
and wealthy</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zlHkyNXAriE/XQ9CM9M4VGI/AAAAAAAA3Cc/bLuDipIh5sA_INdiCmyDYUzHZa4BGpN2QCLcBGAs/s1600/thomas_manton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1411" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zlHkyNXAriE/XQ9CM9M4VGI/AAAAAAAA3Cc/bLuDipIh5sA_INdiCmyDYUzHZa4BGpN2QCLcBGAs/s320/thomas_manton.jpg" width="282" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
because a good quality black was h</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">ard to produce and hence
expensive (the majority of puritans wore brown and indigo). Another aspect of
appearance is hair (be it facial or the stuff on top of your head). I remember
a bearded colleague once being introduced on his first day as the “soon to be
no longer hirsute Mr X” - a clear message from our boss that he was expected to
shave. More recently, I notice that Boris Johnston has trimmed his
conventionally unruly mop of hair, presumably in a bid to widen his appeal
amongst the Conservative electorate. I know that I look a bit wild at the
moment, perhaps, now that I am trying to be more self aware, I’d better get my
ends trimmed or even a professional bob instead of my flowing mane. What do you
think?</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">When did you last take a good look at yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xru2NzMt2c/XQ9H79UKKKI/AAAAAAAA3DM/-Q392ItqKnEm3HrESdeDZ6on45dUVnH9wCLcBGAs/s1600/Take%2Ba%2Blook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="308" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xru2NzMt2c/XQ9H79UKKKI/AAAAAAAA3DM/-Q392ItqKnEm3HrESdeDZ6on45dUVnH9wCLcBGAs/s1600/Take%2Ba%2Blook.jpg" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PivWY9wn5ps/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PivWY9wn5ps?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Man in the Mirror" - Michael Jackson</span></div>
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</div>
KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-81997839620879616292019-06-16T23:40:00.002-07:002019-06-16T23:40:37.861-07:00A bit more than just the birds and the bees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life has
had a bit of a buzz to it over the past week. I went to the CIPD’s inaugural <a href="https://www.festivalofwork.com/">Festival of Work</a> and had a wonderful
time connecting with friends and contacts, putting faces to names and learning
about new products and services. I particularly enjoyed hearing <a href="http://www.kasparov.com/">Garry Kasparov'</a>s thoughts on technology (below shows him speaking beside a picture of his beating a number of computers simultaneously in 1985 - he famously lost to Deep Blue in 1997 - a moment he now sees as a triumph for humans, rather than his personal loss. He is confident that we have a great future ahead of us thanks to AI and technology.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvpKtrYxpoA/XQa2qI1w0WI/AAAAAAAA2-c/XKMYw3F6QjI4dNHOO1e4WIfpYBjR-t2FgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190612_100214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvpKtrYxpoA/XQa2qI1w0WI/AAAAAAAA2-c/XKMYw3F6QjI4dNHOO1e4WIfpYBjR-t2FgCLcBGAs/s400/20190612_100214.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also had the good fortune to attend a
splendid garden party at Marlborough House (great fun, despite the rain). We
were raising money for <a href="http://www.beesfordevelopment.org/">Bees For
Development</a> - a charity that helps disadvantaged people, living in some of
the world’s poorest regions, to lift themselves out of extreme poverty through
becoming beekeepers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There was a fascinating display of traditional hives, these ones are from Africa: a bamboo hive from Uganda and a split cane one from Ethiopia - these would usually be plastered on the outside with a mixture of soil and cow dung and given a grass roof to protect from the rain). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHnNnJTCk7M/XQc1PqSGrWI/AAAAAAAA2_k/FINwYQNL9kIVn4hPrX_5dL4rVaPWrGx_ACLcBGAs/s1600/20190612_170537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHnNnJTCk7M/XQc1PqSGrWI/AAAAAAAA2_k/FINwYQNL9kIVn4hPrX_5dL4rVaPWrGx_ACLcBGAs/s400/20190612_170537.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were joined by
some true Queen Bees of UK society, including <a href="http://www.beesfordevelopment.org/about-us/meet-our-patrons/">Martha
Kearne</a>y (a patron of the charity), Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxB7zbcUOiM/XQa1gcwLUvI/AAAAAAAA2-M/S2CczgeaDGQFja5GYAxIDYDNS6U79AdBgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190616_222742_379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1058" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxB7zbcUOiM/XQa1gcwLUvI/AAAAAAAA2-M/S2CczgeaDGQFja5GYAxIDYDNS6U79AdBgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20190616_222742_379.jpg" width="319" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and Mary
Berry (who was sporting a wonderful jacket covered in embroidered bees). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUFwcXSmyvM/XQa12FhykyI/AAAAAAAA2-U/Rre55fkRU_Q-mhDjCRSbCQNlHv88LtDsgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190612_172045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUFwcXSmyvM/XQa12FhykyI/AAAAAAAA2-U/Rre55fkRU_Q-mhDjCRSbCQNlHv88LtDsgCLcBGAs/s320/20190612_172045.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bees
have been quite a focus for me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last
weekend I gave a tour of my beehive to some neighbours, a delightful couple
with their equally delightful teenage sons – they had won the viewing as a
prize in a local charity auction. The bees behaved beautifully (and they have
made some amazing wax constructions inside the hive where there was a gap in
the brood box, which made the inspection even more interesting for my guests). </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osOd39zVvfE/XQcmriA72cI/AAAAAAAA2-k/UGkYL2h_DmA298u6vz-1R4wOi3u1budqwCLcBGAs/s1600/Honey_comb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osOd39zVvfE/XQcmriA72cI/AAAAAAAA2-k/UGkYL2h_DmA298u6vz-1R4wOi3u1budqwCLcBGAs/s320/Honey_comb.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
enjoyed explaining some of the weird facts about bees – did you know that:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the queen can select what sex egg
she lays, but that her choice is based on the shape of the cell that the
workers bees have made for her;</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">pollen is multi-coloured and so is
honey (it all depends on the plant from which it originates);</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">a worker bee will usually live for
up to 6 weeks but a queen can live for up to 5 years (it is believed that a bee
lives for circa 500 miles of flight – an over-wintering bee, which flies less,
can live for a number of months);</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">humans have been using bee
products (wax and honey) for <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/honey-in-the-pyramids.aspx">over
9,000 years</a>;</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">honey is almost the only food that
<a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-behind-honeys-eternal-shelf-life-1218690/">doesn’t
go off</a> and remains in an edible state (so ignore those “best before”
labels) – jars of honey have been discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs and their
contents were found to be still edible;</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">the average bee will make a 12<sup>th</sup>
of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime; and</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">the male bees (drones) have big
eyes, furry backs and no stings (they also do very little to help with the work
of the hive but get fed and cared for and are left to do their own thing until
its time to buzz off and have sex).</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We laughed
about the number of similarities between bees and humans. All in all, my guests
and I had a good time. However, this is not a post about bees or even their
resemblance to people. It is what happened afterwards that made me think…</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1uU3hQjOiY/XQcnjqJ4GgI/AAAAAAAA2-s/KBnQM1CwXBc-j48rpe88iydh7-voRgnawCLcBGAs/s1600/Judi%2BDench%2Bbee%2Bpicture%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="444" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1uU3hQjOiY/XQcnjqJ4GgI/AAAAAAAA2-s/KBnQM1CwXBc-j48rpe88iydh7-voRgnawCLcBGAs/s320/Judi%2BDench%2Bbee%2Bpicture%2B2019.jpg" width="236" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Drawing of a bee by Dame Judi Dench<br />one of a number of postcards auctioned at the Bee Garden Party</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Late this
afternoon, there was a knock on our door – the family had returned with two
boxes of eggs as a thank-you gift, as they said that they had had such a good
time. How wonderful! The eggs had been laid by their hens (London is more rural
than many people think) and there were different types in each box – dinky
little Bantam ones and a larger collection, coloured a delicate shade of blue,
laid by Araucana hens. It was the eggs that have got my brain whirring and made
me decide to blog.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HTokUoyUew/XQaxwpE7wdI/AAAAAAAA294/C2cH4ohBUo8u-6S7TebpsdBOpzwUivWogCLcBGAs/s1600/Aracuna%2Band%2BBantam%2Beggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HTokUoyUew/XQaxwpE7wdI/AAAAAAAA294/C2cH4ohBUo8u-6S7TebpsdBOpzwUivWogCLcBGAs/s320/Aracuna%2Band%2BBantam%2Beggs.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are
chickens eggs any different if they have blue, white or brown shells? Are some
better for you than others? Why do yolks vary in colour from deep orange to a
pale yellow?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So this
is, indirectly, becoming a post about diversity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What
makes you feel you are different? Is there a difference or are appearances
deceptive and superficial? Why do we reject and fear people who are different
to us? What can we do to overcome stereotypes? Why are some people
“hen-pecked”, whilst others like to be dominant and “rule the roost”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Perhaps
we should start with the hens…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The claim
that <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/white-vs-brown-eggs#section2">Brown
eggs are better for you than white ones is a myth</a>. All hens’ eggs have the
potential to be the same in taste and nutritional value, regardless of the
colour of their shell. The colour of egg that a hen lays is dictated by the
colour of its ear lobe (yes, hens have earlobes – it is a small feather-free
area just below the bird’s ear). Hens with white lobes lay white eggs, those
with red or <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/26/science/dont-judge-them-by-their-shells.html?ref=science&_r=1">brown
skinned lobes lay brown eggs</a>. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vckP7QLrQbI/XQax5jCOWzI/AAAAAAAA298/KLZpwgLVYAgkuAIqvPx1hh0792ayQTtvwCLcBGAs/s1600/chicken%2Bear%2Blobe.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="720" height="210" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vckP7QLrQbI/XQax5jCOWzI/AAAAAAAA298/KLZpwgLVYAgkuAIqvPx1hh0792ayQTtvwCLcBGAs/s320/chicken%2Bear%2Blobe.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many people erroneously believe that brown
eggs are more nutritious and/or taste better than white ones. It is true that
they usually cost more, but this is primarily due to the fact that the hens
that lay them are larger and hence require more food, so their eggs are more
expensive to produce. White eggs, due to the smaller size of the birds, are more
cost efficient for commercial egg farmers to produce than brown (or indeed blue
or green), which is why they are more common in the shops. It is the hens’ diet
and the environment where they live that makes the difference as far as
nutrition is concerned; for example, hens that roam outdoors produce eggs with 3
to 4 times the vitamin D content of their indoor-reared, restricted counterparts
that have no access to direct sunlight. The environment for the hen is
important for the quality of the egg, as is the condition of the bird: stressed
chickens and older, tired hens or those that are hen-pecked and hence last to
get near food lay eggs with thinner shells.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPX14DtljMU/XQcvaM_WrTI/AAAAAAAA2-8/t9I_hBsKhDYg4yqSRhLKu2BBYI13qUXSQCLcBGAs/s1600/Dead%2BHen%2Bby%2BDame%2BElizabeth%2BFrink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1536" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPX14DtljMU/XQcvaM_WrTI/AAAAAAAA2-8/t9I_hBsKhDYg4yqSRhLKu2BBYI13qUXSQCLcBGAs/s320/Dead%2BHen%2Bby%2BDame%2BElizabeth%2BFrink.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">"Dead Hen" by Elizabeth Frink, 1957</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I see
similarities between egg-laying hens and humans in the workplace (which is not
to say that people are battery hens) – like the birds, most workers have little
immediate control over their environment (even changing the temperature and air
conditioning can prove problematical). I am convinced that every individual has
the potential to produce great results – regardless of colour, race, background
or size. Like chickens, people deliver better outcomes when they are in a place
that they find stress-free, supportive and conducive towards their giving of
their best. We each need a situation that suits our physical well-being, with
daylight, fresh air, an appropriate ambient temperature for us not to be in
discomfort, and adequate space, a workplace where we can perform well without
feeling under undue pressure or fearing harassment or bullying from those
around us. If you want to know more about how to create a fantastic workplace,
I urge you to read </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilusher/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Neil
Usher’s</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> excellent book: </span><a href="https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Elemental-Workplace-fantastic-workplace-everyone/dp/1911498649" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The
Elemental Workplace</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuRMmmZv7V0/XQctPHljOdI/AAAAAAAA2-0/aQgwDqGjrNYko5EHulTOCbY1a3ojouz0QCLcBGAs/s1600/Edgar%2BHunt%2B1905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="944" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuRMmmZv7V0/XQctPHljOdI/AAAAAAAA2-0/aQgwDqGjrNYko5EHulTOCbY1a3ojouz0QCLcBGAs/s400/Edgar%2BHunt%2B1905.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hens with their Young, by Edgar Hunt 1905</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Hens,
like humans, are not always kind to each other – there’s a reason why we use
the phrase “hen-pecked”. It is true that hens have a pecking order with some
dominant and others having to play a more submissive role in their community.
Th</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">e term ‘pecking order’ for hens was first coined in 1921 by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorleif_Schjelderup-Ebbe">Thorleif
Schjelderup-Ebbe</a> to describe the hierarchy of flock dynamics and it came
into popular usage in the 1930s. A flock in the wild is as strong as its
weakest member. There is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominance_hierarchy">dominance hierarchy</a>
in many societies and it is closely linked to the survival of the fittest – it
serves a useful purpose in that it prevents the need for constant fighting - it
ensures that the most dominant in a group can have access to limited resources
ahead of the others and thereby maintain health and strength. Hens will peck
and drive away an ill or injured member of their flock (a survival trait that
has remained as a behaviour amongst domesticated fowl). </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It is important not to
introduce fewer than 2 hens at a time to an existing flock (and even then they
need to be kept apart and integrated gently over a period of weeks), unless you wish to risk a
bird being literally pecked to death. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUY1gGLGC5g/XQcxLOUjijI/AAAAAAAA2_E/JtjFiycksg40W48YHeCGbe-MqThriZJkACLcBGAs/s1600/Introducing%2Bhens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="800" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUY1gGLGC5g/XQcxLOUjijI/AAAAAAAA2_E/JtjFiycksg40W48YHeCGbe-MqThriZJkACLcBGAs/s320/Introducing%2Bhens.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Introducing hens</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Humans are unlikely to kill a new colleague; we are not
hens – we are rational beings and can control our baser urges. However, we are
often unfriendly and unwilling to allow a new employee to socialise with an
existing group of friends. It can feel very lonely and isolating joining a new
team. Try not to be bird-brained and foul (see what I did there); a little
kindness towards others can make a big difference to a new colleague – you never
know, you also might make a new friend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GF3Qz84fP8/XQcylgLbr-I/AAAAAAAA2_M/dh0hFpVg9iQWxXAHGWH8KkrXzzxwmwtIACLcBGAs/s1600/Fugly%2Band%2BKFC.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GF3Qz84fP8/XQcylgLbr-I/AAAAAAAA2_M/dh0hFpVg9iQWxXAHGWH8KkrXzzxwmwtIACLcBGAs/s320/Fugly%2Band%2BKFC.webp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">We, like
hens, need to be well cared for. It is true that an employer has a duty of care
towards the workers. However, we also owe it to ourselves to be careful
ourselves. There are things each of us can do to help keep ourselves physically
and mentally, including, but not limited to:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">exercising,</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">eating a balanced diet,</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sleeping for long enough on a
regular basis to enable our bodies and minds to recharge,</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">drinking sufficient water to meet
our bodies’ needs,</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">giving ourselves time in an
environment that helps with our personal well-being (this could be in a gym, an
art gallery, a field or forest or by the sea or near water)</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">These all
help us to remain healthy and productive. Do you make the effort to be kind to
yourself?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4CqxEm2Jo0Q/XQczbAzipcI/AAAAAAAA2_U/Si5qMV4nnac7q_pMxNA1BE1G4X_XPUoOACLcBGAs/s1600/Be%2Bkind%2Bto%2Byourself.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1000" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4CqxEm2Jo0Q/XQczbAzipcI/AAAAAAAA2_U/Si5qMV4nnac7q_pMxNA1BE1G4X_XPUoOACLcBGAs/s320/Be%2Bkind%2Bto%2Byourself.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">And
finally – time to answer that long-asked question – “What came first, the
chicken or the egg?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer is <a href="http://stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Eggs.html">the egg</a>:
hard-shelled eggs were laid by reptiles long before chickens came into
existence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">We can
learn a lot from the birds and the bees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8iOFHTDWAM/XQc0WT5mhDI/AAAAAAAA2_c/YSW2waTodWAFI9WzCFMeEo5-HdlM5Ai_ACLcBGAs/s1600/Ukrainian%2Bpainted%2Begg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="282" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8iOFHTDWAM/XQc0WT5mhDI/AAAAAAAA2_c/YSW2waTodWAFI9WzCFMeEo5-HdlM5Ai_ACLcBGAs/s320/Ukrainian%2Bpainted%2Begg.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Ukrainian painted egg</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
</div>
KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-1681127489040069062018-12-31T17:21:00.000-08:002019-01-01T23:35:52.274-08:00A fond farewell and a huge thank you - Day 32 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>New Year's Day, 1st January 2019</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_oX4M0-uzA/XCpYcAsQXiI/AAAAAAAA1hw/Uyhcr2sS6F8HEtbow8zqvRpnBDLWm_MIgCLcBGAs/s1600/farewell-at-night-georges-barbier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_oX4M0-uzA/XCpYcAsQXiI/AAAAAAAA1hw/Uyhcr2sS6F8HEtbow8zqvRpnBDLWm_MIgCLcBGAs/s400/farewell-at-night-georges-barbier.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All good things come to an end, or so they say. I can tell from how wretched I feel writing this goodbye how lucky I am to have hosted the Advent Series for the past five years. (This adieu is my own personal "Heartache"). I have learned so much, made some amazing </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/full-hearted.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">friends</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, strengthened bonds with </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2017/12/a-little-less-dark-day-11.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">others</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/12/pause-step-back-moment-day-28.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">discovered information</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> about </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/living-t-shirt.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">contacts</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that I would never have guessed had it not been for writing on here. I have unearthed more odd facts and chosen a larger number of illustrations and music for other people's pieces than I care to remember. It is humbling to see how the series has grown since 2014: it now has a wide, </span><a href="https://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/positive-year-round.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">global following</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and contributions have been submitted from a range of </span><a href="https://kategl.blogspot.com/2014/12/happy-roots-day-2.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">locations</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> around the world; writers have aged from </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2015/01/weekly-walk-day-41.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">teens</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and to </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/01/lol-its-new-year-day-38.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">grandparents</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and people </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/01/enabling-wisdom-to-show-through-day-36.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">facing up to growing old</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and subjects have been equally wide from </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-modern-nativity-old-fashioned-way-aka.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">births</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/01/day-43-tamasin-sutton.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">babies</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/dear-dad.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">fathers</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-nana-day-14.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">grandmothers</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and elderly </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2017/12/an-indian-love-story-day-2.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">great aunts</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">; and it has been wonderful to see how people who have </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5648820059035540727#editor/target=post;postID=3892233125860493858;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=0;src=postname" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">joined in</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> from various sectors (including </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/how-to-lose-hearts.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">HR</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2014/12/recalculating-day-3.html"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">artisan cheesem</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">aking</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, <a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2015/01/reach-for-new-day-day-42.html">economics and forecasting</a>, <a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/angels-around-you-at-all-times.html">research</a>, <a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/day-4-pic-shock-and-or.html">Tech</a>, <a href="https://kategl.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-life-lived-well-and-true-day-12.html">L&D</a>, <a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2014/12/survive-and-thrive-day-19.html">F</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2014/12/survive-and-thrive-day-19.html"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">acilitatio</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2015/01/walking-with-spirits-day-44.html">Facilities</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/barefoot-in-heart-father-christmas.html">Workplace Design</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/melancholia-on-ice.html">Artists</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and Consulting); and a wide range of attitudes and </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5648820059035540727#editor/target=post;postID=161271058889483957;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=1;src=postname">opinions</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> have been voiced, including th</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rough </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2017/01/guardians-of-watchhouse.html">stories</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-paths-of-my-upbringing-day-37.html">autobiographical reminiscences</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/01/stardust.html">confessions of loss</a>, comments on the <a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2015/01/no-longer-disorientated-in-haar-day-34.html">landscape</a>, and <a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-shadow-is-candles-son-day-16.html">poems</a>. I love the fact t</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hat </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the series is not commercial, it is something that has been created for a community out of individuals' consideration for others and the simple joy of </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2015/01/known-unknowns-day-45.html"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">writing something to share</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Some people find contributing to the series </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/01/mystory-day-37.html">cathartic or hope to help others</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, others wish to describe </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2014/12/snowflakes-day-23.html">experiences</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, make a </span></span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2017/01/awesome.html"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">re</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">cord of the year</span></a><span id="goog_1227612086"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1227612087"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, or </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-hollow-man.html">vital moments</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that have </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/01/a-journey-from-darkness-to-dawn-day-33.html">passed</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, to </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/01/life-in-chiaroscuro-day-52.html">share a sadness</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-story-of-hope-day-1.html">talk about loved ones</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2017/01/to-you-with-love_13.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">make sense of the past</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, extol a </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2015/12/its-behind-you.html">joy</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/01/up-there-and-out-there.html">inspiration</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, <a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/01/shine-light.html">l</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2016/01/shine-light.html">ight the way</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, or simply </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2017/12/day-25-christmas-day.html">find their voice </a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- the series has been the launch pad for a number of now well known and respected bloggers. I am not going to call names and single out specific posts - there have been far too many exceptional posts over the years although all the links above are to posts that proved particularly popular. Every blogger has left their mark and the series would have been the poorer for any loss of contributions. "High-fives" to each and every writer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being the curator, taking the series on after its initial foundation by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-chisnell-97b824/?originalSubdomain=uk">Alison Chisnell</a>, I have been privileged enough, to interact quite frequently with the people who have crafted blogs. When people have wished to remain anonymous I have tried hard to protect their identity. Some contributors have written posts that have helped others and which have commenced discussions on important matters such as mental health, bereavement, ageing, sustainability, the future, society and relationships. People have been so open and shared things that have often surprised others. I have learnt a lot from you, and many of you have inspired me and others in so many different ways. Thank you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As you know, I am passing on the baton to a new curator - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycookson/">Gary Cookson</a>. I am confident that under his stewardship the series will be enhanced and continue to thrive. The series has "become a thing" and I know that it will get bigger and better under Gary's careful eye. I look forward to being a contributor once again and crafting a piece for his chosen theme(s).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My "Hope" is that you all have a splendid 2019, full of joyous experiences, amusing incidents and handy tips that you will be able to use in the posts you craft for Gary near the end of the year.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">FAREWELL and THANK YOU!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So long, farewell... and</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Thank you!</span></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-43464188153949531192018-12-30T22:43:00.002-08:002018-12-30T22:43:11.249-08:00Hope - Day 31<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Monday 31st December - New Year's Eve</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3250TkhRyYw/XCieCeV2_4I/AAAAAAAA1f4/a5Uac_tBeaU69U3tsKYrXOryGWR6iratQCLcBGAs/s1600/12%2Bmonths.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3250TkhRyYw/XCieCeV2_4I/AAAAAAAA1f4/a5Uac_tBeaU69U3tsKYrXOryGWR6iratQCLcBGAs/s400/12%2Bmonths.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">31 is the most common number of days in the Western Calendar's months. The rhyme that many <br />people use as a reminder ("<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Thirty days hath September, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">April, June, and November; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">All the rest <br />have thirty-one, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Excepting February alone, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">And that has twenty-eight days clear; </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And twenty-nine <br />in each leap year.") was first published in 1555, when it was copied into a manuscript. It is probably <br />the only 16th century poem that many ordinary people know by heart. <br />I hope the months ahead are happy and healthy ones for you and yours.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The end is nigh, in more ways than one. Today is the last day of 2018 and it is also the final guest post that I will curate and host as part of the Advent Blog series, well at least for the foreseeable future. There have been some brilliant pieces this year - huge thanks to all the contributors. It is New Year's Eve and for the first time for ages we are not going to a party, instead we are cooking a family meal at home. I am looking forward to spending some time with my sons. We have a big party on Saturday to celebrate Hamish's 21st. He has asked me to say a few words, so I need to give that some thought. It is a funny feeling seeing your children become adults. I'm sure I should feel older than I do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The final guest post in this year's Advent Blog series is by start-up and individual and organisational growth specialist <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinelocher/">Christine Locher</a>. With an academic grounding in Communication, Psychology and Intercultural studies in her native Germany (during which time she also worked as a journalist), Christine is a high achiever. Post university she commenced her career in consulting, working first for McKinsey and then Boston Consulting Group, undertaking a variety of client and internal development roles before focussing on the growth of consultants at all levels. She ran global leadership and learning for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu before a brief stint at Oliver Wyman and BTS. Christine has a passion for seeing others thrive and grow. In 2017 she decided to branch out on her own, founding her own <a href="https://christinelocher.me/">leadership development business</a>. She is an excellent coach (ICF standard with high level academic qualifications in thinking and change as well as communication and psychology) and tends to work with entrepreneurs and growing businesses, especially within the tech space. Although a global nomad, Christine is currently based in London, where she takes advantage of the breadth of experiences that the City offers. She is a voracious reader with an almost insatiable curiosity - quite capable of ensuring that the details are not missed when effecting the big picture plan. Christine is a keen and natural networker - I recommend your connecting with her on Twitter, her handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/ChristineLocher">@ChristineLocher</a>. I like her post as it is full of hope and we all need a but of that.</span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Help
me, Obiwan Kenobi, you are my only hope.” (Princess Leia, Star Wars. Sending
this into a galactic void, hoping to get heard. She did, eventually.)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GD7Mn3PoUSM/XCjr7gT4p1I/AAAAAAAA1gI/iZFU7ONytcopu1CtyIQIeJ2kMTVP76hEACLcBGAs/s1600/help%2Bme%2Bgif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="498" height="178" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GD7Mn3PoUSM/XCjr7gT4p1I/AAAAAAAA1gI/iZFU7ONytcopu1CtyIQIeJ2kMTVP76hEACLcBGAs/s320/help%2Bme%2Bgif.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hope
is one of our most beautiful qualities as humans. No matter how deep the colossal
mess is that we might find ourselves in, we manage to, at least in a good
moment, lift our eyes off the chin-deep muck we are in and towards the horizon.
We imagine a future that is better. Hope is what keeps a sacred space for that
imagination, not as an escapist delusion, but as a vision that just hasn’t been
implemented yet. Hope gives us energy when the struggle has taken it all. Hope
is what keeps us alive. This time. Next time. All the time. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hope
doesn’t need to wear rainbow unicorns or come with an ethereal violin
soundtrack to work. Hope can be an empty parking lot at 3am shouting
obscenities at the big man in the sky in existential disagreement to then sleep
off the hangover, make your first cup of coffee, take a good hard look at your life,
to keep going for another day, this time better. It doesn’t need to be pretty.
It doesn’t need to be instagrammed. It just needs to be there, however it looks
and feels at the moment. Hope, at all times, is as real as you allow it to be.
I’ll just say that again. <b>Hope is as real as you allow it to be.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We
have of course no proof or confirmation any of our hopes will ever come true.
But hope doesn’t need that (and neither do you, you hope-endowed human, and
deep-down you know it). Hope knows that tomorrow is another day, that one
decision or one conversation or one encounter can reset the path to a better
future that you can’t even imagine yet. And that you just don’t know beforehand
which one it is going to be this time. So you keep going. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You
might have a vision, or you might have had one but lost touch with it, as your
daily mess is too far away right now so you have a hard time seeing how you get
from over here to over there. Hope hears you. Hope reminds you that you don’t
need to see the whole path to be able to take a step. And then another one.
Hope focuses you on the things that work, so you can start doing more of them.
Making small changes, which then add up to the big change. It’s how most big
changes or successes work anyway, despite what it looks like on social media.
And hope knew that all along. You might be deep down the problem hole right
now, but there is no point in wasting more of the energy you don’t have
focusing on how deep and messy it is. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aS38DLFAANU/XCjwU7SqrwI/AAAAAAAA1gs/8N0ztj00WTkOwa6LnmWuY7WviKmHZlK0QCLcBGAs/s1600/stuck%2Bin%2Ba%2Bhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="634" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aS38DLFAANU/XCjwU7SqrwI/AAAAAAAA1gs/8N0ztj00WTkOwa6LnmWuY7WviKmHZlK0QCLcBGAs/s320/stuck%2Bin%2Ba%2Bhole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Focus on how you get out. Hope here serves as the magical, ever-elusive “air hook”. You can tie a rope to it and start pulling, and, with hope, it actually works.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utodFdlLx4c/XCjwsw6M5AI/AAAAAAAA1g0/XLGimXcc4FAYizsw7vJ7izVSxcHwzzWJACLcBGAs/s1600/pulled%2Bout%2Bwith%2Ba%2Brope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="634" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utodFdlLx4c/XCjwsw6M5AI/AAAAAAAA1g0/XLGimXcc4FAYizsw7vJ7izVSxcHwzzWJACLcBGAs/s320/pulled%2Bout%2Bwith%2Ba%2Brope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hope
also lets you build trust. Take that first step first, without having to wait
for the other one to begin. Raise that topic. Have that conversation. Mention
the thing you are afraid to mention. Take small risks, be mostly rewarded, and
start being less alone in this. It is easier to be hopeful when you have a
tribe of supporters. Hope invites participation and support from other humans
(and some friendly ‘droids…). Hope is stronger when shared. This, in turn,
paves the way for others so they can dare to keep going as well. Hope lifts
everyone. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="gsmt kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx EaHP9c" data-local-attribute="d3bn" data-ved="2ahUKEwjDmbH1usnfAhVFaBoKHZR9BbsQ3B0oADAAegQIChAD" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); display: inline; font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: -3px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transform-origin: left top 0px;">
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<div class="gsmt kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx EaHP9c" data-local-attribute="d3bn" data-ved="2ahUKEwjDmbH1usnfAhVFaBoKHZR9BbsQ3B0oADAAegQIChAD" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); display: inline; font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: -3px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transform-origin: left top 0px;">
You'll Never Walk Alone</div>
<div class="wwUB2c kno-fb-ctx" style="color: #777777; margin: 4px 0px; overflow: hidden;">
<span data-ved="2ahUKEwjDmbH1usnfAhVFaBoKHZR9BbsQ2kooATAAegQIChAE"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwjDmbH1usnfAhVFaBoKHZR9BbsQMTAAegQIChAF" href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Gerry+and+the+Pacemakers&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLUz9U3MDRLLqsAAE-IDg8NAAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjDmbH1usnfAhVFaBoKHZR9BbsQMTAAegQIChAF&cshid=1546238510833000" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">Gerry and the Pacemakers</a></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<div class="i4J0ge">
<div class="NFQFxe siXlze yp1CPe mod" data-attrid="kc:/music/recording_cluster:lyrics" data-md="113" lang="en-GB" style="border-radius: 8px; clear: none; padding-bottom: 16px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div data-hveid="CAoQBg" data-ved="2ahUKEwjDmbH1usnfAhVFaBoKHZR9BbsQsEwoATABegQIChAG">
<div class="Kvw2ac" style="margin: 0px 16px;">
<div class="G1VCxe kno-fb-ctx" jsname="rdVbIe" style="margin-top: 12px;">
<div jsname="U8S5sf" style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 12px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">When you walk through a storm</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Hold your head up high</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And don't be afraid of the dark</span></div>
<div jsname="U8S5sf" style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 12px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">At the end of a storm</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">There's a golden sky</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And the sweet silver song of a lark</span></div>
<div jsname="U8S5sf" style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 12px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Walk on through the wind</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Walk on through the rain</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Though your dreams be tossed and blown</span></div>
<div class="rGtH5c" jsname="U8S5sf" style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Walk on, walk on</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">With hope in your heart</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And you'll</span><span class="S0KpLd">…</span></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-1612710588894839572018-12-29T23:58:00.000-08:002018-12-30T00:36:07.581-08:00This restless festive season - Day 30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sunday 30th December 2018</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQDHI_Ecjio/XCeQVYz02-I/AAAAAAAA1fw/0EsJp9bC63odyXamYN5rjyO5fljXjkEhwCLcBGAs/s1600/cat%2Bteeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQDHI_Ecjio/XCeQVYz02-I/AAAAAAAA1fw/0EsJp9bC63odyXamYN5rjyO5fljXjkEhwCLcBGAs/s400/cat%2Bteeth.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">30 teeth can be found in an adult cat's mouth. Cats have 4 canine teeth. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">The canine teeth, used for <br />catching and killing prey, sit in beds of sensitive tissue that let the cat feel what it is <br />gripping. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Kittens develop 26 needle-sharp milk teeth which are replaced by adult teeth at 6 months.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope you are enjoying a peaceful and relaxing weekend - the last one of 2018. Things are calm at my end - despite a few heated discussions about the seating plan for my son's 21st party. I must confess, not counting the current debate about the party, much of this year has been challenging. We have achieved a lot at work and I have a wonderful and award winning team, but family matters have been tough. I won't miss 2018 - it has had some scarring and serious low points/complications and I dread the early months of 2019, as the dust has yet to settle. Perhaps that is what inspired be to this year's theme for the Advent Blogs - Heartache, Hopes and High-fives. Roll on the high-fives...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our contributor today is <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peaamli/?originalSubdomain=uk">Paula Aamli</a>, a highly intelligent and inspirational lady who has already done much to make the world a better place. She deserves a high-five just for being who she is. She has a First Class Degree from Oxford in Modern History under her belt and a Masters with Distinction from Hult Ashridge, in Sustainability and now she is a doctoral candidate on the Executive Doctorate in Organisational Change, at Hult Ashridge, where Steve Marshall is her <span style="color: #222222;">supervisor. </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Her topic of interest is around organisational change to support more sustainable business and personal lives and she is very interested in creative methods (hence the photography and the poetic writing below - NB all the photos are Paula's own work, except for one taken which was taken by her partner). Given Paula's background one perhaps should not be surprised at her area of academic study...she has worked within the Not for Profit arena as an Appeal Manager for Christian Aid and then the Development Director for The Brightside Trust when the charity was just establishing itself, before moving into Financial Services. She has championed accountability and ethical conduct at HSBC for many years as well as helping people within the bank to develop and grow. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since June she has been the Head of Governance and Control for the UK Private Bank, working directly with the CEO and the top team. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paula is described by those who know her as dynamic, energetic and possessing a ruthless attention to detail. I am sure that you will enjoy her post. Paula is on Twitter - her handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/paulettya">@paulettya</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*******</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHBU12v4JBM/XCP8-cfbGrI/AAAAAAAA1dg/L6lr72CWYm8QdWKGYYasbQI_h3Y2Br8BACLcBGAs/s1600/crab.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="941" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHBU12v4JBM/XCP8-cfbGrI/AAAAAAAA1dg/L6lr72CWYm8QdWKGYYasbQI_h3Y2Br8BACLcBGAs/s320/crab.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Photo credit S. Rosbottom <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The shape of this year’s holiday
break<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For the second
year in a row, I’m spending nearly full two weeks over the Christmas break
tucked amongst the creaky drafts of an old house that stands braced on a
hillside overlooking Carmarthen Bay. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have hungered
for this retreat from city crowds and work deadlines, but now that it is here,
I resist the slowing that this place calls for in me, with its large horizons
and small settlements, the subtle beauty of its muted colour palette, the
grey-greens and grey-blues and grey-browns that offer unblinking contrast from
the neon brights of Regent Street, where my everyday commute-path so recently
took me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I – did not – expect
– this. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I expected to
transition effortlessly, gracefully, into unscheduled expansiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was, after
all, whilst hidden here last year that I started really paying attention to <i>how it felt </i>to take time away from my
blue-light screens and nerve-end-twitchiness of constant deadlines and to
drift, aimlessly purposeful, through that large, cold, damp sand-landscape.
Reader, it <i>felt great</i>. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I found a
dawning conviction that spending deep, unhurried time in nature changes
something in humans (in me!) that desperately needs shifting if we are to move
away from lifestyles based on casual, unthinking gouging of the environment
that we depend upon and which sustains us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a wanna-be
organisational change practitioner, I also had a conviction-that-looks-a-lot-like-a-hope
that this change can (and does and will) lead to better decision making, better
outcomes and better quality of experiences as individuals and networks and
communities and organisations.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I was looking
forward to resuming last year’s cozy communing, but with the benefit of the
work and wondering and wandering that I have lived in the meantime. Apparently it doesn’t work like that; seems
that you can’t start where you <i>were</i>,
that you have to start where you <i>are. </i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where I am, this
year, is finding that I unexpectedly miss the un-picturesque little loops of
paths, tracks, parks and pavements that I have strolled and traipsed and
marched through in my corner of East London in the last twelve months. And thus
it came to pass that over Christmas 2018, I have called upon my most precious,
efficacious super-power, gifted to me by my Irish great-grandmother by way of
my Welsh mother: the gift of bloody-mindedness. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reader, it has
been less of a joy and more of a grind, but I have walked, faithfully, every
day, anyway. In the spirit of “eat-your-veg/do-your-homework”, I’m betting on
persistence paying off in the long run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beach-side high fives <o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Every day, then, as the sea-water creeps back from the land, revealing the
wide expanse of the low-tide beach, I have donned wool socks and plastic shoes,
a rucksack or shopping bag, and of course, my faithful iphone to tick off the
footsteps (if my app doesn’t track a walk, did it even happen?) and set out.
Sometimes I walk alone and sometimes S comes with me. Our front door to St
Katherine’s Island and back is a solid 4 miles but can only be completed when
the tides permit.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It has become an informal family tradition that we pick up plastic litter
from the shoreline as we walk. Every time, I marvel at how an apparently
pristine beach yields up so much rubbish once you start tuning in to looking
for it. I also bless our fortune, with every footstep, that being situated </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on a tucked-away corner of the planet
that is not opposite the sloppy sprawl of some great city, we are chasing the detritus left by tourists and
trawlers but do not have to contend with the plastic avalanche of so many
consuming bodies. </span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[But the ghost of the
Sea Empress oil spill whispers in the air as I type this.]</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHyv-5BlXSU/XCP8r0Rue8I/AAAAAAAA1dY/Rj0jii-xeXoJyA47kwvIXtDgW9h-MDRlwCLcBGAs/s1600/wet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1411" data-original-width="941" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHyv-5BlXSU/XCP8r0Rue8I/AAAAAAAA1dY/Rj0jii-xeXoJyA47kwvIXtDgW9h-MDRlwCLcBGAs/s400/wet.png" width="266" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2"
o:spid="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:451pt;height:677pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/Kategl/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image003.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every day has
been a walk just for the sake of walking; every day except one. Christmas Eve
was my dash-of-shame into town, alone, for some last-minute Christmas presents,
but the miles still called me. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I shrugged the
loaded rucksack onto my shoulders, clinking with Christmas gin. A large
shopping bag in each hand, I set off for the western edge of the beach, one and
a half (ish) miles away. I trudged across damp sand, bags flapping when the
wind occasionally caught them. Tenby “mist” settled on my face and on the
shopping bags as the lowering cloud stooped down to touch the beach – but the
bags weren’t heavy and the presents seemed to be coping ok with the gentle
overlay of rain.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s
a long and, relatively speaking, featureless expanse of beach that serves as
part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, after walkers drop down from the clifftop
path on Giltar Point. People travelling in opposite directions can see each
other approaching across the full length of the beach, slowly expanding from
small dark distant specks to fill out human stature as we finally draw towards
passing each other.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">An older couple were walking towards me,
well-kitted-out for the weather conditions. Mindful of the season, I made eye
contact as we reached a passing point; then, to my reserved, British
astonishment, the lady started towards me, smiling. “I just wanted to say”, she
said – “what a surprising, lovely sight you make. A lady who has done her
Christmas shopping and is carrying it home along the beach, looking for all the
world as though she is heading off into the middle of nowhere. Well done, you.”
A smile and a brief exchange of
Christmas greetings and she is gone. “High five!” she didn’t add – but I can
see how, in another context, that would have been the obvious sentiment. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a
memorable moment for me, not just given the shock of experiencing two British
strangers finding it in themselves to chat, unprovoked, to each other, in
public, but also because I was genuinely taken aback to be seen as doing
anything out-of-the-ordinary. Just me, just walking home. Just carrying my
hasty last-minute shopping because I’d been too disorganised to do it sooner
and bring it down by car. Of course, I had the advantage of knowing that there’s
a village just beyond the sand dunes at the non-town end of the beach (assuming
that the lady I was speaking to isn’t a Pembrokeshire local).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hope and heartache mingling on
the sea edge <o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I suppose the
other thing of note here is that – chore or otherwise – I don’t really
experience the beach as empty or ‘other’. This beach seems full – teeming with
sea-life, sure, but also full of hints and vestiges of the long life-story of
the earth that has created it. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I look at the
sand of the beach and I remember the long ages that ground rocks to make it –
and the longer ages before that where the rocks themselves were formed from the
ancient life of the more ancient seas. I see generations of living things
cycling through millennia to this moment, and cycling away from now into a
vast, remote final future. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I find myself to
be tiny and brief in context of this tremendously enduring earth history, which
is immensely humbling of course, but also strangely comforting, somehow, that
after all that has happened – that human consciousness exists at all, that I,
specifically I, have arrived into my moment in the story, along with my friends
and family, community and nation, and the wider nations that surround us.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our problems are
significant, but the earth will endure (until, in the very far distant future,
it doesn’t). Maybe there are ways I can’t see yet that will enable humans to
endure and continue along with it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The edge of the world (January 2015)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lf-ZJAVyKmE/XCP8btfEnnI/AAAAAAAA1dQ/x-GVH51IOX8PgFq5bpg1i6iuhxt3knm5ACLcBGAs/s1600/waters%2Bedge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="941" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lf-ZJAVyKmE/XCP8btfEnnI/AAAAAAAA1dQ/x-GVH51IOX8PgFq5bpg1i6iuhxt3knm5ACLcBGAs/s320/waters%2Bedge.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3"
o:spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:451pt;height:451pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/Kategl/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image005.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I went down to the edge of the world to watch the passing of this age.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sun spills
amber liquid on the wet cleg underfoot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel the hug
of the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hear the
soothing shrieks of feathered sentinels overhead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I see the end of
days written on the rock teeth that still seek to consume,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Clutching at
Caldey in the maw of the sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I see a time
where the stars burn up and the clouds sigh into nothing, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For there is no
more rain, and the pale blue atmosphere has boiled into the black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I see how vast
my now-beach is, and how tiny, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wrapped around
with waves, and cliffs, and birds, and stones, and shells.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It contains the
tiniest moment <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And yet the
whole big universe is here with me, also<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Waiting on the
beach for night to fall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All together, we
wait – witnessing. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ed54HUG9xkY/XCP8Fys-WPI/AAAAAAAA1dI/KjKm6jZKlugbG0c__hpR5BgWwvQUrb1uACLcBGAs/s1600/final%2Bsand.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="941" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ed54HUG9xkY/XCP8Fys-WPI/AAAAAAAA1dI/KjKm6jZKlugbG0c__hpR5BgWwvQUrb1uACLcBGAs/s400/final%2Bsand.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6"
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visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/Kategl/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image007.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[As stated above, all the photos are Paula's unless otherwise indicated.]</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-69411568755472944032018-12-28T22:51:00.001-08:002018-12-28T22:52:49.559-08:00Losses, Arrivals and Appreciations - Day 29<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">29th December 2018 </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T2VIFUCK2js/XCZLnzG1PdI/AAAAAAAA1eI/_p-EFxcBSE8-vhK8s9_wN8BVh9MViDT5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Wizard%2Bcurrency.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="500" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T2VIFUCK2js/XCZLnzG1PdI/AAAAAAAA1eI/_p-EFxcBSE8-vhK8s9_wN8BVh9MViDT5ACLcBGAs/s400/Wizard%2Bcurrency.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">29 a Sickle is 29 Knuts make a Sickle in the fictional wizard currency in JK Rowling's </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hary Potter books. 1 Galleon = 17 Sickles; 1 Sickle = 29 Knuts 1 Galleon = 493 Knuts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Galleons are gold coins, Sickles are silver, and Knuts are copper. In the current turbulent </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">currency exchange markets, I am glad that we don't have to calculate in Knuts.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the last weekend of 2018. I drove my mother-in-law home last night - she and I enjoyed a late supper at her local - it was such a treat to be treated. Thank you Kath. I will miss having her with us. I am planning on taking it quietly today, as the past few weeks have been quite demanding and I have not been able to spend as much time with my sons as I would have liked. Happy Saturday!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today's post is by series veteran, </span><a href="http://http/uk.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmoran" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Michael Moran</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, the Chief Executive and Founder of </span><a href="https://10eighty.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">10eighty</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, a business consultancy that helps people and organisations, particularly during times of transition and to grow employee engagement. Michael is an excellent coach. He commenced his career in Human Re<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sources, having worked in the NHS and Financial Services sector. He has successfully run HR consultancies specialising in career management for the last 20 years. Michael is a devoted husband and father (his daughter works as 10eighty's Busienss Development Executive and his son is in the British armed forces). Michael has a passion for sport and is a season ticket holder of Derby County (so clearly he is also an optimist). He is a published author, having written “</span><a href="https://10eighty.co.uk/product/everlasting-employability/"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Guide to Everlasting Employability</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">”, and has also designed two <u><span style="color: #0066cc;">career management apps </span></u>to support career planning You can follow him on Twitter </span><a href="https://twitter.com/mdmoran10Eighty" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">@mdmoran10Eighty</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*******</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s that time of year - time to reflect, looking back over 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s all about taking the time to appreciate what you have and enjoying
the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As you get older you start to lose people who have been a constant
feature in your life, it seems strange that they are no longer there (a bit of heartache). </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FjyWft4CRo0/XCZNioG6yHI/AAAAAAAA1eQ/7c8hBalSIEwBKTdvEjVzwWVHY-NR_i9JgCLcBGAs/s1600/in%2Bloving%2Bmemory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FjyWft4CRo0/XCZNioG6yHI/AAAAAAAA1eQ/7c8hBalSIEwBKTdvEjVzwWVHY-NR_i9JgCLcBGAs/s320/in%2Bloving%2Bmemory.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the same time, you see the arrival of the next generation, and the
opportunity to shape their thinking and behaviours </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcUKAu3AfmE/XCZONBJnjKI/AAAAAAAA1eY/HEYBiMm3d4QDPzqgDKllPUIGGbPT855JwCLcBGAs/s1600/next%2Bgeneration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcUKAu3AfmE/XCZONBJnjKI/AAAAAAAA1eY/HEYBiMm3d4QDPzqgDKllPUIGGbPT855JwCLcBGAs/s400/next%2Bgeneration.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(that includes supporting DCFC) (a bit of hope).</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSj3-5ZqsZ4/XCZOd9n12zI/AAAAAAAA1eg/zVon389mSM4P_glUFih3oSErVy1vfUWvgCLcBGAs/s1600/DCFC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="460" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSj3-5ZqsZ4/XCZOd9n12zI/AAAAAAAA1eg/zVon389mSM4P_glUFih3oSErVy1vfUWvgCLcBGAs/s200/DCFC.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s important that you take the time to appreciate your achievements (the high-fives).
Savour the moment. It is far too easy to be dismissive of things you once
strived for as you move on to the next goal. Likewise, don’t beat yourself up about
the things that didn’t work. Having blown £100k on marketing and business
development that didn’t get the business to the next level, it is important to
take the learnings, and seek out the positives. Business growth is not a
straight line. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. Resilience and
determination are essential characteristics for the entrepreneur. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCbu1Iv2N24/XCZRKpk_jZI/AAAAAAAA1eo/mlQ2TKx9UOwAn0JGdcQiJN5tXdu6B8B_ACLcBGAs/s1600/growing%2Bround%2Ban%2Bobstacle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCbu1Iv2N24/XCZRKpk_jZI/AAAAAAAA1eo/mlQ2TKx9UOwAn0JGdcQiJN5tXdu6B8B_ACLcBGAs/s1600/growing%2Bround%2Ban%2Bobstacle.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So looking forward, it’s time to set goals. It’s time to remind yourself
of mission and purpose. My mission for all those clients with whom I work is to
help them achieve job satisfaction and career success. I truly believe this is
something that is attainable for all. My purpose is to create a self-sustaining
business, built on repeatable and predictable revenues.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfjb7-qEW_c/XCZTCPOBKjI/AAAAAAAA1ew/9DcpHKMRsBQlnEwO7j_lrvLv8yzhnQBdACLcBGAs/s1600/sustainable%2Bbusiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfjb7-qEW_c/XCZTCPOBKjI/AAAAAAAA1ew/9DcpHKMRsBQlnEwO7j_lrvLv8yzhnQBdACLcBGAs/s320/sustainable%2Bbusiness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As both a career coach and a business leader I recognise that you need
to push yourself, take risks and seek out new experiences. This year I
experienced my first massage and mediation sessions; trust me when I say this
is well outside my comfort zone. Whilst not something I would necessarily
repeat, it is good to do things outside of your comfort zone. This serves to
reinforce my belief in the importance of learning and, indeed, the need to seek
out learning experiences. As a career coach I see too many people who have
checked out of the learning habit. I remain absolutely convinced that the
secret of everlasting employability (quick plug for the book) is self-investment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year my big self-investment has been podcasts. I have combined my
love of walking (read the need for exercise) with listening to podcasts. My
favourite work podcast has to be Jacob Morgan’s The Future of Work, with sports
favourites Radio 5 Live The Football Daily and Flintoff, Savage and the Ping
Pong guy. Please check them out.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOEuiKp5KC0/XCZVABE-UVI/AAAAAAAA1e4/6ZaB1SopMRclxdLpibf9u_2aflB0YjH8gCLcBGAs/s1600/podcast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOEuiKp5KC0/XCZVABE-UVI/AAAAAAAA1e4/6ZaB1SopMRclxdLpibf9u_2aflB0YjH8gCLcBGAs/s320/podcast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So to conclude, as we come to the end of 2018 I urge you to appreciate
those around you, your family, colleagues and friends. Take the time to reflect
on what you’ve achieved in the last 12 mo<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nths, but more importantly make a
commitment to stretch yourself, seek out new experiences and go boldly into the
New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy Christmas (we are still within the 12 days). Wishing you all a very prosperous New Year.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-52249916535360857212018-12-27T23:22:00.001-08:002019-01-01T08:20:06.848-08:00Pause. Step back a moment. - Day 28<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">28th December 2018</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dUO_oBx1os/XCTihGvz7pI/AAAAAAAA1ds/_PSvVdVAdE0b-_e9rC60_CYfIDRWROD0QCLcBGAs/s1600/concrete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1564" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dUO_oBx1os/XCTihGvz7pI/AAAAAAAA1ds/_PSvVdVAdE0b-_e9rC60_CYfIDRWROD0QCLcBGAs/s400/concrete.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">28 is the curing time for concrete - c</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; text-align: left;">uring concrete is the term used for stopping freshly <br />poured </span><a href="https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Concrete" style="background-color: white; color: #337733; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Make Concrete">concrete</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; text-align: left;"> from drying out too quickly. This is done because concrete, if left to dry out of <br />its own accord, will not develop the full bond between all of its ingredients. It will be weaker <br />and tend to crack. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">During curing </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrate" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Hydrate">hydration</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> occurs, allowing calcium-silicate hydrate (C-S-H) to form. <br />Over 90% of a mix's final strength is typically reached within 28 days. Concrete is the most <br />used construction material in the world.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm back to work today. I have new clothes to wear, a few treats in my bag to cheer me during the day and the music from Hansel and Gretel as an earworm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am in awe of the lady who wrote today's post - it is candid and well balanced, but it must have been hard putting her thoughts onto the page. I would like to thank her for her contribution (she is a regular writer for the series) and also for being such a valued member of the HR and L&D social media-linked community.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today's post is by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-burnham-73b76114/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">Rachel Burnham</a>, a learning and development consultant, sketch-noter and designer based near Manchester. Rachel works with trainers, L&D professionals and HR teams to help them modernise their approaches and become more effective. Rachel, as you can surmise from the sketchnoting is highly creative. The photographs for today's piece are taken by Rachel herself. Rachel is a talented lady. She writes an excellent L&D focused blog - <a href="http://rachelburnham.blogspot.co.uk/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">L & D Matters</a> and is active on social media (you can follow her on Twitter via <a href="https://twitter.com/burnhamlandd" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">@BurnhamLandD</a>). When not drawing, reading or helping others to learn, Rachel enjoys spending time with her nearest and dearest and has a passion for gardening (as you can tell from the below piece). She is also a keen jazz aficionado - a cultured lady. Reading between the lines you can see that 2018 has been a challenging year for Rachel but that she has found a way through. She is brave, resourceful, honest and resilient.</span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pause. Step back a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">In the spring of 2017, my son and I
took a day trip from the island of Mykonos, to the nearby island of Delos.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">This was our second trip to Greece – part of
the big shake up in our family life.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Sam
is a history nerd and so we spend these trips visiting museums and
archeological sites – the only beaches I have visited in Greece have had nearby
ruins and that’s fine with me – I am getting a great second-hand classical
education and it is rather wonderful when an adult child chooses to have you as
a holiday companion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was a hot day – deep clear blue
sky and even early in the morning it was blazing hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island of Delos is one huge archeological
site – one fascinating ruin, statue, and pillar after another – far more than
it is really possible to take in in a single day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And on this April morning it was also full of
wild flowers – self-seeded all through the walls and floors were vivid red
poppies, purple mallow, chamomile, vetch - cousins of garden plants I know and
love here in the UK, but smaller, more intensely coloured and billowing everywhere
across this small island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the heat
intensified, we explored the remains of villas, shops, streets, temples and a
theatre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buildings once grand and lavish
– though I was captivated by a drain from some indoor plumbing and the complex
water tank system used to store water captured from the roof of the theatre.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XHIH2rxuLhQ/XCKLdo-yUTI/AAAAAAAA1aM/fSRszH2s3MMf9YF8UNCsFzlEV1cmZdOGQCLcBGAs/s1600/Wild%2BFlowers%2Bon%2BDelos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="948" height="253" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XHIH2rxuLhQ/XCKLdo-yUTI/AAAAAAAA1aM/fSRszH2s3MMf9YF8UNCsFzlEV1cmZdOGQCLcBGAs/s400/Wild%2BFlowers%2Bon%2BDelos.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Half-way up a hill, we turned in to
the courtyard and colonnade of a villa, which seemed more sturdy and upright than
many of the other parts of the site. And
in these rooms found the most wonderful, not-much damaged mosaic floors. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We looked and looked at them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tgNb6lEe4Y/XCKLI61BTEI/AAAAAAAA1aA/kDsXZLasPRAyoX4cr_vSfyuZbwGqsuP0ACLcBGAs/s1600/Mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1280" height="198" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tgNb6lEe4Y/XCKLI61BTEI/AAAAAAAA1aA/kDsXZLasPRAyoX4cr_vSfyuZbwGqsuP0ACLcBGAs/s400/Mosaic.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love mosaics. As a child I remember seeing Roman mosaics
found in the UK shown on television – probably Blue Peter. I had a phase of cutting up magazines to
create piles of colour-ordered roughly rectangle scraps of paper, which I then
used to make mosaic pictures. Tesserae from paper. It took hours. I’m not sure
I would ever have the patience now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">When you look closely at a mosaic
you sometimes lose sight of the picture – of the images, pattern and story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you focus, you home in on the tesserae and
pick out the mix of shades and colours – the individual tiny tiles that the
artist used to create their picture with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes as you focus in on an area representing the sea or sky you are
able to distinguish the mix of hues – shades of blue, dark and stormy,cornflower,
to the palest blue, and mixed in a stone or two of sea-green, or a speckle of
white and cream or brightest of all a gleam of gold. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And that is what my year has been –
a mosaic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some stormy blue days of
heartache, many many days of the palest blue of work and home and the doing of
life, a taste of sea-green and speckles of pure gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Part of the heartache for me is that
this is my first full year since I separated from my husband, after 33 years
together – which has been a very sad thing, but through recognizing that things
had gone wrong between us, also has led to new hopes and a new phase in our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continue to share a house and
I am incredibly proud that we have both worked at finding a way to still be a
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow we are finding our way
back to being good friends. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have been learning how to manage
holiday seasons when on my own – a bit of a mixed experience – I actually like
time on my own – good for recharging, great for reading, which is one of my
passions, it gives me time for drawing and is a necessary balance to the social
busyness of my work and volunteering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I find it is a bit tricky to get the balance right and I have had
one or two wobbly Saturday nights when I would really rather of had some
company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have had heartaches too in my
professional life – real blue days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back
in March, I had one of those horrible times that so many of us face of a total
loss of confidence – when you are independent there can be times when you don’t
win contracts, when you don’t just feel rejected, but are rejected and even
when you have been freelance for 18 years as I have, it doesn’t make it any
less challenging to deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a
very long and tearful phone call one wet Wednesday with my closest friend before
I moved into a more sea-green state. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Towards the end of the year, I made
a poor decision and ended up letting down a client.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely a low and very blue moment. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And there have been other times of
hope, fulfillment and great contentment – a great times introducing groups to
Sketchnoting in both Manchester and London, reading student reflective blogs on
their learning from a programme, hosting CakeCamp evenings, co-leading a session
at NAP with Mike Shaw, lots and lots of fabulous live music – jazz of course,
but also being swept away at a performance of Tosca, drawing a picture of my
father that actually looks like him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">When your life is busy, sometimes
you don’t have a sense of the whole picture, what the pattern is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rushes by and all of a sudden it’s the
near the end of the year and it seems a blur – all of a murkiness.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">But when you pause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you step back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you seek out and sense the pattern, then
you can see the whole picture.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And now that I have paused, I see
that this year has been full of golden moments and days as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting outside and eating our first meal in the garden in the sun – not realizing then that this year it would be the first of
many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visiting Delphi with Sam – breathing
in the scent of oregano on a sunny hillside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Conversations in the course of a piece of research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Working with Gem Dale and a whole team of
folk to put on a conference on flexible working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying out so many new things but
particularly starting flamenco classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cutting back a shrub on a very cold day in February and the beautiful
blue hibiscus flowers that resulted in July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cricket on a super hot day with friends. And more.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XN6YWoV-WuI/XCKK-FcaXlI/AAAAAAAA1Z8/Fvh2mjvdfw8q9_jJLEWTzUaURFVOHEUDACLcBGAs/s1600/hibiscus-blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="876" height="316" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XN6YWoV-WuI/XCKK-FcaXlI/AAAAAAAA1Z8/Fvh2mjvdfw8q9_jJLEWTzUaURFVOHEUDACLcBGAs/s320/hibiscus-blue.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">(Blue hibiscus) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And what stands out is that it was
the people who made this year – students, clients, volunteers, co-workers, new
friends to draw with, family, my closest friend and Sam. The people who see you
through the heartache, who you share hopes with and dream dreams with and
celebrate every small win with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the
people who make the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rachel Burnham <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-78164615459671309562018-12-26T23:58:00.003-08:002018-12-27T00:04:45.396-08:00You have the power - Day 27<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">27th December 2018</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">27 moons circle the planet Uranus. Uranus is lopsided - it spins at a 90% angle to our solar <br />system's other worlds - it is presumed that this is <a href="https://bgr.com/2018/12/24/uranus-impact-simulation-history-research/">due to a collision with an object at least twice <br />the size of Earth</a>. The 27 moons, which also spin at an angle, are called: Cordelia, Ophelia, Bianca, <br />Cressida, Desdemona, Juliet, Portia, Rosalind, Cupid, Belinda, Perdita, Puck, Mab, Miranda, Ariel, <br />Umbriel, Titania, Oberon, Francisco, Caliban, Stephano, Trinculo, Sycorax, Margaret, Prospero, <br />Setebos and Ferdinand. Uranus's moons are divided into three groups: thirteen inner moons, <br />five major moons (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miranda_(moon)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: start;" title="">Miranda</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_(moon)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Ariel (moon)">Ariel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbriel_(moon)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Umbriel (moon)">Umbriel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titania_(moon)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Titania (moon)">Titania</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberon_(moon)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Oberon (moon)">Oberon</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">)</span>, and nine irregular moons. The inner <br />moons are small dark bodies that share common properties and origins with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_of_Uranus" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Rings of Uranus">Uranus's rings</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. The five <br />major moons are massive enough to have reached </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrostatic_equilibrium" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Hydrostatic equilibrium">hydrostatic equilibrium</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, and four of them show <br />signs of internally driven processes such as canyon formation and volcanism on their surfaces.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today is my last day not in the office for a while. A break has done me good. I have not written about it here, but the past 3 months have been ghastly (outside work, not in, but a combination of both has been exhausting). However, the past few days has reminded me of how fortunate I am. We have fed well, done interesting things and been showered with thoughtful gifts and good wishes. I am very grateful. We are going out tonight for a family outing to see Hansel and Gretel. There will be 3 generations of us, with ages ranging from 11 to 87. I'm sure that it will be an excellent end to our Christmas celebrations (although, our tree will remain up until 12th Night and there are still a number of presents beneath it that we look forward to unwrapping). I am very fortunate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today's post is another new voice for the series - I love the way that the Advent Blogs grow year-on-year. Day 27's author is </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/normanmurray/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Norman Murray</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Welcome! Norman is a Director at </span><a href="http://www.learn4s.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Learning for Success</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. For a decade Norman was a Director of the Industrial Society. Norman has a flair for enabling people to see things differently and for pragmatic training solutions and coaching that helps achieve results. He and his team have worked with many of the UK's most well known organisations, including </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">American Express, DHL, GSK, Kerry Foods, Kone, Premier Foods, South East Water and Tesco. They also provide open workshops. Norman is based in Eastbourne and works out of Brighton. He is </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a Qualified ACAS Mediator and also has expertise in: Strength Deployment Inventory: Belbin: Action Centred Leadership: Business Excellence Assessor: Master Practitioner and coach in NLP. He is on Twitter (his handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/mediationforsuc">@mediationforsuc</a>) He is warm and supportive with amazing enthusiasm. I am delighted that he has written for the series about the heartache that having a lack of self-belief can cause.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A lack of self-belief can cause heartache and contribute to stress and
anxiety. Conversely, taking steps to raise your self-belief can make you less
anxious and have a significant and positive effect on the way you handle
stressful situations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">You have to believe in yourself. Whether you call
it self-esteem, self-confidence, or self-assurance, it's a deep-seated belief
that you have what it takes - the abilities, inner resources, talents and
skills to handle whatever life throws at you, and create the results that you
desire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JGe39ymkbU/XCNyb1lUwiI/AAAAAAAA1bs/5dLHkk7DK400U6AKMa2-cd2sPzumIEPYACLcBGAs/s1600/self%2Bbelief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JGe39ymkbU/XCNyb1lUwiI/AAAAAAAA1bs/5dLHkk7DK400U6AKMa2-cd2sPzumIEPYACLcBGAs/s320/self%2Bbelief.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Believing In Yourself Is An Attitude </b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Believing in yourself is a choice. It's an attitude
you develop over time. Although it helps if you had positive and supportive
parents, the fact is that most of us had average parents who inadvertently
passed on the same self-limiting beliefs and negative conditioning that they
grew up with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8KEwGL01pM/XCORz3Gp2bI/AAAAAAAA1b4/4l2sp-d9c10YwNXZ_gy_A1wxPDvXsNgugCLcBGAs/s1600/parental%2Blove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8KEwGL01pM/XCORz3Gp2bI/AAAAAAAA1b4/4l2sp-d9c10YwNXZ_gy_A1wxPDvXsNgugCLcBGAs/s320/parental%2Blove.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">But remember the past is the past. There is no
point in blaming them for your current level of self-confidence. It's now your
responsibility to take charge of your own self-concept and beliefs. You must
choose to believe that you can do anything you set your mind to - anything at
all - because, in fact, you can. It might help to know that the latest brain
research now indicates that with enough positive self-talk and positive visualisation,
anyone can learn to do just about anything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you assume in favour of yourself and act as if
it's possible, then you will do the things that are necessary to bring about
the result you desire. If you believe it's impossible , you will not do what is
necessary , and you will not produce the result. EIther way, it becomes a
self-fulfilling prophecy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D1G2ATGmirA/XCOTd4fOiBI/AAAAAAAA1cA/2m7JhkiDwNg8ZoDQb_a3N0DkAM1VCSmOgCLcBGAs/s1600/believe%2Bit%2Bis%2Bpossible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D1G2ATGmirA/XCOTd4fOiBI/AAAAAAAA1cA/2m7JhkiDwNg8ZoDQb_a3N0DkAM1VCSmOgCLcBGAs/s1600/believe%2Bit%2Bis%2Bpossible.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>See Your Troubles As Blessings</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">You would not have the wisdom and knowledge you now
possess were it not for the setbacks you've faced, the mistakes you've made,
and the suffering you've endured. Realize that pain is a teacher and failure is
the highway to success. You cannot learn to play the piano without hitting a
great many wrong notes, and you will never learn how to sail without tipping
the boat over a few times. Begin to see your troubles as blessings, resolve to
turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones and vow to turn your wounds
into wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Most people encounter problems as they advance
along the path of life. It's important to remind ourselves that our character
is shaped not through life's easiest experiences, but during its toughest
ones.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YESfMQLyfw/XCOytNrwnmI/AAAAAAAA1cI/MCyFQzj_77wxFs0_44p4Zjvysa2Tqu_9wCLcBGAs/s1600/strength%2Bthrugh%2Badversity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="610" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YESfMQLyfw/XCOytNrwnmI/AAAAAAAA1cI/MCyFQzj_77wxFs0_44p4Zjvysa2Tqu_9wCLcBGAs/s320/strength%2Bthrugh%2Badversity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It's during life's most trying and difficult times that we discover who
we really are and the fullness of the strength that lies within us. If you are currently
facing challenges of your own, think about the following words from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainer_Maria_Rilke">Rainer Maria Rilke</a>.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;">"Have patience with everything that remains
unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves liked locked rooms
and like books written in a foreign language. Do not now look for the answers.
They could not now be given to you because you could not live them. It is a
question of experiencing everything. At present, you need to live the question.
Perhaps you will gradually without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing
the answer, some distant day."</span></i></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eoowgjMy-8M/XCOza8dOXFI/AAAAAAAA1cQ/qYgvoWlSkW8EDZhVwXiIhu_mOKkhSjgBACLcBGAs/s1600/finding%2Bthe%2Banswer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eoowgjMy-8M/XCOza8dOXFI/AAAAAAAA1cQ/qYgvoWlSkW8EDZhVwXiIhu_mOKkhSjgBACLcBGAs/s320/finding%2Bthe%2Banswer.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Stop Worrying About What Other People Think About
You</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">If having others believe in you and your dream was
a requirement for success, most of us would never accomplish anything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">You need to base <i>your</i> decisions
about what <i>you</i> want to do based on <i>your</i> dreams
and <i>your</i> goals - not the goals, desires, opinions and
judgments of your parents, friends, spouse, children and colleagues. Stop
worrying about what other people think, and follow your heart. Remember Dr.
Daniel Amen's 18/40/60 rule: </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">"When you're 18, you worry about what
everybody's thinking about you; when you're 40, you don't care about what
anybody thinks about you; and when you're 60, you realise that nobody's been
think about you at all."</span></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So there you are! Most of the time, nobody's
thinking about you at all ! They're too busy thinking about their own lives, and
if they are thinking about you, it's only to wonder what you're thinking about
them. People think about themselves, not about you. Think about it. All the
time you waste worrying what other people are thinking about you, your ideas,
your goals, your clothes, your hair - all that time could be far better spent
thinking about and doing the things that will achieve </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">your</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> goals.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLZhPGpySLA/XCO0s_F89hI/AAAAAAAA1cg/J6zbRdjOYp4FmMp4q04imCAhSTfyGnnPgCLcBGAs/s1600/Dont%2Bworry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="250" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLZhPGpySLA/XCO0s_F89hI/AAAAAAAA1cg/J6zbRdjOYp4FmMp4q04imCAhSTfyGnnPgCLcBGAs/s1600/Dont%2Bworry.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Inspiration</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There may be days when you get up in the morning
and things aren't the way you had hoped they would be. That's when you have to
tell yourself that things will get better. There are times when people
disappoint you and let you down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">But those are the times when you must remind
yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on
believing in yourself. There will be challenges to face and changes to make in
your life, and it is up to you to accept them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Constantly keep yourself headed in the right
direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle
you will find a stronger sense of who you are.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNUAHLc_rjc/XCO1XvdBUsI/AAAAAAAA1co/KotNFFkIWa4ltQL8ohnOYioz9i3qor-iQCLcBGAs/s1600/who%2Byou%2Bare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="920" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNUAHLc_rjc/XCO1XvdBUsI/AAAAAAAA1co/KotNFFkIWa4ltQL8ohnOYioz9i3qor-iQCLcBGAs/s400/who%2Byou%2Bare.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">So when the days come that are filled with
frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and
all you want your life to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Because the challenges and changes will only help
you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Keep Believing in Yourself<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">----- Author Unknown.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">LESSONS OF LIFE . . .</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared being alone until I learned to like
myself. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared failure until I realized that I only fail
when I don't try. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared success until I realized that I had to try
in order to be happy with myself. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared people's opinions until I learned that
people would have opinions about me anyway. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared rejection until I learned to have faith in
myself. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared pain until I learned that it's necessary
for growth. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared the truth until I saw the ugliness in
lies. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared life until I experienced its beauty. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared death until I realized that it's not an
end, but a beginning. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared my destiny, until I realized that I had
the power to change my life. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared hate until I saw that it was nothing more
than ignorance. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared love until it touched my heart, making the
darkness fade into endless sunny days</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared ridicule until I learned how to laugh at
myself. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared growing old until I realized that I gained
wisdom every day. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared the future until I realized that life just
kept getting better. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared the past until I realized that it could no
longer hurt me. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared the dark until I saw the beauty of the
starlight. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared the light until I learned that the truth
would give me strength. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I feared change, until I saw that even the most
beautiful butterfly had to undergo a metamorphosis before it could fly.</span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTHT_rWlxnU/XCO1_DBKSfI/AAAAAAAA1cw/CERcFtrJ9uogpVWHCZtUeHp2Hb337Tp_gCLcBGAs/s1600/butterfly.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="548" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTHT_rWlxnU/XCO1_DBKSfI/AAAAAAAA1cw/CERcFtrJ9uogpVWHCZtUeHp2Hb337Tp_gCLcBGAs/s320/butterfly.gif" width="301" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>And ..... AFTER A WHILE.....</b></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">....you learn the subtle difference between holding
a hand and chaining a soul </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And you learn that love doesn't mean leaving, that
company doesn't mean security. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises; </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And you begin to accept your defeats with your head
held up and you eyes opened. with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a
child. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And you learn to build your roads on today because
tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">After a while, you learn that even sunshine burns if
you get too much; </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">So you plant your own garden and decorate your own
soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers; </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">And you learn that you really can endure... that
you really are strong and you have worth. </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">---- Author Unknown</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>I am what I am</i></b> - Gloria Gaynor</span></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-15652302911009789332018-12-25T23:36:00.000-08:002018-12-25T23:46:00.768-08:00Active Hope - Day 26<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">26th December 2018 (Boxing Day)</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgAMrRUe1BI/XCKukcQBdxI/AAAAAAAA1bk/h27Essh8C7YmcAk5m43B_-8rGHWNF9apQCLcBGAs/s1600/Pheidippides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="229" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgAMrRUe1BI/XCKukcQBdxI/AAAAAAAA1bk/h27Essh8C7YmcAk5m43B_-8rGHWNF9apQCLcBGAs/s400/Pheidippides.jpg" width="372" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464749;">26 miles is the approximate distance of a marathon. Originally, from 1896 to 1908, <br />the distance was 25 miles (the same as that run by the </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">legendary Greek soldier Pheidippides <br />when he </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">from the Battle of </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">Marathon</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;"> to Athens to deliver news of a Greek victory, after which <br />he collapsed and died).</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #464749; text-align: justify;"> The marathon distance only became 26.2 miles during the 1908 London <br />Olympics. Queen Alexandra requested that the distance was adjusted so the royal household <br />could see the race from Windsor Castle.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I over indulged yesterday and was over indulged. however, it was wonderful to spend time with the family. Today I am planning to take things quietly and spend time appreciating the gifts I have been given. I have been very spoiled but I am very grateful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/siobhan-sheridan-8342101/">Siobhan Sheridan</a> is the Civilian HR Director at the UK Ministry of Defence. When I first made her acquaintance she was the Director of People and OD at the UK charity the NSPCC. </span><span style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Siobhan's career started in a customer facing role within financial services; it was clear that she had a flair for understanding and developing rapport with people. On joining the consumer lending business Capital One, her talents were acknowledged and she moved into HR, initially via training and development (she headed up the UK-based Corporate University), before eventually becoming HR Director for the Cards business. </span><span style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Siobhán moved out of London earlier this year and now lives on the coast in a stunning house with the most beautiful views of the sea. She is a popular public speaker (renowned for her pragmatic attitude and passion for doing the right thing). She is also a valued contributor on Social Media - her Twitter handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/SiobhanHRSheri" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">@SiobhanHRSheri</a>. </span></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There have
been two regular features of my Christmas these last few years. One of them is
this series of Advent Blogs, the other is the time that I spend with thousands
of others volunteering for Crisis at Christmas.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Arriving at
Charing Cross Station in the mornings and walking along Whitehall towards the office
I pass too many curled up bodies resting on crumpled cardboard, sheltering in
doorways from the cold night air. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
breaks my heart to see the Big Issue seller with yet another set of new bruises and
to hear the tale of the guy whose sleeping bag was set light the night before. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMCehyqkmrQ/XCKhReVmRmI/AAAAAAAA1aU/pfiTn-qOEts3CFwHPprBwRAiy6Co6w5mwCLcBGAs/s1600/Homeless.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMCehyqkmrQ/XCKhReVmRmI/AAAAAAAA1aU/pfiTn-qOEts3CFwHPprBwRAiy6Co6w5mwCLcBGAs/s320/Homeless.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I pull my coat more closely around me I know that the chill I feel is not
entirely about the temperature outside, but more from a sense of overwhelming
despair about how some of the world's problems can ever be solved.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_Macy">Joanna Macy</a>
says that</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> ‘Grace happens when we act with others on behalf of our world.’ </span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I
guess that is what I see at <a href="https://www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/reserve-a-place-at-crisis-at-christmas?gclid=CjwKCAiAx4fhBRB6EiwA3cV4KofqneQ5AbItDlG8IOjdJty6StPbus_gl9W71bvF1cWrRBP6_pmBSBoC5dQQAvD_BwE">Crisis</a> every year. People caring enough to act. Just
a one example of that is a woman I will call Karen who volunteered for the
first time about three years ago.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first
evening in a Crisis centre is a whirlwind rush of so many things. Guests are
welcomed to a centre where they can eat, shower, get their clothes mended, see
doctors and dentists, access the internet, make a call to a loved one, find a
bed for the night. Each centre is run by a group of volunteers whose day jobs
probably ill-prepare them for what they find themselves doing. Spending time
talking with the guests is something we encourage all our volunteers to do, because many of our guest spend their days being ignored, avoided, or worse. Talking
to them is one of the most important things that we do. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zypBQY5_8Ig/XCKkjhMrg3I/AAAAAAAA1as/EwYQryMAQis3Okr3J3QRGX3g7wrZuhcFgCLcBGAs/s1600/talking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1600" height="167" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zypBQY5_8Ig/XCKkjhMrg3I/AAAAAAAA1as/EwYQryMAQis3Okr3J3QRGX3g7wrZuhcFgCLcBGAs/s400/talking.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">During the
rush of that first evening I passed Karen a few times, as she sat quietly
knitting and chatting to guests. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-fEqjsVR-c/XCKowtdE2aI/AAAAAAAA1a0/QDpWs3mW460KOdZJ06ljFyKSTgCSjCfqgCLcBGAs/s1600/knitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-fEqjsVR-c/XCKowtdE2aI/AAAAAAAA1a0/QDpWs3mW460KOdZJ06ljFyKSTgCSjCfqgCLcBGAs/s320/knitting.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was something deeply calming about her
presence and her focus and I found that I slowed a little every time I passed
her. Later that evening I saw her talking to a young couple by the front door
who were sleeping on the streets and scared to come in. Over the course of an
hour she patiently coaxed them into the centre to eat, and later I spied her
persuading the woman towards the showers. She came back half an hour later
clearly delighted to be clean for ‘my man.’ And I watched somewhat hopelessly
as the woman and her partner went off again into the night, saying they felt
safer together on the streets than they would in a shelter they didn’t know.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xywviaSJJh0/XCKpXbzWrMI/AAAAAAAA1a8/mzFaBjQmK_8pnZUd9dL731QHAygIPS0twCLcBGAs/s1600/homeless%2Bcouple%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bstreets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="600" height="173" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xywviaSJJh0/XCKpXbzWrMI/AAAAAAAA1a8/mzFaBjQmK_8pnZUd9dL731QHAygIPS0twCLcBGAs/s320/homeless%2Bcouple%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bstreets.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Returning
the following evening Karen asked if I would mind if she went to see if she
could find the woman again, she’d been told by another volunteer that the woman
had been seen earlier in the centre very angry and upset. Karen wanted to find
out why. When she found her the woman explained that she had been sleeping on
the streets for so long that her long dark hair had become thickly matted from
tying it in elastic bands and chronic lack of care. There was a huge ball of
knotted, matted hair at the nape of her neck, so thick and tight that when she
tried to lay down to sleep it hurt her head. As a result, even when she could
get to sleep she was frequently woken by the pain. It was clear she was in a
lot of distress. After her shower of the evening before she had started to feel
hopeful that perhaps the hairdresser might be able to help her. She was angry
because she had been told that all they could do was to shave her hair off.
Having her head shaved she said would make her feel even more ashamed than she
already did. She was inconsolable, her hopes completely dashed.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtbXWdhbdGI/XCKrrdeI5lI/AAAAAAAA1bM/Nc9aBXAy_6kmUrAKbfEZI-nh3pB8foc4QCLcBGAs/s1600/sad%2Bwoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1024" height="254" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtbXWdhbdGI/XCKrrdeI5lI/AAAAAAAA1bM/Nc9aBXAy_6kmUrAKbfEZI-nh3pB8foc4QCLcBGAs/s320/sad%2Bwoman.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Every
single one of us I think has a reason for volunteering. Something that caused
us to make the decision to do so. In talking with Karen about what her reason
was she shared with me that she had lost her adult son in a car accident a year
or so before. A proud, strong, elegant woman, she spoke of her loss gently and
with just the faintest glisten of a tear in her eye.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her heartache was very present but so too was
her warmth, her openness and her compassion. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Over the
course of the next few days I watch Karen sit with the woman and her partner
for hours. She talked with them about their plans for the New Year, helped them
get advice,</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">laughed with them, ate with
them. And throughout all of that she combed. For hours and hours she gently
teased, combed, untangled and snipped the woman’s hair. For three afternoons
and evenings Karen worked with the patience that perhaps only a parent who has
lost their own child could summon.</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUemrC61tp0/XCKqJ1xv40I/AAAAAAAA1bE/-RnQchl1gG0d4OdYjxT6A_mGE7TyHdAHgCLcBGAs/s1600/detangling%2Bmatted%2Bhair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUemrC61tp0/XCKqJ1xv40I/AAAAAAAA1bE/-RnQchl1gG0d4OdYjxT6A_mGE7TyHdAHgCLcBGAs/s320/detangling%2Bmatted%2Bhair.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the last evening, they walked hand in
hand to the hair salon again, where the woman was treated to her first proper
haircut in many years. Beautifully blow dried she turned to the Karen and I
watched as first they high-fived, and then giggling like teenagers collapsed
into a huge tangle of a hug.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As the
woman left that last evening Karen and I both said good bye to her and her
partner. We never say ‘see you next year’ because we hope, that we won’t. And I’ve
never seen them again. Karen returns every year and continues to channel her
amazing compassion and patience into heartbreak, hope and high fives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So, as I
contemplate the start of Crisis again this year I hope, somewhat strangely
perhaps, that my heart will be broken every day. Because as the poet David Whyte
says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">‘Heartbreak is our
indication of sincerity…..it may be the very essence of being human, or being
on the journey from here to there, and of coming to care deeply for what we
find along the way.’ </span><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bryJzODOB50/XCKt1HJLKMI/AAAAAAAA1bc/KohZOymXHlcyCY4e8P-9X00d0WsBn2DiACLcBGAs/s1600/compassion.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bryJzODOB50/XCKt1HJLKMI/AAAAAAAA1bc/KohZOymXHlcyCY4e8P-9X00d0WsBn2DiACLcBGAs/s1600/compassion.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am lucky
enough to care deeply about the work that I do both in my day job and my
volunteering and am blessed to be surrounded by many other colleagues who do
too. They make me want to do better every day because they deserve the best
that I can possibly be. Crisis acts as a special reminder to me though every year.Whilst
it is about finding homes for others I always notice that it helps me to come
home to myself too. To remember some of the qualities that I want to strive to bring
into my life and work every day.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">‘The heart is the inner face of your life. The human journey strives to
make this inner face beautiful. It is here that loves gathers within you. Love
is absolutely vital for human life. For love alone can awaken what is divine
within you. In love, you grow and come home to your self. When you learn to
love and let yourself be loved, you come home to the hearth of your own spirit.
You are warm and sheltered.’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span>John
O’Donohue<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crisis also
leaves me constantly amazed by just what we can achieve as human beings when we
set our mind to do so. And each year it leaves me with a heart full of hope
that we have everything we need to deal with the many challenges that our world
faces today. We just need to crack on, and act on that hope, regardless of what
others might say. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkIeMbGX13A/XCKjAF8gxJI/AAAAAAAA1ag/IL3dkzQhCBQmPDKBNp21JXz0iRLdYfdOgCLcBGAs/s1600/Siobhan%2Band%2Bvolunteer%2Bat%2BCrisis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkIeMbGX13A/XCKjAF8gxJI/AAAAAAAA1ag/IL3dkzQhCBQmPDKBNp21JXz0iRLdYfdOgCLcBGAs/s320/Siobhan%2Band%2Bvolunteer%2Bat%2BCrisis.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So I’d like
to leave you with some of Joanna Macys words about Active Hope and to wish you
all adventures in the New Year. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">‘Active Hope is not
wishful thinking. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Active hope is not
waiting to be rescued by some savior <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Active hope is waking
up to the beauty of life <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On whose behalf we can
act.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We belong to this
world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The web of life is
calling us forward at this time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We’ve come a long way
and are here to play our part.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With Active Hope we
realise there are adventures in store, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Strengths to discover,
and comrades to link arms with. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Active Hope is a readiness
to discover the strengths <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In ourselves and in
others;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A readiness to
discover the size and strength of our hearts<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our quickness of mind,
our steadiness of purpose, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our own authority, our
love for life, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The liveliness of our
curiosity <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The unsuspected deep
well of patience and diligence, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The keenness of our
senses, and our capacity to lead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">None of these can be
discovered in an armchair or without risk. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span>Joanna
Macey, Active Hope </span><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-86233916975496575192018-12-25T02:15:00.000-08:002018-12-25T02:15:02.461-08:00The Power of Praise - Day 25<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">25th December (Christmas Day)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vB1HfmrRRhg/XCH54tNkyoI/AAAAAAAA1X4/_vkoUB5wtxIgBIyqOBNQZ660iZVFXlS5gCLcBGAs/s1600/Pachisi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="720" height="330" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vB1HfmrRRhg/XCH54tNkyoI/AAAAAAAA1X4/_vkoUB5wtxIgBIyqOBNQZ660iZVFXlS5gCLcBGAs/s400/Pachisi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">25 (or "Pachisi", which is "25" in Hindi) is the national board game of India. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">It is a game for 2-4 <br />participants played on a board shaped like a symmetrical cross. It was first mentioned in records <br />in Medieval India. It requires a combination of strategy, numeracy, probability and luck for <br />a player to win - bit like life.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to Day 25, Christmas Day - I hope you are enjoying the series to date. I think we have had some exceptional posts and today's is no exception - it is by a new voice, </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianefennig/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Diane Fennig</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Diane is based in Atlanta in the USA and works as a search consultant for the Human Capital Group Inc. - part of the global Cornerstone International Group. Diane is lively, positive and passionate. She is an excellent storyteller and writes beautifully,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> as you will see. I love the joyous tone and generosity of her piece - perfect for Christmas Day ( although I suspect that she wanted it posted slightly earlier in Advent). Its message applies to any and every day of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At work Diane focuses on assisting within the higher education sphere, working with universities and colleges. Prior to moving into search s<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: left;">he served as Director of the Career Center at Augusta State University, where she developed and implemented a comprehensive Alumni Career Services Program and authored </span><a href="http://georgiahire.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #245682; text-align: left; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">GeorgiaHire.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: left;">, a shared resume database program for 34 institutions within the University System of Georgia. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: left;">Diane has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Secondary Education from Marquette University and a Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel from Miami University. She also holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership and Organizational Behavior from the University of South Carolina. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: left;">Diane is a graduate of the Relationship Masters Academy and serves as an ambassador in the Relationship Management Program. </span>Outside work, Diane is a very capable cook. You can follow her on Twitter, her handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/FansofFennig">@FansofFennig</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both she and I wish you a joyous day, please spare a moment to proffer some praise to someone else who has done something good. (I am going to start by mentioning Diane herself for being so kind writing this post for the benefit of all of us).</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Power of Praise<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Born and raised in the Catholic Church and schooled there too, I still can recount the many symbols of Catholicism. I can still recite the Act of Contrition and the Rosary to this day, but I digress. When I heard Advent, I was transported to a church pew of yesteryear.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UhWQJwryDog/XCH7_bBss8I/AAAAAAAA1YI/FwdhgfGsCWsSqS7oxLo6PKZJomlGMW_BACLcBGAs/s1600/Catholic%2BChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UhWQJwryDog/XCH7_bBss8I/AAAAAAAA1YI/FwdhgfGsCWsSqS7oxLo6PKZJomlGMW_BACLcBGAs/s320/Catholic%2BChristmas.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a teen, I recall the December Sunday morning banter between siblings and a mom before church. The young girl noted, “someone should tell the priest that the candles do not match?" As the mom readied an answer, the older brother chimed in, <i><span style="border: 1pt none; padding: 0in;">when we get to pink, the real count-down begins. </span></i>The third candle, the sole pink candle of the Advent wreath, represents joy. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKpIsuP-8zI/XCH7Jf_HmNI/AAAAAAAA1YA/7UrS2pvlx5sbnrMwZSDGHc28Y3t_AzFuwCLcBGAs/s1600/Advent%2Bwreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="360" height="257" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKpIsuP-8zI/XCH7Jf_HmNI/AAAAAAAA1YA/7UrS2pvlx5sbnrMwZSDGHc28Y3t_AzFuwCLcBGAs/s320/Advent%2Bwreath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="border: 1pt none; padding: 0in;">The young brother got it right, joy is the answer.</span></b><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this challenge from Kate Griffiths-Lambeth, I was immediately drawn to the <i><span style="border: 1pt none; padding: 0in;">high fives</span></i> and the power of praise and joy along our journey. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Praise and joy can be offered, witnessed and received in so many ways….<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--it is the unexpected hello, acknowledging a stranger, and bidding a sincere hello?</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52XImmP4IZ8/XCH88fwNEsI/AAAAAAAA1YQ/1r4GkkPlhPkgbFRxEppQ06ZNOpJ-mqTZACLcBGAs/s1600/Hello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="456" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52XImmP4IZ8/XCH88fwNEsI/AAAAAAAA1YQ/1r4GkkPlhPkgbFRxEppQ06ZNOpJ-mqTZACLcBGAs/s320/Hello.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--maybe, a random act of kindness, from paying for someone’s coffee or bringing the morning paper to the door of a neighbor?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vVIrHHP_BKg/XCH-j7NAn_I/AAAAAAAA1Yw/VMvyOdDYjB8iQrzp_0OlYNn0qEiAnkUxwCLcBGAs/s1600/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="1062" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vVIrHHP_BKg/XCH-j7NAn_I/AAAAAAAA1Yw/VMvyOdDYjB8iQrzp_0OlYNn0qEiAnkUxwCLcBGAs/s320/coffee.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--or, a hand-written note thanking someone for their efforts on a project or for a special gift?</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fljEcY6iW2M/XCH9nstcg6I/AAAAAAAA1Yg/69mliZPnsbUJ4Y1fmYKYEO7urGjtyjF9gCLcBGAs/s1600/Thank%2Byou%2Bnote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1280" height="217" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fljEcY6iW2M/XCH9nstcg6I/AAAAAAAA1Yg/69mliZPnsbUJ4Y1fmYKYEO7urGjtyjF9gCLcBGAs/s320/Thank%2Byou%2Bnote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--it could be a public acknowledgement of someone for their work or efforts?</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZFIk6O7rjc/XCH99OqOXdI/AAAAAAAA1Yo/TWOs18lgN-0HdRBaq88ihU1As5GPeb2zwCLcBGAs/s1600/Acknowledgement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZFIk6O7rjc/XCH99OqOXdI/AAAAAAAA1Yo/TWOs18lgN-0HdRBaq88ihU1As5GPeb2zwCLcBGAs/s320/Acknowledgement.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--maybe, an unexpected favor?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OsIugNwoZsk/XCH9SCCvohI/AAAAAAAA1Yc/soTY2KlqiVgRDCZsr24GJTgdBYs1fplZgCEwYBhgL/s1600/random%2Bact%2Bof%2Bkindness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="725" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OsIugNwoZsk/XCH9SCCvohI/AAAAAAAA1Yc/soTY2KlqiVgRDCZsr24GJTgdBYs1fplZgCEwYBhgL/s320/random%2Bact%2Bof%2Bkindness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--or, is it the gift of time to gather and celebrate?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8iRjTKHxqI/XCH-76X8ZBI/AAAAAAAA1Y4/PMTh6u-xdxA87x_NCkp6kxsQ7gnDcWwbgCLcBGAs/s1600/Family%2BChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="724" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8iRjTKHxqI/XCH-76X8ZBI/AAAAAAAA1Y4/PMTh6u-xdxA87x_NCkp6kxsQ7gnDcWwbgCLcBGAs/s320/Family%2BChristmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--maybe, it is a bouquet of flowers?</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbV2Xw3rlIQ/XCH_bjnmSYI/AAAAAAAA1ZA/osGvBYzsxDoRwf81OWGjw-RKWznFfUnxgCLcBGAs/s1600/bunch%2Bof%2Bflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbV2Xw3rlIQ/XCH_bjnmSYI/AAAAAAAA1ZA/osGvBYzsxDoRwf81OWGjw-RKWznFfUnxgCLcBGAs/s320/bunch%2Bof%2Bflowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--it might be a homemade treat?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9VcCAtiBeo/XCH_ull_JAI/AAAAAAAA1ZI/E81inT_ZFqQkBwfHNlpsnZKMRJfKnc7BwCLcBGAs/s1600/home%2Bmade%2Btreats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9VcCAtiBeo/XCH_ull_JAI/AAAAAAAA1ZI/E81inT_ZFqQkBwfHNlpsnZKMRJfKnc7BwCLcBGAs/s320/home%2Bmade%2Btreats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--could it be complimenting a young boy for exceptional manners?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETpc_5OeXUc/XCIAHl-AQbI/AAAAAAAA1ZQ/iIWGgFKpAhsVoqi0lQgpevUIRZubh01ywCLcBGAs/s1600/polite%2Bboy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETpc_5OeXUc/XCIAHl-AQbI/AAAAAAAA1ZQ/iIWGgFKpAhsVoqi0lQgpevUIRZubh01ywCLcBGAs/s320/polite%2Bboy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--maybe, permitting someone who appears in a rush, to step in-front of you?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-neYa8jiWZvU/XCIAcSYg6ZI/AAAAAAAA1ZY/axvi5xEFH0E09UxbNzUpnu4UXY_RhqfZQCLcBGAs/s1600/rushing%2Bducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="430" height="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-neYa8jiWZvU/XCIAcSYg6ZI/AAAAAAAA1ZY/axvi5xEFH0E09UxbNzUpnu4UXY_RhqfZQCLcBGAs/s320/rushing%2Bducks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--or, is it commending a sales person for exceptional service?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gwphEteQZOI/XCIBDzrDU9I/AAAAAAAA1Zg/DEaMqsSQxbkGa6rdFv4F2uPCg1FvxwnugCLcBGAs/s1600/Thank%2Byou%2Bsales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="560" height="197" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gwphEteQZOI/XCIBDzrDU9I/AAAAAAAA1Zg/DEaMqsSQxbkGa6rdFv4F2uPCg1FvxwnugCLcBGAs/s320/Thank%2Byou%2Bsales.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--might it be shoveling a neighbor’s driveway?</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDkGOQ1S-CQ/XCIBTFW6c3I/AAAAAAAA1Zk/0uNFgmiazNIMlLmbTiQXUY2kKvWVERarACLcBGAs/s1600/shovelling%2Bsnow.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="840" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDkGOQ1S-CQ/XCIBTFW6c3I/AAAAAAAA1Zk/0uNFgmiazNIMlLmbTiQXUY2kKvWVERarACLcBGAs/s320/shovelling%2Bsnow.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These efforts take little more than time. I can promise that you will continue to smile long after this act and the recipient will remember this event with a similar smile.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is magic, spread some joy and more will come your way…<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This power of praise is available 24/7/365.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to my Catholic roots, make a Joyful Noise...</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Wassail Song</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Here we come a-wassailing</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Among the leaves so green;</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Here we come a-wand'ring</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
So fair to be seen.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
REFRAIN:</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Love and joy come to you,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
And to you your wassail too;</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
And God send you a Happy New Year.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Our wassail cup is made</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Of the rosemary tree,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
And so is your beer</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Of the best barley.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
REFRAIN</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
We are not daily beggars</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
That beg from door to door;</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But we are neighbours' children,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Whom you have seen before.</div>
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REFRAIN</div>
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Call up the butler of this house,</div>
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Put on his golden ring.</div>
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Let him bring us up a glass of beer,</div>
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And better we shall sing.</div>
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REFRAIN</div>
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We have got a little purse</div>
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Of stretching leather skin;</div>
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We want a little of your money</div>
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To line it well within. </div>
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REFRAIN</div>
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Bring us out a table</div>
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And spread it with a cloth;</div>
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Bring us out a mouldy cheese,</div>
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And some of your Christmas loaf.</div>
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REFRAIN</div>
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God bless the master of this house</div>
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Likewise the mistress too,</div>
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And all the little children</div>
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That round the table go.</div>
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REFRAIN</div>
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Good master and good mistress,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
While you're sitting by the fire,</div>
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Pray think of us poor children</div>
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Who are wandering in the mire.</div>
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REFRAIN</div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-90655929350419058852018-12-23T18:55:00.001-08:002018-12-23T18:55:32.743-08:00The hopes of a lioness - Day 24<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">24th December 2018 (Christmas Eve)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">24 is the number of karats (k) in pure gold (the gold content is as close to 100% as is possible). <br />If you split the content of the metal into parts all 24 parts are gold, whereas 9k gold objects are <br />9/24 ratio of gold to other metals. Gold is very soft and hence it is usually mixed with copper or <br />silver to add strength so that it can be used for jewelry or intricate objects. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">24K gold is used <br />in electronics and medical devices such as those used for children suffering from ear infections who <br />are fitted with gold tympanostomy tubes that are known to improve aeration of the middle ear.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today I am going with my mother and a friend to the panto (oh yes we are) - I hope we all enjoy it. It seems a suitably festive thing to do on Christmas Eve. Then I must drive back to London and I am greatly looking forward to having supper with my goddaughter and her family - to me the Christmas period is about love and sharing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Christmas Eve post, a piece of pure gold writing shining with love, is by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/://www.linkedin.com/in/tamasin-sutton-chartered-mcipd-b6b6255/">Tamasin Sutton</a>. She is an HR consultant, currently based in the North East of England. She specialises in supporting technology businesses. He company is <a href="http://www.tshr.co.uk/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">TSHR Limited</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">. She is an effective, pragmatic and experienced professional who is</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> qualified in the use of various psychometric tools, as well as being an NVQ assessor with the PTTLS qualification. She co-founded Connecting HR Northeast in 2017 and works hard to bring together and develop the capabilities of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">the HR profession and the people within it - she is a Facilitator with Developing People Globally (DPG) supporting and assessing those studying for the CIPD Level 5 qualifications.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Tamasin is active on social media - you can follow her on Twitter (her handle is </span><a href="https://twitter.com/TamasinS" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">@TamasinS</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">). To relax, Tamasin enjoys travelling, but she is happy to unwind with a gin and a chat. She is supportive within her wider community and is a school governor for primary school. However, as you will read, the most vital part of her life is being a devoted and passionate mother.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is my 3rd year of contributing to the A</span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">dvent</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> blogs, and the 3rd year I have indulged in being vulnerable to whoever reads these words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's like therapy, something I dread, yet I feel strangely at peace when I have purged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">This time last year I was desperate to get out of hospital with my newborn little girl, and 4 days ago, she turned 1. When I reflect on this year, I feel overwhelmed. It has been unbelievably hard in so many ways. Motherhood is hard. I'm not a natural, not one of those earth mother types who gush about the joys of maternity leave and every day they spend with their precious mini me. But I have found my way, through sleep deprivation, difficulty breastfeeding, struggling to continue working and sometimes receiving lacklustre support of my choices. It's been hard. I think I lost myself, and I'm not back yet, despite my first KIT day being when she was 3 weeks old. It's sometimes frowned upon to be so honest about the impact that childbirth and becoming a mother can have. I spent 40 years being, well, selfish. I could do as I pleased and enjoyed the flexibility that being child free afforded me. I didn't always fully empathise with the struggles that other carers had, but boy do I get it now. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel my identity is a little blurred around the edges. I see it not just through my own eyes, but through the eyes of people close to me. Who am I and what do I want to be? I'm at odd's and in some distant way my heart aches for the life I used to have and I realise that I am trying to mourn. But my heart would break immeasurably if I couldn't see my beautiful daughter's smile, if I couldn't hold her and keep putting her unicorn furry hat back on even though she relentlessly removes it..... She gives me hope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I have dark thoughts. Consuming ones where my daughter comes to harm. What the hell is wrong with me?! It terrifies me. I cry, get distressed, have to distract myself. What's normal?</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WqgVJJ5olg/XB_liZuuB0I/AAAAAAAA1XQ/M-5u5fyINl0cbh2BAzNEyzin0LCzV1w8ACLcBGAs/s1600/Rescued%2Bfrom%2Ban%2BEagle%2527s%2BNest%2B1908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WqgVJJ5olg/XB_liZuuB0I/AAAAAAAA1XQ/M-5u5fyINl0cbh2BAzNEyzin0LCzV1w8ACLcBGAs/s1600/Rescued%2Bfrom%2Ban%2BEagle%2527s%2BNest%2B1908.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I cry. More than I've ever cried before. I feel more deeply than I've ever felt before. I get scared when before I didn't bat an eyelid. It all comes back to her, and for her I am the lioness. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILaNiSUL_6w/XB_mv7c-ArI/AAAAAAAA1XY/XbHqbp1oF-sYPtdpijFHuhOUEnDMeUf-wCLcBGAs/s1600/Lioness%2Band%2Bcub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILaNiSUL_6w/XB_mv7c-ArI/AAAAAAAA1XY/XbHqbp1oF-sYPtdpijFHuhOUEnDMeUf-wCLcBGAs/s320/Lioness%2Band%2Bcub.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My hope for her is that she will always feel loved and be happy. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k_fsv9jgo_8/XB_opBhmBnI/AAAAAAAA1Xg/-wIV4SrX4QAQNlspvbWyCvf1Rik8t0rQQCLcBGAs/s1600/the-best-things-are-felt-with-the-heart-1-600x315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="600" height="168" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k_fsv9jgo_8/XB_opBhmBnI/AAAAAAAA1Xg/-wIV4SrX4QAQNlspvbWyCvf1Rik8t0rQQCLcBGAs/s320/the-best-things-are-felt-with-the-heart-1-600x315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As she enters her second year I look forward to the high fives as she takes more than 3 steps on her own (and then quickly wish that she wasn't growing up so fast or moving so independently!!), starts to entertain us with her chatter and keeps growing into the cheeky spirited girl I see every day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope that she adapts as we make our way back towards London in January, 2 years after moving away. What a different life we now have, but what hope there is for adventure, fun and most of all, making memories.</span></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-57104382874269757682018-12-22T16:46:00.002-08:002018-12-22T16:46:45.039-08:00On Emerging - Day 23<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">23rd December 2018</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86fc24MOV28/XB7Z-3itIAI/AAAAAAAA1Wo/iLlxek0FUD8YfjKtIG4VhJMRAkihtpVsACLcBGAs/s1600/Birthday%2Bcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86fc24MOV28/XB7Z-3itIAI/AAAAAAAA1Wo/iLlxek0FUD8YfjKtIG4VhJMRAkihtpVsACLcBGAs/s400/Birthday%2Bcakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">23 randomly-selected people is the smallest number where there will be a probability higher <br />than 50% that two people will share the same birthday. This is part of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_problem" style="text-align: left;">Birthday Paradox</a><span style="color: #281e1e; text-align: left;">; <br />99.9% probability is reached with just 70 people.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Today I am driving my mother and sister to Bath to meet up with my father and his wife. It will be a chance to have a fine lunch and to wish each other a happy Christmas and good start to 2019. The next time we will all eat together will be at my son's 21st party on the 5th January.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a way today's post is a sort of celebration, in that, for me, the Advent Blog series is not complete without a post by </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilusher/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">Neil Usher</a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">I first got to know Neil when he was the Workplace Director at Sky - he was one of the truly innovative property and facilities experts who understood the impact that the workplace has on work, the people within it and the wider environment. He has moved on from Sky to work as a property, workplace and change consultant under his own advisory business - <a href="http://workessence.com/about/">workessence</a>, this is also the best place to read his blogs (he has been writing them since 2011 and there are many gems in his archive). He has also written an excellent book, <a href="http://elementalworkplace.com/">The Elemental Workplace</a>. It is an interesting read and demonstrates his passion for ensuring that everyone can have and deserves a fantastic workplace. It is a pragmatic and entertaining read by a genuine expert who can demonstrate that he has practiced what he preaches. He will be writing a second book in 2019 to be published in 2020. If you want to know more about Neil, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">you can find him on Twitter (his handle is </span><a href="https://twitter.com/workessence" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">@workessence</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Neil is an exceptionally talented and creative writer. His pieces have a flow to them and need to be read without distractions for maximum impact. In consequence, there are no punctuation illustrations.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk532572002"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Something was
wrong. Something had been wrong before, but never like this. The severance of Lou’s
umbilical cord during a spacewalk was calming, a soft suffocation in isolation.
She had realised she was the lone passenger on the bus home, just herself and
the driver, focussed and disinterested. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The bus slowed at
each stop and sped again when they revealed themselves to be empty. It didn’t
stop from the pick-up through to the lone bell when Lou only alighted.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Christmas shrieked
silently; garish, primary, immediate. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lou lived across a
field. Anywhere else she would have been nervous about walking alone along the
main path lit by lanterns made to look old and hiding the scrub in darkness. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There was none of
the sound of shuffling feet and snuffling dogs, the exhausted exasperated forced
chatter of parents to babies in buggies, the duller half of a dull phone call. No-one
whistled anymore, she thought. It was just Lou. The glow from a hundred lounges
was at its warmest, the air she breathed in step with her pace at its coldest.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Why was this time
so wrong? She ran through a list. She liked lists, when something made it onto
a list it was half done, the easy half at least. The list was of stuff she was
always told was important, that the vacuously-profiled always posted and shared
with unwavering conviction. Solutions are easy on the internet; six things,
eight things, ten things other people do that you can do and everything’s
alright. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There was purpose.
She knew why she was there, she understood what the big idea was and believed
in it just like all those around her, she punched the air when the others
punched the air when something went well and she frowned and searched her soul
when the others frowned and searched their souls when it didn’t. Often, they
searched each other’s souls. Usually without asking. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There was no doubt,
not a flicker. She knew people who complained that they didn’t have a purpose
they and their people shared, and she felt bad for them but comforted that she
did. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There was
meaningful work. She understood how what she did fitted in, why it was needed
and how important it was. She knew that she could do things the others couldn’t,
so she felt needed and valued. People would say ‘this is a job for Lou’ and
this made her happy because it wasn’t ‘Lou or’ or ‘Lou and’ but just Lou. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She knew that what
they were all working towards was better than anyone else had ever done
anywhere and so it was special, and this had stopped her stepping off the
conveyor belt so many times when she wanted to. Even if it wasn’t true. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She learned and
grew, she was better at what she did and knew more stuff and was better able to
handle tricky moments and worked things out better than when she joined. She
didn’t need to sit in a classroom for this, every day was its own training
course with no agenda or discussion of ‘what she hoped to get out of it’, just
a randomly-assembled corporate assault course. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She felt resilient,
even though at times she could have sworn she was broken yet always found
something, enough, to get through it. Then it was forgotten all over again. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Her team were
incredible, the most angled and impossible jigsaw fitted together beautifully,
and everyone know that without the other pieces they were nothing. She knew she
had found many of these shapes and would sometimes stand back and watch and see
the completeness playing out before her eyes and wonder just how that could
have been possible. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The jigsaw needed
her too and she knew that. She had painted the picture on the box lid, at least
with words. They had wanted to be part of it. Without her they would have been
part of a lesser jigsaw, that you could do with your eyes closed. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She had a life,
too. She saw her family, they valued the time spent but all wished it could
have been more but knew plenty of stories of absent Mums and consoled
themselves that what they had was better than what they could have had, that
the grass was green enough right where they stood. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">They coped with her
morning distance, busied themselves with their own awakening, her flitting eyes
elsewhere in a random landscape. Her children drew pictures of what she was
like when she came home in the evening, her fuse cropped, her voice drawling,
an unwillingness to arrange anything even stuff that was fun, pushing
everything away, clawing at peace. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">That was the list. Everything
was okay, the pieces were in place, it should all be right. But instead she was
lost. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The abandoned bus
and field and path suggested she was still searching as she resolved that it
could not go on. That was one conclusion, far too late, at least. She would
resolve that when the string of tiny lights was back in its shabby box.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She flicked through
the days past like vinyl records in their whitewashed wooden boxes, stacked,
ordered, regular, inspecting some, passing over others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Perhaps, she mused,
if there weren’t other agendas playing out then the charcoal of her dolour
might have made sense: the entirety of the diaphanous mesh of unarranged meetings
hurriedly held, whispers loud but indiscernible, comments clumsily coded,
laughter lurched and suppressed, ideas made flesh before disclosure, papers hurriedly
scooped and folded, glances without words, and shallow reasons for having to go.
She was there, but not always, included, but not always, visible but not
always; a life, almost. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With that, it made
sense. It was not what she had been looking for, but what she had been looking
through. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk532572002;"></span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The front door opened, the warmth prickled her face, and
familiar voices scrambled to be heard. Her own voice was clear, her mind was
clear. It had lifted. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwH4sXVcTDA/XB7VOhj9q3I/AAAAAAAA1Wg/g5xaDZoXOqUsWtDdsL2iV3po1VeLfN2PgCLcBGAs/s1600/clarity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwH4sXVcTDA/XB7VOhj9q3I/AAAAAAAA1Wg/g5xaDZoXOqUsWtDdsL2iV3po1VeLfN2PgCLcBGAs/s320/clarity.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-38922331258604938582018-12-21T17:16:00.002-08:002018-12-21T17:16:27.442-08:00A perfectly imperfect year - Day 22<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday 22nd December 2018</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSFXTIA5E4I/XB2HB1J_MiI/AAAAAAAA1VA/llds6UY2lvcSiKruR33LcIEyJRQ_2nQdACLcBGAs/s1600/Major%2BArcana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="300" height="337" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSFXTIA5E4I/XB2HB1J_MiI/AAAAAAAA1VA/llds6UY2lvcSiKruR33LcIEyJRQ_2nQdACLcBGAs/s400/Major%2BArcana.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">22 picture cards in a Tarot deck of 78 cards (these picture cards are referred to as <a href="s://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Arcana" style="text-align: left;">Major Arcana</a><span style="text-align: left;"><br />by fortune tellers and it is said that there are 22 to reflect the number of letters in the Hebrew <br />alphabet </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">and the 22 paths in the Kabbalistic </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_life_(Kabbalah)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Tree of life (Kabbalah)">Tree of Life</a><span style="text-align: left;">) - it was not until the 18th century that <br />Tarot were used for divination; in the 15th century they were just playing cards.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We had a splendid meal last night, lots to celebrate in addition to Christmas festivities - my cousin James' wife had learned that her amazing father, Naas Steenkamp, had died at 8.10 yesterday morning. He was a true polymath and lived an extraordinary</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> life. Amongst other things, he was instrumental in changing South Africa by ensuring, during Apartheid, that black Africans were able to belong to trade unions and receive benefits. He wrote beautifully and was so learned. I used to love sitting and chatting with him, over a fine glass of Stellenbosch red, when I visited South Africa and I always learned something new. My thoughts are with his partner, Paula, and all the family. His was a life to celebrate and aspire to emulating. In addition, yesterday, my mother and I had an excellent hospital session, where we were informed that her deterioration in the past 12 months is less severe than had been anticipated by the experts and we have a plan to try to slow the decline. Today I am looking forward to a trip to Wells with my sister, aunt and mother and then, in the evening, we are going to see the new </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Mary Poppins</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> film. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, enough about me and my plans for the day...we have much more exciting things to contemplate. This is <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieellishr/">Natalie Ellis</a>'s debut Advent Blog - welcome to the series :-) Natalie is an HR consultant based in Northampton. She is becoming an increasingly well known voice in the HR social media community, her Twitter handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/NatalieEllisHR">@NatalieEllisHR</a>. She has become an accomplished blogger, writing for and on HR matters, her own blog is at <a href="http://natalieellishr.com/">natalieellishr.com</a> - her own blog is up for the UK Blog Awards this year. Whilst on the subject of awards - she was the Highly Commended Finalist in the CIPD's People Management Awards 2012 for the Michael Kelly Student of the Year, sits on the CIPD Northamptonshire Committee and is a Steps Ahead Ambassador. Natalie has always enjoyed helping people (this does not mean that she is "pink and fluffy") she started her career in a customer service role before moving across into HR. When not working in HR, she enjoys a good cup of tea and listening to the Spice Girls.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">********</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I write this blog post,
instead of sitting in my usual spot, the office at home, I thought I would get
in the festive mood by sitting by the Christmas tree with it’s beautiful
twinkling lights whilst drinking a cup of tea and a mince pie. You cannot get
more festive than this!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHd1aY3k_oo/XB2DmPzMePI/AAAAAAAA1U0/mdAfP2NIKMUNXkA1bnGYq7bVzYxgObJyACLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2Btea%2Band%2Bmince%2Bpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHd1aY3k_oo/XB2DmPzMePI/AAAAAAAA1U0/mdAfP2NIKMUNXkA1bnGYq7bVzYxgObJyACLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2Btea%2Band%2Bmince%2Bpie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christmas is a time of year
conjures up a mixture of thoughts and feelings, it is also a season of
familiarity, full of traditions and not to mention an endless to do list.
Whilst most soak up the atmosphere of the festive season, one thing that people
think of, yet often forget to do is reflect upon the year that we are about to
leave behind; sometimes we just need to take stock amongst the overflowing
preparations to organise ourselves for the fresh year that awaits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am certain that we can all
agree that resolutions are temporary and mostly ineffective (sorry diets and
gym memberships!); reflective practice has a much higher success rate and is
sustainable for the long term, by being more contemplative and positive rather
than focussing on the negative aspects of life, we are able to truly achieve
happiness in both our personal and professional lives. This may not be new
information, nor will it be surprising, but by taking time to reflect on the year
gone by, we are able to be better prepared for the new year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3AGGLEdGzzc/XB2JGlmtPII/AAAAAAAA1VM/QCZ-D8WLqCswEnyOI0p5SQHmivrDI0zZgCLcBGAs/s1600/Gibbs%2527%2BReflective%2BCycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3AGGLEdGzzc/XB2JGlmtPII/AAAAAAAA1VM/QCZ-D8WLqCswEnyOI0p5SQHmivrDI0zZgCLcBGAs/s400/Gibbs%2527%2BReflective%2BCycle.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We live in a world of perfect
idealisms, and there seems to be ever increasing pressure on our lives, but
over the past few months I have embraced self-reflection techniques, and by
doing so, I have been able to see the benefits of getting comfortable with who
I am, purely by bringing it back to the simple things that really matter. These
days, there is too much emphasis upon socially acceptable “norms”, or we worry unnecessarily
about what people think of us; this led to a very important decision and I
simply said to myself one day “I am enough”, and so I began to adopt reflective
practices.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZTSvTwKMJI/XB2Jr1zYS0I/AAAAAAAA1VU/gPhWoWzaa1wD1RIh_zuujFTSn_U43cA_ACLcBGAs/s1600/I%2Bam%2Benough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="471" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZTSvTwKMJI/XB2Jr1zYS0I/AAAAAAAA1VU/gPhWoWzaa1wD1RIh_zuujFTSn_U43cA_ACLcBGAs/s320/I%2Bam%2Benough.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To be thirteen years into my
professional HR career and only just uncover the benefits of self-reflection
could be seen as embarrassing, but by allowing myself to be vulnerable
and actually taking the time to practice what I preach, it really shows that we
never stop learning and that it is never too late to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5PcOxXGMsM/XB2KUkYa2KI/AAAAAAAA1Vc/Wxkyo9LHwoghQf5FTQyytzuQbzIaR670QCLcBGAs/s1600/Never%2Btoo%2Blate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="295" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5PcOxXGMsM/XB2KUkYa2KI/AAAAAAAA1Vc/Wxkyo9LHwoghQf5FTQyytzuQbzIaR670QCLcBGAs/s1600/Never%2Btoo%2Blate.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reflection is such a powerful
tool, yet it is often overlooked or taken for granted. It provides an
opportunity to look deeper at who we are, whilst learning from our experiences,
by doing this we can not only become the best version of ourselves and
embracing what makes us unique, but also acknowledge that we don’t want to
change who we are as individuals, but by undertaking positive self-reflection,
it also allows us to see ourselves as we are now so we can develop for the
future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3KqmzsVdXM/XB2KtjY2iOI/AAAAAAAA1Vk/y26Au1t25B4G60uJLSozOBwZ8rzX-Ex9gCLcBGAs/s1600/best%2Bself.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="525" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3KqmzsVdXM/XB2KtjY2iOI/AAAAAAAA1Vk/y26Au1t25B4G60uJLSozOBwZ8rzX-Ex9gCLcBGAs/s320/best%2Bself.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we reflect, we may notice
that it is easy to see the negative aspects within our circumstances such as
blaming other people or pick faults, I often hear the terms “I can’t” and “I’m
not good enough for…” this only leads us to believe these phrases which impact
upon our confidence levels for the long term. Reflection is not about
identifying faults within ourselves, our views of these external aspects are
actually directing us to look inwards, by what we see on the outside is a
reflection of what we may find in ourselves. I must stress that self-loathing
is not ok; no matter what your opinion is of yourself, this blog was created to
help people recognise that there is hope irrespective of circumstances. We must
acknowledge when we are being too harshly critical of ourselves as the long
term effects can be difficult to resolve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By recognising that these
thoughts and feelings are of our own creation, we can begin to understand them
and that is when the magic starts to happen! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IG3k2pKqsm4/XB2LlLhYHKI/AAAAAAAA1Vs/nBirHV1q11oUPDl7usPDSOAHZ0KdZ0vmwCLcBGAs/s1600/Magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IG3k2pKqsm4/XB2LlLhYHKI/AAAAAAAA1Vs/nBirHV1q11oUPDl7usPDSOAHZ0KdZ0vmwCLcBGAs/s320/Magic.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reflecting upon our thoughts,
feelings, motivations and behaviours is not a tool designed to make harsh
criticisms or judgments, it is simply to help us recognise so we can learn and
develop and so that it becomes a positive practice, rather than allowing our problems
and worries to control us. Reflective practice is the key to becoming accepting of ourselves, but it can be a painful process, especially when we seek solutions
to our everyday worries. It is important to remember that it takes time; when
we were children, we couldn’t ride a bicycle right away, it took time, patience
and many hours of practice. It’s also important to be mindful that there are no
shortcuts to those worthwhile destinations.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-z9I2pTufU/XB2Mj-vH2lI/AAAAAAAA1V0/-oJoGDhaGxgv1mBd_4MyY21JC_2HgGRPwCLcBGAs/s1600/learning%2Band%2Briding%2Ba%2Bbike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="634" height="181" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-z9I2pTufU/XB2Mj-vH2lI/AAAAAAAA1V0/-oJoGDhaGxgv1mBd_4MyY21JC_2HgGRPwCLcBGAs/s320/learning%2Band%2Briding%2Ba%2Bbike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Remember to value self-awareness; it is really wonderful
when you discover more about yourself and it is incredibly powerful to
understand who you are, why you do things as well as clarity of your
personality, emotions, strengths, weaknesses, beliefs and motivations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To be able to adopt reflective
practice, we need to be willing and truly believe that we are enough. From this we can then begin to make positive changes, encourage ourselves to truly
understand our purpose and, even if this isn’t your cup of tea, you’d be
surprised at the results when you start using these tools.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">So, my message to you all for
2019 is simply, embrace your uniqueness, ignore that voice in your head that says,
“you can’t” and realise that you are the master of your own destiny. 2018
taught me personally that life is too short, it’s time to make 2019 your very
best year.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Remember, that we cannot change
the past or what we have done, but what we can do is take steps to positively
influence the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
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<h1 class="title style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: var(--ytd-video-primary-info-renderer-title-color, var(--yt-spec-text-primary)); font-weight: 400; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0px; max-height: 4.8rem; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-shadow: var(--ytd-video-primary-info-renderer-title-text-shadow, none); transform: var(--ytd-video-primary-info-renderer-title-transform, none);">
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-63356314534233743392018-12-20T22:26:00.002-08:002018-12-20T22:27:26.988-08:00Damn Good - Day 21<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Friday 21st December 2018</span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2hdDYtFV5Aw/XBvHR6tHVrI/AAAAAAAA1UQ/wUGGjsunEEcRqoTKqd4V96I3zVgonZSagCLcBGAs/s1600/Guinea%2Bcoin_James_II%252C_Great_Britain%252C_1688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2hdDYtFV5Aw/XBvHR6tHVrI/AAAAAAAA1UQ/wUGGjsunEEcRqoTKqd4V96I3zVgonZSagCLcBGAs/s400/Guinea%2Bcoin_James_II%252C_Great_Britain%252C_1688.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">21 Shillings make a Guinea - although no longer circulated (it ceased being minted in 1814), </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">the term guinea survives as a unit of account in some fields, including horse racing, Oxbridge May </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Ball tickets and the sale of rams to mean an amount of one pound and one shilling (21 shillings) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">which is £1.05. It was the first English machine-struck gold coin, originally worth one pound sterling, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">equal to twenty shillings, but rises in the price of gold relative to silver caused the value of the guinea </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">to increase, at times to as high as thirty shillings. From 1717 to 1816, its value was officially </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">fixed at twenty-one shillings.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am not going to be back in the office until after Christmas - it has been so full-on over the past few days and weeks that that feels really weird. We had a great party last night. Today I am driving to Somerset to take my mother to hospital. All being well, she and I are looking forward to going out to dinner tonight with friends and some other members of the family. It will be wonderful to spend some quality time with loved ones. The older I get the more I appreciate the importance of love and relationships. Is there someone or some people you can see or renew contact with at this festive time? My mother is sliding into severe dementia; I am so glad that we made and cherished our moments together over the years, as you can never get that time back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today's post is reflective and open. It is by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-duxbury-61266822/">Sara Duxbury</a>, whose post last year caused a lot of positive and active discussion about mental health, friendship and the workplace. Sara is an amazing lady, full of energy and ideas; she works as a business psychologist and is Head of Commercial at <a href="http://www.cartercorson.co.uk/">Carter Corson</a>. After studying Psychology, Sara commenced her career in Retail and held operational roles before moving </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">into Learning and Development and through that into HR. She has been an award winning HR Director with particular expertise in Professional Services. Sara has an excellent reputation as a thought-leader and is an active and engaging member of the social media community; you can connect with her on Twitter (her handle is <u><span class="username u-dir" dir="ltr"><span style="color: #1da1f2;"><a href="https://twitter.com/SaraJDux">@SaraJDux</a></span></span></u>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All the illustrations and music in this post were selected by Sara herself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*********</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong>#MyStory – the sequel</strong></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If last year’s blog was about putting myself out there, this
year is about how I lost myself out there.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I wrote my Advent Blog this time last year (</span><a href="http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/01/mystory-day-37.html"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">http://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/01/mystory-day-37.html</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">)
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the response I received was completely
unprecedented. I was incredibly humbled by words of respect, admiration, love
and the “we knew you were mad, and we love you anyway”. I was in fact quite
speechless (which for those who know me, you will know the world must have been
considerably quieter for a moment!). The whole experience at the time, felt
like the ultimate high five!<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDsQjOEw0hQ/XBtICzGaMKI/AAAAAAAA1TU/jmcj_ucS1V4-cjwITYffihe-3LTYRS4EwCLcBGAs/s1600/Happiness%2BIs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="373" height="317" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDsQjOEw0hQ/XBtICzGaMKI/AAAAAAAA1TU/jmcj_ucS1V4-cjwITYffihe-3LTYRS4EwCLcBGAs/s320/Happiness%2BIs.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SmDzqWqTXa8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SmDzqWqTXa8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmDzqWqTXa8"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmDzqWqTXa8</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Martin Luke Brown - <em>Opalite<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I reflect on the year that has passed since, I can see
that there have been unexpected consequences, which have caused me heartache</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvGxLaSw0xw/XBtIOgKG2PI/AAAAAAAA1TY/oDtRFD1_FPwn2Thry85czEf2Zd16jAweQCLcBGAs/s1600/Hello%2Bdarkness.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="415" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvGxLaSw0xw/XBtIOgKG2PI/AAAAAAAA1TY/oDtRFD1_FPwn2Thry85czEf2Zd16jAweQCLcBGAs/s320/Hello%2Bdarkness.png" width="256" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1029"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:199pt;height:249pt;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/Kategl/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image003.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having a public support network meant that what I used to
keep private, I now get support from my work colleagues and my friends – I have
help. I bet you’re thinking how can this be a bad thing Sara? But all my coping
strategies involved up until then… me. To now have people caring and wanting to
share the burden was and is strangely difficult. I find it hard not to withdraw.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My self-confidence took a serious battering – I felt afraid
and doubted myself. I still do on an hourly/daily basis. By being so honest to
myself, I think I have made myself vulnerable and my imposter syndrome just
LOVES that. I’m still learning how to channel that negative drain into positive
energy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My worst fear did come true – some people did and do judge me.
Some do view my behaviour without understanding where it might be coming from.
I think if they could spend some time inside my head, they might be kinder?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m overdoing it – my off-switch has completely left the
building. You know you need to look at your wellbeing when you are conducting a
three-week sleep study on yourself to determine if you are getting enough sleep!
Maybe I think I need to prove myself more? (see previous two points)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYJu4wBRRBo/XBtIgmZFdmI/AAAAAAAA1Tk/hW99tufPmSoIphDaChunUxRLa88eX4FLQCLcBGAs/s1600/Low%2Bbattery.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="447" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYJu4wBRRBo/XBtIgmZFdmI/AAAAAAAA1Tk/hW99tufPmSoIphDaChunUxRLa88eX4FLQCLcBGAs/s320/Low%2Bbattery.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_7" o:spid="_x0000_i1028"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:214pt;height:143pt;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/Kategl/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image005.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5dmQ3QWpy1Q/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5dmQ3QWpy1Q?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dmQ3QWpy1Q"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dmQ3QWpy1Q</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linkin Park & Kiiara – <em>Heavy</em> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember disagreeing with quite a few people last year who
described me as brave. I feel more like this year I have needed to be brave,
and I think I will need to continue to be brave to begin/carry on making good
choices in this brave new Dux world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wIjJIfgv5qI/XBtIqlLVd-I/AAAAAAAA1To/fEwuQDWt14Yt7XF6BUu-H9BsZ_0N6zAggCLcBGAs/s1600/Demons.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="282" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wIjJIfgv5qI/XBtIqlLVd-I/AAAAAAAA1To/fEwuQDWt14Yt7XF6BUu-H9BsZ_0N6zAggCLcBGAs/s1600/Demons.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HwPa71UZRaQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HwPa71UZRaQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_i1027"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:135pt;height:134pt;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/Kategl/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image007.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwPa71UZRaQ"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwPa71UZRaQ</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
Wombats – <em>Lemon to a Knife Fight<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can only do my best and I think I need to learn that my
best is good enough. Hope is seeing photos of me like the below (thank you
Kelly Swingler!) where I see captured, just for a moment, a glimpse of that
girl who still gets so much joy from a wonky life (especially if it involves
tacos!). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ry6YgotZpSI/XBtI8CtoX6I/AAAAAAAA1T0/AAXtRtqRPAgcdlzBcMFDfIAmQgWWs-EKQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sara.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="639" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ry6YgotZpSI/XBtI8CtoX6I/AAAAAAAA1T0/AAXtRtqRPAgcdlzBcMFDfIAmQgWWs-EKQCLcBGAs/s320/Sara.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1026"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:306pt;height:230pt;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/Kategl/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image009.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><o:p></o:p><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, if you are someone who doesn’t struggle with your mental
health, use your powers for good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To quote this awesome girl I know: “My biggest hope is that
by sharing my story, you who are sitting there battling on both sides, or you
managing someone with mental health struggles. Look at me and see you CAN be
the best version of you, be DAMN good at what you do, and be a bit bat-shit
crazy” Here’s to hope…</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bshyTjPHHY0/XBtJEGxQM2I/AAAAAAAA1T4/zukhjt6oM5sG2lvjOsYDjh4hpk-JkYewACLcBGAs/s1600/You%2Bare.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="391" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bshyTjPHHY0/XBtJEGxQM2I/AAAAAAAA1T4/zukhjt6oM5sG2lvjOsYDjh4hpk-JkYewACLcBGAs/s320/You%2Bare.png" width="256" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Curtis Walsh – <em>Full Recovery<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-87405793034739215002018-12-19T22:16:00.001-08:002018-12-19T22:22:44.349-08:00Making connections - Day 20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thursday 20th December 2018</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_fuzvVeHyE/XBrTtu9b6YI/AAAAAAAA1S8/3IdF4BuNZqIwG8YGz-9Ue4h1TLdJ80jjgCLcBGAs/s1600/Medieval%2Bsheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1024" height="301" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_fuzvVeHyE/XBrTtu9b6YI/AAAAAAAA1S8/3IdF4BuNZqIwG8YGz-9Ue4h1TLdJ80jjgCLcBGAs/s400/Medieval%2Bsheep.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">20 is known as a "score' not for sporting reasons (although a dart board has 20 sectors), <br />but because in the past when livestock, such as sheep, were being counted it was usual <br />to score a notch in a piece of wood to record twenty animals before counting the next 20<br />in the flock or herd. The first citation was in 1100.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It is our company's Christmas Party this evening - it is going to be a great event with an amazing live band brought together by one of our talented employees (who knocked the Beatles off number 1 in the charts back in the 60's). It will be a great evening at which to celebrate all we have achieved over this past year. I am so grateful to so many both in and outside work. Thank you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today's post is a charming and uplifting poem by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenamery/">Helen Amery</a>. Helen is a coach who likes to work with leaders unleashing their true potential through their Clarity, Contentment and Connection. She </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is married and has two much loved children. She (and her business) are based in Leicester in the East Midlands. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After obtaining a degree in Chemistry from Edinburgh, Helen commenced training as an accountant with PwC but then realised that she was better suited to HR. She then took a postgraduate diploma in Personnel Management at Nottingham, before joining Boots (initially within employee relations). </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Helen succumbed to her entrepreneurial spirit and runs her own successful business </span><a href="http://wildfigsolutions.co.uk/" style="color: #6699cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;">Wild Fig Solutions</a>.<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> You can follow Helen on Twitter (her handle is </span><a href="https://twitter.com/WildFigSolns" style="color: #6699cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;">@WildFigSolns</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">) and read her people-centred blogs on her <a href="http://wildfigsolutions.co.uk/blog/">business site</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Heartache it hurts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But it need not be feared</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are all OK</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No matter what we feel</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hope is the light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The chinks in the dark</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That leads to a rising</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of energy sparks</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">High fives connect</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They remind we are one</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, tomorrow, always</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With ev'ry rising sun</span><br />
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-61575161437600802982018-12-18T22:54:00.003-08:002018-12-18T22:54:33.171-08:00H., H. H-5s….version 2 - Day 19<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wednesday 19th December 2018</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">19 is t</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">he number of guards (known as </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabaniyya" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: start;" title="">Zabaniyya</a>) who support the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Angel">angel </a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;">Maalik</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> in H</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Hell">ell</a>, </span>according to the <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qur%27an" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Qur'an">Qur'an</a> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">(it is the angel's duty to administer "Hellfire" and he never smiles)</span><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">As well as juggling work, I have to have a difficult family discussion today. I wish life wasn't quite so challenging at the moment. On the plus side, all being well, I am hoping to meet up with some wonderful people whom I have got to know via social media. I hope you have something fun to look forward to today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">This blog has had a very unusual gestation and just reading the title makes me smile. As you can see this blog is version 2 - </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryturnerthelisteningorganisation/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Garry Turner</a><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> had told me a while ago that he wanted to participate in the Advent Blogs series but I was remiss in that I failed to explain that the blogs need to be novel, as, being an Advent calendar, each day should be a new surprise for the readers and not a post that has been regurgitated from elsewhere. Garry was very enthusiastic when he saw the theme, had a bit of spare time while sitting in the airport at Mumbai ,and wrote a splendid post on the topic of </span><a href="https://valuethroughvulnerability.com/2018/12/12/heartaches-hopes-and-high-fives/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Heartaches, Hopes and High Fives</a><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> on his own blog. It is a wonderful, uplifting read full of gratitude. However, he then contacted me to ask if it could be included in the series and I had to explain that, as it was already published, it was with regret that I had to decline it. Garry has been amazing (and very patient) - he has written a fresh post (hence the version 2) and it is below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Garry is values driven and, increasingly over the past few years he has become comfortable with who he is and how he feels. He is brave, caring and alert to the requirements of others. I have also discovered that he is patent and forgiving when someone else has been an idiot. He is the founder of <a href="http://www.thelisteningorganisation.co.uk/">The Listening Organisation</a>, which works to help organisations and the people within them to help them to be the best they can be. I have learned from him. You can connect with him on Twitter, his handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/garryturner0">@GarryTurner0</a>. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Heartache, hope &
high fives ….version 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, on my flight between Mumbai and New Delhi for an
exhibition tomorrow, I was re-looking at some of the chapters of one of my
reads of the year, indeed of my life; “Everybody Matters” by Bob Chapman of
Barry Wehmiller & Raj Sisodia and I started to well up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not just once, but multiple times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have read this book before and it has moved me, but
something different impacted me today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Was I suffering heartache?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it
a deep sense of hope?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it the
realisation that Barry Wehmiller have embedded a high five culture in so many
aspect of their business, it just blew me away?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I think honestly, a combination of all three, but I would
like to unpick the heartache part further.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Personal purpose
& development (to avoid further heartache)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I looked to change career back in 2013 because I was
fed up intrinsically, despite having the nice car, nice house & nice life,
everything that the outside world classes as success, but all of it had little
meaning; my work heart was aching.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In love with my fiancé who I will marry next year, my
personal life was great, but my work live was soulless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Literally soulless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My then line manager who is very entrepreneurial saw an
opportunity for me to start-up in essence a L&D strategy & function,
from a blank sheet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was a great opportunity and fuelled my desire to
#learneveryday, my personal hashtag, but after 3 years of success, I was
advised by a senior leader (not the one that opened the door originally) that
“I let you play at the L&D stuff.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Out of the blue, I was suddenly ‘playing’ at L&D despite
saving the company c£100k over 2 years and engaging a wide cross section of
colleagues in the ideation, design and delivery - all from zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ‘playing.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was like a knife through butter in terms of how it a)
made me feel after 3 years of hard work and b) it impacted my self-worth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the same leader that would defend
workplace bullying of another senior leader as “he has something going on at
home, so just leave it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">At this same time I lost it at work – I went bang, leaving
the business for 3 days and needing to call the employee assistance line as
there was no one I trusted or could turn to.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My heart, and head, was aching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Perry Timms, who I was only starring to know back in 2016
suggested I attend a WorldBlu Power Question event at Happy Ltd and that lit
the touch paper of what would be a frenetic learning journey which includes,
but not exclusively, the following:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obtaining chartered membership of the CIPD</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attended Corporate Rebels event at Happy Ltd</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Led the transformation of my work team culture over <span style="text-indent: -24px;">a 3-year period such that without any M&A or extra headcount, we are now > 40% higher turnover and > 40% gross margin vs pre-cultural change</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attended two of the WorldBlu summits in San Diego in 2017 and 2018</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Attended the Zone event in Arizona in 2018</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taking over 100 proactive action steps per quarter between 2<sup style="text-indent: -24px;">nd</sup><span style="text-indent: -24px;"> half 2017 and today (Q4 2018 will just creep over 200 proactive action steps) which involves attending events, meeting new people (a mix of virtually & face to face), peer to peer coach sessions, regularly attending Helen Amery’s Learn Connect Do events, etc etc</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Set up a new company called The Listening Organisation to use my own personal journey of self-discovery, humanity & vulnerability to try and serve individuals, teams and organisations to the best versions of themselves </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All of the above has been actioned whilst holding down a
full-time job as an International Product Manager.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xlTn8NwYTQ/XBnlMDUjcpI/AAAAAAAA1Q4/UOYE84_M8oUjjDVjpHNoty9Z0_iGdDKGwCLcBGAs/s1600/success.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="770" height="166" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xlTn8NwYTQ/XBnlMDUjcpI/AAAAAAAA1Q4/UOYE84_M8oUjjDVjpHNoty9Z0_iGdDKGwCLcBGAs/s320/success.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I do not share this to show off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the reasons that I had tears in my eyes re-reading
Everybody Matters on the plane today is that no-one, ever, in a workplace has
ever told me that I matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You are good with people – thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a great salesman – thanks. You can
work from home by the coast – massive thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But never <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you matter </b>in
over 20 years of work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How many of us have ever been told we matter over and above
hitting the numbers/targets?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyZgheS2gR4/XBnlhb-aMqI/AAAAAAAA1RA/Aap7eukJ_20eHfcIUOrarBz1YuXnk66tgCLcBGAs/s1600/You%2Bmatter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="940" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyZgheS2gR4/XBnlhb-aMqI/AAAAAAAA1RA/Aap7eukJ_20eHfcIUOrarBz1YuXnk66tgCLcBGAs/s320/You%2Bmatter.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A mending heart<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my more recent learning experiences that has led to
me being able to start to heal that heartache was attending a Quality of Mind 3
day retreat in July 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This retreat was led by a great chap called Piers Thurston
who teaches the 3 principles – the principles of mind, consciousness and
thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some of the shifts that have led me to be more present,
calmer and less impulsive – which many people see in me – has been realising
that my mental health challenge was all my own thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I over-thought my way into that challenge,
although I believed, wrongly, that it was in a major part that ex line manager.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I used to blame him, that previous line manager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to think he was my problem, but in the
end,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it was all my own thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, he did say some terrible things, but it
was always up to me how I took it/reacted.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYFCIvmNzkM/XBnnu10aoNI/AAAAAAAA1RM/LobGFfe4S084RkRWPs4xiI71jb9nvES0gCLcBGAs/s1600/it%2Bis%2Bhow%2Byou%2Breact.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="600" height="269" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYFCIvmNzkM/XBnnu10aoNI/AAAAAAAA1RM/LobGFfe4S084RkRWPs4xiI71jb9nvES0gCLcBGAs/s320/it%2Bis%2Bhow%2Byou%2Breact.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I forgive him and I forgive myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That removes a lot of the heartache – be kind
to yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He has his, as we all have our own issues/pressures/challenges
of life, but knowing that we are only one dropped thought away from shifting
everything, is such a free way to live life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBRxKv4a-ZU/XBnpRxln5KI/AAAAAAAA1RY/T5NNg77f0swuGuA47fL39NFTyHC9EmwLACLcBGAs/s1600/change%2Bthinking%2Bdial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBRxKv4a-ZU/XBnpRxln5KI/AAAAAAAA1RY/T5NNg77f0swuGuA47fL39NFTyHC9EmwLACLcBGAs/s320/change%2Bthinking%2Bdial.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Going forward<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I now know that my frenetic learning journey, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">only today on that flight between Mumbai
and New Delhi</b>, has been in part, to put a sticky plaster over that previous
heartache.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That heartache that is actually my thinking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That heartache has fuelled an incredible drive to serve
others to the best possible version of themselves, resulting in The Listening
Organisation being formed.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2_GBypNSr8/XBnqEd3J8VI/AAAAAAAA1Rk/jLFiQ_xqjWILFQe7vdXQly36OkZTLgMvACEwYBhgL/s1600/heartache%2Bthinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2_GBypNSr8/XBnqEd3J8VI/AAAAAAAA1Rk/jLFiQ_xqjWILFQe7vdXQly36OkZTLgMvACEwYBhgL/s320/heartache%2Bthinking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">No-one wants to live with heartache long term however, thus as
you read this blog, I am deeply reflective, yet present, about what all of this
learning, The Listening Org and my current job role all means (outside of
paying the bills)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am OK though – really, I am - my heart is definitely not
aching like it was and I remain hopeful and grateful for all for those high 5
influences in my life and that humanity is on the mend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have so much to be grateful for and I just hope there are
more organisations soon, that embody their own version of Barry Wehmiller’s
& Raj Sisodia’s humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We all have a part to play in ensuring that the world stops
it’s combined heartache.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What steps are you going to take?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-71031955806517663772018-12-17T22:39:00.002-08:002018-12-17T22:40:53.184-08:00Heartaches, hopes and high fives - Day 18<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tuesday 18th December 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2B2UiLKiHtM/XBgmsQcDNII/AAAAAAAA1P0/ZMmoyUC69sUCyX9JiegTpglKA_-kf7ySwCLcBGAs/s1600/Joyce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1180" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2B2UiLKiHtM/XBgmsQcDNII/AAAAAAAA1P0/ZMmoyUC69sUCyX9JiegTpglKA_-kf7ySwCLcBGAs/s400/Joyce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">18 - the number of chapters into which James Joyce's modernist novel, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_(novel)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left;" title="">Ulysses</a><span style="text-align: left;">, <br />is divided. It was initially published in installments in an American journal, but was then <br />released as a complete work on the author's 40th birthday. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">The novel's </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream_of_consciousness_(narrative_mode)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Stream of consciousness (narrative mode)">stream-of-consciousness</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"><br />technique, careful structuring, and experimental prose—replete with </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pun" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Pun">puns</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parody" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Parody">parodies</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">, and <br />allusions—as well as its rich </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characterization" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Characterization">characterisation</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> and broad humour, have led it to be regarded <br />as one of the greatest literary works in history</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Christmas silly season has arrived - lunch in Cambridge yesterday followed by supper at the RAC. I will need to pace myself. (I say that to myself every year and I seldom manage, but I am exhausted - this year has been more demanding than any I can remember). But enough about me, onto the blog...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In many ways, today's post is a perfect follow-on from Niall's of yesterday and Nick's from the day before - it considers our world, how small we are within it and has hope for our future. It has been written by </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhead3/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;">David Head</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">. David is a highly respected executive coach and mentor; he specialises in supporting people through periods of change and career transition. Just over five years ago David decided to move down a slightly different branch in his own career, away from senior search within the IT sector and qualified as a coach. Since 2013 he has worked for the award winning, London-based business performance and leadership consu</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">ltancy, </span><a href="http://www.acceleratingexperience.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;">Accelerating Experience</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">, as an executive coach and mentor. David for many years has been a keen sportsman (tennis and golf) and is also well read and an erudite writer - you would probably enjoy his </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhead3/detail/recent-activity/posts/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;">articles</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> posted on LinkedIn. You can follow him on Twitter - his handle is </span><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidAHead2" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;">@DavidAHead2</a>. It is a pleasure to have him back in the series this year.<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">This image
of the Northumberland coast (you can just see Bamburgh Castle in the
background), recently won an amateur photography award and was taken by a
friend, </span><a href="http://www.chappellphotography.co.uk/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">John Chappell</a><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I chose this
image because the sea is significant to most of us on these small damp islands.
It is somewhere we go to have fun, reflect and take stock. Significantly, it</span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> ‘delivers something the soul loves too’.</i><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I love gazing
out to sea, particularly at this most moody, evocative time of year. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Looking at
this image you can sense the eddies, currents and flows going on under the
surface, rather like our own thoughts, feelings and emotions. The sunset in the
background represents a sense of hope to me, or is it the fading of the light? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is this
sense of ambiguity which draws our wandering minds and souls in, like mariners
navigating the unseen flow of our unconscious.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">‘We are tied to the ocean..and when we go back
to the sea, we are going back to whence we came’</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">John F Kennedy</span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">From dry
land the sea becomes restorative and nurturing, soothing our deepest heartaches
and fears. Stand silent, gaze out and sense the darker and unknowable, yet
instinctively known forces of life, and death.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The sea is
the most primal force of nature, unpredictable, wild, ragged and untamed. It
reminds us that whilst we can damage nature, we can neither tame it or destroy
it. We are insignificant, small, vulnerable and therefore ‘at sea’. Shakespeare
reminds us of that;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">‘We to the gods are as flies to wanton gods,
they kill us for their sport’</span></i></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To look at
this seascape reminds me of the turmoil of our times and of the sea’s
transcendence. It also reminds me of our own relative insignificance, for
better and worse. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Like a
goldfish bowl our own world is often too small for us, and we are drawn to the
sea. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">‘The world is too much with us late and soon…Getting
and spending we lay waste our powers’</span></i></blockquote>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">From the
same poem Wordsworth reflects;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘ ..I’d
rather be a peasant suckled in a creed outworn; so that might I standing on
this pleasant lea. Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have sight of
Proteus rising from the sea; or hear old triton blow his wreathed horn.’</span></i></blockquote>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The sea,
through Wordsworth, or Wordsworth through the sea reminds us of deeper wisdom...<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This is a
time of year for reflection and If gazing out to sea is a reflective exercise,
then ‘taking it on’ and entering the waters’ domain requires great courage and resilience.
It may also be equally cathartic. I am reminded of the Yachtswoman Susie
Goodall who was recently rescued from sea after capsizing. I don’t doubt that she
will go to sea again. Not just for the high fives but like the mountain,
because it is there.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am struck
by how many leaders and adventurers are passionate about sailing, sometimes to
the exclusion of all else. When I asked a friend why, she replied that it was ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the spirit of adventure..not knowing what
the next day would bring’ </i>that draws her in. Compare this to Susie
Goodall’s text when her 12 meter boat was taking a pounding in the middle of
the Southern Ocean;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">‘Wondering what on earth I’m doing out here’</span></i></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And yet
still we come, and still she goes...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If we can
overcome our fears and risk all at sea, what more might we achieve? What would
we do or take on if we knew that we could not fail? In this sense the sea
challenges us, drawing out our deepest hopes and fears, whispering its siren
call to set sail..</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">‘Time in the sea eats its tail’</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ted Hughes</span></span></blockquote>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-71569314265894690322018-12-16T22:27:00.003-08:002021-12-27T03:58:27.405-08:00Finding Hope - Day 17 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Monday 17th December</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEWd3L70TpeOh71nz2ZLUQRltOII81_oW-h84p5rRG_xTCIHw3peBaqquhZyeL1VmBlE0ibK4Tei1BqRA1xvYpOLmQrJvBgPbkMTJTTox-zVmFPRvXEdKGz5-gJ0i9IPDAeAdhNg23CLrgMEWna8bgrqDxW77gNf5xYSfZfM_X8WGj0pS9VV84EeTBGg=s612" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEWd3L70TpeOh71nz2ZLUQRltOII81_oW-h84p5rRG_xTCIHw3peBaqquhZyeL1VmBlE0ibK4Tei1BqRA1xvYpOLmQrJvBgPbkMTJTTox-zVmFPRvXEdKGz5-gJ0i9IPDAeAdhNg23CLrgMEWna8bgrqDxW77gNf5xYSfZfM_X8WGj0pS9VV84EeTBGg=s320"/></a></div>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="264" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HIqlN0yobqg/XBY5QvKArLI/AAAAAAAA1L8/QKGrY5EA7KAAAAQY1BQUHzLAWPIwaxzLACLcBGAs/s400/Cicada.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">17 years is the period of time that some species of periodic cicada spend underground <br />as nymphs in between mating periods. It is believed that they have evolved do this to reduce <br />the impact of predators both by starving them, whilst their food source is safe <br />underground, and then by emerging simultaneously in such huge numbers that predators are <br />stated before all the cicadas can be consumed. I love the sound of cicadas - it reminds me of <br />my youth and growing up in Hong Kong or heady days spent on Greek islands.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today will be both good, thankful and slightly wistful - I have a meeting in Cambridge to celebrate the end of the <a href="https://www.queensyoungleaders.com/">Queen's Young Leaders</a> programme. It has been a genuine pleasure and honour to have been involved from the start. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2014 a search was launched to find exceptional young people to receive the first ever Queen’s Young Leaders Awards. Hundreds of applications flooded in from incredible young people all dedicated to making lasting change in their community and beyond. The Programme has now come to an end, as this was its final year; it has formed a unique community of 240 influential change-makers, who represent 53 Commonwealth countries. I have mentored a few of them and watched in awe and respect as each of these extraordinary young people have each managed to make the word a better place. Congratulations to all involved. What a wonderful legacy in every way. Thank you to Her Majesty The Queen for having the initial concept and for making it possible</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: center;">Today's post is by </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/niallgavin" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">Niall Gavin</a>. <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: center;">Niall </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">is a much-liked and highly respected independent L&D and learning technologies specialist (after a successful career working in both the public and private sectors). He runs a company called ARG Training. Prior to helping people develop and grow, Niall spent some time as an actor, a postman and a fruit picker. He writes an enjoyable blog, </span><a href="http://niallgavinuk.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">A Little About a Lot</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"> and is active on social media, you</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> can find him on Twitter (his handle is </span><a href="https://twitter.com/niallgavinuk" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">@niallgavinuk</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">). He usually has some great insights that he shares on</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ldinsight" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">#LDinsight</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">every Friday morning on Twitter. Niall lives near Worthing on the south coast of England. He is a devoted husband and father. In his spare time he enjoys walking and is also an "armchair astronomer". As you will see from what he has written, this year's Advent Blogs' theme struck a chord with him.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: center;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the theme of this year's Advent <span class="il">Blog</span> series is "Heartaches, Hopes and High Fives", starting this <span class="il">blog</span> is a no-brainer! I am my own best example of experiencing heartache. In April 2015, I developed Angina - actual, real, physical heart ache - the result of which was that two weeks later I had a triple cardiac bypass operation. I have previously blogged about that experience (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://niallgavinuk.blogspot.com/2015/06/heartfelt.html&source=gmail&ust=1544906222483000&usg=AFQjCNFa45OHzh8K9MlfdMhRQvc2dL71Sw" href="https://niallgavinuk.blogspot.com/2015/06/heartfelt.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://niallgavinuk.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2015/06/<wbr></wbr>heartfelt.html</a>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That dealt with my previously unknown cardiac problems and my surgeon and consultant immediately pronounced me "good for another 25 years" (Not sure what that means for when I turn 85, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it). And I'm still here. Hoorah!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But right now and, I suspect, like many, I am suffering emotional heartache. In a country dramatically divided over a vote on something that was never understood by the electorate and which played to the baser, biased, self-preservatory instincts of many, we find ourselves stepping into a horribly uncertain national future outside the European Union. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also look at what's happening in America and am still surprised how much actual, physical revulsion I experience when I see or hear the current Presidential incumbent speak and the blatant, shameless ignorance and willful blindness to fact that his narcissistic persona plays out on the global stage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And don't get me started on global warming and species extinction! It's a world that I don't recognise and am embarrassed and upset to be handing over eventually to my - and your - children to work through and sort out. That hurts my heart too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So the challenge now is to be hopeful, to find something to be hopeful about. I'm struggling with this right now and I find myself wanting in this regard, with a sense of personal impotence and, yes, even despair about these things. My hopes lie in the next generation, my own children, their contemporaries and peers, and in the work that I am doing with Apprentices at our local college. I am working hard with them all to try to encourage and develop a sense of curiosity, of challenge, to see themselves as current and future professionals and citizens, whose voice and actions will make a difference and contribute to a safe, sustainable and secure future for all. As a father and a skills development facilitator, it's my best attempt to 'make up' for the mess we're in and equip them with the resilience and skills they'll need to cope with and/or fix it, if we haven't done so together before we move on and leave them to it. They will carry my hopes with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe that's where we could all be focussing a larger part of our attention and efforts now. I know many who are. I hope that I can too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And finally, my High Five. As Kate Griffiths-Lambeth announces that she's handing over the curation and publication of the Advent <span class="il">Blog</span> series - to the excellent Gary Cookson (@Gary_Cookson) - I can think of no-one better deserving of our thanks and best wishes for the future than Kate herself. In the midst of her own personal challenges, she has inspired many of us to contribute to the series over the years, enhanced our humble contributions and ensured the continuation of what has become a high point of the festive calendar. BIG High Five, Kate, right there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nice to finish what has been a difficult </span><span class="il" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">blog</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to write on a positive, grateful note. Happy Holidays.</span><br />
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-74413031708022982342018-12-15T23:08:00.000-08:002018-12-15T23:08:13.063-08:00The Zen of Little Pickle - Day 16<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday 16th December 2018</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">16 is the age at which the Princess in the tale of Sleeping Beauty is predicted to prick <br />her finger on a spindle and fall into a deep sleep. The story is much older than the sanitised <br />Disney version that most of us are familiar with, and was much darker in earlier forms - often <br />including adultery, rape and planned murder/infanticide (after the princess produces <br />illegitimate<span style="text-align: left;"> twins that the wife of her lover demands to be killed and served to him as revenge, but <br />which are substituted for lambs by a swift-thinking court cook). Folklorists maintain that the <br />story is an allegory for the replacement of the lunar year of 13 months (13 fairies) with the solar year <br />(12 months and hence a fairy is forgotten). The princess represents nature (winter indicted by the wicked <br />fairy putting nature to sleep with pricks of frost, the spindle), the prince is spring and his sword is <br />a sunbeam and together they bring nature back to life.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Phew - that was a foul drive from Durham yesterday - snow, sleet, high winds, flooding, freezing rain, you name it... Thank you Doris. It's good to be back home and able to relax in the warm with an Advent Blog.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today's post is bound to make you smile. If you don't yet know its author - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisnicholst2i/">Chris Nichols</a>, </span>Founding Partner of <a href="http://www.gameshift.co.uk/">GameShift</a>, a consultancy based in the UK that describes itself as providing "alchemy for business" through a collaborative hub of highly impressive professionals from diverse backgrounds - you should make contact as soon as you can. He is erudite, entertaining and inspirational. For 15 years he was a Director of the Ashridge Business School, having formerly worked as an investment banker, corporate financier and business strategist, most recently for PwC. He is a deep thinker, brimming with curiosity and encouraging energy, with an interest in sustainability, responsibility and innovation. As you can tell from his post below, he is passionate about people, seeing them grow and this is true in every aspect of his life. He describes himself as a poet and provocateur, but there is so much more to him... He is a loving and devoted family man. You can connect with him on Twitter and find out - his handle is <a href="http://chrisnicholst2i/">@chrisnicholsT2i</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meet Little Pickle, granddaughter number two. She was meant
to arrive on Christmas Day, but decided to pop in yesterday instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hasn’t got a name yet, so I’m calling her
Little Pickle for the moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She’s a really wonderful reminder of the Zen koan, “What is
this?”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is this? A scrap of the cosmos, arranged in this way,
that wasn’t independently in the world a few hours before, but is here now. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is this? This tiny being coming to live on this fragile
planet for a while, almost six decades younger than me. By the time she sees
her grand-children born, she’ll be living in a world I can barely imagine.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is this? This arrangement of energy that will unfold
over months and years into whatever she will be. What will she be? What will be
her unique voice? What will be the greatest gift she brings?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have not one clue. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that’s what makes Little Pickle such a great koan.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The point of a koan isn’t to get an answer. The point is to
stop our busy brain in its tracks and insist that we notice what’s here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life is full of opportunities to live on autopilot. It is
worth taking the time, at least every very now and then, to stop as ask “What
is this?”.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After all, life is so utterly contingent. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These parents met. Then one egg, one sperm, these actual
ones, not others, combine at that particular time. They produce this unique
arrangement of life. Born in this time, this particular point in human history.
Of all the possible arrangements of life, Little Pickle turns up as this
particular human being, right now. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is this?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One day, when Little Pickle is bigger, maybe I’ll get to
stand with her on a clear Dartmoor night when we can see the star-filled sky. I
hope I get the chance to tell her that we are both made of stardust and that there’s
nothing else to be made up from. We’ve all been going around and around for 14
billion years, arranged as different forms of energy, time and time again. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Currently we’re turning up as Chris and Little Pickle. Later
on, we’ll be something else.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone wise once said, just remember that when we look up
in awe and wonder at the starlit heavens, we are the universe looking at
itself. Let’s not forget, in our busyness and the dance of our familiar
patterns, we are also the cosmos, in all its infinite and unfolding mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we take the time to stop and look, any day is a time of
awe and wonder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After all, “What is this”?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-47780807033818690792018-12-14T21:54:00.002-08:002018-12-15T14:37:42.203-08:00The Art of Encouragement - Day 15<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Saturday 15th December 2018</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">15 is the magic constant in a Magic Square. The first Magic Square was known to and <br />written about by Chinese mathematicians. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">Legends dating from as early as 650 BC tell the <br />story of the </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lo_Shu" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Lo Shu">Lo Shu</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> (洛书) or "scroll of the river Lo".</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Swetz2008_11-2" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_square#cite_note-Swetz2008-11" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;">[11]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> According to the legend, there was <br />at one time in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_China#Ancient_China" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="History of China">ancient China</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> a huge flood. While the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_the_Great" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Yu the Great">great king Yu</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> was trying to channel the <br />water out to sea, a </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Turtle">turtle</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> emerged from it with a curious pattern on its shell: a 3×3 grid <br />in which circular dots of numbers were arranged, such that the sum of the numbers in each row, <br />column and diagonal was the same: 15. According to the legend, thereafter people were able <br />to use this pattern in a certain way to control the river and protect themselves from floods.<br />It is used today for Feng Shui</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As you read this I will be driving south through freezing rain, snow flurries and high winds, bringing my youngest son home for the holidays...and I will be grinning. I love being a mother. The writer of today's post is a renowned, loving parent and husband, a supportive and caring friend/colleague and a huge influence on the global HR community - </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveb5/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;">Steve Browne</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. I always love his Advent Blog posts - they zing with positivity and good advice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For the past 12 years Steve has worked for <a href="https://www.larosas.com/about/history.aspx" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">LaRosa's Inc</a> - Ohio's leading pizzeria business and a regional restaurant chain that has grown significantly over the past 60 years. Steve is the Vice President of HR. He has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and has gained experience in Professional Services, Manufacturing and Consumer Products in addition to Hospitality and Leisure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Steve is an active leader in the SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) in the USA - and was elected to serve as a Director on the Board in 2016. He blogs both for the Society (<a href="https://blog.shrm.org/author/226" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">SHRM Blog</a>) and also on his own site <a href="http://sbrownehr.com/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">Everyday People</a>, as well as tirelessly communicating with HR professionals and interested parties around the world. His enthusiasm is infectious. I strongly recommend that you follow him on Twitter (his handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/sbrownehr" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">@SBrowneHR</a>) if you have not already done so.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am a wildly passionate and positive human !! This is how I
entered the world, and I am sure it’s how I’ll leave it someday. It’s
intriguing to me that being positive is viewed as being an outlier in today’s
climate. I’ve often heard it said that – “Positive people piss people off.” We want
others to wallow, grouse and suffer because we feel that our negativity is our
common bond.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xM5SCEfFqg/XBQtiIZkNFI/AAAAAAAA1Is/DzU2tyZomoMZJWMCVxA-IGQAxIh3hggKACLcBGAs/s1600/Bassets%2Blooking%2Bsad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xM5SCEfFqg/XBQtiIZkNFI/AAAAAAAA1Is/DzU2tyZomoMZJWMCVxA-IGQAxIh3hggKACLcBGAs/s400/Bassets%2Blooking%2Bsad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">How sad is that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Seriously. How sad is that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Now, please don’t think that I ignore the struggles of
others. I work in Human Resources (on purpose) and I swim in the sea of humanity on a
daily basis. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OXX8Gu_KlM4/XBQvB50Ok9I/AAAAAAAA1I4/8_nln4nnszAIJa4SVouBqB24nym_T1PXgCLcBGAs/s1600/sea%2Bof%2Bhumanity.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OXX8Gu_KlM4/XBQvB50Ok9I/AAAAAAAA1I4/8_nln4nnszAIJa4SVouBqB24nym_T1PXgCLcBGAs/s320/sea%2Bof%2Bhumanity.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The vast majority of every day at work is filled with darkness and
dread. Regardless of the extent of a person’s circumstances, they feel that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NO ONE</b> has it as difficult as them.
This myopic view of daily existence is so debilitating that it’s hard to
adequately capture it in words. Using phrases like “It will be okay” or “Hang
in there” ring hollow when someone feels buried or consumed by their situation.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfpcjoQgyMo/XBQwtuySMTI/AAAAAAAA1JE/04Mnw150N0cQ6A8h9c2MwjdWvXmRvCRqwCLcBGAs/s1600/sadness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfpcjoQgyMo/XBQwtuySMTI/AAAAAAAA1JE/04Mnw150N0cQ6A8h9c2MwjdWvXmRvCRqwCLcBGAs/s320/sadness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There is one approach though that can ring true and break
through any level of heartache. That is the art of encouragement. It truly is
an art because to do it requires a few components in order for it to have its
full effect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">BE GENUINE<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">No one likes a fake. This is true with people from all walks
of life and occupation. We tend to gauge this on those who have a public or
political presence. But, being fake never works for any person. What’s unique
about this facet of encouragement is that “being genuine” is determined by
others in how they see you behave. This can’t be self-proclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QbA2VwnPXvA/XBQxVL40zcI/AAAAAAAA1JM/VK9rgzPBIBMuhSIHtM3DCzKct-PmN6OGQCLcBGAs/s1600/genuine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="740" height="195" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QbA2VwnPXvA/XBQxVL40zcI/AAAAAAAA1JM/VK9rgzPBIBMuhSIHtM3DCzKct-PmN6OGQCLcBGAs/s320/genuine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Genuine people are like magnets. They attract others and
people find genuine folks easy to be around. Also, genuine people speak from
the heart, and that is key to the art of encouragement.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGPoKG7chG8/XBQx7-aqegI/AAAAAAAA1JU/BzY3cQAM1nkEQfGB7s4A4IBaQTdg3hWDACLcBGAs/s1600/Chick%2Bmagnate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGPoKG7chG8/XBQx7-aqegI/AAAAAAAA1JU/BzY3cQAM1nkEQfGB7s4A4IBaQTdg3hWDACLcBGAs/s320/Chick%2Bmagnate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">BE
CONSISTENT<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Encouragement is needed everywhere. It can’t only be doled
out to those with whom you feel closest or most comfortable. It’s not a show.
It’s a foundational block for interactions and eventually relationships. Being
consistent in anything takes practice and discipline in order for it to become
natural in how you approach others. Trust me when I say that it is worth your
time and effort to consistently encourage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxQOIVLYRAo/XBQy3UjRDLI/AAAAAAAA1Jg/2mTeZcCVKVggcMzzLXcSrjuomyBDiasYgCLcBGAs/s1600/consistent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="900" height="156" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxQOIVLYRAo/XBQy3UjRDLI/AAAAAAAA1Jg/2mTeZcCVKVggcMzzLXcSrjuomyBDiasYgCLcBGAs/s400/consistent.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">BE WILLING</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This probably should be the first point, but I listed it third
because I don’t want people to become encouragers out of obligation. This isn’t
a “guilt” thing with me. Encouragement is an art because people who are willing
are observant. They’ll take the time to intentionally maintain eye contact with
strangers as they pass through a crowd. They’ll naturally thank a server in a
restaurant for taking care of them. They’ll make sure to genuinely return the
greeting of those in retail whose job it is to greet. They won’t walk past
them. Willing people notice people on purpose !!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WRQUqKT5jg/XBQ0STIEY4I/AAAAAAAA1Js/IJ6uvsPjvEQ3cOYd0V7fBMSN8kIMAc6BQCLcBGAs/s1600/willing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WRQUqKT5jg/XBQ0STIEY4I/AAAAAAAA1Js/IJ6uvsPjvEQ3cOYd0V7fBMSN8kIMAc6BQCLcBGAs/s320/willing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This year’s Advent series listed Hope and High-Fives as two
of the three components. I know that Heartaches was also listed, but I find
encouragement even in the most dire circumstances. It’s true. I know I’m an
outlier and I’m very comfortable with that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My hope is that this season you start living every day as a
constant, visible “high-five” for those who you encounter. You never know. You
may be the ONE thing that gives light and encouragement to someone where no one
else has. That alone gives me joy. So, pick up your palette and brushes. Use
the canvas of life to begin your own art of encouragement !!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbG4NonV_0A/XBQ1CzWjjcI/AAAAAAAA1J0/YOc-9SJ74sMZ6yVBGsLkeZ9NrzCxZeU1gCLcBGAs/s1600/encouraging%2Bothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbG4NonV_0A/XBQ1CzWjjcI/AAAAAAAA1J0/YOc-9SJ74sMZ6yVBGsLkeZ9NrzCxZeU1gCLcBGAs/s1600/encouraging%2Bothers.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qfXjDELeW5M/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qfXjDELeW5M?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bring Me Sunshine by Morcambe and Wise</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iPUmE-tne5U/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iPUmE-tne5U?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Katrina and The Waves singing "Walking on Sunshine"</span></div>
</div>
</div>
KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-20527715661134729622018-12-13T17:33:00.000-08:002018-12-13T17:33:57.312-08:00My Nana - Day 14<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Friday 14th December 2017</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSCu5D6zXE4/XBIHyRS5bvI/AAAAAAAA1Ck/vduxqE6dE3kBUD-o7iGP6jJLzWQijU7pgCLcBGAs/s1600/Elgar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="623" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSCu5D6zXE4/XBIHyRS5bvI/AAAAAAAA1Ck/vduxqE6dE3kBUD-o7iGP6jJLzWQijU7pgCLcBGAs/s400/Elgar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">14 variations on an original theme - is the construction of Edward Elgar's much-loved <br />orchestral work, The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_Variations" style="text-align: justify;">Enigma Variations</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, composed between 1898 and 1899. <br />It was commenced in a spirit of humour but became a serious project in which <br />the composer sketches his friends and family.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Today I have set off at crack of dawn to visit our Birmingham office. I am </span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">looking forward to spending some time with the team and then, after work, I am travelling on to Durham to collect my youngest son back from university. Let the holidays begin...</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Today's post is a celebration of a family member, written with much love by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettehillfcipd/">Annette Hill</a>. Annette is one of those people who makes the world a better place. She works as the Director of Workforce Development for Hospiscare in Exeter, UK. She is unfailingly supportive of members of the HR and wider social media community. </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">You can follow Annette on Twitter, her handle is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/://twitter.com/familyhrguru">@familyhrguru</a>. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">She is active off-line too, she</span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;"> represents HR for the South West region of the UK on the national HR leads forum which is based in the South West of England. Annette cares deeply about others; she chairs a drugs and alcohol charity in Bristol and is one of the CIPD's Steps Ahead mentors. </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">She writes an interesting blog, simply entitled <a href="http://www.annettesblog.co.uk/?m=1" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">Annette's Blog</a> that covers a wide range of topics as they occur to her. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*********************</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Heartaches, Hopes and High Fives. I wasn’t very inspired at
first. I have 2 or 3 unfinished blogs on the go and just can’t quite express
what I want to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then the oddest thing has inspired me. As part of coming
through another challenging few months, I have been slightly reinventing
myself. Part of this is, big gulp, letting my natural grey hair come through! A
big step as many women of my age may attest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGovId6ioBM/XBJKayJwDoI/AAAAAAAA1C8/cEBeCm-UIs88OOJ8Ro9F75XomseuScqjgCLcBGAs/s1600/grey%2Bheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGovId6ioBM/XBJKayJwDoI/AAAAAAAA1C8/cEBeCm-UIs88OOJ8Ro9F75XomseuScqjgCLcBGAs/s1600/grey%2Bheart.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love it! It’s empowering and,
unexpectedly, I am so happy to see in the steel grey coming through at the
sides, colouring just like my Nana’s. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am one of those lucky people who had
all 4 grandparents, at least for the first 11 years of my life, and who had a
really close bond to one in particular, Nana Coging, my dad’s mum. I’ve been
thinking about her and my grandpa a lot, and about childhood Christmases spent with
them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My Nana’s House<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A very modest rented mid terrace in Carlton, Nottingham<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The front door was never locked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We would arrive and my dad would open the door with a
loud ‘Yoo hoo!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We would enter a dark hallway, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Draughts held at bay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By a heavy velvet curtain, blue I think, half way down.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbmcd7Meg8I/XBJIJ4rfSoI/AAAAAAAA1Cw/72emdBeRiD88AvcJCQGmx8zzmLy0rj7lQCLcBGAs/s1600/Carlton%252C%2BNottingham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbmcd7Meg8I/XBJIJ4rfSoI/AAAAAAAA1Cw/72emdBeRiD88AvcJCQGmx8zzmLy0rj7lQCLcBGAs/s320/Carlton%252C%2BNottingham.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The ‘Front Room’ was to the left – for high days and holidays<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then into the heart of the house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A snug living and dining room with a real fire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over the years, I would never tire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of watching the flames, seeing pictures, inventing
stories<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Full of hopes for the future.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0nyLgnFiQaw/XBJK1FNi4fI/AAAAAAAA1DE/25JtdUMXkygS14vpHBw22n6NSt4WjMAUgCLcBGAs/s1600/real%2Bfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0nyLgnFiQaw/XBJK1FNi4fI/AAAAAAAA1DE/25JtdUMXkygS14vpHBw22n6NSt4WjMAUgCLcBGAs/s1600/real%2Bfire.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the back, Nana’s homely kitchen, which had an
Aladdin’s cave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Actually, a walk-in pantry down a couple of steps, tucked
under the stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On a shelf sat Grandpa’s bottle of Camp coffee.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOkf5mbdZTU/XBJLOdDN-rI/AAAAAAAA1DM/xdR3BC7wWekbyxuH6cfqGR-mwrjavCgpwCLcBGAs/s1600/Camp%2BCoffee%2Bad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="760" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOkf5mbdZTU/XBJLOdDN-rI/AAAAAAAA1DM/xdR3BC7wWekbyxuH6cfqGR-mwrjavCgpwCLcBGAs/s320/Camp%2BCoffee%2Bad.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Never far away from a barley sugar or a toffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I loved that place so much.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The only thing I didn’t like was the outside loo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A bit cold and scary, would I meet spiders in there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Overnight, a chamber pot under the bed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">About that, urgh! No more to be said.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Except, my poor parents, coping with us all in one room <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sleeping over on Christmas Eve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember so many tiny details;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Delicate china cups and saucers, copies of The People’s
Friend,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Evening Post, helping with Spot the Ball…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlxmCuJulLQ/XBJNIFzUo_I/AAAAAAAA1Dk/g8ik0vfYZDQ22HF74bcf8NK7730k7veaQCLcBGAs/s1600/Peoples%2BFriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlxmCuJulLQ/XBJNIFzUo_I/AAAAAAAA1Dk/g8ik0vfYZDQ22HF74bcf8NK7730k7veaQCLcBGAs/s1600/Peoples%2BFriend.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The TV was tiny, black and white, in a box<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Controlled by a dial on the wall, it took ages to warm up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But we still looked forward to what was<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The obligatory Christmas film, the Wizard of Oz.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--UZ9F-yC808/XBJo7xcUzSI/AAAAAAAA1D0/6s-qkFusgPsrxh63nA2O4XbD8TL8_RkEgCLcBGAs/s1600/Wizard%2Bof%2BOz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="519" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--UZ9F-yC808/XBJo7xcUzSI/AAAAAAAA1D0/6s-qkFusgPsrxh63nA2O4XbD8TL8_RkEgCLcBGAs/s320/Wizard%2Bof%2BOz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Until he became poorly with lung cancer, he kept well
hidden</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grandpa pre-booked Christmas lunch in January<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a posh hotel for the following Christmas Day <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nana cooked the turkey for his last one<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few days later he would be gone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We didn’t know, but the clue was his untouched meal.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At home we had warm air gas central heating and a
‘feature gas fire’,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Impossible for Santa to use!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We didn’t even have a chimney, just a gas vent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So when the Christmas lists we made were sent<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We made sure he knew where to find us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At 16 Park Road, Carlton, Nottingham, England, the World.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8djuErAIow/XBJrXOHPInI/AAAAAAAA1EI/q2Zm8-NWWZEEPFSwGtRrU98nTPhId2inwCLcBGAs/s1600/Father%2BChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="339" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8djuErAIow/XBJrXOHPInI/AAAAAAAA1EI/q2Zm8-NWWZEEPFSwGtRrU98nTPhId2inwCLcBGAs/s320/Father%2BChristmas.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">‘Has he been yet?’ ‘No, go back to sleep!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But eventually, we were allowed down the steep stairs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To the front room, where miraculously, overnight gifts
had appeared<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My brother and I need never have feared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There on the shiny, faux leather chairs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A pillowcase each full of gifts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RE6WF1nOQYo/XBJ3CmlcH7I/AAAAAAAA1EU/pCSH5z1nZ0M7Lb0hiX2zz9vsAPeudugfgCLcBGAs/s1600/pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RE6WF1nOQYo/XBJ3CmlcH7I/AAAAAAAA1EU/pCSH5z1nZ0M7Lb0hiX2zz9vsAPeudugfgCLcBGAs/s200/pillow.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In my quilted dressing gown I opened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WYzlZqyV8A/XBJ3pfKSfbI/AAAAAAAA1Ec/dt1cKjufJJAhz744NwnCBv-U06M7ZdhlwCLcBGAs/s1600/felt-tip-pens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="425" height="132" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WYzlZqyV8A/XBJ3pfKSfbI/AAAAAAAA1Ec/dt1cKjufJJAhz744NwnCBv-U06M7ZdhlwCLcBGAs/s200/felt-tip-pens.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Felt tip packs, to be arranged over and over according to
the rainbow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Colouring books, outfits for my Sindy doll,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Selection boxes, and some bigger, more costly gifts I’m
sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But those are not the memories that endure,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What mattered was the warmth and love.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9JXDAxwAe0/XBJ39jBDlRI/AAAAAAAA1Ek/ln9uNzhUdJsdWXNNBXPtxEgsRl7BCpmWQCLcBGAs/s1600/christmas-love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="729" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9JXDAxwAe0/XBJ39jBDlRI/AAAAAAAA1Ek/ln9uNzhUdJsdWXNNBXPtxEgsRl7BCpmWQCLcBGAs/s320/christmas-love.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, we may say it was a time of hopes, heartaches and high
fives!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The latter an ‘Americanism’, we never used back then<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were happy, sad when Grandpa died, and always so
pleased to see each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nana lived in that house for a few more years,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I used to stay with her sometimes, holding back the tears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I had to come home leaving her all alone.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TbfFl3e7E2Y/XBJ4-uC_4LI/AAAAAAAA1Ew/NQ7wVVIchUgxpkeeca3mG_80CcrORG3AwCLcBGAs/s1600/farewell.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="322" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TbfFl3e7E2Y/XBJ4-uC_4LI/AAAAAAAA1Ew/NQ7wVVIchUgxpkeeca3mG_80CcrORG3AwCLcBGAs/s320/farewell.png" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In my primary school autograph book Nana wrote<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">‘Smile, and the World smiles with you, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cry and you cry alone.’</span></blockquote>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Looking back, I wonder if that is exactly how she had to
live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In poor health, never a taker, always preferring to give<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My Nana was one of the wisest people I have ever known.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I still miss her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-47826277118364770512018-12-12T22:06:00.003-08:002018-12-12T22:06:37.558-08:00Twelve Hopes - Day 13<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thursday 13th December 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NWKsK7CHMA/XBGHu4b-7dI/AAAAAAAA040/L32hRc1BGEUezKwNGL8YFVmet0yJWg2EQCLcBGAs/s1600/American-flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="720" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NWKsK7CHMA/XBGHu4b-7dI/AAAAAAAA040/L32hRc1BGEUezKwNGL8YFVmet0yJWg2EQCLcBGAs/s400/American-flag.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Thirteen is the number of British Colonies from which the United States of America <br />was formed - this is why the American flag has 13 stripes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;">My musical week continues - tonight I am off to the O2 to be at the "<a href="https://www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/the-pretty-things-final-bow">Final Bow</a>" of the iconic band, The Pretty Things, who, after 55 years of wowing audiences and fans, are performing their last electric gig. The band was formed by ex-Rolling Stone Dick Taylor and singer Phil May, and have influenced many of the world's most famous artists, including David Bowie, Bob Dylan and the Sex Pistols. I know that it will be wild.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;">Today's piece is contributed by </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/catchlove/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;">Mark Catchlove</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;">the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;"> Director of the Insight Group at Herman Miller. Mark is a thought leader on the work environment and what occupiers and designers need to bear in mind when creating great places. If you get the chance to attend one of his events on workplace design and related research, I urge you to go. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;">I first encountered Mark on Twitter (you can follow him too - his handle is</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/markcatchlove" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;">@markcatchlove</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;">). He writes an excellent</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://markcatchlove.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;">blog</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;"> and he will make you think. He always writes popular posts for the Adven Blog series, such as our need to be there and <a href="http://kategl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/shine-light.html" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;">shine a light for others</a>. This year's post is more personal to him - he is sharing his 12 hopes for Christmas. My hope is that Mark himself has a wonderful Christmas and an amazing year ahead. I suspect that he will have a peaceful and happy one full of smiles and laughter. Mark is musical - an enthusiastic and accomplished singer and guitarist. Mark is values driven, he does his bit to make the world a better place - such as by running youth clubs and Sunday schools and being a stalwart of his local community. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Heartaches, Hopes and High Fives"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christmas is a mix of all 3 but I wanted to focus on Hope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hope is a “feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So here are my 12 hopes – 1 for every day of Christmas:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. That we can agree to disagree – coupled with a sense of understanding and empathy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">2. That we can still have unity of spirit, even where there is diversity of thought.</span></div>
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3. That random acts of kindness are no longer random, but a part of every-day life.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTqiXx62J_Y/XBC1NziCwzI/AAAAAAAA03E/UsR-79LR4kEj0RTqyjzi3_uWc-FlCxrRgCLcBGAs/s1600/Act%2Bof%2Bkindness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="370" height="251" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTqiXx62J_Y/XBC1NziCwzI/AAAAAAAA03E/UsR-79LR4kEj0RTqyjzi3_uWc-FlCxrRgCLcBGAs/s320/Act%2Bof%2Bkindness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. That in this busy world we take some time to look around us, to observe, to enjoy, to contemplate.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ujFmlkfdW4/XBC13pLIlgI/AAAAAAAA03M/vSRTtUcoVNkqWM3cdMou8Z-3a_yWpYMpACLcBGAs/s1600/contemplation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ujFmlkfdW4/XBC13pLIlgI/AAAAAAAA03M/vSRTtUcoVNkqWM3cdMou8Z-3a_yWpYMpACLcBGAs/s320/contemplation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. That children can be themselves and are not driven into conforming to the educational norms which so often stifle creativity.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MQU_GNhBFg/XBC2zg80ljI/AAAAAAAA03Y/JYHAefjanVQoDTW6-3Giii9cN-fOhWX1gCLcBGAs/s1600/Children%2Bplaying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="848" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MQU_GNhBFg/XBC2zg80ljI/AAAAAAAA03Y/JYHAefjanVQoDTW6-3Giii9cN-fOhWX1gCLcBGAs/s320/Children%2Bplaying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6. That we don’t always rely on data to prove what we already know and have called ‘common sense’ for years.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbWIOk9mxpw/XBC3MoUqH0I/AAAAAAAA03g/cXL5PJZ7pnUE5zCaZ2sPyQGNySeFaMu0ACLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2Bsense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="595" height="135" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbWIOk9mxpw/XBC3MoUqH0I/AAAAAAAA03g/cXL5PJZ7pnUE5zCaZ2sPyQGNySeFaMu0ACLcBGAs/s400/Common%2Bsense.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7. That we do not judge others that are different to us and we stop make sweeping generalisations that hinder our understanding.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-timfuaAZHwo/XBC5o32pO3I/AAAAAAAA03s/1yUSqXJ86_YYD3sXk7h1B2X_I0L50_9igCLcBGAs/s1600/Judging.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="400" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-timfuaAZHwo/XBC5o32pO3I/AAAAAAAA03s/1yUSqXJ86_YYD3sXk7h1B2X_I0L50_9igCLcBGAs/s320/Judging.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8. That we can be the positive difference in someone’s life and have a lasting impact.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNSanNjXpVc/XBC6C2MGG8I/AAAAAAAA030/zxCc_yhx-yQ6CMn_c-WNpqnFe9lA7D4JACLcBGAs/s1600/Care.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="970" height="148" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNSanNjXpVc/XBC6C2MGG8I/AAAAAAAA030/zxCc_yhx-yQ6CMn_c-WNpqnFe9lA7D4JACLcBGAs/s320/Care.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9. That good manners will be the norm again, where please and thank you return to our everyday vocabulary.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ew29zi2Lc8/XBC7GNQF4XI/AAAAAAAA04A/eJpDg31OnXYkb3lTSuMBDWauyO4rd1sRACLcBGAs/s1600/Please%2Band%2Bthank%2Byou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="500" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ew29zi2Lc8/XBC7GNQF4XI/AAAAAAAA04A/eJpDg31OnXYkb3lTSuMBDWauyO4rd1sRACLcBGAs/s320/Please%2Band%2Bthank%2Byou.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">10. That we will take time to listen more and think before we respond.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">11. That we are all given respect whatever our age.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phzx5748QJc/XBC9Z3LUnqI/AAAAAAAA04U/yQ7EwZsUZsEt0oRlrON6LpLV9s5nT0cNwCLcBGAs/s1600/respect%2Bdiversity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="628" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phzx5748QJc/XBC9Z3LUnqI/AAAAAAAA04U/yQ7EwZsUZsEt0oRlrON6LpLV9s5nT0cNwCLcBGAs/s320/respect%2Bdiversity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12. That you will have a Christmas that outshines all your previous Christmases and it is one to remember for all the right reasons</span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” Nelson Mandela</span></blockquote>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-38338971781784320342018-12-11T22:03:00.000-08:002018-12-11T22:03:15.427-08:00Finding Balance During Emotional Times - Day 12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wednesday 12th December 2018</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dim-gElsTQw/XBCkCJcHIpI/AAAAAAAA02k/XCWubukuuOsoeZyharEvi1V5JC9oGLcyQCLcBGAs/s1600/12%2BDays%2Bof%2BChristmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="980" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dim-gElsTQw/XBCkCJcHIpI/AAAAAAAA02k/XCWubukuuOsoeZyharEvi1V5JC9oGLcyQCLcBGAs/s400/12%2BDays%2Bof%2BChristmas.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, are the twelve days commencing <br />with 25th December and ending on the 5th January ("Twelfth Night"). In the song <br />"The Twelve Days of Christmas" (first published in 1780 in a children's book <i style="text-align: justify;">Mirth <br />Without Mischief</i><span style="text-align: justify;">) my true love gives a total of 364 gifts over the period.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I am really getting into the festive swing - I am starting this morning with a Christmas Breakfast party in Soho, will be seeing my son's godfather at lunchtime and am ending the day with a carol concert in the Long Room at Lords. I will go to bed tired, but with a grin on my face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To make me even happier, I a delighted to welcome back to the Advent Blogs series my former colleague and good friend <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharinebourke/">Katharine Bourke</a>. She is a co-founder and Director of <a href="https://southwestgrowthservice.co.uk/about-us">South West Growth Service</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/SWGrowthService">@SWGrowthService</a>), a consultancy that supports small businesses, enabling them to develop, adapt and grow. Katharine is a certified mBIT coach (for those who don't know, mBIT stands for multiple brain integration techniques). Outside work, she is keen on walking and exploring the beautiful countryside where she lives. When Katharine and I worked together we were based in London, but she was born and raised in a farm on Dartmoor and she has returned to her roots (but not farming, although she is helping things grow). Since moving West she has founded a successful IT business and <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">spent four years helping to deliver the government's Growth Accelerator and Business Growth Service in Devon and Cornwall, before co-establishing the South West Growth Service.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Katharine has many varied interests and knowledge that she shares. I recommend that you follow her on twitter (her handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/KatharineBDevon">@KatharineBDevon</a>). I her post this year she shares how she has found a sense of balance and harmony through breathing and meditation, which has helped her through times of emotional heartache.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As in some previous years, Katharine has selected her own illustrations.</span><br />
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<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Heartaches, Hopes and
High Fives: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">How balanced breathing
helps me through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C9-6eC6tqlk/XBAnVta8jSI/AAAAAAAA014/GRWHfdxOwewV2I6NezyO8SF22CrjDM9MACLcBGAs/s1600/sunset.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="941" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C9-6eC6tqlk/XBAnVta8jSI/AAAAAAAA014/GRWHfdxOwewV2I6NezyO8SF22CrjDM9MACLcBGAs/s400/sunset.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whilst attending my
husband’s employer’s Christmas party last week, I caught up with another of the
many partners who were there and we got chatting about how our 2018 had been since
we first met at last year’s ‘do’. She asked me a good question, along the lines
of ‘sum up your 2018 in one word’. I found myself pausing to reflect on the
year, noticing a range of words that popped into mind, and the one that arrived
first and kept coming back was ‘emotional’.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Reflecting on my choice
of word the following day, I decided to look up the word emotional, to find
that it derives from the mid-1500s when it was derived from the French word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">émouvoir</i> which means ‘to stir up or to
excite’ which in turn was based on the Latin <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">emovere</i> meaning to ‘move away, remove, dislodge’. Looking more into
this, I found references to Paul Ekman’s classification of six emotions being
those of anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness and surprise, and then of
Robert Plutchnik’s eight primary emotions of joy versus sadness, anger versus
fear, trust versus disgust and surprise versus anticipation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V9pp36kz-Yo/XBAnrQujlqI/AAAAAAAA02A/AE6SDUg4XJQVhptShy6FvvTfQvDL8RjOgCLcBGAs/s1600/Emotions%2Bplay%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2Btheatre%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bbody.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V9pp36kz-Yo/XBAnrQujlqI/AAAAAAAA02A/AE6SDUg4XJQVhptShy6FvvTfQvDL8RjOgCLcBGAs/s320/Emotions%2Bplay%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2Btheatre%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bbody.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">As a woman in her early
fifties, who appears to be going through the ‘change’, I suppose it is not
entirely unexpected that I recalled the feeling of being emotional. I have
noticed this last year that I have developed an uncanny knack of being
overwhelmed by tears, often seemingly without reason, although rarely when in
public or at work. This could probably be diagnosed as a mental health issue,
but I’m not sure how that would help. My emotions are my emotions, and I feel
like the right way for me to approach things is to stay curious, to allow them
to emerge and in turn to move on their way, in their own time which so far,
they have done.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of my <a href="https://kategl.blogspot.com/2015/01/what-is-this-life-day-49.html">previous #AdventBlogofferings</a> shared my experience of being overwhelmed by a flood of tears when I joined
a Zen Leadership course at Sharpham House in Devon and found myself sitting in
complete silence, eyes open, with tears streaming down my face, trying so hard
to keep silent and stationary while the tears kept flowing…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">When I said the word
emotional, I didn’t mean that I spent the year weeping, although tears have
been very prevalent, and sometimes overwhelming, especially when they seemed to
come from nowhere. As a student of the multiple brain integration techniques or
mbraining which enables people to achieve greater coherence through engaging
more with balanced breathing and considering the wisdom each of our multiple
brains can offer, I was able to reach for their collective support time and
again during this year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’ve become more aware
that tears for me can be the physical manifestation of many different emotions.
Sadness of course, but tears emerge from me when I’m feeling frustrated, under
pressure, angry, touched and on occasion when I’m feeling real joy – such as
when I see or think about someone I care very deeply about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Most of all though this
last year, as I reflect on that word ‘emotional’, I am realising that I have
begun a journey to understand emotions better by understanding a little more
about their purpose. And by allowing them to teach me what I need to learn. Mid-way
through January I decided to recommit to my meditation. I returned to my
favoured Insight Timer (which I use a little like some use Runkeeper or Strava
or other exercise apps to keep track of their workouts) and aimed to sit once every
day. More importantly perhaps I also committed to notice the impact it was
having. There is no doubt that when I sit each morning and sit well, I make
more of my day. Put simply, more stuff gets done! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">That said, I’ve also
realised how important a key component of my meditation time is, namely the
quality of my breathing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I stumbled across the
power of the breath over 21 years ago now when I was pregnant with our first
child. Living in Oxford at the time I was lucky enough to be recommended to a
pregnancy yoga class where it was all about using one’s breath to better manage
the experience of giving birth. Having worked in the Far East, where women got
on with giving birth without much by way of medical support, I was keen to
explore as natural a birth as was possible. All the more so as I’d realised
that my amazing grandmother (<a href="https://kategl.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-wisdom-within-day-45.html">mentioned in another previous blog</a>) had sought out
a natural birth in Blackheath in the early 1930s!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Understanding more about
the physiology of birth, I was able to combine this with the confidence gained
from hearing from other women who had used their breathing to manage their
experience of giving birth left me well equipped for that long night when I
rang my husband to let him know I thought I was in labour. He was working late,
finishing off month end accounts so I took a deep breath (yes really!) and said
he’d better get them finished before he came home… and with the help of two
paracetamol, I managed to breath my way through labour to deliver our boy a
little over twelve hours later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Since then, I think I’d
rarely considered how often I use the power of my own breath until earlier this
year when I was on an NLP (neuro linguistic processing) course and we were asked
to think about superpowers. Without hesitation, the thought that came to mind
was that my superpower came from knowing that as long as I was breathing, I
could cope! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And in that moment, I
returned to being introduced to Viktor E Frankl and his wonderful little book,
‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, to the part where he talks about human freedom as
being that one always has the ability ‘to choose one’s attitude in a given set
of circumstances’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I guess this year, more
than any other that I can recall, I have made more space in my day for moments
of balanced breathing. I will make time to pause in my car or as I get off a
train, in a client’s reception area or even to make an unnecessary trip to the
bathroom simply to allow myself a few minutes of deeper breathing. As an
executive coach I find this helps to make sure that any challenges that one
client may be facing do not contaminate the next coaching space I hold for
someone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">After a four-year gap, this
year also saw me back on the Zen Leader mat as I attended IZL2, my second
course with the Institute for Zen Leadership, this time in Somerset. It felt
good to be back sitting for about two hours a day (45 minutes to start the day,
a few stretches, then another 30 minutes before breakfast, with a further 45
minutes or more to finish each learning day), even though it was possibly even
tougher physically than I’d remembered!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Powerful things happened
to me during the four days of the course, the most memorable probably being in
a field as a group chanting as we stood together after practising some tai chi
exercises, and being aware that a fly had landed on my arm. Through all the
various om chanting exercises, this fly stayed with me, it didn’t fly off, it
seemed to be enjoying the tranquillity in my body and possibly the resonance in
the chanting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Curiously, once the group
chanting was complete, we all were invited to make our own ways back to the
meeting space and I found that my legs had a rhythm all of their own. I felt a
bit like a cyberman, taking very regular steps as I headed through the long
grass back to the path and then along the path. I was in my own world, I kept
the pace that my body seemed to want, feeling strangely out of body as well as
completely in my body, noticing a feeling of real peace combined with an
awareness of the little things that I am finding hard to put into words. It was
several hundred metres before I realised that I was the only one left on that
path, heading back on my own, as everyone else was already back in the room!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nsistmw1LAY/XBAof4GID-I/AAAAAAAA02Q/vpRudovMt-w8uM9hP8_jw_WLZuj9b8HpwCLcBGAs/s1600/candle%2Bzen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="941" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nsistmw1LAY/XBAof4GID-I/AAAAAAAA02Q/vpRudovMt-w8uM9hP8_jw_WLZuj9b8HpwCLcBGAs/s400/candle%2Bzen.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My thoughts on breathing
and meditation are simple. They are offered here only as a sharing of what
works for me and what has helped me to work my way through a wide range of
emotions this year without falling apart. There are many good quality
meditation guides out there, so please know that this is offered from someone
with no formal training in meditation simply an ambition to encourage others to
breathe better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Find a space where you
are comfortable, not too hot, not too cold. Make sure you are sitting on your
sitting bones (whether cross-legged on the floor or sitting on a chair) and
relax your arms into your lap. If you are cross legged on the floor, make sure
you have three points of contact with the floor using firm cushions to make
yourself comfortable yet active. Your sitting bones should be able to support
you to feel as if you grow up out of the ground as your breathing deepens – at
least that’s what happens for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you’re sitting in a chair, make sure your feet are flat on the floor and they
support you as much as your sitting bones do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Then breathe, allow your
breath to flow in and out naturally, and allow that breath to ease any areas of
tension. I often find my neck is stiff, as are my shoulders. Breathe into any
areas that feel tight, encouraging tightness to release and let go. I find that
counting my breath helps me into that beautiful quiet space within, allowing
thoughts and emotions to come into consciousness before I release them as I
stay present, focused on my breath. I often count to ten, one on the in breath,
two on the out and so on. And when a thought comes to mind, I’ll acknowledge
it, let it go and resume counting from one again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I invite you to join me
in the Insight Timer community, where you will find many far more experienced
guides than me, along with all manner of music and sounds of nature to sit with
including om chanting as options to accompany your breathing. I hope you will
also find your own way into the truly remarkable and powerful space that I believe
is within us all. For me, when I’m there, my emotions seem to find their own
way so that when I emerge, I feel reinvigorated simply by being present with my
breath.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648820059035540727.post-64689021767534182742018-12-10T22:52:00.002-08:002018-12-10T22:55:39.169-08:00I know pain - you can’t hurt me; I’ve seen defeat - you can’t stop me - Day 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tuesday 11th December 2018</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWmiLIlv2-o/XA7taAcucVI/AAAAAAAA00I/2wR_REssFLMZmuXEnOEkOAyYQOfY7DQFwCLcBGAs/s1600/Apollo%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="467" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWmiLIlv2-o/XA7taAcucVI/AAAAAAAA00I/2wR_REssFLMZmuXEnOEkOAyYQOfY7DQFwCLcBGAs/s320/Apollo%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">11 was the number of the Apollo spaceflight that landed the first two people <br />on the moon on the 20th July 1969. To this day there are regular allegations</span><br />
that the whole mission was/is a hoax with evidence such as a 'flapping flag'<br />
and a star-free sky being used to substantiate these claims.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today we have a very personal blog, written from the heart, by </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycookson/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gary Cookson</a>.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> He is an HR, OD and L&D expert who runs a consultancy business, </span><a href="https://epichr.wordpress.com/epicintro/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EPIC HR</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Gary is a key member of the HR community and I am proud to call him my friend.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, the most important thing in Gary's life is his family - his adored wife and four wonderful children. His eyes light up whenever he talks about them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gary is a caring, brave and wonderful man. He took note of my plea for interested parties who might want to run the Advent Blog series to contact me. I really do believe that the series (and you the readers) would benefit from a fresh pair of eyes and a new focus. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let me tell you a bit more about Gary: his business, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">EPIC, helps people to Evolve, Perform, Improve and Compete. Gary himself is physically competitive - a keen sportsman, he is a regular participant in triathlons and has managed some representative sports teams. Prior to running his own business Gary worked in HR in various sectors including Housing, Education, Not-for-Profit and Public (for the DBS). Prior to HR he qualified as a secondary school teacher (teaching History). He has a way with words - he blogs on the </span><a href="https://epichr.wordpress.com/blog/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EPIC site</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and you can also catch his wisdom on Twitter (his handle is </span><a href="https://twitter.com/Gary_Cookson" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">@Gary_Cookson</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">) as well as hearing him at various conferences and events throughout the year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I a delighted that he has come forward, as I can think of few who would match him in running this series. I am quite looking forward to being a contributor...</span></div>
<br />
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The theme for this year’s advent blog series is Heartaches,
hopes and high fives. The announcement of the theme prompted some deep
reflection on my part - as per usual, my year has contained all of these in good
measure, and, as usual, my blog is a personal account of this.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ll take them in theme order even though as I’ve planned
this blog I’ve thought about things in chronological order. The quote which
makes up the title of this blog is one of my favourites and comes from the ex
WWE wrestler Tazz, but somehow seems appropriate here. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg4_FQyOSkQ/XA9WxIEkKII/AAAAAAAA00U/0WVmplE3nW8pA6_xOExuuYPIAsDI1GTswCLcBGAs/s1600/Tazz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg4_FQyOSkQ/XA9WxIEkKII/AAAAAAAA00U/0WVmplE3nW8pA6_xOExuuYPIAsDI1GTswCLcBGAs/s1600/Tazz.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Heartaches</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ve had a few. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My mum, who last year I said was having treatment for cancer
and who I was estranged from, went into remission for part of the year but the
cancer returned and she has resumed treatment. Perhaps the only good thing to
have come from this is that it has helped us begin to repair our relationship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My brother's partner, only in her early 30s, is also
undergoing similar treatment and it seems out of proportion to be affecting our
family like this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My youngest son, at the time only 5 months old, was rushed
into hospital for 3 days with suspected meningitis and whilst we were glad it
ended up not being, it was still a serious virus and a very worrying time for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGOU8mCIVw8/XA9ZlnIhEzI/AAAAAAAA00s/a_1XKfQaIns8gDkYKeqwXIeIwvkEfS2cACLcBGAs/s1600/anguish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="350" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGOU8mCIVw8/XA9ZlnIhEzI/AAAAAAAA00s/a_1XKfQaIns8gDkYKeqwXIeIwvkEfS2cACLcBGAs/s320/anguish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My eldest daughter, now 13, decided this year that she no
longer wished to live with me half the week as she had done since aged 3, and
has gone full time to her mum's. Neither she nor we have any real explanation
for this, but it shows no sign of changing and I’m heartbroken that someone to
whom I was so close, for whom I was her hero and prince, who I loved beyond
measure, can suddenly decide everything has changed for no apparent reason. I
barely see or speak to her now and it’s left a massive gap in my life and
heart. Worse is the effect this has on her two younger siblings, one of whom
cries every time the elder daughter comes and goes, and wants nothing more than
to play with her, and the younger of whom is growing up not knowing his eldest
sister. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2e5nH5ob28E/XA9X_3OeF3I/AAAAAAAA00c/4cHduzR5qWcH0xdfP2LgU4tfQpJA2vedQCLcBGAs/s1600/family%2Brift.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2e5nH5ob28E/XA9X_3OeF3I/AAAAAAAA00c/4cHduzR5qWcH0xdfP2LgU4tfQpJA2vedQCLcBGAs/s320/family%2Brift.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And finally I’m reminded of my own physical weaknesses. The
male members of my family have a history of heart disease that strikes in their
40s. Knowing this, I’ve kept myself more fit than any other family member for a
decade and had thought I might buck the trend, but there have been signs in the
last year that my body thinks differently and I’m having tests to check what is
going on with my heart, which aches. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4gM408QflY/XA9Z6t8FiwI/AAAAAAAA000/hdCdiBotZYUuZ_DAmI3HAm7ugP7orZikwCLcBGAs/s1600/cardiac%2Bissues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="620" height="255" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4gM408QflY/XA9Z6t8FiwI/AAAAAAAA000/hdCdiBotZYUuZ_DAmI3HAm7ugP7orZikwCLcBGAs/s320/cardiac%2Bissues.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Hopes</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I obviously remain hopeful that all the heartaches will
resolve themselves but in addition to these I have the following specific
hopes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That my eldest son passes his driving test and does well in
his mock A levels, giving him a clear path to University. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-h1olaqFcE/XA9a8AXzVSI/AAAAAAAA01A/iRbJsLy2nUMbE0EJ-cbmRzYHm2r6BqrBQCLcBGAs/s1600/path%2Bto%2Buniversity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="227" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-h1olaqFcE/XA9a8AXzVSI/AAAAAAAA01A/iRbJsLy2nUMbE0EJ-cbmRzYHm2r6BqrBQCLcBGAs/s1600/path%2Bto%2Buniversity.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That my two youngest children make a successful transition
into full time school and nursery respectively. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That my wife makes a successful return to work after her
maternity leave ends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I hope my business, EPIC, continues to grow and develop
in its second year. Even though I’ve done well in year one, I would like to be
able to secure more income streams and add more value to clients and be able to relax
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>High fives</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankfully there have been lots of these. In no particular
order:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My business was set up and has exceeded my wildest dreams in
terms of its success. I did it at the right time and for the right reason and
that fuel has helped me do things I didn’t think possible. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a1V7GgIX-I4/XA9bSoFnyaI/AAAAAAAA01Q/AHCqvZWjt1IYRzpC6iTp7zDolhOLgbVHACLcBGAs/s1600/EPIC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="1280" height="138" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a1V7GgIX-I4/XA9bSoFnyaI/AAAAAAAA01Q/AHCqvZWjt1IYRzpC6iTp7zDolhOLgbVHACLcBGAs/s400/EPIC.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My eldest son got some impressive GCSE results and even
bettered my own tally. He also began to realise his potential in our main sport
and began to surpass my own levels of achievement and ability (even though I
had a great year myself).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ve seen my eldest daughter develop some real and
unexpected artistic talent, previously no one in the family has possessed this.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I’ve seen my fourth child born and grow so well, with
the high five going to my wife who managed a home birth with no pain relief!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5JkIUCLFP0/XA9b_HL48VI/AAAAAAAA01Y/uwJqGZJuOHoW2UsTpuNs432ziBUh455WQCLcBGAs/s1600/thriving%2Bfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5JkIUCLFP0/XA9b_HL48VI/AAAAAAAA01Y/uwJqGZJuOHoW2UsTpuNs432ziBUh455WQCLcBGAs/s320/thriving%2Bfamily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Conclusions</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Apologies for the very personal blog but it seemed
appropriate for the theme. Often this year I have focused on the heartaches as
these tend to dominate one's thinking and emotions, but having a theme like this
reminds me, and all of us, that life doles out heartaches, hopes and high fives
in roughly equal measure, not necessarily equally in one given year but
certainly across a lifetime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb41U7OcUx0/XA9cjXr8ICI/AAAAAAAA01g/8IY6ntMZwVM73abN6ql4kqHjxFyUWwekwCLcBGAs/s1600/the%2Bwaves%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb41U7OcUx0/XA9cjXr8ICI/AAAAAAAA01g/8IY6ntMZwVM73abN6ql4kqHjxFyUWwekwCLcBGAs/s320/the%2Bwaves%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One can dwell on any of these areas but remember - they’re
all there and more will come in each category too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If, like me, you’ve not had a perfect year, then maybe, like
me you’ve had an average year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And that’s neither good or bad. It’s a sign that you’re
living your life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doing your best. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNuq-sNPYe4/XA9dAfkwwEI/AAAAAAAA01o/lICw5t_DYoooSbDPhBafw8FdvkvSGzahACLcBGAs/s1600/Doing%2Byour%2Bbest.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="698" height="183" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNuq-sNPYe4/XA9dAfkwwEI/AAAAAAAA01o/lICw5t_DYoooSbDPhBafw8FdvkvSGzahACLcBGAs/s320/Doing%2Byour%2Bbest.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When things go well, celebrate the successes, but when
things go wrong, learn from the fails and stresses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You’re going to have more of both. Get used to it. It’s
called living. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gary<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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KateGLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016771214433267354noreply@blogger.com0