Tag: Family

Storytelling Is Powerful

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What makes a good storyteller, in your opinion? Are your favorite storytellers people you know or writers you admire?

Story telling connects us with people, shows others something about us—who we are, our values  and attracts attention. As a Toastmaster, I use stories during my speeches to give the audience something easy to remember—a takeaway message.

I believe to be good story-teller you need to believe in your subject. It may not be your story, but if you are repeating it without passion, it will turn into a—you had to be there story that nobody wants to hear.

A well told story brings a point home. For example, I could tell you I had a natural sense of direction.

Your reply maybe “so what, so do I.”

Or, I could tell you one afternoon my sister (4) and I (6) wanted to play with our friends. We were bored. We lived in the bush and had no-one  to play with. So, after getting permission to go and visit our friends after lunch from our parents—they thought we were all going and didn’t realise I meant kids only, no adults—we set out. It took us a couple of hours to arrive because we stopped to play in the park on the way.

After completing our 4.2 kilometre adventure via busy main roads and windy back streets into suburbia—we were greeted by our friends mother. She was not happy. She was convinced our mum was playing a joke on her. We couldn’t possibly have done what we said we had. But we did. Once she believed us we still didn’t get to play with our friends—we had to find our parents.

The story shows my natural sense of direction. It doesn’t just tell. This allows the audience to imagine two little girls walking hand-in-hand crossing busy roads. To emotionally connect with them, by seeing them as their own children or grandchildren—bringing the audience into my speech through my story.

I find the more personal the story—the more I can believe the author or speaker. Stories change vulnerability into empowerment—they can be life changing.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/spinning-yarns/

Books Glorious Books

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Whether it’s a trashy TV show, extra-pulpy fiction, or nutrient-free candy, write a thank-you note to your guiltiest guilty pleasure.

Books are my greatest pleasure. There is no guilt attached however, as I deserve to indulge in whatever I choose. I love to go into book stores all over the world. Looking at local and international books and see how they differ from Australia. On my first trip to New Zealand I brought home 10 second-hand books and very little else.

My book choices depend on my mood.  A quick glances at my bookshelves shows the following genres:

  • Self-help
  • Computer
  • Health
  • Self-improvement
  • Management
  • Travel
  • Cookbooks
  • Coffee table
  • Reference
  • Biography
  • Australian literature
  • Comic
  • Encyclopedias
  • Dictionaries
  • Comedy
  • Janet Evanovich
  • Jackie Collins
  • Danielle Steele
  • History
  • Coaching/Mentoring
  • Atlas
  • Dummies Series
  • Children’s
  • Dr Seuss
  • Roald Dahl
  • Languages
  • Memories
  • Mixed other fiction

After I retire, my ultimate goal is to have a home library. A designated space specifically for reading—with a comfortable chair, a fireplace and a window to the world. Now that will be an even greater pleasure.

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Photo Credit: Google Images

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/grateful-and-guilty/

Circle of Life

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If your life were a movie, what would its soundtrack be like? What songs, instrumental pieces, and other sound effects would be featured on the official soundtrack album?

I love Disney. I find their songs very empowering. Circle of Life from the Lion King reminds me that life is a journey that never ends—there is always something else to be done.  Everyone and everything on the planet plays a part—no one is an island.

“From the day we arrive on the planet

And blinking, step into the sun

There’s more to see than can ever be seen

More to do than can ever be done

There’s far too much to take in here

More to find than can ever be found

But the sun rolling high

Through the sapphire sky

Keeps great and small on the endless round

It’s the Circle of Life

And it moves us all

Through despair and hope

Through faith and love

Till we find our place

On the path unwinding

In the Circle

The Circle of Life”

The circle of my life has been an interesting one. It has taught me many things. The older I get, the more I realise the rewards I received from the various difficult mazes I have been through.

I have had the oppurtunity to see most official versions of The Lion King— animated, stage show as well as the Disney Theme park version. I enjoyed them all and they left me warm on the inside, reminding me of the importance of family.

Like in The Lion King, everyone has a support team surrounding them to help in times of need. Thanks to everyone who has been on my support team over the years and helped make my life what it is today.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/cue-the-violins/

Wonderfully Weird

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We all have that one eccentric relative who always says and does the strangest things. In your family, who’s that person, and what is it that earned him/her that reputation?

In my family, over the years every member would have taken the strange crown at various times, myself included—but no one holds it alone or regularly. We are all individuals and allow each other to be themselves.

Often described by the younger generation as a weird family compared to their friends, we try to hold family functions 3-4 times a year. These times allow us to keep up with each others busy lives, relax and plans for the future. Sometimes, it is fun to relive memories and help put together the details of the past forgotten by some.

Our family is large so inviting the relatives makes an instant party. Always keen for a party, we guarantee success—fancy dress included if requested or sometimes just because we felt like it.  You can also rely on some high jinx to pop up. During my 40th birthday party our concrete aboriginal ornament was removed our house—later found in another family members bed. This began a journey of about 12 months of him traveling around various family members homes—creating fun stories to tell about how or why he was there until he finally returned home to us.

Having fun and being yourself is important in family. It’s the strange and weird moments that I remember with fondness. I am personally pleased that in our family the weirdness or strangeness belongs to all of us—not just one person.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/cousin-it/

I See Red

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Colors can stir emotions within us, tell stories, and transform our images. Today, use one color to add life or drama to your shot.

Christmas every year in our family is colour-themed. It is a very democratic process—all family members vote, from the youngest to the oldest. My sister who organises and holds Christmas every does an amazing job.  Her decorations and year-long planning—set the scene for the celebration. It is amazing how dramatic one colour can be when up to thirty people in the room are wearing it and it is reflected everywhere—from the decorations, to the food, table presents and the gift wrap.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-pop-of-color/

Life With Purpose

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Present-day you meets 10-years-ago you for coffee. Share with your younger self the most challenging thing, the most rewarding thing, and the most fun thing they have to look forward to.

“Well hello,” I said to my younger self. Thanks for taking the time to meet me. You think you are busy now. When you move to Sydney next year, your life is going a lot busier—with purpose. As a mother, your time will rarely be your own, as the kids sport goes to the next level. It is fun and makes you proud—but it controls your life.

The next 10 years are both difficult and rewarding. The difficulties are both personal and professional and are not things you have any choice about. Your role of getting yourself and others through these times, makes you a stronger, more confident person. It also makes you a better teacher and mentor than you ever thought possible.

When things get tough, remember the tough get going. Stop and think about the goal to the challenge you are currently facing. Break it down into simple steps and follow the advice in this quote. It is powerful.

St Francis of Assisi quote

You join Toastmasters for your own personal growth. Initially, although you can speak in public you waffle on, which minimises the impact of your message. Learning to hone your skills improves your life in many ways. There will be times when you consider giving up, as you are too busy—don’t. Remember to make time for things that develop your confidence. As the difficult stage of your life comes to an end, you will suddenly notice how easier things are for you as your confidence shows.

Somewhere in the next 10 years you decide to write a book based on your knowledge of what, why and how eating disorder recovery is possible. Written for those living with the disorder, their family and friends as well as professionals. You start this journey in 2009 and plan to publish it next year. Feedback to your original daft is that it is a thorough book and what the market place needs. Writing has turned into a love as you discover your voice that others can connect with—on this blog and through the pages of your book.

After you turn 50 and the children have become happy, healthy and independent—you begin to travel as a couple. Your holidays both at home and internationally are no longer be dictated by sporting commitments. This is a great experience and adds to the patchwork quilt of your life. Believe in yourself and enjoy your journey.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/good-tidings/

Warmth

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Despite summer being two weeks away in Australia and yesterday temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius—warmth is a topic I find hard to express without winter. My photo choice depicts the chiminea my husband and I keep warm by on a winter weekend evening.

We enjoy its warmth while planning our week ahead. There is something mesmorising and relaxing about watching the flames dance—they warm you from the inside out.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-warmth/

By Hand

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What’s the best present you’ve ever received that was handmade by the giver, not store-bought? Tell us what made it so special.

I love hand made gifts. They take time as well as thought and make me feel special. Over the years, I have received many and cannot judge any one as better than another. I love them all. Each had specific meaning to me and I struggle to be able to throw them out—even the paper crane a patient made for me with the words tough love and smiley faces remains at my desk—energising me when work is difficult.

These two vases are an example of my hand gifts. The pottery one was designed and thrown especially for me during a friends pottery class. The second was hand painted by my sister-in-law for my 40th birthday.

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My father has made me many presents—recreating ideas he sees and crafting them in wood or metal. I was the only child I knew growing up who had a wooden skateboard with her name etched into it. I still own it but I no longer ride it.

Thanks to anyone and everyone who have ever given me a hand made gift—including food. It makes me feel special and is appreciated.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/by-hand/

Daily Prompt: Yoda

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Someone or something you can’t communicate with through writing (a baby, a pet, an object) can understand every single word you write today, for one day only. What do you tell them?

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Yoda we loved you—although I am sure that today is not the only we have been able to communicate with you. You can into our life after the tragic loss of your first owner. You settle in and seemed to know the rules very quickly— as if they were unsaid.

Your original name was Black Kid, but that was too hard for us simple folk so we changed it to Blackie—not for long. You were always so wise and there when we needed you. You had a way about you that was welcoming and even non-cat people liked you. Not long after joining our family, one of the children decided you looked like a wise old man, so your name was instantly changed to Yoda. You answered immediately and your personality developed more.

My daughter loved you so much she thought you were her baby and together with my husband, they bought you a high chair to eat off on special occasions. Being a loving cat, you played the game—which made your mummy very happy. You never tried to eat off any other table as if you knew this one was special for you.

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As the least cat friendly person in the house you snuggled up to me and entered my heart without me even realising. It would annoy the others that if I sat in my chair, you would come, sit on me and stay for hours in the one position—leaving me to read and them to do the housework. Thank you. After all, the rule was that they wouldn’t move the settled cat because he looked so cute. They were very jealous that you never sat on them—I loved our special snuggles.

The one thing I wasn’t so keen on was you trying to help me write by sitting on my lap while I was on the computer. I tried to work with you but it didn’t work. I loved the fact that you wanted to help me and that you wanted to be a part of the family and were always around not hiding.

Thank you coming and sharing our life. Unfortunately when you came to us you were an older cat so your time with us was short. We miss you every day but we love to continue to seek your guidance in from your special place in the front garden watching over your friends in the street.

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http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/literate-today/