This week has been busy as usual with kids, work, life in general and the purchase of my new car. After the accident last week, I decided to change my car. I am a female who does not pay too much attention to cars. I only know the make of a car when I am standing right in front of the car’s badge. My sons however, including my eight year old, can tell you what make a car is, from more than 100 metres away. This happened the other day, as I approached a white four wheel drive. I said to my son (eight year old) “that’s Jane’s car.” To which my eight year old responded with “No mum that’s a Toyota, Jane has a Mitsubishi.” I was shocked as I was more than 300 metres away from the car. How does he do it?

After googling (not sure if that is a real word) the internet, I found my dream car and armed with my research I bought my new car. It was the first time I went car shopping by myself and the whole experience helped to boost my confidence as I realised that I could get a good ‘deal’ all by myself !! So I now feel safe, happy and am thankful for my new ride.

Sometimes bad or unexpected things happen in your life however you can decide how to view the event. The accident last week helped me to refocus on what was important in my life and reinforced that there were people in this world with more serious problems. We all have the power to focus on the good things in our life, in spite of all the events that may have occurred.

I am now eagerly awaiting the publication of my book. Every step has been exciting, including the design of the book cover. I have chosen a scene with country lane way with trees on either side. It is symbolic of the new road or life that readers will travel once they read my book. The cover is also influenced by my favourite poem from high school ‘The road not taken’ by Robert Frost. The following lines hold special meaning for me.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost 1920

My whole life has been along a road less travelled and I would not change any of it. Every experience has taught me invaluable lessons and my book is a summary of what I have learnt so far. My hope is that it may provide some inspiration to others so that they may find their own inner power. We all have the strength within us to make positive changes in our lives, as well as the lives of those around us.

It is the Easter long weekend and I am enjoying the quality time with my family. I count my blessings every day and am grateful for all the wonderful people in my life. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday and count your many blessings.

Last week I was on my way to work and met with an accident. After a CT scan and x-rays, I was told that I would be fine after a few days’rest. I felt so blessed that I was alright and that I did not have to undergo surgery. The shock however will take me a little longer to recover from.

While waiting in emergency at the hospital, I noticed two families in the room with mentally disabled children. One little boy was with his mother and the young girl was with her grandparents. The families were loving and patient, as the children behaved in their own unique way. It reinforced how lucky I was to have been blessed with normal healthy children.  Noticing these families highlighted how small my complaints were in comparison to the issues faced by them on a daily basis.

Every circumstance we face in life has a lesson behind it. As I rested during the days after the accident, I tried to think of why it happened. What was I meant to learn from it? Why did it happen? Do I analyse everything too much? On a serious note, I realised that maybe the accident was my wake up call to slow down and enjoy the journey rather than focus on the destination.

There is so much to enjoy around us in our life. Whether it is listening to our child telling a story or simply appreciating the life we already have. My days lying and recovering on the couch, made we slow down and notice everything around me. I was not hurrying to my job, working busily, rushing home, cooking dinner and looking after my family. Instead I rested and recovered, within the love and care of my loved ones.

Maybe my lesson was to slowdown in life or perhaps it was just an accident without any deeper meaning. Either way the incident did make me scrutinise life more closely. I realised that the issues I had thought to be so big, were in fact little things. Also, time with my family made me appreciate the simplicity of my life. I knew all of this already but sometimes life gets so busy that we need a nudge, to get back on the right track.

Are you hurrying around in your life, so that you miss all the special moments in your life? Why not stop for a moment and enjoy where you are right now. Would some of your problems dissolve if you were stuck in bed and could not deal with them? If yes, let them go and relax.

Have a wonderful week.

This weekend I went to Phillip Island to relax with my family and friend Shaila. It was a wonderful day as we relaxed in the shade of the trees by the beach. My friend Shaila mentioned the concept of pay forward. It is when you do something for someone and instead of expecting them to pay it back to you, you get them to perform a kind act for someone else.

Shaila’s example was of Jake and Sally who managed a bed and breakfast in Melbourne. On occasion they would have back packers stay with them. Instead of accepting their money for the accommodation they would ask guests to pay forward and do a random act of kindness for someone else. The people who stayed with them came from all around the world, so the act of giving from the heart was spread internationally.

I loved the concept and checked the term “pay forward” as I had never heard it before. Imagine how you would feel if one day someone told you they would pay for you? There have been many times in my life where I have helped people out and have also received it. One time in particular was totally unexpected.

I had been renting and the house which I had purchased became vacant earlier than I had planned. My lease would have been broken by 3 weeks if I moved out. This meant I would have to pay for at least three weeks rent after I left. The property manager said she would check with the landlord if I could leave early and forgo the 3 weeks rent. I told her she could try but never in a million years did I expect the landlord to agree. Who would give up three weeks of rental money? To my surprise and delight the landlord agreed to let me leave early and not pay for the extra weeks. He said it was his Christmas present to me and my family. I was overjoyed and was overcome with gratitude for his kindness.

Our daily news may be full of negative stories, yet there is still kindheartedness in this world and you do not have to look very hard to find it. This week do something kind for someone such as pay for a cup of coffee or similar. If they ask you why, just tell them to pay forward and help someone else.

The feeling of giving is amazing and you will enjoy seeing the positive reactions from the people you help.

Have a great week and pay forward.

This week has been hectic with juggling the kids, work and the publication of my book. It has all been exciting as I am about to realise a childhood dream. Despite the bustling week, a few conversations have stuck in my mind.

I am finding that the younger generation seem to have the right idea. They do not appear to be in a rush to settle down. Travelling and experiencing life seems to outweigh any other considerations. Fortunately there is no age limit to that philosophy. We can decide at any age to get to know ourselves much better and enjoy what life has to offer.

Many of you have not had the opportunity to do the things you love. In fact, I bet a lot of you have no idea what you do love. If I told you that you had the day free tomorrow and you could do whatever you wanted, could you think of something? Are you able to think of an activity that does not involve money? If you can, then that is brilliant. If you cannot, then perhaps you may like to develop some interests.

Life is meant to be fully experienced so go out and see what the world has waiting for you. Getting up each day, going to work or working at home, then sitting in front of the television every night is not living. Are you surprised then by the latest research which shows that the number of people suffering from depression is increasing? If you are doing the same thing day after day and are looking for more meaning in life, then exercise your brain by doing something you love. 

Another activity that you could do is to help others. I was talking to my friend Peter one day when he mentioned how once a week he would help out a charity. The organization had a van that would drive out and feed homeless people. The workers were all volunteers and they would stop at certain locations with food. Peter was a mild mannered accountant type who spent his day behind a desk crunching numbers. To give more meaning to his life and to truly appreciate what he had, he felt that he needed to help out society in some way. He did this once a week and was amazed at the people he met and the stories they had to share. Peter learnt a great deal from meeting these individuals. The fact that there were so many young homeless people shocked him. It made him feel truly grateful for his family and life.

Helping out a charity may not be for you but there are many other pastimes that you could do to help add meaning to your life and others. If you are content with your own life then that is great. If you feel that something is missing then look around and see what you can do. Working hard and ignoring your own needs is not helping you in the long run. Starting today give some thought about an activity you would like to do or learn. Make the most of life, add your contribution to the world and make a difference.

Hope you have a wonderful week.