Follow the blaze

Alright, tonight is the end of one out of three days which will involve some deep searching and changes to neurological paths. Yes I have taken the opportunity to develop my skills and my confidence to present my message in front of people at the art of public speaking master class. I suppose the main thing I have taken away from today is how important it is to have a mentor, someone who I can learn from on their journey to where they are going. It is so ethnic which I have not pout a lot of thought into but thinking back I have been lucky enough to have some amazing mentors. Growing up was probably my squash coach Aub, I was fascinated with the way he was able to coach people to be such amazing squash players.The next would be a lady I worked with in Newcastle Jeanne was her name, she was amazing she believed in me when I did not. Margaret from sunrise recruitment was a lady with a corporate edge she was who I wanted to be, she gave me the position of marketing coordinator which I have since learnt this is where I am meant to be. Lisa at birch Carroll and coil then showed me what marketing Was all about and I liked what I saw. With the birth of my kids I would say that my mum was totally my mentor she was so supportive and there whenever I needed or need her. Her passion for mothering is something I admire and I just hope I can do just as good job but different. So that brings me to helyna stephens mum who passes away July 16 this year. Such an ambitious lady who achieved great heights with her business and wS committed to avoiding chemicals in her body yet still passes at such a young age.of breast cancer. Now I am in the need of a new mentor someone to move me out of my comfort zone and into a new chapter of my journey. Carren Smith runs the art of public speaking and yes she is amazing with a tradic story and come from adversity to success. I have this overwhelming feeling that I need to make more contact with Amanda gore. An international speaker who has written the gospel of joy.

Finding, searching, believing JOY

The last couple of weeks, well actually three weeks i committed to working through Amanda Gores' online version of her Book the Gospel of Joy.  Well it could not come at a worse time for me, but sticking to my guns and the whole reason I joined this project was to find Joy.  And there is no better place to find joy when you are bogged down in the reality of the day to day pressures of being a mother, partner, daughter, friend and business owner.

So i took it on with both hands and gave it my best shot.  Most of my posts were delayed and out of sink with the progress of the program, yet I feel I managed to gain some great insight into how I can find more JOY!

One particular week was my favourite, where our Exercise was to:-

• Take half an hour to consciously explore your home and garden if you have one, inside and out.
  
• Pick up objects that take your fancy.  
• Actively remember the stories attached to your home and what joy they bring to your life.  
• Find ALL the things that you are grateful for within your home and then find some more.  
• Be sure to keep your Home Gratitude antennae tuned throughout the day.

The home is the place we are supposed to call our sanctuary a place were we feel safe and can enjoy the things that we find joy in.  Yet the home for me has been a constant source of frustration.  Two years ago I agreed to move in with my new partner with my two beautiful angels.  This was a decision which I gave a lot of time and thought as i wanted to make sure this was right not only for me but Landan and Ella.  I believe it has been the right thing for all of us and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to keep my house as a rental income and a building block for the children's future.


I suppose the frustration I have and I am still working through as I write this blog is that this house still feels like i have not put my touch to give me those feelings of living in my sanctuary.  This exercise gave me more insight into what i do have in my home and clarity on how i can make it my sanctuary.  Thanks Amanda!

Mentoring

The recent events of my life have been huge! I am finding every week another amazing, inspiring and courageous woman knocks on my door.  Until recently i would not open that door and i would hide with the thoughts of independence and the belief that i don't need anyone to be successful.  Oh boy has that changed and the universe or what every you would like to call that thing up there,  seems to just know when you are ready for change.  Change is a choice it is sometimes scary, it means that you are embarking on the unknown.  Ultimately the choice of being a better person allows change to be embraced as a great, energising and empowering event which can only mean a better person will emerge.

The mentoring program which i started in August has lead to changes and actions which have taken me out of my comfort zone and throw me head first into the unknow, unknow adventures not only in business, also personally and testing me to find my real passion. 

The Art of Public Speaking was a weekend event presented by Carren Smith.  During this weekend i was pushed and prodded by all sorts of challenges which gave me insight into an amazing woman i have been hiding.  From looking into parts of my life which i had never seen before to standing in front of 70 odd people, the weekend was life changing for me.

A meeting in NEW YORK

After months in the planning I finally made it to New York and a meeting with Myles Kellam the CEO of Conversation. It was a dream of mine ever since watching Melrose Place (yes i admit it i am a melrose fan), to be involved, some way with a pumping New York advertising agency.  Sometimes dreams do come true.

Its funny though,  and maybe it was the expectations built up through Melrose place, but i did not strike me as any different to what POMO was when we had the Fortitude Valley office.  Don't get me wrong, it was an awesome experience, but i suppose, those images which were built up in my head of advertising agencies in America being all glitz and glamor, where just that, images. It's like when you hear of a must see movie which has reviews to die for in the film industry and your friends are all talking about it.  Once you finally get to see it, there always seems to be something missing, what was it that made all these other people say great things, the spark has disappeared for you.  but you know that you just had to do it!

NEW CAANAN

First full day. Oh my jet lag jet lag jet lag. Enjoying a day driving around the towns of cunneticuite was just awesome learning the landscape the culture, the people. After a bit of extra sleep to try to medicate jet lag. I woke to an amazing day of blue skys warm weather and two amazing people who just want me to have a great time. They have made me feel so at home that I am tempted not to leave and prob would not if it was not for the kids. So keeping that in mind I want to make as many opportunities for return as I can.

So today was a chilled day of exploring, which started with the farmers markets in the centre Of neew caanan. Some Italian guys sell the best pesto I have ever tasted and motsorella and fresh semilonia bread.mmmmm so good. We then proceeded to try and get some money out which proved very unsuccessful. Visiting a couple of bottle shops garages and drug store to find the time out magazine which was also futile. Although there was one success to be had i purchase as some calafornica wine and a bottle of glenfidick 18year old scotch to take home to Stephen.

We have just returned from the next town closer to ny called Stamford, where we had a fantastic tapas meal, and patronized a couple of the local bars and walked passed some Of the local clubs. Finished the day with s couple of baileys and time for bed will hopefully get the body cloak right for a day in china town and little italy. Being sunday i will have Vic and John to remind me of the whole traIn system which is totally awesome of them to think of that for me.

Delayed in transit

Leaving my family, flying to the other side of the world, to i don't know, find myself.  Does there have to be a reason to pack up and leave.  Sure there does, there are other people involved they need to understand, i need to understand.  I have two gorgeous kids which i adore and partner which i love and admire.  But still i need to stretch myself rekindle that little flame and make it a fire.  Looking back i have been living in a bubble my sole focus raising and providing for my kids and building a relationship with stephen which i can be proud of.  If i continue on this path i will combust and i think it is a lot closer than i realise. 

Who am i who do i want to be, what have i learnt from the past.  I am hoping i can have some time to explore these questions, this is the reason for this sudden break in the routine of what we call life. 

Timing of this could not have been more perfect, from the outside it might not seem so, with the recent departure of stephens mother to the next level, business is thriving and two angels at home who will need to have time away from school. So you could possible see the negitives but i refuse to, i see only the benefit to all involved and the amazing learning which will come of this for all.  Freaking out is something which i find hard to over come, i have been focusing on the conscious, bringing from the uncounscious allowing a more vocal voice in my mind to allow events and happening to show me the path i need to travel.

To be inspired to be accepted, by myself.......

The 5th day

Today was a little easier to get through for me but still feeling like something is missing.  I am not sure why it was easier, but a great phone call to start the morning is probably as good a reason as any.  To make things even better, today saw two phone calls from two different and important women in my life.

I had a lovely phone call from a lady whom i would call a mentor.  I met her about 4 years ago and have remained friends ever since.  I speak to her as much as i can which is not very often but as she lives in Brisbane and i on the Sunshine Coast, the distance tends to be an issue.  When i do get down to Brisbane and manage a visit, i always come away with something new i have learnt about myself and life in general. 

I need to pause to see Landan's teacher for a Parent teacher interview,  i think it will be all good news, i hope!