Archive for Values
November 21, 2008 at 10:55 am ·
In September and October, I’ve had the privilege of working with sixteen visionary leaders from South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, who met in the remote Gawler Ranges on Mt Ive Station for the first session of a nine month initiative, “Strengthening Eyre Peninsula”, and then in Whyalla for Session 2.
It is a collaborative project between the Eyre Regional Development Board (ERDB) and the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board (EPNRM Board), who have also identified leadership succession as a key priority and is supported by the State and Australian Governments.
There is increasing evidence to show that regions that perform best are those with strong, diverse and innovative local leadership. Such leadership is a key ingredient of effective community capacity development, which in turn has been shown to be an important foundation of economic development.
Building the capacity of the community to be involved in leadership roles is critical to the ongoing increase in the regions long term viability and sustainability.
Typically, in regional areas the volunteer workload on community leaders is high and the same individuals are often involved in multiple organisations and networks. Leadership “burnout” and succession amongst industry, business and community groups and networks are important issues and are serious impediments to the process of regional capacity building and therefore sustainable economic development. Hence, Strengthening Eyre Peninsula was conceived!
The enthusiasm, passion and resilience of the sixteen participants is inspirational, and each person has a project that they are responsible for introducing and implementing in their local regions. I invited one of the participants to write about his experiences, and he says:
“In early August 2008, I was successful in gaining a place in a leadership program on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. 16 participants attended at a remote sheep station in the Gawler Ranges. “Mount Ive,” is the station, and is close to the centre of the geological formation of the “Gawler Craton,” a relatively unexplored mass of land with immense mineral promise. No mobile phone reception, no news papers, no television.
It was an ideal choice of venue. The 16 participants, 2 project coordinators, 2 camp cooks and facilitator Karynne Courts were all captive together.
It was a fascinating 4 days.The participant’s background ranged from farming to fishing to government and to volunteers. All were people who wanted to help their own communities.
The quality of the program, together with vibrant presentation led to openness, to such an extent, that the musician in the group created our own song, “You’ve got to have passion.” How good is that? In addition to the amazing course content, we had the bonus of early morning kangaroos, magnificent colours as the sun set, the endless expanse of Lake Gairdner and the camp oven cooks having a smile at people clipping their own ears as they tried whip cracking.
Mt Ive Station will be remembered with great affection by those who willingly shared part of their lives with complete strangers.
Late in October 2008 a second session was held in an industrial town on Eyre Peninsula. The content was again brilliant, and the passion to lead was rekindled. The leadership program has been mentally stimulating and I will convince others to follow my lead.” - Jack Bourke, Wanilla, Eyre Peninsula
In times where prevailing conversations are about doom and gloom, it is refreshing and encouraging to know that there are passionate leaders who are getting on with building and expanding the capacities of their community, with optimism, humour and bucketloads of encouragement and collaboration. We’ll be posting more about this wonderful project in early 2009.
Filed under Leadership, Communication, Values/p
September 27, 2008 at 4:32 pm ·
What a privilege that it is “my turn at last” to host the magical, practical, life-changing and unable to be categorised book “Life Is A Verb” as it tours the world!
After much anticipation, Patti Digh’s masterpiece began showing up in mailboxes at the end of August and officially launched on 2 September. Since then readers around the world have been called to Action, and this is how we’ll change the world – one intentional day at a time.
Patti didn’t set out to write a bestseller. She wasn’t filled with grand visions for saving the planet, or being famous. She doesn’t pretend that her life is perfect, and that she has the answers to the “big” questions. Patti writes about the detail of her day that for many of us in the hustle and bustle of busy lives goes by unnoticed. She shares her life with her readers from a place of humour, joy and love and invites us to feel into our hearts to discover the richness of our own lives.
Patti’s intention was to write her stories for her daughters so they could live their lives fully – she wanted them to know what to care about, how to treat others, what to stand up for and why they should tell stories and listen to the stories of others. You don’t just read this book – you soak it in, eat it up, drink it deeply. It is designed to move you. It does.
I have been reading Patti’s blog for almost two years, which I discovered at a time in my life where I was needing a huge reminder to Say Yes, to Be Generous, to Speak Up, to Love More, to Trust Myself and to Slow Down. These six practices are the essence of Life Is A Verb, and Patti shows us how to embrace them instantly in the day we are living right now!
With essay titles like “Dance in Your Car”, “Carry a Small Grape”, “Consider the Flea”, “Polish Your Mud Balls”, “Bust your Toast Rules”, “Save a Grocery List” “Go See the Tiny Ninjas”, this unique work can’t be explained in words on this page.
Order your copy today. Order fifty copies and give them to everyone you know.
Start doing this book! You don’t have a minute to waste.
What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?
What will you say Yes to?
Who will you share your time with?
What are you waiting for?
Filed under Communication, Values, Different Thinking, Guest contributors/p
September 3, 2008 at 9:29 am ·
Ah, September. Blogs, books, and other media are filled with references to Spring - metaphors abound, and the seasonal cliches are everywhere! I shall spare you, and instead thank those of you who have enabled me to exceed my fundraising target for The Black Dog Institute two weeks out from “The Big Run”.
Ironically at the time of writing my last blog-post, I had not yet been informed of the death of my cousin – suicide from depression at the age of 48. The third generation of men in my family who ended their lives rather than deal with the vicious black dog every day.
There are some excellent resources from people who are far more informed about this topic than I. Start with these two: “Back from the Brink” and “The Depression Book”.
Since I declared my intention to support this cause, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of stories of how depression has impacted the lives of so many people I know. Acknowledging depression and sharpening awareness gave them permission to speak about it without shame or guilt – sometimes for the first time in their lives.
This has encouraged me to renew my commitment to continue my work with values, purpose and visions with increased energy & focus. When I am distracted & disconnected from my purpose, I become despondent, disillusioned and destructive – the D’s of despair and depression. When I reconnect with my core values and deepest purpose, there is energy, enthusiasm, effervescence, enjoyment, effortlessness, elation and empathy – all the E’s of ease. In alphabetical terms, just one single step forward, yet a whole world of difference.
One of my favourite futurists, John Renesch, commences his September newsletter with a quote from Buckminster Fuller, “If the success or failure of this planet, and of human beings, depended on how I am and what I do, how would I be? What would I do?”
Renesch writes:
“One thing about Bucky which is less well- known: he seriously contemplated suicide in mid-life. He had a series of business failures, an experience known all too well by inventive types whose ideas are a bit too far ahead of the crowd, had gone bankrupt and lost his young daughter to polio. He reportedly had an epiphany which caused him to step back from the brink of taking his own life and embark on what he called “an experiment” - to discover what a single individual could contribute to change the world and benefit all humanity. For the next half century, he lived that experiment.
What if we lived that experiment each day? What if we asked ourselves,“What can I do today to benefit humanity?” Instead of wallowing in powerlessness what if we simply did something every day that contributed to the success of the human species? I guarantee you the world would start looking better.”
What if?
Filed under Values, Different Thinking/p
June 2, 2008 at 9:53 pm ·
Last Friday, I was in Macau. After eschewing the glitz and empty promises of the many casinos, I chose instead to explore the historic heart of the island, starting with a visit to the Protestant cemetry, housing the souls of the earliest settlers of Macau, with headstones dating back to the early 1700s.
Wandering the cobblestoned streets, open-mouthed and wide-eyed, I paused at the entrance to a little antique shop, “Jimmy’s Treasures”.
An elderly man came to the door, and gestured to the watches with the waving hands of Mao. I smiled a “no thanks” and he invited me into his shop. Surrounded by the ancient pottery horses, chickens and other significant figurines, along with the famous Ming vases and distinctive ceramics that China is famous for, I was captivated by Jimmy’s command of English and extensive knowledge of Australia. He even knew about the dingo fences!
An hour passed like ten minutes as he shared his stories of growing up in Macau. Now eighty years old, he has had his shop for forty of those years, proudly displaying photos of dignitaries and celebrities who have been to his shop and taken home their works of art. He lovingly spoke about his family, his work ethic, his shop, his love of learning and his self-education. His sense of humour was wonderful, and I knew I was in the presence of great wisdom.
We exchanged cards, with Jimmy laughingingly suggesting his last name, Ng, stood for “Jimmy No-Good!” I prefer to think of him as “Jimmy Noble-Gentleman.”
Jimmy spoke of the recent earthquakes in Burma and China, and said “we give to these people, not because we are Chinese, or Macau, or Australian, but because we are HUMAN!”
This precious hour reinforced the unity we have as humans on this magnificent planet. That no matter where we are born, or which language we speak, we share universal values of love, freedom, humour and belonging. Unexpected encounters such as this remind me of why I love to travel. I didn’t need a Ming dynasty vase, or a Tang dynasty horse to remind me of the timeless and priceless nature of connecting with another human heart.
“Jimmy’s Treasures” indeed.
Filed under Communication, Values/p
April 11, 2008 at 3:49 pm ·
Today is my beautiful daughter’s 23rd birthday.
She is well and truly “grown up”- experiencing her first year as a High School English teacher - a capable, talented, vibrant young woman. She has managed to retain the curiosity and enthusiasm of her youth and channel it constructively to integrate it with the responsibilities of adulthood.
It is easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom of the current economic and environmental climate, to lose hope for the future, to despair of humanity if we are to read the daily (de)press reports of murder, incest, fraud and other scary stuff. Yet, as I take time to celebrate the life of this extraordinary woman, it gives me great joy and optimism for the future to know that our youth are in good hands with teachers like Stef inspiring and influencing them. There are many young adults just like Stef – perhaps they are your children, your siblings, or your employees?
Take time to listen to them, to admire them, to learn from them, and trust them. They are wise, they are energetic, and they are our future leaders.
Filed under Values/p
March 5, 2008 at 3:50 pm ·
Today, my friends in South Africa are saying farewell to Guizelle, who succumbed to cancer and left this earth on Saturday 1st March.
My friend Michelle has captured beautifully the essence of this special woman, and allowed me to share it with you.
I’d also love to ask, “How would you like to be remembered?” and invite you to use this as inspiration to stop post-poning the important stuff, to get very clear about who you are and what’s important to you, and get on with living your life on purpose!
“I cannot believe I am standing here today saying farewell to the most wonderful friend anyone could wish for. I feel deeply honoured that you asked me to speak about my friend, who we affectionately called Bokkie. A huge hole has been left by her - no one was the same after being in the presence of Guizelle. She was the eternal mother to everyone who knew her.
When I started thinking of how to describe my friend the first word that popped into my head was passion. Bokkie was deeply passionate about everything she believed in. If she wanted to learn something, she didn’t read one or two books as most mortals would do. She studied every book on the subject that was every written by anyone. She gobbled up knowledge. She was completely fearless and upstream in her thinking and behaviour. She would go where angels fear to tread, and she would not back off if she believed in something strongly enough.
She had a great pioneering spirit, always seeking new ground, new thinking, new ways of working with people, most passionate about helping everyone along their personal journey which changed their lives for the better. She was the kindest and most gentle person, loyal and caring, sometimes covered up by her larger than life persona. In the workshops she ran with us, she shook people’s belief systems, opened their minds and introduced them to a world of self insight and awareness that most had never experienced or thought existed.
She changed the lives of most people she knew and even those she only met briefly were touched and moved by her. Her task was not an easy one because some people resisted her teaching initially, but she persisted in her theories and ultimately everyone loved her, and everyone has been the richer for having met her.
My friend Karynne in Australia (who met Guizelle on her trips here) believes that the greatest gift we can give our friend in her memory is to live our own lives fully. To quote the words of a song called Unwritten, live your life with arms wide open. Guizelle lived her life with arms wide open.
She was the most creative and a wonderful cook always prepared with passion, joy and zest! We had many wonderful dinner parties with delicious food and lots of laughter and fun and always a seriously intellectual discussion and argument as brain food. She surrounded herself with beauty.
She built a beautiful home, surrounded by tall tranquil trees, filled it with beautiful furniture, a piano so she could play beautiful music and planted exquisite smelling lavender all around. Such a tragedy that she was not able to live in it long enough to live her dream.
Guizelle was my soul sister. Unlikely sisters because I am short and she was so tall! We spoke of being gypsies together in a previous life. We both had an affinity for the ‘gypsy’ life which I think represents not being ordinary and being different and irreverent. We understood each other, were so comfortable with in each others company. She never judged me. She always supported and encouraged me. She always stood by me when I needed her.
In the early days of our friendship we were gym partners. I would get up at 4.30 am to get ready to start training with her at 5.30. Unlike the kugels who arrived at the gym, all made up, with their designer gear, we arrived with no make up, in our old gym togs, but ready to work out. We always complained to each other about how we were ‘suffarrinng’, but we had such fun, and of course Bokkie had the correctly worked out training programme, well researched (!), and we trained hard.
We had some wonderful moments at her parent’s home in Plett. She and I drove down to Plett one December. Bokkie on the road was a nail biting experience! She drove like she everything else she did in life, at a pace and close up!! But once we were in Plett, we both became placid beached whales. Lying on the sand, soaking up the sun, and restoring our souls. She would ask if I needed her to talk to me. I said no, and we lay content, at peace.
Bokkie in the movies was an experience on its own! If we saw a scary movie she would scream. American movies were a no, no, and she would behave badly during those. I recall going to see Shall we Dance - Guizelle was hysterical with laughter during the scenes which were intended to be very serious. She was the entertainment!
We started dancing together 3.5 years ago. She joined in the Salsa and Argentine tango classes with me, run by our friends Tony and Marda, and also took private lessons at the studio. Of course she danced with the same sense of purpose with which she tackled everything else. She GOT the steps immediately, where I would take ages. Sadly, soon after she started dancing, cancer struck the first blow, and she gave up, while she started on this long and arduous journey which ended on 1 March. Bokkie - Tony and I will dance a dance in your memory. I know you will be there watching.
Guizelle fought her cancer with a vengeance. With a bravery that was remarkable she researched and chose alternative ways of treating this terrible disease. She tried every avenue she could, not wanting or trusting traditional medicine, but finally giving in to it. She always asked what my intuition was – would she survive. She believed what I said. I always said she could beat this, if she believed. I could never tell her what my real fears were. I truly believed that if anyone on earth could beat this, she could. During her last days on this earth she wanted to go to Plett, and walk on the sand and be in the water. That was her dream. We all encouraged the dream.
The most amazing thing about my friend’s generosity of spirit was that while she was struggling so valiantly, was that she bought me the most beautiful gifts in Paris. She was struggling to breathe and was so exhausted but still found time to find the perfect gift for her friend. I will treasure these gifts forever.
And now my friend has gone. Taken from this earth at far too young an age. I know she felt that her journey here wasn’t over. I am sure she is sad that she has left. I know she felt blessed with all the wonderful people who wanted to see her when she was ill.
I am also sure that she will be sorting out the angels and make sure that they find a cure for cancer, and she will coach them all to be better angels than they already are!
Guizelle you have touched the hearts of countless people. You have changed the lives of many more. Thank you for being a wonderful friend. I miss you dreadfully. In my dreams I’ll always see you soar across the sky. I’ll always a keep a part of you with me.” - Michelle
Filed under Values/p
February 6, 2008 at 8:36 pm ·
Recently I had the pleasure of meeting two inspiring women, Jill Johnson & Barbara Beccari, who have written a fabulous book for children, parents, and teachers called “Salurri and The Way Train”. It is an elegant and powerful message that brings to life seven key values for healthy relationships.
It introduces us to Salurri, a little girl whose name is an acronym of the first letters of Support, Appreciate, Listen, Understand, Respect, Responsibility, & Independence. The story unfolds with her experiences at a Train Station, taking us through very practical examples of how we can be more conscious or each of the Seven Ways to “stay on track”.
We can all be more mindful of these values to enable more satisfying relationships – not just with our children, also with each other – personally and professionally. Jill and Barbara are passionate about their work, and have launched an innovative parent-coaching business, www.parentscope.com.au
The book also comes with a bonus CD, a song to go with the story - a great way to learn and reinforce an essential message. It is thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated. I’d recommend it for any bookshelf.
Read it aloud at your next team meeting! You can purchase copies here
Filed under Communication, Values/p
January 3, 2008 at 9:42 pm ·
Yesterday morning I woke up feeling a little glum – possibly the post- Christmas sugar withdrawals, or the realisation that another year has gone, and I’d better make this new one “count”. How will I measure that anyway?
Will I let my Ego set my direction for another year, or will this be the year I finally find the courage to follow my heart?
As if hearing my inner call for help, my friend Sandra magically appeared on my doorstep – bearing presents and presence… both at which she is truly gifted. Our conversation led me dancing into the office to unearth a copy of my favourite childhood book, which I was awarded as a prize for spelling in 1972. At the tender age of eight, attending Weilmoringle Public School, I was a master speller – and these were the days where children received books at the annual prizegiving. If you were really smart, you’d go home with an armful!
Reading the book together, I recognised that my life work and purpose was mapped in this beautiful children’s story –it is clear that if there was ever a “recipe” I had been seeking, I’d had it all along… in this beautiful prize.
Seven Roads To Happiness by Desmond Marwood and illustrated by Richard Hook, is about Prince Piccolo, a little boy born into a Kingdom cursed with a 100 years of sadness by a wicked witch! He promised his father that he would discover the secret of Happiness and break the spell. He sets out with his puppy named Petal on a journey of discovery only to find resistance every step of the way. Just as he was about to give up, he met a caterpillar called Claudius. He wasn’t from the Kingdom, so had escaped the spell of sadness. He offered to help Piccolo restore Happiness to the Kingdom if Piccolo would assist him along his own journey to Happiness (a lesson already – the best way to happiness is to help others).
Claudius’ first step was to wake Piccolo very early in the morning, the little Prince’s first experience of the sweet morning air. Their jubilation was noisy, waking the villagers – whose consternation at being woken so early turned quickly to joy as they also enjoyed the morning breeze tickling their noses – hence the First Road – inhale the fresh morning air.
They continued along the road, coming to a sad and despondent gypsy camp. Claudius fashioned a musical instrument from a reed, and started to play. It was contagious, and soon the gypsies were dancing, singing and making music – rekindling the “Happiness Overture” which was to drive away evil spirits. The Second Road – play beautiful music – dance and sing every day.
Satisfied that the gypsies would keep the music playing, the trio continued up into the mountains. They set about making paints from plants mixed with oils from the villagers lamps, and brushes from the goats hair, and painted a huge picture of happiness. The mountainfolk all come out to see what was happening – and were filled with happiness at the sight of the vibrant colours, and started painting their own houses and cleaning up their streets. The Third Road – have a vision & surround yourself with pictures of what makes you happy.
On the other side of the mountain, they arrived in the village of Minestrone, once famous for its fine food prior to the sadness spell. They dusted off the dishes, went to great lengths to find the recipe and ingredients for a big pot of Happiness Soup. You guessed it, after the villagers had all tasted the special soup, Happiness was restored and everyone started cooking and partying again. The Fourth Road – beautiful food shared with family & friends.
Meanwhile, back at the palace, Piccolos’ father, King Merry, was still under the sadness spell, despite hearing all the tales of Happiness spreading through the Kingdom , and tasting the Happiness Soup. Prince Piccolo, Petal and Claudius made haste back to the castle. As soon as he saw his little son again, and gave him a huge embrace, Happiness was restored to the King – Road Number Five – hug the ones you love.
Now the trio were back at the palace, strange things started happening to Claudius. He was given the Royal treatment for his contribution to restoring happiness to the kingdom, but his health declined and soon he was confined to bed, with a Do Not Disturb order from the King’s Physician. By the time Piccolo worked out a way to climb into the window to visit Claudius, the little caterpillar had disappeared. He thoughtfully left a note, advising he had turned into a chrysalis. He asked Piccolo to guard his chrysalis, saying “A wonderful thing will happen very soon and then you will know that I have at last found my own Happiness”. The days seemed long, but one day when everyone was trying to work out how first the caterpillar and then the chrysalis disappeared, a beautiful butterfly appeared – yes, it was the transformed Claudius! The Sixth Road – Be willing to go through the struggle to become your real Self.
Claudius was then appointed the Special Royal Envoy of Happiness for the Kingdom. Before flying off to the four corners of the Kingdom to keep his eye on the Happiness levels, Prince Piccolo asked him why he had said there were seven roads, yet he’d counted them and there were only six? Ahh, The Seventh Road – Each of us must find our OWN Happiness!
May you travel the seven roads in 2008 –
- get up early and breathe in the fresh morning air
- enjoy beautiful music
- clarify your vision and keep the picture of it close
- eat a big helping of Happiness Soup every day in good company
- hug the ones you love
- be your Self
- follow your own bliss!
Remember that happiness is always within you, no matter which road you travel.
Filed under Communication, Values, Musings/p
September 26, 2007 at 4:15 pm ·
Do those around you share your passion?
Are your organisation’s values relevant to your employees?
How do those values and passion translate to your customers?
Are you committed to learning & growing?
I have just returned from South Africa, where I was invited to facilitate a values-based leadership workshop for Bidvest’s first Graduate Leadership Academy. The participants were General Managers and Senior Executives of various Bidvest companies who were previous participants of past Academies, and selected to be part of the graduate Academy. There were people of African, Afrikaans, Indian, English & Dutch origins – wonderfully diverse. Bidvest* is a true example of a Visionary Organisation, committed to growing visionary leaders. The leaders openly declare that people create profit, companies only report it. Employing more than 93,000 people across four continents, Bidvest is seriously successful. They are committed to developing leaders at all levels, and believe that building relationships, improving lives and empowering people is the key to their success.
As I got to know the leaders in the group, what struck me most was how well they modeled the key drivers of visionary leadership – courage and honesty, passion and enthusiasm, and great interpersonal skills**. Despite having reached the most senior positions in their respective divisions, where they could have rested smugly with their MBAs, their senior roles and their comfortable salaries, they were committed to continuous learning – not only technical skills, but also to building emotional capacity. They were open to feedback, and engaged in regular formal measurement processes to ensure they were on track.
So what does it take to transform organisations?
Organisational transformation requires visionary leadership. On my way home, I came through Singapore to meet up with my dear friend and mentor, Debashis Chatterjee. Debashis is the dean of Leadership at the S.P. Jain Business school in Singapore, and we had long conversations about our shared passion for values and leadership. He reminded me that organisational transformation happens through individual transformation. Consider what makes an individual grow? Invariably, individuals grow through learning. Make learning your highest organisational priority. Instead of asking: “What did I do today?” ask: “What did I learn to do differently today?” When every employee asks this question, an organisation will spontaneously transform itself. Transformational leadership is not about one leader among many but about many leaders who act toward one purpose. In a transformed organisation leaders do not lead followers, they lead leaders. Says the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: “To lead people, walk behind them.”
What excites me about working with values is that regardless of race, education, gender, position or nationality, when we meet at a values level, we find unity. It is only in the language of values that conversations for change can be had, and organisations can truly transform.
Please join us for the next Visionary Leadership Program to refresh your visions, clarify your values, and ignite the spirit of leadership. This is scheduled for October 22/23, & November 13/14, and will be held at “Lilyvale” in the Royal National Park, Sydney.
To book your place, contact us today on +61 2 4268 5555.
**these are the key drivers of high performing companies according to the latest research of Quanta Consulting, a research consultancy whose ground-breaking work has increased the profitability of companies in Denmark, Greece, South Africa, New Zealand & Australia. Values Connection is the partner of Quanta for Asia/Pacific region.
Filed under Leadership, Values/p
April 13, 2007 at 6:50 pm ·
Our Easter break was shared with family – including five children under ten yrs old. Needless to say, the Easter bunny
was rather busy in our house. We are still sweeping up sand, picking up little bits of foil from easter eggs, and finding little chocolate handprints on most clear surfaces!
This morning, as I poised with Windex and cloth in hand, ready to “clean up” and put things “back into order” I felt the prick of tears and a lump in my throat. Yesterday, my own little girl celebrated her 22nd birthday and it really doesn’t feel like such a long time since I was wiping her sticky fingerprints off the glass, hurrying her up to get ready for school, rushing her through her homework, and longing for her to grow up and be independent so I could get on with whatever was important at the time (which you can be sure wasn’t related to cleaning clear surfaces). It prompted me to search for the famous little poem that most parents receive with a handprint from their kids in Year Two.
“Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls
But every day I’m growing
I’ll be grown up some day
And all those tiny handprints
Will surely fade away
So here’s a little handprint
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.”
I learned a lot during this last few days from five very young teachers. Sally taught me to examine everything up really close – especially your sticky hands. She also taught me to laugh outrageously at nothing really obvious, and to roll in the sand. Angus demonstrated the importance of being an adventurer, of pursuing your passion with energy and not to be discouraged by the odd bump on the head or falling flat on your face in the water. Timmy encouraged me to be creative with food – that things that at first glance don’t appear to go together can be quite delicious! Lily reminded me to just pick up the pencils and draw without being anxious if you have the right colours, or have put the lines in the wrong place. Lara showed me the benefits of flexibility and adaptability – that if you are open and willing, everyone can be a great playmate. If you have diverse interests you’ll always have a friend to share the fun with.
It’s Friday afternoon – I’m off now to roll in the sand while there’s still some light.
Filed under Values, Musings/p
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