Tuesday Moment of Wisdom - Pearl number 69

When I was 19 I got a job in London nannying for a very posh family in St Johns Wood, their former nanny was Australian and she was leaving to return home, she was there to show me ropes on my first week and at the end of it she invited me to go out with her friends at a near by Mexican restaurant. I was so pleased she had asked me, I knew no one in London and was quite shy back then, I was excited to get out and be social and hopefully make some new friends.We met all her friends at the restaurant they all seem so much cooler and confident than me and I was totally taken in, I remember sitting there feeling very small, no one really spoken to me apart from the odd polite thing, every so often the Australian nanny would smile at me or comment to me but of course she was busy having fun with her friends, anyway I liked listening to their conversation, learning about their lives and felt like I they could become my people and hoped that I would fit in at some point.At the end of the meal they started talking about where to go next, what pub or club would be good that night and I thought to myself maybe with the meal out the way I could start to relax and join in a bit more, we all settled the bill and everyone got up to leave and then the Australian nanny turned to me and said "Well, were all heading off to somewhere else now so I'll see you in the morning...." OH! I thought, I'm not invited along to the next part, I mumbled a sad goodbye and walked home by myself feeling disappointed that it hadn't gone well then and a bit sad that no one really like me, obviously I was too quiet and boring, why would they want me hanging around, I felt very lost and lonely in that big city.A month later still feeling lost and lonely, not having any confidence and not knowing where to meet people in a place that was completely alien to me I left and moved on. I look back at that experience now and still feel disappointed, but not by myself this time but at the attitude of all the people around me, I may not have been a super experienced, larger than life person with lots of witty or impressive stories to tell but I was a sweet person who was kind and thoughtful who was open minded and wanted to explore the world, meet as many different people as I could and was up for, well most things yet no one gave me a chance, based on a 45 minute meeting where everyone knew each other and I knew no one, was a bit younger and a bit quite they decided I was not good enough to get to know and that is certainly how it felt.Now I'm pleased to say that life is different, I'm of course much more confident with who I am and find it easier to connect with people because of this. I am sure of what I stand for, have faith in my identity and have the kind of you either like me or you don't attitude, I happy and comfort le with this.I do tend to surround myself with my kind of people however I do try to reach out to however crosses my path because after all you never know who may turn out to be your kind of person. I talk to so many women though who continue to go through similar situations and at all stage of life, mums who can't fit in at their local toddler group or at the school gates or someone who start a new jobs, a women who has moved to a new town or someone who joins a club but finds the self is left out. Women all over are facing isolation and are being excluded, because they are new, or young, or don't wear the right clothes, or have the wrong postcode, because they look different, sound different or have a different background, because they are shy or because they talk too much the list is endless it seems.I've been that girl, it sucks and it's upsetting when people judge you first hand and no one give you a chance to show your true colours or find a common ground. I remember how it felt as a 19 year old and I know that people of 69 still face this situation.  “Be genuinely interested in everyone you meet and everyone you meet will be genuinely interested in you” ― Rasheed OgunlaruToday's Pearl of Wisdom is about stepping outside your friendship box, pushing your friendship boundaries and inspiring all of us to say Hi to someone we wouldn't normally connect to, maybe the newbie at work or baby group, maybe the neighbour who moved in a couple of weeks ago or the one who has been there for years. The person you stand next to at the bus stop, the mum you see at the school gates on her own or someone you are introduced to for the first time, ask them a question, try and find a common ground, you can never have to many friends to connect to in life and you never know how much your connection with them might mean in their life.I would love to hear your stories on friendship, if you've has a similar experience or if you have met someone who you didn't to expect to become a friend tell me about it below!

Through the Looking Glass: Meg Adams

Today I'm starting my new blog series Through the Looking Glass (you can tell I'm starting to feel better!) I wanted to bring to you an interview series of women who I have come to know and who's influence, kindness and wisdom has had an impact on me at some point in my life. I wanted to bring you a refection of their life, who their influences are, the wisdom that has inspired them and the things in their life that bring them a sense of strength and comfort so I could share this all with you, I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as I have.

First up is a lovely Canadian lady who I had the privilege of learning from last year when I took her 30 Day Blogging Bootcamp. Her knowledge and support has helped boost my blogging confidence and focus and pushed me forward to make some exciting plans for the future. Let me introduce you to Meg Adams...

How do you start your day? Can you tell us more about the first 3 things you have to do to get your day started?

My most successful and balanced days are the ones where I workout in the morning. I will go to my CrossFit class at 6AM, and after that I’ll have coffee and breakfast. I’ll then head to my home office and start checking email and my social media networks /feeds for important news of the day.

Share your favourite piece of wisdom and why it means something to you.

We are human “beings” not human “doings”. I always smile when I hear this statement. We are often so hard on ourselves believing that we are doing enough, or good enough. That simply isn’t true. Life is about discovery, and “being” - whatever that looks like to each one of us.

What is your go to thing for comfort when it all gets too much?

Physical activity, typically in the form of a Crossfit workout. It really recalibrates and grounds me. It gets me back into my own body and feeling grateful. This outlet is a great balance of physical, emotional and spiritual.

And my schnoodle, Lola is a great source of comfort. Going for a walk with Lola is always good for a chuckle as well as helps to ground me by being in nature and getting fresh air.

Who are the women that inspire you?

First, my Mom. She does everything with such grace and kindness. There is not a person she would not help in any way she can. Mom has always been like this. She has also always supported me in all my decisions, especially the one to start my own business.And all the women I work alongside. It’s those who are in the trenches, working everyday to make themselves a better person while working to improve the world in a little way through their gifts and talents that keep always keep me inspired. We often think we need to do something “so BIG” that our hard work and dedication leading up to that point is irrelevant. It’s facing the day to day “grind” with joy, fearlessness and trust that makes the “big” stuff happen.

How do you see yourself and what makes up your sense of identity?  

My identity and sense of Self has really transformed in the last couple years. I have learned that measuring my worth to others’ perceived successes is harmful and not constructive. I see myself as a dedicated partner to anyone looking to share their gifts and talents with their world. I honour my intuition and sense of spirituality, and seek to integrate that with my love of everything social and techy!

Do you have a favourite dish or recipe that makes you feel good or gives you a much needed boost?

 
Anything from my crockpot! I love it because it makes me feel like a “real” chef. ANd I love the smell it gives off the entire day, almost as much as eating it. Gives me the illusion I am a better cook than I am!

What's challenging you right now?

I am in a very transitory position in my life. I am thankful for the new adventures coming my way and the challenge to live my life on my own terms. I am moving to California from Calgary, Alberta and am undergoing a bit of a grieving process while balancing it with my excitement.

Tell us more about your latest or next project.

I have recently rolled out from Divine Blueprint offerings (Business, Book and Online). What they do is incorporate my intuition and ability to access the Akashic Records along with my online marketing experience and business-savvy to help people understand and get to the heart of how they can start a business, market their book, or create an online presence in an authentic and powerful way.

If you want to connect with Meg or know more about what she does, and I highly recommend that you do, you can find her at her amazing website Meg the Media Maven or on Twitter @socialMegAdams and Facebook 

I would like to say a huge thank you to Meg for being my first interviewee and for being so patient with me for getting this up and going!

Monday's Moment of Wisdom - Pearl Number 68

And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time. - Libba Bray

Implementing changing can be a tricky thing, you know you need to sometimes or maybe you have set yourself some new goals but going about making that change isn't always easy and can leave us feeling frustrated and like a failure when we don't get it right.

Recently I've been trying to make some changes, new morning routine, new bedtime routine, eating more healthy and trying to boost my energy levels amongst a few things, it's been really hard to try and do these things this time, especially the changes that are personal and solely rely on my own motivation and will power!

I think I know where I might of being going wrong though, I think I was too busy focusing on the enormity of the task and try to make massive changes all at once instead of taking one task at a time and breaking it down in to chunks.

So this week I'm being bit more easy going on myself and taking things one day at a time, looking at where I can start making small changes until I feel more focused to make the big ones, mainly making ones that help boost my energy a bit more so I can focus on the bigger things, instead of trying to achieve fifty things at once!

What changes are you try make, I'd love to hear, whether it's world domination or changing the brand of soap you use, how are you doing it? Would it be easier to break it down and focus on the small things first? I love to know your plans! 

Monday's Moment of Wisdom - Pearl Number 67

 “I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
my baby you'll be.”
― Robert Munsch, Love You Forever

This quote is from a beautiful book that was given to LC when she was born, the author is Canadian and comes from LC's godmothers home town of Guelph, we love reading this book to her and it reminds me so much of time when she was newborn.

Today's Pearl of Wisdom is a little different, it's on a really personal note, because we have been thinking a lot about new babies lately as I'm pleased to tell you all that I am expecting a little bundle of joy again! This will go to explain why I've not been blogging or tweeting or really doing much in the social media world or anywhere else in my life lately, I have been growing my baby and it hasn't been an easy journey...

As some will know who read the blog I have struggled with secondary infertility over the last 3 years, and our heartbreak of failing to have a second baby was intensified last year when I miscarried. Well exactly a year later I have got pregnant again and we are so thrilled but it hasn't been without some scary and intense moments along the way!

At 5 weeks we had a reassurance scan, only to be told that the pregnancy might not be viable again, a week later we being scanned again and told we may be having triplets - wow, you can imagine our heads were spinning!!! Shocked was a complete understatement!

After more scans we eventually found out that I had in fact got 3 gestational sacs all nestled in and growing, only two had babies developing in them so we told that we conceived twins, unfortunately only one of our twins got a heartbeat and I was told that it would most likely be a case of vanishing twin syndrome and by the time we had a dating scan the other sacs and baby would of gone. We had some more scans after and with each one you could see them get smaller and smaller and sure enough, by 12 weeks only our one precious baby could be seen.

In the bigger scheme of life we are just so happy and grateful for our happy healthy baby that is doing so well, after everything we have been through we are still anxious and I know I won't fully feel relaxed until this baby is in my arms  and then a whole load of other worry and stress will be coming our way - I must admit I'm not looking forward to sleepless night again!

Little Miss LC is thrilled about being a big sister but don't even think about talking to her about having a brother, apparently it's a girl and she won't hear anything else said about the matter, god knows how she will react if it is a boy, I think we'll cross that bridge when we come to it! What ever we have she may have to end up sharing her birthday as this little beauty is due around her 4th in September and of course with mine being only 4 days after LC's it may share it's birthday with it's mama!

For now I am feeling relaxed a little, trying to rember how to care for a newborn, trying to shake off the tiredness that comes with pregnancy and getting my head back in to blogging, I really hope I can bring you some great stuff this year, I had so many plans for the blog but hoping to still keep going with them, plus I'm still going to Blogtacular in May so if you're going too I'll be the short lady with a big bump, you can't miss me!

Oh and any advice you have on having two do share in the comments below as I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to handle this!