Dear Reader Fear - What does it mean? Can you think of a time when something you perceived as a threat was not based on actual danger, but on your own view of the situation as a threat? Have you seen this meaning of fear in your life? F - False E - Evidence A - Appearing R - Real This acronym for FEAR has always intrigued me. And over the years I've drawn comfort from knowing that my fears are not necessarily based in reality. In fact, in hindsight I see that most of my fears have been...
22 days ago • 5 min read
Dear Reader A gift from a Friend At coffee yesterday, my friend surprised me with this perfect specimen from her garden. I was (am) mesmerised by the perfection of its flowerheard. I can see what I've been told is true - that the sunflower is a pseudanthium made up of many small flowers. I've never seen one so delicate. I hope my photo does it justice and you enjoy it too. Sunflower I've been doing 'Swedish Death Cleaning' Do you ever come across a concept that has the potential to change...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Dear Reader Life's Lessons - Does Hindsight Bring Understanding? If you challenged me, I could never count the number of times I might have said: "If only I'd known how this was going to turn out, I wouldn't have been so upset, worried, or afraid back then." I guess you've had a similar moments - times when something that seemed bad at first led to unexpected growth, insight, or even a silver lining. Hindsight can be a wonderful thing. It lets us look back on challenging experiences and...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader Curiosity - again! I've been thinking of the C Words again! Woke up thinking of the tips people give about how to live to a ripe old age and that one of those tips is to keep curious - one of the C Words I've written of before - but today in a different capacity. From early childhood I've always been a curious person. I don't think I was one to ask the endless series of "But WHY?" questions. Me in the middle - Will I grow up with Ferocious Curiosity? For me it was often "But WHAT...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Dear Reader Feeling even better! I'm thrilled to be able to report that I'm feeling a lot better and hopeful that this may continue. I know there's a way to go, but every day I'm noticing small improvements in how I can do things. Thank you! You've touched my heart with your well wishes! We've even been able to get out in the garden. The people before us loved their gardens to be covered in river stones. Unfortunately, the stones have mixed with a lot of soil which meant that weeds and...
3 months ago • 5 min read
Dear Reader Welcome to 2025! Healthier already - I'm pleased to say I have been diligent in looking after my physical self these past few months, as I mentioned in my end of year newsletter. Also in caring for my mental health. I'm amazed to see the connections between the both and how progress from prioritising my physical health has depended on being kinder to myself mentally - no pressure to get things done, no feeling guilty for taking breaks - that sort of thing. And the rewards are...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader As 2024 Draws to a Close, let me share some thoughts Why I write - my gift to you Are you curious about the inspiration that drives my writing? I'd like to gift you 'My Writing Manifesto' that explores my passion, purpose, and personal journey behind every word I put on the page. Download My Writing Manifesto here Sweet smelling Hokey Pokey Roses My main focus this year I'd love to be able to share that my writing goals have all been achieved this year. That I've written my...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader Stories that Touch my Heart 1. A Published Story Recently my daughter Amy recommended a book to me: The Angry Women's Choir by Meg Bignell, set in Tasmania. Set in Tasmania - a novel with all the emotions I very rarely read a book twice, and rarely in the same year. As soon as I finished this book, I turned to the beginning and started reading it again. Meg Bignell has such an insight into the world of emotions, and how important it is to find an outlet for them. I cried. I...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Dear Reader An Unexpected Review! Thanks to Pauline Reid (Reviewer NZ) for the amazing review of my little children's book called Beatrice Learns Compassion, the little angel with one large wing. Pauline Reid Review "I saw Angel in the title and I thought, that's it! This would make a brilliant Christmas pressie for kids, nieces, granddaughters and we all know what the angel signifies at this time of year.It's a very simple book, text one page, illustration on the other. This teaches every...
4 months ago • 2 min read