Apr 28 2018

PERSPECTIVE – OUR OWN STORY

Something that has become apparent to me and has helped my perception with my own story of late is that EVERYONE has THEIR own story. Regardless to how big or small, who are any of us to judge the significance of that story. No matter how old we are, what hurts, challenges and transforms us does not have any barrier to it.

It may be the loss of a love one or the waiting for the imminent to happen; your first broken heart or any heartache; losing a job or at times excruciatingly waiting for that next opportunity; a sufferer of abuse either it be from someone or to yourself. The mix of emotion no matter the action or feeling can be suffocating and there can sometimes be no words, no hug or embrace, no circumstance to help that sensation.

Besides from learning patience, another of my life’s lessons I feel has been understanding perspective (mind you the list of lessons is a mile long). I think it is very easy for someone who is struggling, has endured a ‘hard life’ or even just a challenging moment to be in the mindset of a victim. It is easy to find blame or excuses or be inclined to use the term “why me”.

An article from Forbes brilliantly helps us to distinguish between a classic victim mindset versus a victor mindset by using a coin as a metaphor. One side of the coin is old and dull and represents the classic victim mindset. The other side is clean and bright representing the victor mindset.

If you’re in the victim mindset, you will be focusing on the toss of the coin to determine your outcomes and plans. The possibility is that it could land on the bright side and only we have the power to not put our perspective and life goals in the hands of flipping a coin in hope it lands on the right side.

Another article that articulates well the steps to take to gain perspective and get out of that feeling that life is spiralling away from us – the ‘victim mindset’ is from A Conscious Rethink. How we choose to deal with hardship and calamities can be broken down to five steps:

Owning our mistakes – sometimes we are the bane of unwanted outcomes, however, that is ok because we are human. Own it and acknowledge that sometimes outcomes are beyond our control
Freeing yourself from the need of an emotional high of sympathy – Do not rely on a constant source of sympathy from those around you. Own your life and emotions and believe there is worth in all you do.
Free yourself of self-pity – Self-pity does not serve a purpose to anyone. When given to others it’s a case of “thank goodness its not me” or on the flip side “why me” and “poor me”. Turn this pattern around to offer compassion, admiration and tolerance to yourself and others.
The realisation you are not being judged – this is one of the hardest things to overcome. We need to accept and acknowledge what we are doing or have done. No matter how big the stuff up noticed or not, we can get out of the victimhood mentality and just be in the now and let things flow.
Review your life – look at all areas no matter how big or small, how significant or insignificant it is and start making notes. Mark down what turns you on and off, what career you want, the kind of people you like to hang around, what makes you smile and cry, what infuriates you and excites you, what you like to eat and drink and environments that you feel safe in or not. Assess the positives and negatives in your life, either it be in a physical or emotional form and start to align yourself with what is RIGHT for you. Don’t think about it or ponder too long, make the change and start now.

I was speaking with my twin the other day and we were talking about the ‘victims’ we’ve had in our lives and how influential they have been on ourselves and those around them. We understand it can be easy (or perhaps easier) to fall into that mindset and not take responsibility of what, why, when and how. We both realised areas in our lives or moments when we were both in the victimhood yet have acknowledged that mindset and have over time gained perspective.

We have assessed our lives and ourselves and continue to do so. We both want to be the best version of ourselves and hold on to that perspective that we all have a story. How we chose to read it and play it out is up to us. By doing this, we are providing a much healthier, happier, consistent, loving, spiritual and harmonious life for our children.

“This world has chased saints and angels away. What you and I will not allow it to do is convince us we have no power over its ills. We are not victims of some amorphous, grinning Chance: we are gods of our own making.” ~ A Conscious ReThink

Oct 7 2016

Master at Poker Face

I think I’ve graduated with a mastery in poker face. Wearing this face is something that is not uncommon in my life of late, in fact it has become a daily occurrence.

Poker face – definition = an impassive expression that hides ones true feelings (and scenarios in my case)

Scenario 1 – Time frame – six months ago = gall bladder removal surgery; home a day and received a call on my son’s birthday with all his mates over for a sleepover that my father had passed away unexpectedly; they say it comes in threes – I was made redundant from the ‘dream job’. The world as we knew it was crumbling and feelings of continuous aggressive slaps perpetrated across my face with the occasional stabs to the gut – hypothetically speaking.

Obviously quite shattering news and time was needed for recovery which never came, however, to the outside world a reflection of a strong resilient generally positive woman/mother was shown = poker face!

Scenario 2 – Time frame – last five months = I have applied for over 100 jobs. I have attended over two dozen interviews and have been shortlisted to multiple roles, a few have provided constructive feedback, some haven’t even bothered to call on outcome. Approximately 75% respond saying I’m too experienced with a handful indicating I would be bored (one would think that is my decision), the other 25% I have “just missed” out on. I feel I have applied to each job with the right attitude. For the interviews, I have arrived on time and conducted myself with enthusiasm, prepared, researched, shown assertiveness and have always given my all. Waiting on feedback has tested my patience and nerves, I try not to be too hopeful but with an essence of positivity.

To the outside world I reflect a confident (well that’s my aim), resourceful specialists in my field with the aim of proving I’d be an asset to any company and they’d be crazy not to have me and to my circle, I’m managing just fine. The constant knock back, rejection as I see it, is incredibly damaging, deflating, exhausting, and in parts humiliating = poker face!

Scenario 3 – Time frame – two weeks ago. I’m in the shower when I realise I have spent my son’s deposit for his school’s rugby and soccer Canadian tour next year that my mother very kindly provided. I used it to pay bills and buy groceries. The problem was once I had paid back the money using the last of my savings, it left us with a couple of hundred dollars – that’s it – nothing left once spent – zip, nada, zilch. I start to panic (aftermath read scenario 4).

The reality is, I get help from the government which I’m grateful for, however, it only helps me to pay the rent. There is nothing left over. I don’t have any other income to help pay for groceries, bills, my son’s keep, our health, prescriptions and medication, sporting activities, outings – living. This kind of scenario has happened before, when we’ve been down to our last pennies but this time, it felt different. Funny how the universe works. I eventually fall asleep that night, but god, it would have only been for a couple of hours. I wake to an email from the government advising they have reimbursed me money they owed as my actual salary was less than the estimation (due to the redundancy and not working a full year). I was also paid at the same time my tax return. I had to work hard the for tax return and pledge my case as they wanted to take whatever I had to go towards my Hecs payment (my first payment for the degree I graduated with three years ago), luckily they understood and granted it.

We are currently breathing and can afford to live for now. My son hasn’t missed out on anything as yet, I have but he hasn’t and this is how I hope to continue. The reality is, the money will run out, the panic will probably set in again but for now we are ok.

To the outside world, they would have no clue of how close we can to literally having nothing – no money for anything except we would have a roof over our heads = poker face!

Scenario 4 – Time frame – two weeks ago = my son witnesses me experiencing a panic attack. I’m short of breath and have been sick all over myself while in the shower. He hears me and asks ‘are you ok Mum” in which I reply sobbing and trying to breathe “yes”. He is no fool. Throughout that particular evening once out of the shower and cleaned up, he keeps checking on me to see how I am, hugging me, making me a cuppa, loving me. The following day he continues to over compensate his love and care (I’m not complaining), with text messages from school checking on me. He gets home from school, wanting to hug me (which I never knock back) and expressing his concern if not via words, through his caring and worried eyes.

Reality is my son should not see his mother vulnerable like I was and he should not be experiencing such concerns at his age and be feeling responsible for me. I do believe it is good for children to see emotions such as sadness, heartache and so on – this is life and it helps guide them and build them to cope themselves and understand others who suffer at times too. I am, however, responsible for my boy and feel terribly guilty that he has been subjected to my weakness if that is what it was (and it wasn’t the first time) nor should he see me in my lower points of life. To the outside world, we are a beautifully loving family, we’re close – unusually close and all this is true. They also see us as happy, full of life – they see us as managing = poker face!

Scenario 5 – Time frame – one week ago = This week I had been having thoughts, the darkest thoughts you can have and it scared the shit out of me. I have my own feelings on suicide and now is not the time or place to express them, however, the past week or two I have had an understanding of why some people would make that choice. I would never do it – I don’t believe I would. I have my son and he needs me. On one frightful day last week in between my panic attacks and reaching the bottom, I did for one second think that my darling boy would be better off without me – someone with more money and stability could provide better for him….right….as I said, it was only for a second. I cry now as I write this at the thought of how dark I was. Silly yes for thinking it but at the same time I can rationalise it. Until you are on your own, responsible for another soul and yourself, you’re the main income earner, the main carer, the main person to do it all and when you basically have nothing then well, your thoughts wonder. Thankfully, I was able to pull myself out this time. I changed my thoughts around. I have opened up to my family and a few friends (how lucky am I to be able to do this) who I think were shocked, worried and possibly it scared the crap out of them too – if only for a second. Next week, or the one after that, I don’t know if the feelings and thoughts will come back. I was scared, really scared.

To the outside world, I portray I think a generally bubbly, outgoing, friendly, ambitious (which I am), person who is doing fine = poker face!

….

I am writing this with the knowledge my son could possibly read it. I am not wanting to cause him any further concern, nor for my family and friends who may also read this. I am writing it as this is my reality. It is the reality of many families I am guessing and it’s not a pleasant one to have. What has been great and where I feel tremendously grateful and lucky is that my family are incredibly supportive in many forms including emotionally. My family are my rock, my power source. I have a few friends who have known the depth of my circumstance and of what we may call ‘the black dog’. One darling soul calls me every day to check in, another two call once a week and a couple more beautiful souls offer me little bits of ‘breathe’ time (which comes in various ways) and with this I have got by. I have gained strength from them and mainly my son. I was for this week, able to gather my strength, courage maybe to think in a different path. I have refocused my thoughts on my own brand ‘Solotalk’ to see how I can generate engagement and help others that may be suffering and experiencing something similar, or if not similar, they get what I’m saying and through this, they know they are not alone.

I continue to apply for jobs, looks for jobs, seek different opportunities (if anyone knows of anything or thinks I would be perfect for something – please let me know 🙂 ).

I continue to portray a woman who is strong, resilient, patient, optimistic, loving, bubbly (although not as much as I would like), cheeky, naughty at times, fun-loving, mother of the year (pfft – jury is out on that), daughter, sister, granddaughter, neice, cousin and friend to the best of my capabilities.

I continue to reach out to the universe to look after my son, myself and those that I love and trust that we will continue to manage and be ok. I will continue to wear my poker face!

Love, peace and snuggles to you all and thank you to my family and my darling special friends (you know who you are)…

“If someone you know seems to be struggling, reach out and connect with them. Showing that you care could make a huge difference in their life.”

If you are suffering and need someone to talk to, for those living in Australia please see below:
Life Line or call 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – or call 1300 22 4636
Black Dog Institute
Salvo Youth Line – or call (02) 8736 3293

Jun 26 2015

Parenting is a Privilege

My son deserves a champion in his life, one who will never give up on him. A person who understands the importance of the connection between a parent and a child and one who insists he becomes the best person he can possibly be.

I would like to think I am that person.

What I find just as important is that my son is my champion, my connection and my motivation to become the best person and parent I can possibly be.

I did not think it was possible to love my child any more than the moment he was born, yet I did. My heart continues to make space for this growing love.

What a privilege it is being a parent – I’m so honoured!

Love and Light 🙂

Feb 24 2015

THANK YOU FOR THE SIMPLE THINGS…

A crisis as described by Lifeline is when someone has a personal reaction to an event or experience in their life they find hard to cope with.

In my lifetime so far…I’ve had quite a few crisis’s and each time you survive, you feel stronger yet question why the hell you had to go through it. In time you will reflect of them and yourself to help clarify things but there will always be unanswered questions.

Recently I’ve been facing another crisis and it’s been tough. I heard a woman on a TV program the other day going through something similar who said “I feel sorry for people without children as my child is what keeps me going – what do they have?”

My son is my reason, my rock, my everything and he is my purpose. He is why I get up in the morning, why I work so hard to do all I can to provide for him and create opportunities for our survival even if I get knocked down and at times fail.

There are other factors that have assisted in my purpose, my strength, my being, my courage, the occasional smile and the snippets of positiveness. These factors are simple and sometimes small but in the scheme of things they are HUGE.

‘It’s the simple things that mean the most!’

I’m sure many of you can relate. Possibly you’ve got a family who has offered to pay a bill or help with rent. Maybe you’ve had a Mum who does what she can by offering you love and affection and may help to pay for your child’s school camp and medication. I’m sure you’ve had at some point a best friend who feels she isn’t doing much but the fact she is calling every second day to check on you is more than you could ever ask for.

What about when your fridge broke down in the midst of this crisis and the refrigeration mechanic after spending time chatting takes some money off the amount he quoted you. He tells you to spend it on something else. You do. You buy that part for the vacuum finally and can now clean your house and doesn’t it look and feel fabulous.

Maybe it’s the random phone call or the out of the blue gesture that helps you feel real, human, alive and grateful. It could be that dear friend who shouts you a coffee or offers you a day’s work more often than normal just to give you that extra cash to help you through.

It is the simple things that can make you smile even if it is for a moment. The simple things that help you feel loved and cared for.

For the simple things that mean so much – THANK YOU – you know who you are! xo

Nov 19 2014

Anxiety is a bitch – moving on can be hard!

We’ve all had to do this on many occasions I am sure – make that final decision or any decision for that matter so we can move on. Move on either mentally, emotionally or physically.

In my case for now one of the main things that have been causing me major anxiety (an ongoing condition) that I keep putting off writing a blog on the trip of a lifetime I had with my son just over a month ago. I had all intensions to write regularly and share my journey. In one sense I did do this via my Facebook page, yet that was for a limited audience and I was happy with that but it was not what I had intended. I wanted everyone to witness and possibly learn some things along the way of traveling with a teenager and how I dealt with and embraced it. Writing makes me happy, very happy and it is something I have wanted to do since I was very young. My dream is to write a book and have my little piece of influence in the world.

Anxiety is a bitch – it’s a wretched thing and most recently has overtaken my life since I returned from my holiday.

This to some may seem like nothing and definitely not worth causing anxiety. However, those who suffer it, either it be alongside with stress or mixed with depression will relate. We cannot always, actually very rarely in my opinion control our outbreaks or triggers. The writing and not fulfilling my intention for me, has been a trigger. It is not all that has caused my anxiety, but has been one of the major factors.

What I find important is that I have acknowledge my recent depression and in particular anxiety. It may take hours, days, weeks to REALLY acknowledge it, yet when it happens I think we deserve a pat of the back.

Yesterday I had a bloody horrible day. I was shortness of breath all day, my heart was pounding, I suffered yet another migraine which seems to be a common occurrence and was pretty much bedridden. I spoke to a couple of people but not in depth about it, yet enough to realise what was happening. I struggled through the day to get a little bit of work done, some job searching and follow ups and that was enough to feel slightly productive and less guilty for riding off a day. I was sad and empty!

Today, a new day, a busy day with work and my spirits were lighter. I think I had an epiphany very early this morning or something close to it…for me. I realised that I could let go of writing this blog of step by step of my story and just share what I did on Facebook. It’s not great, articulately it’s not correct in many areas, I use slang, and my tense is all over the place BUT it does wrap up my trip. My friends kept telling me how great my updates were and that they felt they were on the journey with me. This actually was my intent, although not quite as planned.

Anxiety is a bitch but I’m moving on and working on getting over this latest episode. Will I be successful – who knows. I’ve got so many other things to deal with right now but this is one thing I can mark off my mental list.

Soooo… for those that are interested please read on for my final wrap up on our trip of a lifetime as taken from my Facebook page which was shared with friends, and now I’m sharing it with you.

Love, Light, acceptance and snuggles 🙂 xo

Vietnam, Cambodia, Phuket & a Teenager – Trip of a Lifetime

First day in Vietnam we were conned into buying street donuts, bananas, having our shoes “apparently” repaired, tried Vietnam’s idea of coffee but was yum, learnt a lesson in the need to barter and understand currency, and Jack captured some beautiful scenery along the way.

We had an amazing trip to Ha Long Bay and stayed overnight on a junk boat. Way beyond our expectations with our own room and bathroom, fantastic food and service, $4 cocktails, kayaking, swam at the beach, walked a zillion stairs to fabulous views, visited an awesome cave, learning history, and building great friendships.

Train ride from Hanoi to Hue was a challenge to say the least but playing a card game called ‘Asshole’ 😉 helped pass a few hours. It was gruelling trip with the train driver being very heavy footed on the break but thankfully we arrived in Hue safe and sound. Hue was absolutely beautiful (my fav place in Vietnam) and we had the privilege of taking a motorbike tour to the country side (major highlight). We visited an old museum with a gorgeous 78yr old displaying to us the old way of harvesting rice. We visited a temple and I loved hearing the monks chant and watched Buddhist pay their respect by prayer. Hue is very cultural, pretty, sacred…special.

The next part of our trip was to Hoi An, another favourite. We were here for 3 days and was able to get clothes made, do a cooking class (look out dinner party coming soon) followed by a bucket of cocktails, went on a bike tour which was fabulous, rode a buffalo (YES YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY), a ride in a very, very slow boat into the heart of Hoi An (very pretty), drank cheap but yummy beer, which I’ve now grown accustomed too, and great food at some of the most delicious restaurants.

Last part of our Vietnam tour arriving in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and must say it was our least favourite of places we had visited. Less cultural than others, people and sites were different – basically a very different vibe to where we had been. The people, however, who we travelled with, did not disappoint and my heart aches now knowing that our time together has come to an end. In Saigon we visited the War Museum which brought me to tears, visited the Cu Chi Tunnels (OMG) and our guide who survived the war was truly inspiration. We shot a riffle for the first time (ouch on the shoulder), crawled in the tunnels and I only survived 20m, however, Jack did much better than me (YAY Jack), ate Mexican in Vietnam, Jack went to his first club (we kept a good eye on him), and then had our final farewell dinner and drinks, a few more drinks and we behaved 😉

The chapter in our adventure was to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where we met our Mama/Mimi and had 3 awesome nights together before Mimi had to leave to teach her international retreat. In our time here we gate crashed a cultural Indian dance concert (not really, well sort of), we visited the Cambodian Circus which was unreal, shopped at the local markets, and enjoyed the hotel for relaxation. I LOVED my 4 post bed and wished I could have packed it away to bring home with me. We visited the Angkor Wat, Bayon, & Ta Prohm (my fav) Temples. Our last day we did the Flight of the Gibbon – flying fox through the jungle with the highest point getting to 45m and the longest run was 310m (a couple of panic attacks were had – it’s high I’m telling you). Our last night in Cambodia was catching up with some of our Vietnam crew and that made it even more special. It was fabulous having this time with my Mum overseas and my boy (3 generations) as it’s something we’ve wanted to do for years.

Our last part of the journey and this chapter of our travels book was Phuket in Thailand. After a couple of disappointing and fairly miserable days due to torrential rain and the hotel of choice, things picked up. We visited the Tiger Kingdom and what an experience with two great new Aussie friends Jess & Ivan. It was a last minute plan after our elephant tour was cancelled due to bad weather, but was meant to be. Something we’ll always remember.
We finally did our tour starting with a brilliant time down the rapids which was pretty full on. Both Jack and I couldn’t get the smile off our faces. We then went on an elephant tour and visited a beautiful waterfall. We’re smiling and feeling happy. Next tour as the rain stayed away finally in our last couple of days was a Quad Bike tour through the East side of Phuket including a jungle terrain and near the beach. We rode in pumped out Tuk Tuk’s, shopped, ate and had a few cocktails at Hooters, watched the Grand Final to see South’s win, part-took in a pool party, ate (oh I’ve already said that lol), walked the beach in between downpours, chilled in our hotel room and overall enjoyed each other’s company.

This truly is a trip of a lifetime and one that I would recommend to everyone to do! Travelling with your teen is great, fabulous, enjoyable, totally AWESOME or maybe it’s just that my son ROCKS! Either way, what a ride, what an adventure, what a journey, and I can’t wait for the next chapter which we’re already starting to thinking about. 🙂 xo

Solo Talk

a voice for the single parent

Tag Archives: Parenting