Quote by Cesare Pavese, a little Google research on who he is makes me want to read some of his work (any recommendation gratefully received)

We recently had a death in the family and as in most cases it forces you to reassess your own direction and also reflect on that individual. 

It was at this point that I found this quote intriguing. Each person in my life is a series of memories that can come to the surface purely from one of my senses being triggered. One of my Aunts always had a wrigleys chewing gum in her pocket and so peppermint reminds me of her, although I’ve never smoked a cigarette in my life, I can take a trip back down memory lane by a stranger in the street lighting a Benson and Hedges cigarette ( and weirdly I know the difference). In memory lane I am adored and treated kindly by a couple, one of which was one of my Dads best friends. 

Memories are funny because they can become a little glamorous as time goes on, enhanced by others opinions or even a photograph. Even if I reflect on my day – it’s a series of moments rather than a day that my mind recalls. 

This is why I think it’s so very important to make opportunities to capture these moments and also to allow them to happen. 

This week, make dates with friends and family, notice moments and capture them, either  by retelling a friend about them or noting them down in a diary…you could even write your own blog.

My memory for today is a first, J ate his first pizza in a restaurant. Until now I’ve always taken bits and pieces with me to keep him occupied throughout the meal. Today he saw the Pizza ovens and told his Great Nanny that he would like a pizza. His Great Nanny, Daddy and me then spent the rest of the meal watching him devour his food, it was literally big enough for two to share…or a two year old? He did come up for air once but that was just to let me know he’d seen the table next to us be served ice cream.

If that hasn’t inspired you to search for the good moments in your day, then celebrate that tomorrow is February and say a farewell to the darkest, wettest month…February you’d better be kind 🙂 

Quote by the girl power legend Dolly Parton.

I work in an environment that is surrounded by people who don’t know who they are, who they want to be and are desperately trying to fit in…no not the staffroom, I’m taking about teenagers. Having been and observed them for many years it is my belief that being a teenager sucks, I’d rather eat my face than return to the playground full of hierarchy and social behaviours that are akin to Penguins in the Antarctic than humans in South East London.

However there is hope. At some point between 15yrs and 18yrs they emerge. The uniformed casing of fashion and social acceptance for many (not all) seems to deminish and suddenly they gain confidence in trying new things, mixing colours (at times making interesting fashion choices). It’s one of my favourite aspects of the classroom – watching my kids bloom,

Honestly when they do it’s always epic, even if they are shy or insular, popular or so geeky that they make Nerds look brainless. Finding yourself is a beautiful thing.

In my thirties I’m not sure I’ve truly discovered me? In fact I’m quickly coming to the conclusion that most people never work out ‘who they are’

I find it bizarre that I’m an ‘adult’ and that I’m responsible for a toddler, that at work if I actually thought about the people that rely on me I may collapse in a big ball of ‘adult’ and ask my Head Teacher if he could call my Mum. I’d like to add ‘only joking’ at this point but as I enter a new phase of being a Mummy I’ve had to adapt, alter my priorities (sorry shoe collection) and at time rebalance and define who I am.

So my last words go like this…

Dear Dolly,

I’m Lucy and im playing at being an adult, but thats OK because I seem to be pretty good at it.

Internally I’m not anywhere near my actual age, I like crisps too much, gin and anything that sparkles.

I’m confident and opinionated and I dream big, despite the fact I’m not yet 5ft (see I still think I might grow a little taller) and I’d love bosoms like yours.

I love law, politics, books and selfies. In still working on ‘me’ but I promise to always stay true to myself and be me on purpose… Once I’ve worked out what that is?

  Quote by an inspirational teacher (spiritual) from Jamaica called Mooji. I did a little googling and he seems likes a pretty awesome human.

I’m not sure I can write a post such as this without reference to Disneys Frozen – ‘Let it go’is an epic tune, but that aside I feel we should go a little deeper. 

I’ll start with a confession…I suck at letting it go, I suck at forgiveness and the little things that others do really annoy me and even though I can’t ever remember what I had for breakfast I can tell you the wrongs that occurred to me right back to the early nineties.

The more rational part of me also knows that letting emotions come and go is essential for my own health and overall well being. Plus I don’t want to be someone that holds on to things in life that are well…pathetic 

At work I often stumble on girls that have such complex relationships with their emotions that at times they lock themselves out of friendships and in the worst cases out of their own bodies. 

In mild cases (usually in the younger years) tears cascade over ‘she’s taking my friend away’ or ‘she copied my pencil case’ and as I hold my giggles in and put on my ‘I’m taking this seriously’ face, I know that two important things are occurring. Firstly, they are still learning to cope with emotions and social interactions (aren’t we all) and secondly it’s important to them and with the title ‘Teacher’ that I know and as a role model it’s important that they feel that I care.

More vulnerable pupils (on not so great days) can find just being around people exhausting, they also tend to hold on to minor issues and use these to vent emotions rather than the hidden and more complex feelings that they have hidden much deeper…I say more vulnerable, but actually I can identify with that to.

This is why I think Mooji is on to something very special with these words; it’s crucial to feel and express our emotions – but it’s just as essential to let them go. For this reason I will work on forgiving and take a few deep breaths, it’s good for me and it’s good for everyone around me.

Can you let them come and go?

  
Quote by Anon

Every now and then I’m drawn to this type of quote, it’s like I need to remind myself that’s it’s ok to be me.

Previous/ similar posts have included I’m not weird, I’m limited edition which lets be honest we all are, right?

‘Normal’ is my third least favourite word. For those interested my first is ‘flannel’ and my second is ‘nice’. Just pronouncing or thinking about a flannel is enough to make my skin creep and my reflexes begin to gag a little…normal and nice are probably on my negative hit list for similar reasons: they’re stupid. There is nobody on this planet that is ‘normal’ after all, who decides what is normal anyway? We’d need a normal committee for this that could decide and that’s even more ridiculous than the word itself. ‘Nice’ is so weak and average that is bores me slightly, it also doesn’t usually do the act or object justice. If a friend gives you a lift, I’d rather tell them that I’m grateful, thankful for this kind service…rather than they are nice.

Ok rant over.

So where am I going with this? I think today I’m saying the quote directly…don’t do what people expect you to do, to follow social trends, whether it be marriage and children and work and death…although with acception of the last one many people enjoy them.

My friend married last summer and spent the entire Christmas break explain to relatives why she wasn’t a) pregnant b) trying to conceive, in the ‘nicest’ possible way it was none of their blooming business. It seems marriage and a baby basket are like peas and carrots, who knew?

How many people trudge to work every day to do a ‘normal’ job they hate? If it’s possible to get paid to play video games curtesy of YouTube, then imagine the other possibilities for those willing to take a glance out of the ‘normal’ box.

Although I think that following protocols can work out great for many, happiness comes from serving those around you and most importantly you…so don’t be normal and don’t be nice and whatever you do keep away from the flannel and bring me a muslin cloth 🙂

  Quote by Alex Lee

Hmm…. I found a quote that I don’t agree with. So snuggle down and I’ll tell you why. 

Language and vocabulary is sooo powerful, much more than we give credit for and sometimes in Law or when things really matter – we reflect on the words people used (usually against us) and we don’t like what we hear, if you are two and a half years old I’ve recently learnt that the word ‘no’ triggers all sorts of tantrums and dramatic tears.

Basically, I think the word ‘harder’ should be switched with the word ‘smarter’. Everyday I give the best me I can give and some days I’m epic, others I’m mediocre and there a few where I’m lost in a sea of phone calls, lesson plans and meetings – but I always work hard.

Watching management above me, I’ve recently noticed that the ones worth watching – work smarter. They deligate, they are open to new productive and time saving ways and most importantly they embrace change. Sure they also work hard (blooming hard at times) but they listen and adapt. It’s this adaptability to work that I think is the secret (ssshh don’t tell everyone), effective and respected colleagues flow like a river, when work mates down the line crumble and fall. 

So I’m sorry Mr Lee, but I really don’t agree (hehe that rhymes) and so tomorrow I won’t work harder than today but I will try to work smarter and will begin my journey by listening and doing what works.

I hope your January is going well and even if the skies are grey (and in the UK very wet) you still have moments of sunshine.