tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49259048868980504652024-03-12T18:09:29.195-07:00Scottish island mumA year long project starting January 1st 2013 to try and capture what it is to be a mum living on a Scottish island. Musing and reflections that will lead who knows where.....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.comBlogger367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-9220902421742474722014-02-01T07:58:00.001-08:002014-02-01T07:58:21.395-08:00New Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a month of hibernating and writing the new <a href="http://scottishislandmum.com/">Scottish island mum website</a> is now live. This blog remains as an archive for Scottish island mum 2013. Pop across to the new site to learn how to jump sixty feet in the air on a beautiful water fountain. xx<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-49127482835664015882014-01-21T05:37:00.002-08:002014-01-21T05:37:33.176-08:00Scottish island mum on the radio.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Scottish island mum will be making an appearance on BBC Scotland on their programme <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03nhb2k">Morning Call</a> on Wednesday 22nd January from 9.45am. She will be debating the pressures put on children to make decisions about careers. <br />
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The new Scottish island mum lifestyle web site is almost ready to be launched. This will include a section on education. There will also be an e-book available on <span style="color: red;"><strong>'active learning'</strong></span> that reflects Scottish island mum's view on what makes good education and it will be packed full of useful resources and ideas. <br />
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Meantime, start following Scottish island mum via her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Island-Mum/155846527898420">facebook page</a> and keep up with where the journey goes next. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-8028172771339114802013-12-31T08:50:00.000-08:002013-12-31T08:50:06.909-08:00Day 365 - the final blog post.......xxTuesday 31st December<br />
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Oh my goodness how emotional do I feel? We find ourselves at the end of a remarkable year and an even more remarkable project. Blogging every day for a year was the challenge and this now becomes the achievement. It has to be one of the proudest achievements of my life. This is not just because the challenge has been met but more about what has developed from the challenge. I could never have known so much would develop from a little blog and I could never have anticipated the interest it would draw. This interest blossomed very quickly into a dialogue between myself and the readers of the blog and that, I believe, is the most powerful aspect of the whole project. <br />
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I thought it would make a fitting end to look back on the year and focus on some of the highlights. But before that I would just say that the overwhelming outcome of looking back through the blog is the realisation that life ebbs and flows all by itself. Those of you with religious faith that worships a god will probably put this ebbing and flowing down to that and I respect that. I don't, however, worship a god. I believe that our destiny is largely in our own hands and we are ultimately responsible for our own lives. That said, the spiritual side of me has long since felt that other powers are at work mainly drawn from our natural world and the science that underpins that. I am not sure it matters where the belief lies but what does matter is that we understand that our lives will always ebb and flow and it is our response to those shifting tides that make us who we are. <br />
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Scottish island mum began as a simple idea. I had dabbled with writing on and off for years but lacked the necessary discipline to take it anywhere. Writing something every day for a year seemed liked a good step forward and I am not sure that it was any more complicated than that. So back in January the project started and has done nothing but go from strength to strength since those fledgling days and I find myself in a completely new space at the end of the project. <br />
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This new space that I know inhabit is based on the experiences from the year but also my deliberations and reflections on those experiences. That is what the blog does as it gives you a space to pause, reflect and think out loud. I would say at this point that I am not sure we make enough time for these most valuable of actions. Life in the 21st century is so busy that we rarely make the time to reflect and I do think that is a missing aspect of our lives. <br />
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Looking back through the year I have tried to focus on highlights that would not have existed if it were not for Scottish island mum. She worked her own very real magic at certain stages in the year but this time I was ready for her. In providing a space to reflect I could learn much more quickly the lessons from the experiences and change direction as I needed to.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Without Scottish island mum there would not have been -</span></strong> <br />
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The need to create a space to write in and the birth of the hen hut in January would not have been envisioned.<br />
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The transformation required for a clapped out summer house to become a little haven where nothing but creativity can blossom.<br />
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The sense that growing willow on the property could be something that we could be using productively by the end of the year. <br />
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A space to reflect on home school and why we began this journey ten years earlier and where it had taken all of us. <br />
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A connection with an old friend, the lovely Di, out of a disconnection of the island from power for a week when Arran went dark.<br />
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A discovery and review of the work of Hannah Frank and the connection with her niece with who I share so many perspectives on life.<br />
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So many butterflies in my life that carried the hopes of so many on their wings and also led me down a more committed route with my work with international charities.<br />
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An opening event for the Hen Hut that brought new friendships both real and virtual.<br />
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The seed of a new web site that focused on all things positive in the world.<br />
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The launch of Molly's blog Conservation Stories which makes such an important contribution to our world.<br />
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The discovery of prayer flags and the sharing with so many including two very special nieces that went on to raise their own money for the Butterfly Tree charity.<br />
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A feature article in a national newspaper about Scottish island mum and a ridiculously large photograph of me that was actually taken in a pub car park in Portsmouth. <br />
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A fully documented visit to the Isle of Eigg and the meeting of a lady who lived in a time gone by.<br />
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A realisation about how right the inhabitants of the Isle of Eigg are about how to live their lives. <br />
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A lifetime ambition to be realised as a piece of my work was published on Waverly Fitzgerald's site Living in Season.<br />
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A necessary sharing of grief as it featured the year on far too many occasions. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLs956OfuzzajAzeuvcqse5x5mvQjXREDw4RGXnnRnxxOEQ_8iplV2ayo6TCon84jyIYko30E7LgpJhw-j_HFVn2MdUAfUG75sMp-buujTnE1WKGNVtiVQp-QPqXJ84rdz_BH3BJHc_Q/s1600/paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLs956OfuzzajAzeuvcqse5x5mvQjXREDw4RGXnnRnxxOEQ_8iplV2ayo6TCon84jyIYko30E7LgpJhw-j_HFVn2MdUAfUG75sMp-buujTnE1WKGNVtiVQp-QPqXJ84rdz_BH3BJHc_Q/s1600/paul.jpg" /></a>A chance to write my own dedication to my beloved Paul who I will miss until my last breath.<br />
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A sharing of the experience that is the island 'Highland Games' standing beside my soul sister the lovely Angie.<br />
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An opportunity to write a dedication to each of my four children and to truly understand what makes them unique. <br />
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The inclination to try a rewilding challenge and to document how it changed my whole perspective on life and how I live it. <br />
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An approach from the United Nations to begin working for them by using my emerging skills in writing to affect new thinking and change in places that are lost in our world.<br />
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The launch of One soul many hearts providing a sharing platform for all things good and positive in the world. <br />
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The chance to share coppicing our first willow crop and taking it through to 'Whimsical Willow' with a real sense of family pride. <br />
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The opportunity to tease out some thinking and secure the name for Buds and Blooms the new wedding flower business for 2014. <br />
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A chance to 'speak' via email to people from all over the world who all have a stake in Scottish island mum. <br />
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The opportunity to take up roles in UNICEF and now Save the Children as well (hot off the press) to work as an activist and use my skills in writing to make a real difference. <br />
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The sense that I now know exactly who I am and what my role is in life from this point on. <br />
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That is quite a list by anyone's standards so you can probably feel the emotion building in me as I begin to think about signing off. In true Scottish island mum style lets us take a gentle peek at the future as she sees it today.....<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d;">Scottish island mum hopes to -</span></strong> <br />
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Concentrate heavily on her work with UNICEF and Save the Children to start to make a real difference on national and international platforms as requested to do so.<br />
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Build a brand new Scottish island mum that offers a lifestyle blog sprinkled with magic dust home grown on the island - the link will be posted here as soon as it is live.<br />
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Get back to storytelling as part of Scottish island mum and beyond.<br />
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Be a far more compassionate and much quieter human being.<br />
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Get pregnant again (OK, this one is a joke to check you are still with me).<br />
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Help as many people as I can through my Kindness project including encouraging others to consider the place of kindness in their lives. <br />
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Take my very recent experience in 'soul walking' some place new but no idea at the moment where.....<br />
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Be the best person I can possibly be. <br />
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All that is left now is to say a huge and very genuine thank you to all of you who have stuck with the project as it ebbed and flowed. Your friendship and support throughout the entire journey has made it what is has become and what it can still become in the future. Those of you that know me well (which is probably all of you) will know that I am mindful to dedicate achievements beyond myself and there is one person who is the most obvious person to dedicate this entire project to. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>I dedicate Scottish island mum in its entirety to my beloved late father. He would be so proud of this little project. </em></span></strong><br />
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<strong>It has been a complete honour. xx</strong><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-38580084776643588102013-12-30T09:01:00.001-08:002013-12-30T09:01:15.074-08:00Day 364 - Only two to go.....xxMonday 30th January<br />
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Goodness me this is the penultimate blog for Scottish island mum. I am struggling to believe that this project has lasted a whole year. Time definitely marches much quicker the older you get. As my 18 year old son leaves on the boat to see the new year in with his friends in Glasgow I can see the changes in my family. Somehow they all grew up and I may not have noticed. With now two adult children in the family the dynamics have shifted slightly and I perhaps need to spend time reflecting on that. In particular, I need to reflect on my shifting relationships with them and ensure that I am making the necessary adjustments. Molly remains a frequent visitor but now has two homes and I have understood that and made those adjustments. Harry remains at home but is looking to spread his wings a little further in 2014. George is about to start his qualifications and therefore will spend more time studying by himself and that leaves more time for Max on a one to one basis. I see all these changes as wonderful opportunities and I also see four incredibly grounded and compassionate human beings. 2014 is a big year for me as I turn 50 but it is also a big year for the children and Pete. Pete will reach 50 before me so he can lead the way. The children will adjust their horizons as they do every year and Pete and I will need to adjust our view finders accordingly. <br />
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Having just spent a few hours with Molly extending and deepening her blog, <a href="http://www.conservationstories.blogspot.co.uk/">Conservation Stories</a>, I can see how much she is ready to enter the working environment that is animal conservation. Typically Molly, she is researching people who have their bird ringing licence that live near Nottingham so that she can do her apprenticeship with them while studying for her masters. Does she sound like anyone? She remains a good few steps ahead in her thinking and that continues to work for her. The changes to her <a href="http://www.conservationstories.blogspot.co.uk/">blog</a> are really exciting and there are lots of ways to get involved. I will be doing a full editorial on it on <a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/">One soul many hearts</a> once she has it ready. <br />
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Harry has his year ahead planned. He begins work on a building project virtually on the beach early in the new year to give him some income until March when the growing season gets underway again and then he will be back on the plot. He also has the willow crop to extend with his brothers on Hazelbank. Studying continues on his diploma in Sports Nutrition and then he wants to take his gym instructor qualification. He has a busy year ahead because he also wants to pass his driving test. <br />
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George will complete his English and Maths qualifications before beginning his level 3 work with dog care. I am also confident he will be making lots more cakes as news of his talents are spreading. George wants to take on more work on the smallholding so he will be working with me on the cut flower crop. <br />
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Max continues with home school but I am also hoping that he will pick up some more work with charities. I am keen to see where this work takes him as he has the biggest heart in the family. I am hoping that he will do some guest blogging for<a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/"> One soul many hearts</a> on its new page about helping others. <br />
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So, you can see that they are all growing up and finding their own way. Pete and I are very good at shifting our relationships with them to reflect these changes and I do think that is so important. It is hard when they leave home but if you shift the relationship accordingly you will find that they want to come back and visit often. <br />
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Those of you who are on facebook already know that my news is that I am to become a Children's Champion for UNICEF. This is the little project that has been in discussion for a while. This role will extend my deepen my activist role with the organisation and I consider it a huge honour. I am also in discussion about setting up a UNICEF fundraising group for the Scottish islands but you will have to keep an eye on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Island-Mum/155846527898420">facebook page</a> for Scottish island mum to see if that is confirmed. There are two options with this project. The first is that the virtual group is limited to people who live on the Scottish isles and the second option is that the whole project is run through Scottish island mum which includes networking with the other Scottish islanders but also includes readers of Scottish island mum. A decision has not yet been made but I will post details on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Island-Mum/155846527898420">facebook page</a> as soon as we have news on this. <br />
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I will be working with Scottish MPs to push the UNICEF agenda and the changes that we need to see in Scotland. This includes a huge commitment to supporting children from poorer families and ensuring access to good education for all. I will also be working with MPs out of Whitehall on issues of international development. So, at the end of Scottish island mum it is like the final piece of jigsaw has slotted into place. Tomorrow I will spend some time looking back to see just how all this came about. It is my story but it involves all of you and is, I think, truly remarkable. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-24926545267400245962013-12-29T09:16:00.002-08:002013-12-29T09:16:45.719-08:00Day 363 - al things positive. xxSunday 29th December<br />
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A quiet but very cold day on the island as we begin to welcome 2014 into our lives. My 2014 is already taking shape at some pace as projects seem to be falling into place with very little encouragement. Let us hope that momentum continues well into the year. The <a href="http://seasonalkindness.tumblr.com/">seasonal kindness blog </a>is ready to go from the 1st January so I am still checking that places I plan to visit have wifi so I can do my daily post. Somethings never change. Is it possible to become obsessed with challenges? I think so as I am wondering about my 30 day rewilding fitness programme which might just kill me. Harry is going to guide me through it at ground level so I feel a bit more reassured by that. I do think that fitness in the great outdoors is the way forward so I am hoping that the programme will inspire Harry as well. With a plant based diet underpinning the programme Harry tells me that I will be a completely different shape at the end of the 30 days. I am not wild about my current shape so I am totally open to a change. <br />
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The response to yesterdays blog blew me across the room last night as people seem attracted to the little box of sunshine kindness programme and I have many of you joining me on this quest. It has obviously captured our imaginations and that can only be a good thing.<br />
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I did plan to plant up my spring bulbs into their little pots today but the day rather raced ahead of me. I had a truly inspirational hour reading the latest edition of the <a href="http://positivenews.org.uk/">Positive News</a> publication. What a joyful publication it is as it is packed with good news for a change. My favourite this month was the report that the short haired bumble bee has been pulled back from extinction in the UK by an excellent project in Kent. This is the area that Molly lives her life in and I can see why. How completely thrilling to be involved in such a project and to know that you have made a difference. <br />
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With lots of exam revision already in place Molly an I can now start working on her blog. The plan is to reshape it to reflect her changing experiences and understandings. I always thought that putting conservation and story telling together was a winning combination so I am really looking forward to see where Molly takes it next. <br />
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I have had the complete pleasure of working with another Mollie this afternoon as we continue her preparations for her interview at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This is a lengthy and demanding process and today we were doing a critique of her short film. I will post a link to it on the facebook page for Scottish island mum in due course as she just wants to make some changes first. I find young people so incredibly inspiring and being able to start putting something back by supporting them in their projects is so rewarding. Mollie is just starting out on her film making career but her intentions and aspirations are so exciting that I am sure her future will be very bright indeed. <br />
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I am hoping that you have all had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to the new year. Next week I am off island as I tackle the most testing experience of my life thus far so I am using this time to get my head round it and prepare. It might be fair to say that Scottish island mum likes words but next week every single word that I utter could well make a massive difference to the life of someone else. I am not sure the stakes could be higher so I need to choose my words very carefully indeed. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xx<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-46106094882654135842013-12-28T08:37:00.000-08:002013-12-28T08:37:06.042-08:00Day 362 - little box of sunshine. xxSaturday 28th December<br />
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It is all calm and quiet on the island after the recent storms and it seems quite alien. There are a lot of repairs being tackled before the next storm is due and life seems to be getting back to normal after Christmas. January is one of my favourite months of the year as it is the time when I get organised for my year ahead. I try not to have too many expectations for the month and let the planning happen as organically as possible. This year I am using one of Waverly Fitzgerald's <a href="http://www.livinginseason.com/store/">ebooks</a> to help with my thinking because 2014 promises to be such an important year. Waverly is so good at asking the right questions at the right time and sometimes we all need an outside perspective. January is the month for new journals with virgin pages just begging to be filled. It is also the time when I start to make some decisions about what to grow for the coming season. With 'With Love from Arran' already blessed with completed designs I am thinking January might just be possible this year. My etsy shop is almost ready to open as well as I begin a more conscious effort to get my craft work online. <br />
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At the eleventh hour of this remarkable project I get a whole flurry of emails full of concerns over the end of this blog. I love that so many of you have a ritual of settling down with a cup of tea to read Scottish island mum and I feel sad that this ritual will be over. I still think that it is amazing that I have managed to blog every day for a year and that I have so many loyal readers. But I believe it is time to move forward and for Scottish island mum to become a bit more focused and the new site promises to do just that. She is gently waking in a small corner of the world wide web and beginning to take a form that I think will work for 2014. I would like Scottish island mum to go through a shedding exercise annually so that she can stay fresh and relevant. I also want the new site to re-establish a dialogue with its readers as well as seeking out new readers. I am planning for the current site to stay up as an archive and will put the link to the new site on here once it is ready. If you want to keep up with developments during her dark time you will need to hit the 'like' button on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Island-Mum/155846527898420">facebook page.</a> <br />
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Readers of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Island-Mum/155846527898420">facebook page</a> will also witness my 30 day rewilding fitness challenge in all its glory. It would be lovely if the reach of the new Scottish island mum could be extended once she is back online so any sharing by you guys will be greatly appreciated. <br />
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I have agreed to take on a 365 challenge for 2014 and that focuses on my gifts of seasonal kindness project that I have mentioned before. The idea behind the project is to consider and offer one act of kindness for each day of the year that reflects the changes in seasons. Research for this project is already quite advanced and the hope is that the <a href="http://seasonalkindness.tumblr.com/">2014 blog</a> will feed into a book to be published in 2015. I have used <a href="http://seasonalkindness.tumblr.com/">tumblr</a> for this project because I think this platform suits shorter blog posts and the technology runs well on mobile devices. If you want to join me on this challenge visit the <a href="http://seasonalkindness.tumblr.com/">Seasonal Kindness blog</a> and hit the 'follow' button on the top right part of the screen. <br />
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I have a developing view of this global wave of kindness that is known as random acts of kindness. I think there is definitely a place for these random acts and I will be including examples in my <a href="http://blog./">blog.</a> But I also believe there is more space for considered acts of kindness towards people we know. I am sure we all know people that are having a difficult time and sometimes these people are harder to offer kindness to than complete strangers. If we know the person it is likely that we can anticipate their reaction and, thus, more considered thought is required. I am running several projects of kindness next year with the view to evaluating them at the end of the year. The little birthday box is the simplest and, I think, less problematic than the others. This is about replacing birthday gifts with small postal boxes full of little things that make a birthday special. The idea is that I will send some of these boxes to people who might not expect a gift from me and I see that as an important part of the year in which I turn 50. <br />
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The <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>goodwill box</strong></span> is another scheme that I will run through <a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/">One soul many hearts</a> and Scottish island mum. These are boxes that are sent to individuals and families who just need a little lift in life. These boxes aim to show people that other people care and want to do something to help. The final scheme is my <span style="color: yellow;"><strong>little box of sunshine</strong></span> and these are very much geared at individuals who are finding life tough and are also struggling to focus on the good things in life. I find myself surrounded by people who suffer from depression and I consider myself very fortunate that I have never experienced this very complex illness. I know that receiving a little box of sunshine is not the cure for depression but it might just let these people know that someone cares and that, in itself, might trigger some progress. <br />
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Some of you are asking me if you can help with these schemes and you just know the answer will be yes! If you have any unwanted Christmas gifts that are inexpensive to post I will gladly take them for use in one or other of the schemes. I am also looking for yellow things for my little box of sunshine and preferably handmade items. Simple things like knitted egg cosies or fabric hearts or even yellow card printed with uplifting messages. It really doesn't have to be much and everything that is offered is truly welcomed. I have started a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/fionad/little-box-of-sunsine/">Pinterest board</a> of yellow things that would be appropriate if that helps. If any of you want to join in the Goodwill box or the little box of sunshine scheme I will have some printables to share and then you can get underway. I will then be able to speak to you regularly through the year to see how your schemes are running. All the schemes will then be evaluated at the end of the year as part of my book research. I think it is an exciting project that possibly asks as many questions as it answers but, I hope, makes a genuine difference to other people who need a little extra support. <br />
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Being kind is not as easy as we all think it is going to be. It is riddled with potholes to fall into when there are good intentions but the acts have not been thought through well enough. I am an example of someone who does not receive kindness easily. It provokes very strong emotions and I would much rather give than receive kindness. There are also people out there who are very proud and I call them Mr Perks from the Railway Children. The key to a successful kind act is enhanced sensitivity and empathy or, at the very least, informed sympathy. Matching the act with the person is also a consideration as is the timing of the act. So, there is a lot of work to be done if I am to produce a book that is truly useful in moving this natural swell in kindness on to a place where there is a much greater chance of success. I also want the book to be full of practical acts of kindness that benefit others, ourselves and the planet we live on. Do get in touch if you would like to help in anyway and don't forget to follow the <a href="http://seasonalkindness.tumblr.com/">Seasonal Kindness blog</a>. <br />
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So, there is a lot our little community of Scottish island mum followers can do while the main site is dark. Meantime, I will be writing away on the new site and hoping that you all approve when it is live. I am feeling the weight of this responsibility but I have listened to all your feedback and that has helped shape my thinking. It is an exciting time for Scottish island mum and I am quite sure I owe that entirely to you guys.....<br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-80980031203858179682013-12-27T07:17:00.001-08:002013-12-27T07:17:20.454-08:00Day 361 - little boats drifting away. xxFriday 27th December<br />
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We got well and truly battered last night and there is yet more damage to the smallholding. I have never known such a dreadful run of big storms to hit the island and I think we have all had quite enough now. In the middle of it the emergency helicopter was forced to negotiate a landing and then take off as someone needed emergency care. It is in times like this that you absolutely know that you are living on a small island. <br />
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Cocooned in the house over the festive period the 27th always signals the start of a time of reflection in the few days until the new year beckons. I am ridiculously excited about 2014 but I don't want to charge head long into this new year before I reflected on the current one. 2013 has been a barnstorming year with so many developments and new things. I can't be anything but incredibly thankful and I will bottle this feeling and keep it for evermore. I am currently working on that bottle of fabulous things and will share it with you just before the year turns.<br />
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I can now tell you that the new Scottish island mum has come into being on a quiet shore of the world wide web where she will remain until she is ready to spread her wings. She is sitting on her site and studying the growing structure with interest. Let's face it the new Scottish island mum could go off in lots of different directions so the structure becomes the single thing that needs pegging before any content can be added. Essentially, it is important to remember the essence of the site as one that belongs entirely to me and my place in this world. It is, however, more than musing and reflections as it rests it's ambitions in a lifestyle context. There is a lot of competition out there is lifestyle blog land so it is important for Scottish island mum to find her own, unique, space. <br />
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Your feedback over recent weeks have guided this process with a steady and informed hand and I will be forever grateful. Blogging does more than just reflect life. A committed and dedicated blogger places the process at the heart of the thinking mind and the feeling soul. Blogging allows us to stare at things for longer than we otherwise might and this ensures a growing and developed perspective on life. <br />
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I will now be my usual brutal self and tell you that that causes some problems. You start to see things that you might have, otherwise, missed and not all of these things are welcome. By definition the personal blog falls into aspect of our world that are not always attractive. If you marry these experiences up with the inevitable inward looking that goes hand in hand with personal blogging you can be left quite dis-orientated. Looking back on my year of blogging I can spot the times where I have stumbled across something that I am not sure about it and it has caused me to question. Reflecting on this I would say that my 2012 may have had a lot to do with this. In that year I took a 12 month dharma on Buddhism and it constantly questioned and stretched my understanding of humanity. Studying issues such as ego and compassion in real depth inevitably leads to a change of perspective. If I put 2012 and 2013 together I can now clearly see changes in me that are quite fundamental. These changes have not only asked questions of me but those around me and I now find myself in a new place and it is not a place I am, at all, familiar with. Inhabiting this new place with fundamental changes to the way I view the world is, I think, quite isolating. <br />
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I am not necessarily using the word isolating in a negative way as I strive to feel more comfortable in my new place. The most obvious change rests in what I now view as important. What we hold as important helps to shape who we are and how we are viewed and understood by others. By placing humanitarian issues at the centre of my being I may have lost contact with some people who have known me for most of my life. My motivations have changed and my perspective on others has changed as well. I remember when Molly went on her first RSPB placement for two weeks. She was really emotional when it came to the time to leave. I understood that as her being in the company of people where, for the first time in her life, no translation was required. She understood them and they understood her. That is what I need to seek now. In shedding so much that was Fiona I have failed to migrate towards people that understand this new place I find myself in. It is not a total picture though because there are clearly lots of people out there that think in a similar way to me, not least many of my Scottish island mum readers. <br />
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So, my review for these few precious days before the new year enters our perspectives is to reflect on people I have met along the way on this transformational journey and ensure that my connections with them are secure. Perhaps Waverly Fitzgerald is my best example and this was obvious to me when I read her recent newsletter. Not only do we dwell on similar things in this world but we also face similar challenges in our professional world. No translation needed there. <br />
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This reflection might well lead to me waving a gentle and loving goodbye to some people as it becomes clear that we don't connect as we used to and our lives have moved in different directions. Those that have known me a long time know that I have a tendency to 'collect people' and rarely let them go. My sabbatical in the middle of 2013 and my more recent shedding exercise has made me realise that I do need to let some people go if I am to make the contribution to the world that I think my humanity requires of me. I can't help wondering if others feel the same as we welcome a new year? Buddhism teaches us that we should surround ourselves with positive minds that lift us up and enable us to be the best person we can. It also teaches us how to spot egos that are over-rated. I take from this that my pathway into 2014 and beyond will be, by definition, much quieter than was my way but also much more compassionate and understanding. Within that I intend to follow a perennial Buddhist practice which tells us that if we have done all we can for someone but we remain disconnected we should put them in a little boat and let them sail away without us. Wise words. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-35025320770932082672013-12-26T08:11:00.000-08:002013-12-26T08:11:27.860-08:00Day 360 - Let me think about it. xxThursday 26th December<br />
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As she wandered the light changed and signalled the beginning. What she couldn't figure out though was what beginning? It might be the beginning of something new or it might be the beginning of the end. Her days had become etched with sadness so the thought of a beginning echoed in her heart and spoke to the light that began to move between the dark clouds. <br />
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She wanted roses on silver grass and she wanted candle light to wash her while she lay perfectly still. Without these things her days were sad. <br />
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Love had escaped her grip and now her she wandered among the lapping water and she knew she didn't need them anymore. She didn't need the curls in her hair and she didn't need the pity in the eyes. She needed the roses with the silver light.<br />
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Turning her face to the light she felt pressure inside her head and she could sense the madness just as she sensed the light. Welcoming the light made welcoming the madness with the rainbow colours that sunk into the sea. The madness needed rescuing so she allowed that to sit for a while as a gentle smile appeared. <br />
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She knew that smile and she knew that face. If she scratched that face would it bleed? Perhaps she needed it to bleed a deep red colour and then maybe the roses would appear? Too many questions and too much blood. She hated blood as it made her inhale but forget to exhale. <br />
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Deciding against the scratching she stroked instead and the smile grew more alive than before. The danger seemed to be moving away through a window that let the rainbow in. It was all in the clue of the rainbow in the window and the blood on the face but still she wandered. Knowing that in the wandering would come the end of the beginning that she was searching. <br />
<br />
She was not alone in her search and if she held out her hand others would join her but she did not hold out her hand. Her steps became smaller and in the distance the light began to change. <br />
<br />
'Off with her head' was heard in the distant hills but still her steps grew smaller and the world bigger. Seizing her moment she began to run and she ran until her heart bled. There was no pleasure to be had back there and rescuing the madness was all that mattered to her. The escape was on and the growing anger spread around every breath that had ever been taken. Suddenly the wandering had more purpose beyond just red roses on silver stems. <br />
<br />
Reality blurred with dreams and running became walking once more. Rescuing became even more important and the image of the red roses was disappearing as it should. Never had she felt more evil; never had she seen more evil. But from the crowd came the speaking that sent shivers into the freezing water as chaos began to take hold. The final battle was almost upon us but the players need to assemble as quickly as the speaking spread. In the distance marched her friends as happiness echoed in the clouds and an unsaid understanding was uniting the players. <br />
<br />
'Let me think about it.'<br />
<br />
'After all this has all come from my own mind.'<br />
<br />
'I will miss you when I wake up.'<br />
<br />
But suddenly she knew it was all real. It was just too ridiculous to be a dream. Chasing a dream was meaningless but chasing reality made much more sense. The final battle came into view. White versus red and now she understood the significance of the red roses. She preferred the white as the red spread like a pool of blood escaping into the sea. In the redness the trump card was played early and the fear spread through every soul as it appeared from the distance. I believe the impossible though and that has to be my ultimate weapon as the whiteness makes its stand. <br />
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This was not the beginning of the end after all. Six impossible things before breakfast makes me believe that even the impossible is possible. As the white bleeds into the red it is impossible to see any victory. All she wanted was a fair fight and true self belief. If she believed she could win this battle she would, indeed, win. <br />
<br />
'Off with his head' and this time the head did leave the body and with it the rainbow came out of the window. <br />
<br />
'You will not have a friend in the world' escaped her lips as the whiteness moved between the sea and the clouds. The madness took one more bow before departing leaving her with a choice. Should she step into this new beginning or stay in the madness without the red roses. <br />
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'How could I forget' sung from the branches of every singed tree that reached out to take her on her final journey. Climbing onto the wet grass she looked to the sky. <br />
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'I happen to love rabbits and I will find something useful to do with my life.'<br />
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And then there was a blue butterfly. Of course there was. Let 2014 be a year of blue butterflies. <br />
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<br />
<br />
Until tomorrow. xx<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-31652840442602747372013-12-25T12:07:00.001-08:002013-12-25T12:07:18.751-08:00Day 359 - Always in the moments. xxWednesday 25th December<br />
<br />
Christmas day is always about moments so I thought I would share Scottish island mum's moments<br />
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The moment you wake up to a cup of tea and listen for sounds that the children are awake.<br />
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The realisation that this is unlikely at 8am.<br />
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The first 'Merry Christmas' from a child with three to follow.<br />
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Anticipating an embarrassing moment as your daughter opens underwear in front of her brothers.<br />
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The realisation that she just brushes that off in her usual way and we all smile.<br />
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In the second when the world stops as you open a present from your child that is so full of thoughtfulness and love that the tears flow all by themselves.<br />
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The twin moments of beautiful weaving and crochet snowflakes that show how much friends care.<br />
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The very special moment when your eldest son wraps his ageing dog in a Christmas blanket and you fight back the tears.<br />
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As family arrives and the pop comes out of the freezer because you forgot to chill it earlier.<br />
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The realisation that after pulling one cracker your body won't let you repeat the task.<br />
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That moment being brushed away as the stupid hat goes on the head.<br />
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As your mother opens her present to see the most beautiful beaded dragonfly brooch.<br />
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And her partners clearly loves his gingerbread door hanging and you are pleased.<br />
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As afternoon turns to evening and everyone finds their own space to be quiet and unwind.<br />
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The gentle retreat to bed and the switching off of the light. <br />
<br />
Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-22925750162370421452013-12-24T08:31:00.001-08:002013-12-24T08:31:47.415-08:00Day 358 - It made me smile. xxTuesday 24th December<br />
<br />
Christmas eve on the island is a lovely day. There is none of that mad rushing about that is such a big feature of living on the mainland and everyone is all festive and cheerful. I always leave a lot of my food shopping until today because I am a tight Scottish island mum and I know the Co-op reduces a lot of its stock on Christmas eve. I also checked the weather forecast and could see that there were just about enough boats to keep the supermarket stocked but that most people would panic and buy that bit earlier this year. I was right on both counts so Pete and I hovered up the bargains in a relatively quiet shop before having a lingering coffee at the Douglas. We also take the view that if something we want is not on the shelf we just grab something else. I have tried my absolute best not to get swept up in the buying culture this year and will be trying even harder next year. A dear friend sent me an email to wish me Happy Christmas and happy midwinter and it made me smile. He obviously knows me very well. <br />
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With everything now ready I am relaxing into my festivities with my family and just enjoying some time off. There are no immediate deadlines to chase and I have cleared all my writing assignments just in time. Molly is, of course, still revising but that is her way and who am I to comment! I think I have found this Christmas particularly demanding because of my recent work with international charities. When people have so little it is hard to see the spending culture that we have in this country. Over coffee, Pete and I talked about how our Christmas might change going forward as all our children are much older now. We also talked about the significance of the winter solstice and how that might be reflected more in what we do. <br />
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I have had lots of emails commenting on my idea for a little box of sunshine and I will be featuring that on the new Scottish island mum site sometime in the new year. I have been struck by just how many friends are struggling this year and the hope is that these little boxes will just let them know that we care and that we are thinking of them. <br />
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Your kind messages for Donna will also be appreciated when she is home. I am hoping that she has made it into surgery this afternoon and will be home tomorrow. Spending Christmas in hospital doesn't sound like much fun and I am sure her family are desperate to get her home. I feel for the children not being able to do their Christmas eve traditions with their mother. <br />
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Our traditions are quite simple and much the same as most other families. A few years back the children all decorated the base of a cardboard box and that is what is placed on their end of the sofa for Father Christmas to leave their parcels in. Father Christmas has been a bit naughty this year and left all their presents in my bedroom to wrap. This is a little lazy of him but I will forgive him if he returns this evening to put them all in the right places. I am not blaming Rudolf though so he will still get his carrot. I am still thinking about whether Father Christmas should get his mince pie and nip of ginger wine.....<br />
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With one grown up daughter and three teenage boys in the house we don't have to worry about 6am calls in the morning. We are lucky if we can get them out of bed much before 9am. Pete and I have a cup of tea in bed in the morning and listen for the first movements from one of the bedrooms. This year we shall Mimi for company and, yes, she does have her own presents to open. I do worry about myself sometimes. <br />
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My mother and Hamish will join us for lunch and then there is the famous falling asleep in front of the television in the afternoon. I never fall asleep during the day but then I never normally eat lunch so you see the consequence. Pete normally spoils me at Christmas but I specifically asked for that not to happen this year so he bought me a rewilding fitness programme instead. January will be an interesting month with my plant based diet and my exercise programme based in the great outdoors. It is a good job I won't be blogging because I sense some moaning for the duration. <br />
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Certain things will happen tomorrow. Molly will take charge of the TV remote, I will get tipsy on two glasses of wine, Pete will fail to get the cracker end of the cracker pull, Harry will get all the cracker ends and the best prizes, George will sleep the longest and Max will talk to his father constantly as Christmas lunch is being prepared. I wouldn't have it any other way. <br />
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Scottish island mum wishes each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas. xx<br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-71151851761303126182013-12-23T08:47:00.000-08:002013-12-23T08:47:17.592-08:00Day 357 - little box of sunshine. xxMonday 23rd December<br />
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Two sleeps left until Christmas morning and I have dutifully swept my chimney and had a good tidy up so as to impress Father Christmas. Today has been another gentle day spent in little preparations for Christmas and I am almost ready. When I get to this stage it all slows up and we are in the danger zone. This consists of too much chocolate sitting around begging to be eaten and short dark days that don't encourage me outside. It must be Christmas.<br />
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I have been giggling at the various facebook friends as they describe their battles in the supermarket. This occupation is to be avoided at all costs because it sounds ghastly. We are very reserved in our family when it comes to food and try and keep it simple. With family coming for Christmas lunch we do have an extra special lunch but we resist the temptation to buy lots of sweet things that make us feel like rubbish after we have eaten them. The gifts of chocolate tend to be eaten quickly because there are six of us and our only real indulgence is cheese. <br />
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Beyond Christmas preparations I have been doing some new networking which I always enjoy. I am getting to the stage when the same people are popping up on all my network sites and it is beginning to feel like a family. Scottish island mum is about family so this sits well with me. My latest network is through <a href="http://about.me/">About.me</a> and I have spent some time setting up my page and making my connections. First impressions tell me that this is a good network because so much is integrated in the software making connections that much easier. I smile when I see the same names popping up there as I have on my Twitter and Google+ accounts. There are a small group of very happening ladies that are very switched on and we all seem to be inhabiting the same spaces. I think social networking is a bit like marmite but I love marmite. <br />
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Living on a small island I have found networking to be central to my daily life. I don't leave the island very often so being able to connect with like minded individuals is very engaging. It also spans the globe and I love that aspect of it as well. As my thinking for the new Scottish island mum develops I am reflecting on how I might embrace this further. People that live on the Scottish islands interest me as many move there with a range of intentions. Of course some are born there and never leave. Making a living on a small island sets up its own challenges and I am fascinated about how people make that work. My ambition for 2013 was to shift my working life online and I have managed that really well. I am also aware that being a mum on a Scottish island has its own separate challenges and I wonder if a network specifically for Scottish island mums would be welcome? It could be an excellent place to share, chat and maybe even start some joint projects.....can you feel me thinking? <br />
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I am about to start offering blogger workshops using Skype as a couple of readers want to start their own blog. It is a good idea because the tutorials out there are not that easy to follow. I see blogging as an important part of our world now as it gives all of us a platform to write about what we are passionate about. It gives substance to social networking and I love reading other people's blogs. I am particularly drawn to lifestyle blogs that reflect the personality of the writer. One of my favourites is <a href="http://www.thelondoner.me/">The Londoner</a>. It paints a completely different life from the one I live but that, I think, is the attraction. Beyond that I tend to follow blogs that have similar interests to mine and I am currently working on an editorial that will be profiling these during the month of January on <a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/">One soul many hearts.</a> <br />
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I have also spent some time gently working on my 365 seasonal gifts of kindness project. Mindful that Scottish island mum goes dark in January I want to share one gift for each day of that month on my Scottish island <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Island-Mum/155846527898420">facebook page.</a> That way the project can get underway while the blog is being migrated. I have designed some pintables for my random acts of kindness, the goodwill boxes and two other versions of kindness boxes. The first is the 'little box of sunshine' which is a small box full of yellow things that will be sent to people who need a bit of sunshine in their lives. The second is the 'little box of birthday' which is a small box filled with things to make people's birthdays extra special. Someone very special to me has a birthday in January so she will be the first recipient of this box. I am still working on my final box which is designed for people who are poorly. Ideally I would like to roll this scheme out across the island so that we could make a difference to people's lives when they are struggling. In order to do that I would need to attract some sponsorship from local businesses so I am going to start some gentle conversations and see where that takes me. Please don't forget that I am looking for unwanted Christmas presents. If you open a present and get that feeling that it is not for you then remember me because I can put it to very good use as part of our Goodwill boxes. Just message me for my address and then pop it in the post. You will then be part of this kindness project which seems to have a life of its own. <br />
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Someone asked me today about the brand that is Scottish island mum and that has prompted some new design work. I do not ever want Scottish island mum to become a corporate brand complete with logo and letterhead. I also don't want it to be a site that just reviews stuff because they leave me cold. I want Scottish island mum to continue to evolve in an organic way that maintains a strong dialogue with its readers and this aspiration is easier said than done. I am trying to combine that strategy with looking ahead a little in my mind's eye to see what Scottish island mum might become in the future. I can't help seeing a badge in front of my eyes and that takes me back to the point I made about networking with other mums who live on Scottish islands.....<br />
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So, in amongst the final preparations for Christmas day little thoughts continue to swill around and the hope is that by the end of January all will be revealed. Tis the plan anyway. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xx<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-32676171318485803362013-12-22T09:45:00.001-08:002013-12-22T09:45:19.619-08:00Day 356 - she likes to sit in the shower. xxSunday 22nd December<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7247-fTXW4RS8bZwkptxsuxigcZjnVQ427bPVVf45qNMv-6eijPOsGo0N8_eiMp7Ciy6t7uegFrqzY7rhnFmqbHukX8Wv2H9m-JTy5g2alKrT8V63i0Q8S89-J9CLLPDt1pwqeArUCV4/s1600/rewild+challenge+4+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7247-fTXW4RS8bZwkptxsuxigcZjnVQ427bPVVf45qNMv-6eijPOsGo0N8_eiMp7Ciy6t7uegFrqzY7rhnFmqbHukX8Wv2H9m-JTy5g2alKrT8V63i0Q8S89-J9CLLPDt1pwqeArUCV4/s320/rewild+challenge+4+068.JPG" width="240" /></a>At last I have created my inner sanctuary. I know I have the joy of a studio tucked away in a woodland glade and I should just be thankful for that but I have always had the inkling to create and inner sanctuary. All too often our bedroom becomes the overflow car park for all my making stuff and stock, well not anymore it doesn't. Today my bedroom fought back and after far too many hours and a little bit of gentle swearing I now have an inner sanctuary when I can disappear to on cold evenings. Outside the room is a rather large box full of things for the local charity shops and my slimed down bedroom is all puffed up. Pete will hate it because there is pink poking out of every corner but I am feeling like pink is my new purple. I am not normally very girly but I think I got a bit carried away. <br />
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The only books that survived the cull are those that offer uplifting reading in one form or another. My perfectly formed book shelves move between the wonderful work of Hannah Frank, through to Dakini Power and finally rest at Peter Rabbit. I would say that is a job worth done. My Edwardian writing desk that I bought in my 20s has been dusted down and placed in the bay window with a view down to the sea. A fresh journal for 2014 is sitting there with it's pencil waiting for January 1st to come around and I have one of Angie's cushions all ready to assist in some comfort as the writing begins. January is to be my month of writing so it was a timely intervention to create a space where I have a view to the sea. I am anticipating quite a lot of internal battles in my writing during that month and a quick gaze at the sea usually pulls me round. <br />
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In yet another slimming down of my personal possessions I can see much more clearly what is important to me. I have spent 2013 culling so much of myself in an attempt to strip life back to what is important. My recent work with international charities makes me stop and stare at my house and all the things in it and wonderful whether new homes, that are more deserving, need to be found. My capsule wardrobe experience that many of you will remember from earlier in the year works just fine especially when I am on the island. It is a bit more tricky when I enter the other world but I have managed somehow and will continue to do so. Apart from replacing a few worn out items I have not bought any clothes in 2013 and that feels pretty good. <br />
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I had also culled my books earlier in the year and have not regretted that either. I do need to do the same with my ibooks but that is for another day. Any jewellery that was precious has already been handed down to Molly so I am really starting to feel like a lean mean fighting machine. If Pete and I are to successfully downsize in the future we will be grateful for all this letting go of things. The trick now is not to start acquiring new things. <br />
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Max is doing much better and thank you very much for all the kind messages. He will be right side up for Christmas and now I have everything crossed that no one else gets it. Donna will be really touched when she hears how many people have messaged to wish her well. It is the dreaded gallstones I am afraid and we are just waiting on a decision on treatment. What a year she has had and it has reminded me about the importance of good health. <br />
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Pete and I will be starting our rewilding fitness programme on the 1st January which includes a plant based diet. I am already having withdrawal symptoms about some the foods that will be excluded. I do love a challenge so there will be no cheating from me but I will probably have to set up CCTV at Pete's work to monitor his progress. He reads my blog so that he knows what is going on in my head and will be smiling now......am I right Pete? <br />
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So, as the big day approaches calm is being restored in the house and I am hoping that is enough excitement for a while. Once Donna is treated and home all will be well in Scottish island mum land and we can get on with enjoying Christmas. I am not sure Christmas and my cat, Mimi, are the best combination and we are already having to change certain traditions as this will be her first Christmas with us. I am enjoying Mimi continuing to impress her personality on the world. Her latest preoccupation is truly wonderful. In fear that I might leave her alone on the bed to have a shower in the morning she has taken to leaping ahead of me only to be found sitting in the shower. No, I have not switched it on.....I felt you thinking that! Mimi has the kind of personality that tells the world that she is more important than anyone or anything. I secretly like that about her. But then there was a moment the other day when I suddenly started crying (someone had said something incredibly kind to me) and she stopped in her tracks and spun round to look at my face before leaping onto my lap and brush her cheeks against mine. That's my girl.<br />
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Until tomorrow. xx<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-34869303454690159622013-12-21T09:11:00.002-08:002013-12-21T09:11:36.374-08:00Day 355 - it hasn't gone as planned. xxSaturday 21st December<br />
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As winter solstice arrive so did the drama. I always like to spend the winter solstice quietly and peacefully but this year there were other vibes roaming around. They began late last night when Max was violently sick and that particular vibe lasted all night and into this afternoon. I have never seen him so poorly but he was really brave about it all and Pete and I ran about the house all night and sleep escaped us all. Late yesterday an even worse vibe reared its ugly wee head as my lovely Donna (who you all know) was admitted to hospital in a great deal of pain. Surgery looks likely but as I write this I am still waiting to hear. Mimi dutifully responded to the bad vibes and attempted to pee on the sofa and I felt that that rather summed up the day. <br />
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Pete, George and Harry had to go to work for most of the day to help get a property ready for Christmas guests and once Max was more stable I had to do the same. We are now home and wondering which way is up. I understand that the boat sailed late this afternoon for thee first time but the next week weather forecast suggests that there won't be many more boats. Who spun the bottle to make life suddenly so challenging? I am thinking that Mimi knows but she is not telling me. <br />
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Winter solstice is a time for reflection before welcoming the return of the light but I think I ran a day ahead and did all that yesterday. It is normally my favourite day of the year but I think we shall just erase this one from memory. That said the winter solstice is a festival of rebirth and I am definitely up for that. Many of my friends use today as a day for gathering. Gathering eternal greens from the hedgerows dresses a lovely table as they gather their friends and family around to celebrate. Once around the table the only light is a single candle in the middle as hands join and thoughts rest for a while. Then one by one candles are lit around the room and they welcome the light back into their lives. Not quite how our day has gone but that is life sometimes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyifiXf2BVwXnJJZrM_G-fgWAm4ztNt36WnsDdqxX_t_6AYBh96QkQCrdh-CcP4DHggoDON3yo9F7iaAIVKLRpb0M2uFw_eBmuo2fMoF1M7Ivj8Y_DH_dTF_xRuTObV9zVKwrbkKvlZc/s1600/buddhist+blessings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyifiXf2BVwXnJJZrM_G-fgWAm4ztNt36WnsDdqxX_t_6AYBh96QkQCrdh-CcP4DHggoDON3yo9F7iaAIVKLRpb0M2uFw_eBmuo2fMoF1M7Ivj8Y_DH_dTF_xRuTObV9zVKwrbkKvlZc/s1600/buddhist+blessings.jpg" /></a>I might be alone in feeling a little sad as the light begins to relight my darkness because I love the darkness and always have done. Winter is, by far, my favourite season and at this midwinter time I like to spend it as alone as possible. For me it is a time to enjoy the totality of the darkness and all that is offers us. It is a space to cocoon into wrapped in blankets and the silence is so comforting for me. I do my best thinking in the dark as my mind is less distracted by visual preoccupations and, thus, concentration is heightened. My soul walking experiences of recent days have all been done in total darkness and I feel that I have reached deep into my subconscious mind and discovered new things. <br />
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The world uses darkness to sleep in most cases but there are some of us that are at our most wakeful. My illness makes sleep a difficult occupation so I am often quite alone in the darkness and I have learned to use the time well. I have taught myself 'dream incubation' which is an ancient skill that requires a question to be asked just as you feel sleep turning the corner. With practice you should then begin to explore that question in a dream state. I sometimes write the question down and place it under my pillow. As soon as I wake I can remember pieces of the dream and I record these very quickly. Sometimes it takes a long time for the whole dream to be revealed. <br />
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The idea is that you view the dream as a play and record it accordingly. You must resist the temptation to analyse the dream by focusing on your own place in it. This will lead to your ego starting to corrupt the analysis. Instead, you focus on the play as a whole noting all the players, the plot and the ending. If the dream is seen as a play the analysis becomes much easier as messages speak through the play. Only after you have completed the analysis should you return to the original question in search of connections and possible answers. <br />
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Dream incubation is an ancient practice but it is essentially meditation in sleep and if you develop good skills in wakeful meditation you will be able to incubate dreams. It is my belief that these two practices lead to a more grounded individual who is able to reflect rather than react and thus use their informed instincts much more readily. Perhaps it is a little clearer why I like the darkness. <br />
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I am aware that there are a lot of you who do not like the darkness and therefore the winter solstice is a time for hope. Hope is like your Christmas paper chain. Each link offers more hope and so on so I am happy to emerge from the darkness and add my hope to the chain. I have a few specifics if they could be tolerated. I hope for a world where people think more and react less. I also hope for a world that reaches out rather than looks inwards. Finally, I hope that the human race begin to remember what life is really about and lets go of unnecessary preoccupations that starve our souls. <br />
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I don't hope for much then!!<br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-45387936415195586782013-12-20T07:56:00.001-08:002013-12-20T07:56:26.645-08:00Day 354 - time to spread the feeling. xxFriday 20th December<br />
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The day before the shortest day of the year and someone has switched winter on. If you have three pairs of socks on and fingerless gloves but you can still see your breath is it time to put the heating on? We live in a rather large farmhouse which is very old and so takes quite a bit of heating. I hate putting the heating on because you can almost see your money going up in smoke. I prefer to manage with small heaters in the bedrooms and our open fire. But, I have to admit I am cold today as the now icy winds continue to blast the island. A little sneak at the forecast tells me we might just get some snow at lower levels this side of Christmas. We lost our gentle little rabbit this morning so we are all a little sad. She was over 7 years old and had the best of lives but it was her time today. <br />
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Today has been a day that I didn't expect so soon and I am left with that lovely feeling you get when a plan comes together. Let me tell you all that the quietly closing of doors and gentle fire fighting was worth it because 2014 is taking shape so clearly that I fear I might be missing something. January is my month for planning but suddenly everything fell into place all at once. My experience of blogging every day for a year tells me that this is just the framework and I understand that but it is at the points of connections that I see the strength in the framework that should see me into 2014 and beyond. <br />
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The first thing to fall into place was the designs for next years products. Suddenly we have 'with love from arran,' whimsical willow' and 'buds & blooms' to design for but it was important that they flowed from the same space. Three large design sheets later and they have not only managed to achieve that but they also point towards a creative direction that has been brewing for some time. If you want to see the ideas that have influenced my creative thinking check out the following Pinterest boards - <br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/fionad/dreams-with-lace/">Dreams with lace</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/fionad/whimsical-willow/">Whimsical Willow</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/fionad/buds-blooms/">Buds and Blooms</a><br />
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Taking the theme of lace and dreams I have managed to produce three design sheets that work across all three parts of the business while holding on to the key design concepts. This process normally takes weeks but I have been mulling things over in my mind and then it all came in a rush. Excellent. This now puts me ahead for the year giving me longer to source supplies. <br />
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The gentle nod of a new direction is also evident across my design sheets. I have been tinkering with the concept of upcycling for a while and I want to start reflecting that more in my creative work. I am also extending that interest to coincide with a new community shop that is opening in the village next Easter. This shop will produce upcycled items for sale and the profits will benefit the village. With these two areas aligned I can offer some items within my collection for sale online while also do some voluntary upcycling for the village. My own collection will be primarily available on etsy as I plan to re-open my shop by the spring. I am even in discussion with someone who would like to include Buds and Blooms in their base on the island. You will see a plan beginning to come together. <br />
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That should be enough to get excited about for one day but it goes on. I have also been mulling over the next phase of <a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/">One soul many hearts</a> site now its trial months are coming to an end. Beyond that I have the fairly mammoth tasks of planning the new Scottish island mum. The latter has threatened to engulf my very being as it swills around in my aging brain. Let me tell you that my stumbled across 'soul walking' techniques have offered me a sense of clarity that I am incredibly grateful for. I have always been very clear about the difference between the two sites. <a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/">One soul many hearts</a> is essentially a sharing platform and Scottish island mum is a personal blog. That works fine until you add into the mix a desire to convert Scottish island mum into a lifestyle blog. The danger is that the two sites begin to become confused. Well not anymore they don't as some more pieces of large paper and a very large mug of tea saw the two sites take their new forms.....how exciting!<br />
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We have now hit a bit of a snag though as if they are both to become what is outlined on those pieces of paper there is much work to be done. By now you will have figured out that with the design work for my collections already done I have freed up far more time to work on my virtual projects. A little ahead of where I thought I would be I am now actively looking for a series of sub editors who can take on one of the pages when the revised site emerges from its Christmas festivities. These editors will help to drive the site forward and in return their own projects/work will have increased readership. I am hoping to do a little post on the home page of <a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/">One soul many hearts</a> to let everyone know what these roles entail and also what pages have come through the trial well and will feature in the revised site. Meantime if you are interested in taking on some editing work do get in touch. I would be thrilled if at least one of the sub editors was a young person. <br />
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The simpler of the two sites was always going to be <a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/">One soul many hearts</a>. Scottish island mum is another story completely. I won't deny that the last week has been a challenge and some of the e-mails have made me stop in my tracks a little but all that was swept away when one reader took the time to do me a very long but incredibly useful critique of the site as it stands now. This reader stumbled upon Scottish island mum early in the year and has read it every day since. As the writer I feel that this type of person is best placed to comment. And so a dialogue has been established and after many emails back and forth I now have a clear structure for the new site. More than that though I have a clear sense of the potential of Scottish island mum. Within that I now know which topics make the best reading as blog material and which topics would be better placed in ebooks and/or courses. This particular reader is not alone in telling me that I should be aiming to make an income from some of what I do as readers have been telling me that for most of the year. In areas such as education, meditating, growing/floristry and crafting I have a great deal of experience and in some cases this experience should now be working for me. Today I finally got the message and have planned out the areas I hope to offer as ebooks and courses starting when the new site is ready. My reluctance in this area has been focused on the authentic nature of Scottish island mum. I set the project up to write every day for a year so I could see where that took me. If a small income can now be added into the mix then this will allow me to do more of what I do. <br />
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I owe all this to many of you who have taken so much of your precious time to give me feedback through the year and although this reader doesn't want to be named I will be grateful to her forever and a day. I am incredibly excited about the new Scottish island mum as I can not find anything out there quite like it. I believe that it will offer a more intimate space to ponder, learn and muse and I think that is exciting for all that belong to Scottish island mum. <br />
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I also needed to take another hint that my experience and expertise in education is something that needs to be shared more widely. Recent connections with the Scottish government and UNICEF have served to remind me of that and this is the final piece of my lovely plan coming together except I can't say anymore than that because discussions are still ongoing. It is Christmas and so work environments have slowed up but discussions will resume in January and I hope that I can agree to a role that I feel offers something both to education in Scotland (and the UK) but is also of use within the context of international charity. There is so much that needs doing that I had got a little lost in it all but the picture is clearing now and I have accepted that there will always be so much to do in the field of education. I haven't forgotten my pledge to write an ebook focusing on quality education experiences that we can all engage in with our children. Many of you have emailed asking me for further details. All I can say is it is right in the front of my mind and will be the first ebook published from my site. <br />
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Now what I need to do is pick this feeling of a plan coming together and gently blow it in the direction of a couple of dear friends who need this feeling right now. If we take it back to my doors closing quietly description I would hope that that would mean other doors can now open. My absolute favourite thing in the natural world is the dandelion seed head. Let us just imagine that each tiny seed is a plan coming together through open doors and let us all blow as lightly as possible and let the wind do the rest.....<br />
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Until tomorrow. xx<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-47818183799244800302013-12-19T08:33:00.000-08:002013-12-19T08:33:06.939-08:00Day 353 - the dangers of making assumptions. xxThursday 19th December<br />
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After a pretty wild storm, today has been calmer although we know there is more to come. I think we are OK, although I haven't been over the far fields to check for fallen trees. This is a job for the boys I think. <br />
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The Doubleday family is currently dealing with a poorly elderly rabbit so that is a little challenging. Harry and George are still not recovered from their illness and we suddenly have a lot to do. It is such a busy time of the year but I always have a day when I have a bit of a reaction to the whole Christmas experience. This hasn't been as bad as in previous years and for two reasons. Firstly we scaled our Christmas back this year and tried to simplified things and that feels much better. We are not a Christian family so this is not a religious holiday for us but it is a time for family. Secondly, I listened to an <a href="http://imagineself.com/2013/12/waverly-fitzgerald-inner-view/">interview</a> that Waverly Fitzgerald did recently about how she sees Christmas. In the interview she talks about the winter solstice and the turning of the year with the shortest day and the bringing of light. She also takes about her family traditions at Christmas which includes presents that are made, not bought. As is often the case I find myself on a similar path to Waverly be her path in Seattle and mine on Arran. I have made many of my Christmas presents this year and the striped back celebration feels right. <br />
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The boys and I made our paper chain decorations this morning as we start to decorate above the table. This little corner of our house has a view down to the sea and we always make a special effort with the space as Christmas day approaches. I like the table to be decorated with natural decorations gathered from the smallholding and the hedgerows and this year I am making a dried rose hip centre piece which will be woven into some willow shapes to form a garland. The odd grand prix red rose will just finish it off nicely. I have the table decorated by Christmas eve and it stays like this through the holiday. Afterwards the whole thing can go on the compost heap. <br />
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I have been doing a little bit of fire fighting over the last few days dealing with inevitable fall out from withdrawing from so many projects all at once. Mostly people have understood completely and I am grateful for this blog as it has allowed me the time and space to provide essential contextual information. The fire fighting has mainly focused on people making assumptions about me without really giving due care or reflection. I am guilty of that from time to time so I know how easily it is done. It is fair to say that when you blog every day for a year your readers get to know quite a bit about you. I have tried to stay authentic to the project and ensured that I talk about the most important things that have occurred and I think I have succeeded. The issue is one of omission though. Clearly I don't talk about everything that happens and I only share the tip of the iceberg in terms of what goes through my mind. Our minds are an ever evolving place and if you stop to think how many thoughts you have a day it is quite staggering. <br />
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I think the fire fighting is due to the inevitable omissions because these have led to people making ill informed assumptions about me. There are essentially two issues. The first is that I might lack commitment to things. I can hear those of you that know me well shouting at the screen right about now! It is a difficult concept to measure because it means different things to different people. In my view I do not lack commitment and never have done. I believe that I offer all the commitment a project needs but that I also know when it is time to walk away. I think that is what my Buddhist teacher was trying to leave me with. He wanted me to understand that I should be using that instinct more often so that I can leave projects at the right time and make space for new things. Just at this time it feels right to follow his teachings but I will review as I go. It is impossible to know how long I can stay involved in a project because it depends on too many factors but I do think I can read the evolving situation and thus leave at just the right time. I am now aware that not everyone understands that but then we are back to people not necessarily knowing me as well as they think. It is an engaging debate and one that I am sure has touched many of us through our lives. <br />
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The second issue relates to an assumption that withdrawing from things means that there is something wrong - I am in a bad place. Nothing could be further from the truth. When I feel it is time to leave a project behind that usually comes from a very good place. A place that tells me that I am no longer needed and it is time for others to have more space. When I left my university career behind me after over 10 years I did it at a time when the boss's job was on offer. I had been asked to apply with lots of assurances that I would get the job. I did go through a feeling that I didn't think I wanted the job because of the inevitable impact on my family. But my reasons for leaving were far more complex than that. They involved a deep knowing that I had already given what I had to give and that this was a time for others, not me. My time was over. I think that is a really important part of the debate. Walking away is not an easy route and it certainly needs a great deal of careful thought. But, in my case, it always comes from a position of strength in the belief that my job is done. <br />
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Despite my little flickers of fire fighting the overwhelming messages have focused on what we all can take from this process. Many of you have told me your stories and the word 'overload' sings out from each and every one of them. Striping life back a little seems to be a common aspiration. I am obviously striping back to make more room for other things but I totally understand those of you who just want to connect with the essence of 'less is more.' I do, of course, wish you all well with your journeys and see the new year as an ideal time to reflect. <a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/">One soul many hearts</a> will be busy in January as Scottish island mum goes dark. With a theme of 'renewal' I hope to share lots of helpful activities and exercises that are useful when one enters a period of contemplation. <br />
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So, as I enter the final few days of this blog I feel completely at peace with the project and humbled by the continued support. Many of you have asked me about my plans for writing in the future and although they are not fully inked in I am happy to share some thoughts. I am currently working on a writing project loosely called '365 seasonal gifts of kindness.' The premise is that we have a growing culture of kindness reaching right round the globe but much of that is driven by a notion of random. My project hopes to make a response to that by offering up ideas for every day of the year where gifts of kindness can be generated by remaining connected and focused on the changing seasons. These gifts may be towards others, yourself or the planet we call home. My aim, I think, is to incorporate that into the new Scottish island mum site in outline form during 2014 before publishing a book with more detail and contextual information after that. <br />
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I am also working on the main site for Scottish island mum and beginning to pull together the sections. 2014 absolutely has to be the year when I pull together my experience in education in a way that might be useful for others. I can't say anymore about that at the moment as I am in discussions that are only at a very early stage. <br />
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I have a passion for storytelling and an inkling to return to the traditional 'Once upon a time' notion and so have a number of short stories that appear to be unfolding without very much encouragement from me. This is something that might just pop up on Scottish island mum as a new addition. My ultimate storytelling is in the shape of a contemporary novel but I don't see that developing any further in 2014 but it is a watching brief. When the children are all through home school there will be time I need to write a novel and see where that takes me. <br />
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So, my writing continues to have a place in my life but it follows my role as a mother and my work with international charities. Now that I have let so many projects go I have a lot more time to take on longer assignments where the written word becomes the place where stories of enormous need are translated around the world. Standing beside mothers in desperate need of help for basic survival is the ultimate in storytelling and I feel honoured to be able to help. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xx<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-32159348692670703932013-12-18T10:02:00.002-08:002013-12-18T10:02:50.154-08:00Day 352 - my clock turns to 49. xx
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wednesday 18th December<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As my own wee clock turns to 49 today I am completely overwhelmed
by kind messages and now find myself in the position of having to use this blog
to say thank you for fear that I will miss someone out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seem to have acquired an enormous amount of
new friends during 2013 and everyone has been so kind to message me on my
birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I confess that I am not very
good at receiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am much more
comfortable giving and I get very emotional receiving kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought and care that my children have
taken with my day is simply beyond words and it will take some time to sit with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess they are getting to an age
when they want to say their own messages and I just wasn't ready for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When four hearts turn and beat as one towards
you it is completely overwhelming but I will treasure that feeling the rest of
my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As the wind continues to batter our small island I am having a
quiet day again so my family brought my birthday to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also had some time to respond to the
many messages about my post yesterday about closing doors quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2013 has seen me involved in so many projects
and I always try to commit totally to everything I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If I am honest l</span>etting so much go all at once was tough <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I instinctively knew it
to be necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier this yea,r I
took a four week sabbatical to restore my health and I learnt so much from that
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded me about what is
important in life and it also reminded me that things can work perfectly fine
without any contribution from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More
than that though, as I think somethings work better once I have closed the door
quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My lovely Tibetan teacher died this year but before he did he
told me something very important in his last few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that I had reached a stage in my life
when I needed to start understanding my place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He believed that my place is to set good things in motion but once they
are running smoothly it is time for me to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this leaving I create new space to set up
new things that need some attention. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
found this incredibly difficult to hear because I have not been good at walking
away from anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I make a
commitment I tend to stay put.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time
he convinced me that that is not my calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He believed my place in this world is about seeing what needs to be done
and then putting things in motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
then for others to drive while I roll onto the next thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter which way you look at this it
presents challenges and I have taken almost four months to digest it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had sensibly asked if this rolling forward
meant closing the door on everything and everyone and his answer was
interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said ' if I am to answer
as a man I would say no but you need to keep your inner circle very small so
you can give them what they might need.'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This seemed fair enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
he then said 'if I am to answer as a buddhist monk I would say yes because I
can see a place for you deep within the buddhist community where your reach
could be much greater.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can imagine my reaction to that but I did understand the
different positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I apply his
logic to Scottish island mum I can see how the reach can be extended while
still retaining a small but very important inner circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dharma over the last two years has led me
to a place where helping others is the most important thing I do and I will
always be grateful for those teachings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But my life time involvement in education has given me something worth
sharing and there comes my connection with my international charity work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Four months on and as my children brought my birthday to me in
such a thoughtful and kind way I can finally make complete sense of his
teachings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell you, quite
honestly, that I even felt my teacher by my side as all the pieces of the
puzzle made sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My role as a mother
is my world and from that I can take the strength necessary to help
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may seem obvious to you but
when you are wrapped up in so many projects those tangled strands serve to
confuse the message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I hope that
people I have had to leave will understand that it is time for Scottish island
mum to move forward and test my destiny as my buddhist teacher saw it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing me as you do it has occurred to me
that he might be wrong so I am keeping a very close eye as I make some very
radical changes to my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know from many of your messages that many of you believe in
paths that cross but my dharma has convinced me of a different route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My route is not about those momentary crosses
but it is, I believe, about walking as lightly and quietly as possible in a
straight line peppered with moments when I walk beside someone for a short
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call it soul walking with
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you just know that beside my
water bottle in my rucksack are my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Until tomorrow. Xx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-78706244415713226552013-12-17T08:02:00.001-08:002013-12-17T08:02:51.654-08:00Day 351 - closing the door quietly. xxTuesday 17th December<br />
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This has been brewing for a while and it has finally moved from my subconscious into my conscious. I always know because Pete always knows and when he leaves for work he kisses me on the forehead. It is as if he knows that I am temporarily swept away by my thoughts. All my years of meditating mean that I sometimes have a very long and lingering walk in my subconscious but it doesn't always reach a state of consciousness. Today it did. <br />
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2013 has been a year filled with sadness and joy as they competed for position and I have an enormous amount to be thankful for. In 2014 I enter the year in which I will, hopefully, turn 50 and this has always been a big deal for me. I don't mean that I am caught up in the preoccupation about being 50 and officially middle aged as I am not motivated like that. I mean that I always planned for it to be a special year and a year in which I will reflect on how I reach 50. What has been my journey and what have I learned from it? Where might my journey take me next? These are life sized questions that I find myself already pondering. <br />
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For a while now I have known how complex my life has become and how full it is but my wanderings in my subconscious revealed that these are not good things. I have filled my life up with too many different strands that they have all become rather knotted. 2014 is, I feel, the year to untangle them but, as is my way, I have already started. The planning is well underway to radically reduce the number of strands by letting lots of things go. This is not an easy or comfortable concept but I think Pete knows that instinctively and the kiss on the forehead is to let me know that he understands. <br />
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Those that have known me for a long time will know that I am about to shed another skin. This shedding will be about simplifying how and why I live. I did an interesting exercise today when you write down 'what is my purpose in life?' You then start writing one word answers listing all the purposes you can think of. You keep going until you write something that draws up an intense emotional reaction. That might come early in your list but it might not and you keep going until it happens. My experience was interesting because I wrote 'parent' first with no reaction and then wrote a whole series of other purposes until I wrote the word 'mother' and then the world stopped. <br />
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This exercise helped to clarify what my subconscious wanderings had already revealed. I am finding myself stretched in too many different ways and this needs to be remedied. I am therefore going to use 2014 and my 50th watershed moment to do just that. I am letting as much go as I can while keeping my role as a mother wrapped around me as tightly as possible. I am using the concept of mother as I understand and own it as a guide and that includes my role in the lives of my four children, my relationship with Mother Earth and my passion for Scottish island mum. Beyond that I am gently untying lots of strands so that my year might be as productive as possible. <br />
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The overwhelming one is my passion for Scottish island mum as it has led me to work with some wonderful charities that are supporting mothers and their children who find themselves in desperate situations. I remain as committed as ever to this concept of mother. My role as a mother of my four children runs through the middle of me like a stick of rock and my relationship with Mother Earth has been secured on Hazelbank. I consider myself to be very fortunate indeed and my purpose in life is to be a mother. <br />
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So, those of you that follow Scottish island mum and all her various projects will see some major changes as these strands are untied and things are let go. It is never easy but I feel it is the perfect time in order to get back to my spiritual roots. I have already begun to leave quite a few projects and groups as quietly as possible and closing the door without a sound. There is still much to be done though and I live with the hope that people will understand and let me go. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-48002148734222637772013-12-16T07:42:00.001-08:002013-12-16T07:42:20.146-08:00Day 350 - my golden rules. xxMonday 16th December <br />
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We are very much feeling that this is the calm before the storm as it has been a beautiful day on the island. It seemed like we were all out and about making the most of the weather and also getting jobs done in our preparations for Christmas. The rest of the week looks very bleak indeed so I am thinking we are a wise bunch on the island. I have stopped all mail order now and I see that a number of other people have as well. I can't guarantee things will get off the island on time and I do hate to let customers down. We have a good run up to Christmas this year and I am delighted with sales. I still have a few bits left in one of the shops on the island but that is it for this year. I am working up my product range for 2014 and have started my<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/fionad/new-for-2014/"> Pinterest Board.</a> It is always such an exciting time of year when I have a whole new year ahead of me. I am going to re-open my etsy shop next year selling our willow products, herbal gifts and wedding favours. 2013 was just too busy to get it open but I am already ahead for 2014 so I am more hopeful. <br />
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My pre-Christmas tasks are well underway with all my postal gifts and cards sent and a couple of Christmas elf tasks completed as well. I have had a flurry of emails asking me about my elf tasks and I would recommend this idea to everyone. It is easy. Think of someone who has had a difficult time lately or someone that just needs a lift and make or buy a simple Christmas gift and leave it somewhere for them to find. Next year I am branding this process with luggage labels with green elves printed on them but I thought of that touch too late this year. I think it is a lovely thing to do because Christmas is not always a happy time for everyone. For some it is a very difficult time so anything we can do to lift them will, I am sure, be greatly appreciated. <br />
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Along with these emails have been another little flurry about my <a href="http://scottishislandmum.blogspot.co.uk/p/37-gifts-of-kindness.html">37 gifts of kindness</a> asking if I might extend this work. I had actually already started to extend this work and am in the process of collating gifts of kindness with the hope that I will get 365. I would like to publish a book containing one gift of kindness for every day of the year. It is not the intention that we all do something every day because I doubt that would be possible. The emphasis is on creating seasonal gifts of kindness so that if you feel motivated to do something you can turn to the current day for inspiration. If any of you have any ideas do send them through and I will try and include them. There is a culture of random acts of kindness that I think is spreading around the world. There are daily examples popping up on Facebook and Twitter. Some demand quite a bit of effort while others require only the slightest effort. It is, however, all in the thinking. I am back to my Atticus Finch reference from 'To Kill a Mocking bird'. It is really important to try and see the world how others see it before deciding whether a gift of kindness is appropriate. I know a number of people who assume too much far too quickly and then their gift of kindness falls flat. The preface of the book will offer a small grappling with the concept of kindness in the hope that we all might reflect a little before we act. I have got it wrong in the past and have regretted that. I might have had the best intentions but my lack of reflection made the choice of gift inappropriate. There is also a timing issues. I watch people very closely as it helps me choose the best time to offer my gift. They have to be ready to receive and that is not straightforward. If we rush in with our gift we may cause unintentional upset. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-_o-VS61H4LkONX7EAvaWKPUSNBWdDgttB5MMA6JUy7pLID33QQQ6AevQP87WBeos019y-ONqjZOn16JuLio-Zpq4chRLGdc5NZjpB5_iZ8am_9vu59bzvHmANqvS-OSTB2U4ErlFXQ/s1600/empathy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-_o-VS61H4LkONX7EAvaWKPUSNBWdDgttB5MMA6JUy7pLID33QQQ6AevQP87WBeos019y-ONqjZOn16JuLio-Zpq4chRLGdc5NZjpB5_iZ8am_9vu59bzvHmANqvS-OSTB2U4ErlFXQ/s320/empathy.jpg" width="320" /></a>Whether you want to become a green elf at Christmas, send a goodwill box or just offer a random gift of kindness it does require sensitivity of the highest order. It is very easy to offend. Those of us that have watched the Railway Children and the scene with Mr Perks will know exactly what I am talking about. So, although I am all for a growing culture of kindness in the world it does, I feel, come with some cautionary notes. <br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><strong>Never ever assume you know what others are thinking or what is best for them. Always spend some thoughtful reflection on HOW to help and WHEN</strong></span>. These are my golden rules and I would be lost without them. <br />
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I have one more green elf task to perform and it is for someone who, I believe, has shown bravery at a very testing time and, thus, set the rest of us a fabulous example. I just need to give this one a bit more thought before putting something together and then I can hang up my elf shoes for another year. It was my turn to receive thoughtful gifts today as some of the charities I work for sent me little thank you gifts. They were not necessary but I am, of course, very grateful. I know a lot of you have joined me this year on my eternal charity projects for which I am incredibly grateful. <br />
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It has been quite a year. Blessings to you all.<br />
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Until tomorrow. xx<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-12986321701777743272013-12-15T06:53:00.002-08:002013-12-15T06:53:51.625-08:00Day 349 - time for new dreams. xxSunday 15th December<br />
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I understand that a ferry has just left full of very worried looking passengers! The videos doing the rounds of the one last night trying to get into Ardrossan was shocking. Tilting doesn't come close to describing it and I am very pleased that I wasn't on it. The weather has been truly shocking and is now how most people imagine Arran to be. It is also proving to be relentless with storms due every day this coming week. When they give a storm a name you know you are in trouble and next week we can look forward to 'Emily' arriving bringing with her winds of 100 miles an hour. This Scottish island mum is not very big and I have been blown over a number of times on this island so I will not be venturing out when Emily arrives. <br />
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The stormy weather is in contrast with our family life at the moment as we all take a little time out. The chatting is underway as we catch up with Molly and her life at university and the mince pies are often found in the oven waiting for their next offering of Christmas joy. My energy seems to have rather deserted me at the moment but that always happens when I take a break. <br />
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I am so pleased with the feedback from my post yesterday on goodwill boxes. They really are the easiest thing to do but they have an enormous impact. Sometimes we all need to know that people care and that they have taken time to do something to lift our spirits. I couple of emails made me giggle when they asked if I ever needed a goodwill box. I am as vulnerable as the next person but I am also very positive and it takes a lot for me to get down. The only time I struggled for any length of time was after my father died. The year that followed was really tough and I was unprepared for the depth of the unhappiness. That said, it is part of life and I just got on with it in the certain knowledge that it would get easier and it did. <br />
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When times are rough in life it is so important to go with the flow of that time and give yourself space to absorb and think things through. We seem to spend our whole lives rushing and I can never figure out why. The changes I have made in the last few years have taught me how to slow down and live in the moment. I used to spend my whole life thinking of the future but now I let the future take care of itself. Life is designed as a journey and like all good journeys you want it to be both stimulating and comfortable. That is what I aim for in life. I like to create stimulating opportunities that will truly engage me but I also like to be comfortable and that seems more important as I get older. <br />
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I am working on a resource pack for the concept of 'renewal' at the moment that followers of <a href="http://onesoulmanyhearts.blogspot.co.uk/">One soul many hearts </a>can access in January. January is one of my favourite months as it is the quietest on the smallholding and this gives me time to renew myself. In 2014 Pete and I will both turn 50 and it seems appropriate to take some time out to reflect on where we have come from to reach this point. I am planning to take the year to create a hard copy journal of our year that reflects both 2014 and significant milestones along the way. Our beloved Molly is due to graduate in September and in June we will have paid off all that we owe and be completely debt free. This, I think, will be very liberating because we will be beholding to know one except our children, of course. <br />
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Although we are not really into planning both Pete and I are mindful to spend some time travelling and we may not have the luxury of time due to my illness. We are not upset about that because we will do what we can and not worry about what we can't do. Pete and I are both keen to give back to society as much as we can and I think this aspiration will open some very interesting doors for us. In time, we are also keen to downsize to the smallest space possible and to live as simple a life as possible. So, 2014 will be a year to start making new dreams and allowing them to sit for a while. I think it will be a watershed year and I am so looking forward to it. <br />
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But right now I just want to remember what a lovely family I have and hold them all very tight indeed.<br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-56015358733467784752013-12-14T09:08:00.002-08:002013-12-14T09:08:14.310-08:00Day 348 - Extending the boundaries. xxSaturday 14th December<br />
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Dear me what a day! We have been completely battered by very strong winds all day and the new week doesn't look much better. I hear a whisper that the boat is about to try and cross shortly but that will be the first of the day. You really know you are living on an island on days like today. Nothing was getting on and nobody was getting off. I am hoping that this gave islanders an extra reason to shop locally but I fear many will have stayed indoors today. <br />
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After a gentle morning of boxing up pressies to go in the post we ventured out to the village to make our purchases in the village shops and assess the full scale of the weather. It is a southerly storm so we are hoping that the smallholding will cope better than last week. It is lovely to have the whole family under the same roof and it was obviously a good decision for Molly to come a little earlier than originally planned. This is such a lovely time when I am officially on holiday and can focus on the family. Of course, I never really stop but I have scaled right back to recharge. <br />
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This afternoon we went to Corrie which is a beautiful village towards the north end of the island as it was their turn to have a Christmas market. It is a lovely wee hall and it was beautifully decorated. I am sure we are all well and truly in festive mode now. We bought some lovely handmade cards and a couple of small presents for our next postal box. On our way back we called in at the island's chocolate shop and completed our shopping for things we need to post out. Whether we will get them off the island is another story. <br />
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I am a huge fan of shopping locally and this is even more important on an island. The shops on the island all look so lovely for Christmas and I do hope they are getting the trade they deserve. I would be in favour of an Arran currency in order to trap as much money on the island as possible. If a city the size of Bristol can do it I am sure we could. I am delighted to see that a new venture will be opening at Easter in the form of a community shop which is to focus on upcycling. I have dabbled with this concept this year but I really hope that I can help this new shop become established. If you want ideas for upcycling I have a super little <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/fionad/upcycling-ideas/">Pinterest board</a>. <br />
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In 2014 I want to push the boundaries of the way we live even further by increasing the amount of bartering we do. We already barter with a few islanders but I am sure this economy could be pushed much further. I am also going to extend something that I have just recently started but it came from my beloved Grandmother, Ella. Ella and her husband owned a shop for many years and I think this is were her 'goodwill' boxes idea began. When you work in a shop you get to hear of individuals or families that are facing difficult times. Ella kept a beautifully decorated shoe box that I discovered one day. On asking her about it she said that she fills it with bits and pieces that she either made or bought as she saw them. That way she can fill a goodwill box as soon as she hears of someone who would benefit from it. It was her way of helping others and I loved it. I loved it even more when she said that she sent Grandpa out to deliver it by just leaving it on the doorstep with a wee note saying from someone who cares. How beautiful is that? <br />
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In the last few weeks I have pulled together a modified version of her goodwill boxes and, with help from others, we have made a difference. I want to get closer to Ella's idea though so I have decorated a shoe box and already started to put a few bits and pieces in there. I am going to operate goodwill boxes from both word of mouth and also online. Using Scottish island mum and One soul many hearts I hope to get little tip offs of people who might need a goodwill box and then post them out from the island. To ensure I have a running start at this I am going to put a request out for unwanted Christmas gifts early in the new year. I hate the idea of unwanted presents but I hate the idea of unused presents even more. So, if you do get given anything you don't want and it isn't too much bother to post let me know and I can give you my address. If you know of anyone who would welcome a goodwill box let me know their details and we shall see what we can do. <br />
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It is quite sad when I go to my inbox at the moment as so many people are emailing me to let me know how much they will miss Scottish island mum. That is incredibly humbling and I am sure that kind of feedback will stay with me forever. If it helps I will be sad as well when the 31st December rocks up. I am committed to continuing Scottish island mum is a new form and I hope to launch a new site as early into 2014 as possible. Meantime I will be updating followers on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Island-Mum/155846527898420">facebook page</a> so if you haven't hit the like button on that page yet now might be the time to do just that.<br />
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Scottish island mum could never have imagined that so many opportunities would open up from a simple daily blog. I am hoping to find time to write my own ebook which will contain the highlights from 2013. Call it a souvenir..... let me know if you think it is a good idea. Thanks so much.<br />
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Until tomorrow. xx<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-76768966376554692013-12-13T09:01:00.001-08:002013-12-13T09:01:35.427-08:00Day 347 - Some really good things. xxFriday 13th December<br />
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Phew! Scottish island mum has been a very busy little elf today and I think I might have missed a dressing up opportunity so I am a little cross about that. <br />
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Today is the day the nation was asked to wear Christmas jumpers and/or decorate a jumper before pledging £1.00 to the <a href="http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day?sourcecode=W13002106&utm_campaign=ChristmasJumperDay&utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=ppccjd1">Save the Children campaign</a>. I have been promoting it for the last few weeks on my social networking site but today was all about face to face persuasion. So off I dashed around the island with my tinsel jumper on in the full knowledge that I would get some strange looks. I would, of course, use these strange looks as conversation starters in order to tell the stories. This I did and I am delighted to say that in every case people donated. I also want to pay tribute to my 18 year old son who wore his decorated jumper with pride. Good for you Harry. xx<br />
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The stories are grim as children are now literally freezing to death in Syria as winter takes hold and I can't contemplate celebrating Christmas while this is going on. This campaign allows <a href="http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day?sourcecode=W13002106&utm_campaign=ChristmasJumperDay&utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=ppccjd1">Save the Children</a> to provide winter packs which includes warm boots, beanie hats, jumpers and blankets. So this was one determined Scottish island mum today. The latest is that they have raised over £140,000 and that is truly fabulous. Can I just say thank you to all the people that I pestered today because you were all so kind. <br />
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Recent blog posts have focused on education and, more specifically, the poor state of our education system. So I am delighted to be asked to review a learning programme that I believe is an excellent example of what constitutes good education. The Scottish Government's <a href="http://www.playtalkread.org/">Playtalkread</a> online scheme plays fun at the centre of the programme. The programme is aimed at parents who want to encourage their young children to learn key skills in speaking and reading while engaged in a playful environment. I have a lot to say about early education and the pressure we put on the very young child to learn but I would exclude this programme for these comments. By putting play at the centre it makes the whole thing more enjoyable for both the child and parent. The current Christmas theme allows parents to occupy their children with some fun and engaging activities over the festive period and the links to sites such as Pinterest makes the whole scheme accessible. The advice for parents is useful without being patronising and that is to be welcomed. <br />
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I spend a lot of time with parents of young children who are concerned about when learning should get underway. Children learn all the time but I always try and persuade parents to resist too much formal learning before their children start school. You all know that I don't believe children should start school until 7 years but I remain a small voice in this debate. <a href="http://www.playtalkread.org/"> Playtalkread</a> is a scheme that I would recommend for parents of preschool and early years children because the emphasis is spot on. There are now so many online learning sites that it can be difficult to know which ones are offering the right sort of learning experiences. The fact that this one is sponsored by the Scottish Government gives me a glimmer of hope. Sometimes it is simply about being creative and this scheme has grasped the importance of that. I am, therefore, delighted to say that Scottish island mum recommends the scheme and I do hope that those of you with young children will give it a go and share the link with your friends who also have young children.<br />
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In the middle of today Scottish island mum joined together with some other mums to help make Christmas a little easier for a lovely young family that are having a testing time. Once again I find myself being humbled by the support shown by this little band of mums with very big hearts. I have other little elf things planned for a few more people and I will try to remember to dress up next time. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-10954063252810964042013-12-12T07:42:00.002-08:002013-12-12T07:42:26.121-08:00Day 346 - Am I about to be very unpopular? xxThursday 12th December<br />
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It is to be a good end to this day as I rush to blog before collecting Molly from the ferry. She is on the ferry having made all her connections and our lovely family will soon be reunited. George is doing a little better but I fear he has a tough road back to full health so we are keeping a very close eye on him.<br />
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Last night and over night my inbox lit up like a Christmas tree with lots of messages about my emerging concept 'soul walking.' The thing about writing a responsive blog, that is essentially a dialogue with your readers, is that you do some of your thinking in the public domain. Much of that thinking is influenced by feedback and this growing concept of soul walking is an excellent example. <br />
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It is fair to say that my journey in recent years has been well researched and reflected upon and this has brought me to the point I am at now. Many of you have asked for me to elaborate on that journey but I fear that may be the subject of an entirely new blog. It has been a journey that has shone lights on so many parts of my life that it would take a long time to put into words that would be readable. Some of you went a stage further and asked if I offered courses in 'soul walking,' The answer to that is clearly no as I have only just arrived at this point in the last few days. That said the journey has been one of the most engaging experiences of my life and it would translate well into a course. I can honestly say that I am the happiest I have ever been in life and that is due to my own soul walking journey. <br />
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As always I am eternally grateful for all your feedback and will do my best to reflect further and use the natural momentum that has been established. <br />
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Earlier today I received two emails. One was on behalf of the Scottish Government concerning a new play read scheme that they would like me to review. I have had a quick look and I quite like it so I will be posting a review tomorrow. The other was from the Scottish government as part of the Scotland Glow network which links educationalist in Scotland and ensures an on going and productive dialogue. This just reminds me that I never really know who is reading my blog. I have been asked for my views on a range of educational topics including the relatively new Curriculum for Excellence, early years schooling and employability skills in further and higher education. There is a lot to respond to here and it rather serves me right for getting on my soapbox about education. That said when we fall out of the top 20 list of excellence in education in the world we do have to start facing facts. We are getting something horribly wrong. <br />
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So, of course Scottish island mum does indeed have a view and yes I am available to attend conferences and offer up presentations. That said, I am not exactly sure where I will fit all this in but I do feel that it is time I focused more on education. The work I do with International charities is usually in the education field and I do have an intention of finally writing my book on what makes good education. Perhaps with some careful management I can weave it all together. <br />
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So, this is the first call for feedback from readers about their experiences of education. You may be a parent, a teacher or even a pupil but I want to hear from everyone. I don't want to just focus on what doesn't work as I am also interested on what you think does work. I am also interested on suggestions for change. <br />
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I am off to get my girl from the ferry but you just know that I will be starting with early years provision......I did ask whether they really want my views and I was told that they have a place in the on going debate. Oh dear, I do hope they have thought this through.....<br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-42588424844346678692013-12-11T09:04:00.002-08:002013-12-11T09:04:47.943-08:00Day 345 - soul walking. xxWednesday 11th December<br />
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A lovely little day today except for the fact that our George is proper poorly and really struggling. The throat and chest thing has now run through the whole family and I am just hoping that Molly doesn't get it as she is due home tomorrow. <br />
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I am slowly returning my house to a home rather than a wreath making workshop. A small corner remained as I had some lovely ladies over for a wreath making course this afternoon. They all made beautiful wreaths and also table centres and we ate cake and caught up with all the news. It has been a difficult few months on the island with so many tragic deaths so it felt good to be sharing good news for a change. <br />
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That is the last event that I needed to prepare for and now it is family time all the way. I am ready for a break as I need a bit of a recharge. It has been a very busy year with lots of exciting developments. If I was to pick my highlight it would be my time on the Isle of Eigg. It was such a blessing to be able to truly step out of my world and see another way of living. The island is too beautiful for words to ever do it justice and the people so relaxed and welcoming. My time on Eigg allowed me to see things so much more clearly. It is often difficult to 'see' when you your life is so busy. You can't really be busy on Eigg and that time gave me enormous focus. <br />
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I came back very clear about what I wanted to achieve with the rest of my life and have made the necessary changes to ensure that these aspirations can be fulfilled. Shortly after that visit I got an article published on Waverly Fitzgerald's site <a href="http://www.livinginseason.com/">Living in Season</a> and I knew then that this would be an important milestone. Waverly is my writing guru and so for her to like my work and have confidence in it gave me a great boost. <br />
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This year came off the back of last year when I studied Buddhism through a distance learning programme from <a href="http://www.samyeling.org/">Samye Ling</a>. This course had already significantly changed my way of thinking and my view of the world. So, if you put 2012 together with 2013 you can see where the changes have come from. It is my own version of a mid life crisis. <br />
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I have been fortunate to have had a wonderful career in the university sector followed by a fabulous time running my own business. Now I find myself having success as a writer and it would be easy to spend the rest of my days just writing. But my mid life crisis taught me that I need to give back far more than take out. So an emerging focus has been to help others who need help and/or who are less fortunate than myself. I think this desire awoke within the first few modules on my Buddhist course and I have not looked back since. <br />
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January is the month of renewal for me as I think through the year ahead and where it might take me. It is, however, obvious to me that you can only plan so much and the rest of it happens and all you can do is react to it. When I began this blog I could not have known that dear friends would not be alive by the time the project finished. It is in that not knowing where the essence of life is and I think we can all be measured in how we respond to things that occur without warning. My time on the Isle of Eigg taught me how important it is to breathe and make space for contemplative thinking that places the needs of others before your own. This is truly transformational as it changes the way you think. <br />
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What is interesting is how people around you react to this transformational outlook. I am blessed with many lovely friends but they all struggle with their concerns about me. They see me helping so many other people that they fret about me. This is completely understandable given the nature of my illness but not at all necessary. Putting the needs of others before your own is life enriching and it feeds your soul like nothing else can. That fodder is then available to graze on as you need to and that is the way I view it. This is central to Buddhism as this dharma teaches you that true happiness comes from within. Imagine we are one of those lovely chocolates that you bite into and it is delicious on the outside but even more delicious on the inside. Freeing my mind and soul in order to put others before myself has been rewarding beyond words. It is also completely genuine with no hidden agenda. The totality of the experience I now understand as a form of 'soul walking' where you identify your essence and have a good walk in it. Soul walking allows you to see things far more clearly than before but it does take a bit of practice. Meditation has been part of that practice but not the whole story. Good observational and reflective skills are also useful as you take a walk with your soul. <br />
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I hope this helps my friends who I know worry about me as it might just reassure them a little. Those that know me well know that I have always done a million things all at once as it is the way I was made. But perhaps now they will understand the enormous shift in my life over the last couple of years and how enriching it has been. When it comes down to it it is very simple. If I can help to make someone's life better I will. <br />
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The best bit of all is how many other people have joined me on this transformational process and this has been entirely possible because of Scottish island mum. I will be forever in her debt. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-16531658053849128162013-12-10T09:02:00.001-08:002013-12-10T09:02:14.172-08:00Day 344 - another passing & more tears. xxTuesday 10th December<br />
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I am not a Christmas card sort of person but I do send them to people that I know don't use the Internet so that I can wish them a very happy Christmas. I was grateful for the exchanging of Christmas cards that managed to be sustained over the years between the lovely Di (side order of purple) and me as it kept the door open. Our lives had taken unexpected turns but the door being left open meant that earlier this year our friendship was able to be re-discovered in all its glory. So, there is a place for Christmas cards. <br />
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On opening one today though we were greeted with the shock news that someone the entire family holds very dear has recently died. Irene was the very best of people and her and her husband, Peter, hold a very special place in our hearts. When we visited them they could never do enough for us and we were all overwhelmed by their kindness. The sadness of her passing is added to by the fact that Peter's life must now continue without her. So there were tears this morning and lots of them. Irene had a favourite amongst us and that was our Molly. Irene and Peter only had one child, a boy, who is now the same age as me. Molly was the daughter Irene never had and she adored her. Molly adored her right back so right now I am wishing Molly was not hundreds of miles away. It is time for my girl to be home. <br />
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Irene was the best of the best because she was probably the kindest human being I knew. She was probably one of the most cheerful people I knew. These traits are not easy to maintain and I always admired her for them. Irene inspired me to be better than I was and she will continue to do that despite not sharing the earth with me anymore. I will miss her every day for the rest of my life but I also know that she left a little bit of herself with Molly and I will take enormous comfort from that. Today I have the task of writing a letter to our dear Peter in the hope that I am respecting his privacy while letting him know how much we care. <br />
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Despite all the tears we did take some time out as a family today and went out for coffee. George is proper poorly so he has now taken to his bed to try and recover. We all agreed that we need to slow down for a while and get healthy again while spending as much time as a family as possible. We discussed serious issues like where best to hide the TV remote from Molly and all the Christmas activities that are begging to be attended to. It felt good today and I could so feel Irene approving. <br />
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Every year at this time the university offers start to dribble though the system and this year I have helped even more students with their applications. On the whole they are receiving just the offers they were hoping for but occasionally things don't work out so well and there is the inevitable disappointment. I understand the disappointment completely and for these students life suddenly gets a lot tougher for a while. It is hard enough knowing what they want to study and where without their first choice rejecting their application. In almost all cases the student takes that as a rejection of them as a person. Nothing could be further from the truth. In a great many cases it is due to existing grades not being high enough and their application is thus rejected at the first stage. Universities receive thousands of application and they have to have a sifting process otherwise they would never get through them all. <br />
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So, what is the thing to do when you receive a rejection letter? I believe that there needs to be a period of time to let the news sit for a while before even thinking what the next step should be. You can apply to universities as late as August if you decide to access the Clearing system and there are a lot of good courses that enter Clearing for a range of reasons. I believe that the right course is out there for all students and each student has the ability to make their eventual choice a success because of what they bring to the experience. <br />
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That all said I do remain frustrated with the quality of the advice given in schools. Getting into university is not easy and good preparation is absolutely key. The lower sixth year should be when potential students visit university open days and read through all the prospectuses to make some initial choices. The summer term is when the UCAS application should be introduced so that the students have the summer to pull it together. Technically students have until the end of January (or March for art students) to submit their applications but that is not how many universities work. The popular and highly specialised courses fill up incredibly quickly so if they find themselves in those areas applications need to be in in September as soon as UCAS opens. First interviews will be rolled out by the end of September with many courses full by the end of November. I hope that this information may be helpful for anyone who is contemplating entry for 2015 as they can structure their preparation better. <br />
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I am also a fan of taking a year out if that seems appropriate. It is not the answer for everyone but it does suit many students. The reality of this choice is that they know their grades on application making the offer process much easier and quicker. They should, however, use their year well to develop relevant experience in the field they are hoping to enter. It gives the students a chance to see if their future does, indeed, lie in this area. The main thing to remember is that, for most of us, life is a marathon not a sprint. There is plenty of time to make informed and sensible decisions that you feel comfortable with. It is important not to get bound up with what friends are doing as this colours your judgement as well. University is for a minimum of three years (under normal circumstances) and it has to be a decision made by the student. I often get asked to comment on best options and I resist that temptation because it is not my future. I think that is right. For many young people it is the first major decision they will make so I would advise lots of time to make it in. I am also asked what is the most important factor in making the decision. My experience does help here though and I always advise it is the course that should be the key factor, then the university and finally the place. There are potentially endless factors to take into consideration but that just leads to muddled thinking and anxiety. The course must grab you in the first place and you must feel both comfortable and excited about the university. These are the most important factors to help guide you in your decision and this is why Open days are so important. <br />
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I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all the applicants that I have worked with this year the best of luck and I am quite sure that wherever they end up all will be well. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xx <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4925904886898050465.post-55435698697029945572013-12-09T10:21:00.001-08:002013-12-09T10:21:13.771-08:00Day 343 - the 200 metre dash. xxMonday 9th December<br />
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I used to run and quite well at that. My distance was the 200 metres and this is a specialist event. Athletes who excel at this distance rarely do well at either 100 or 400 metres. It is all about the bend because a 200 metre specialist must know how to run the bend well enough to use that momentum to run the home straight. Why am I reflecting on this? Two reasons. The first is that I liken a trip to Glasgow with a 200 metre run. It is important not to charge off the train and use up all your energy in the first hour. One needs to ease oneself off the train and gently introduce oneself to the madness that is Christmas shopping in Glasgow. It soon becomes about the bend though as you hit the middle section and fear that you are not going to make it back to the station. If you run a good bend in the middle section you can use this momentum to get you to the station. My mother and I just about managed that although the walk to the station was so slow you might have thought that we weren't actually moving at all.<br />
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We choose the 200 metres rather than the 400 metres because that gets us on the 3.15 ferry home. If we went for the 400 metre option that would mean getting the 6pm sailing and neither my mother or I have the stamina for that distance now. <br />
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The other reason for reflecting on my running career is this wee blog. Just when I think Scottish island mum is cruising to a nice round 35,000 page views to end the project it too has used its bend well. All of a sudden the site has leapt back into life just as the end is upon us and we have soared well beyond 36,000 page views. It is a mystery how these things work in life and therefore the interrogation of my 200 metre experience only gets me so far. <br />
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We were fortunate with both the weather and the lack of people in Glasgow and managed to get everything done that we intended including a slight diversion to the fabric shop to pick up fabric for the new year collection. I love Glasgow and I love spending time there and the continental Christmas market was a delight. Over recent years Glasgow has reinvented itself and is now a cultural city to rival ones further south. The shops have improved as well and with a brand new Paperchase opened recently I have to drag myself out of the door....<br />
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With the shopping behind me I can now truly concentrate on spending time with my lovely family. Molly will be home in a few days and she thinks she is coming home to eat, sleep and study but we have lots of other things planned. She will be making stockings for the animals, decorating a jumper for Save the children and making a Christmas scene along with the rest of us. In exchange we will be on hand to talk to Oystercatchers or whatever we need to do to help with her dissertation. If Molly reads that last bit she will kill me!<br />
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Stepping back onto the island after a dash around Glasgow is always a wonderful experience and it reminds me of just why I chose to live here. The lack of people, traffic and noise is immediate and it is a perfect place for me. The odd visit to Glasgow helps a sense of balance but I have successfully manage to shift so much of my work online now that I can live anywhere as long as I can get an Internet connection. <br />
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So, now back on the island with my cat lying across my legs it has if Glasgow never existed. Tomorrow is the first day for weeks when I don't have lots that must be done that day. We are all going in Brodick because the boys want to buy their mum some birthday presents while I go for a wander along the beach. That will all be topped off with a lovely coffee somewhere. It is a gentle day and I am thinking that is just what this girl needs. <br />
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Until tomorrow. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156076169258879408noreply@blogger.com0