TGIF

Each week always starts off fresh with five days of possibility before the weekend, and then all of a sudden, it’s Friday and some of the possibilities haven’t quite eventuated!

Brene Brown, author, research professor and Ted talk speaker, sends out a weekly email entitled TGIF. But the TGIF stands for Trust, Gratitude, Inspiration and Fun.

This is my version for today.

Trust – I’ve delivered three writing workshops in the last fortnight – one for a school holiday program and two for a school. It always astounds me the level of trust children, parents and teachers place in me, even though in some cases they haven’t met me before the workshop.

As Brene says – Trust is earned in the smallest of moments. It is earned not through heroic deeds, or even highly visible actions, but through paying attention, listening, and gestures of genuine care and connection.

I love the tiny moments, too, where a student is brave enough to show me something they’ve written at home or will come up with a creative idea and want to share it with me quietly.

Gratitude – there is so much to be grateful for – Miss 13 is starting to feel better and brighter after a few months of illness, the pile of books waiting to be read, my new boots (!), English Breakfast tea in bed, warmer weather (soon, surely!), longer daylight hours, interesting work on my desk, lovely intimate conversations with friends, green leaves on the birches outside my study window, a fluffy puppy with heaps of energy …

Inspiration – I’ve recently read two new-release non-fiction books. Everything is figureoutable by Marie Foleo is full of everything you need to solve all the problems from non-connecting flights to starting up a new business to finding special care for an ill relative. It’s creative, inspirational and practical. And it’s my new mantra.

Super attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein is almost a spiritual counterpart to Marie’s book – she believes you can attract everything you need. It’s full of a strong sense of possibility, of flow with God/the Universe/Spirit/Source. I’ve been enjoying the accompanying meditations.

I’m also really inspired by my husband, Brett, and the 40-odd cyclists who are riding this weekend to raise funds for ovarian cancer. As many of you know, our dear friend Leane was diagnosed with ovarian cancer almost three years ago and is a shining light for raising awareness and funds for an early detection test. If you’d like to donate to support Brett, please go to this link.

Fun – I’ve had fun catching up with friends for lunch or walks or bookclub. I’ve also enjoyed crafting again – I spend so much creative time in my own head that I had forgotten how much I need a creative project to make with my hands. Miss 13 received a beautiful craft kit and I may have/did take over completely. The flowers are made of gorgeous linen and a tulle-like fabric and as they don’t require much concentration, flower crafting has become the perfect mindful and fun activity for me. I think a couple of them might make it to a hair clip for a spring racing look!

Let me know your TGIF or your Friday news in the comments!