Magic moments ...

My beautiful four year old granddaughter introduced me to her two & half year year old cousin yesterday, saying proudly "This is my Grandma".  The look on his face showed he wasn't all that impressed, so she repeated it "This is my Grandma".  And although he wasn't bothered, my heart sang because she was obviously proud of me.  What a magic moment :-)

Life is like coffee.............

On a rainly afternoon in March, this gave me something to think about:
http://www.flickspire.com/m/SimpleTruths/LifeIsLikeCoffee

"The Shack"

I've just read "The Shack" by Wm Paul Young and it's such a moving and uplifting book that I thoroughly recommend it. To find out more go to http://www.theshackbook.com

The Power of Words

This week a client reminded me of something that I had said to him during a coaching session over a year ago and how helpful he had found it.  It reminded me that we never know the impact we can have on others even in passing, be they clients, family, friends or strangers.  Choose your words - negative or positive - with care .................

Who is the happier – the man in the wheelchair or the able-bodied man?

I was in the supermarket recently when the man behind me starting complaining about having to wait in the queue and about life in general.  I tried to point out that the sun was shining, the birds were singing and the spring flowers blooming and weren't these good reasons to feel more cheerful?  But he wasn't having any of it!  His life, according to him, was not good because of other people, the government, the ecomony etc, etc.  I left thinking that there was man who sees himself as a victim of life and who consequently appears to be very sad and angry.

A few days later, back in the same supermarket (buying the things I forgot on the last visit!.......) when I heard a man in a wheelchair comment to the man in front of him "Well, I know I will have to wait in the queue, so I bring my own chair!" and at that they both laughed.

What a contrast in attitude! And I am pretty sure that the man in the wheelchair doesn't see himself as a victim but as someone who is able to see the positive aspects of life, despite his circumstances.

Isn't life happier when we try not to complain and blame, but to see the positives in a situation?  It's not always easy I know (and I frequently fail myself!) but so worth the effort - well in my view anyway :-)

"Stressing the Positives" - FREE advice on Stress Awareness Day

This year's National Stress Awareness Day (NSAD) will be "Stressing the Positives" on Wednesday, 4th November 2009.

NASD, now in its 11th year and organised annually by the International Stress Managment Association, aims to help people suffering from stress by highlighting the many coping strategies and sources of help available, and offering free advice to people who want to reduce the harmful effects of stress in their lives.

The International Stress Management Association (ISMA) is the leading UK Professional Body in the specialist field of stress management and this year will be working together with Boots, the high-street chemist, to deliver free national access to Stress Advisors.

Please contact me, Pam Lawrence, at pam@pamlawrence.co.uk if you would like more information.

The Indi Project, Kenya

In March of this year I was fortunate enough to have a holiday in Kenya. The first part of the holiday was spent at Tsavo East Game Park and we were extremely lucky to see so many different kinds of animals and birds, including my personal favourite, the cheetah. I even managed to take some photos that I am rather pleased with  - see above!

The second part of the holiday was spent in Mombasa where the contrast between those who have money and those who have very little (and often live in makeshift shelters by the roadside) was very great.

I felt I really connected with Kenya the country and with the Kenyan people that I met – they are friendly, kind and open. And yes, I know that there is widespread corruption in many countries in Africa, not least Kenya, and it would have been easy to come home feeling that there was nothing that I, as an individual, can do about the poverty.

However, not long after I got back, I read an article in a Sunday newspaper supplement about a lady named
Julie Perry who lives here in the UK. Julie won the award of “Clarins Most Dynamisante woman of the year 2009“ for her work in setting up a school in Kenya to help orphaned and disadvantaged children to move out of poverty by promoting education, health and nutrition.  She is tireless in her efforts and does this wonderful work without payment, the project being entirely supported through fund raising.

I have chosen to support this worthwhile charityin the knowledge that all money raised is used directly for the benefit of the children. So if you would like to know more – and maybe even make a donation - then please visit the Indi Project website at: http://www.indinurseryproject.co.uk