Create Space
Hi... failte (Irish for welcome! and pronounced fall-thhha).
I'm a newbie to blogging, here just over a year, but what a great year it has been!
I've turned the corner to 50 recently and two things become more relevant...time and experiences!
Material possessions are less important! Using time wisely and truly experiencing each day holds a new significance for me!
If you wish..., a little of the back story...
I''m blessed to be married to a kind and loving man for 28 years, we have two children now 19 and 21.
As I approached 40 and searching for something more, whilst holding down my then part-time legal secretarial work, I trained as a voluntary adult literacy tutor, with the hope of helping adults improve their literacy skills and have a second, and better experience of learning!
However, little did I think that wanting to help others improve their lives would see my own life improve beyond measure also!
You see for years I found it difficult to know what to do as I watched our two children suffer at the hands of bullies. Their struggle began to change when I returned to education! Through education I slowly gained valuable knowledge, I grew in confidence and self-esteme and it had a ripple effect!
By 2014, aged 47 I had completed a Higher Certificate in Literacy Development and a B.A. in Adult Education. I love my work as an adult educator, particularly when adults trust me enough to let down their defences and 'let me in'. Then I can help them by getting to know what makes them 'tic' and what 'lights their fire!'.
As an added bonus along the way I've realised that I also have a love of writing and that writing is cathartic (providing psychological relief through written expression of built up emotions), both for my students and myself. This blog enables me to pursue that new-found interest and I've really enjoying reading your blogs, sharing comments, getting to know so many people and gaining new perspectives. I also like to share any little 'gems' of learning I've gathered along the way!
Thanks for sharing your stories and for helping me realise that it is all possible...and that together we write a truly better story!
Much love,
Marie x
August 3, 2018 at 1:39 pm
Thank you for sharing and sorry that your children had to deal with a bully… unfortunately, technology has given the potential bullies access to their role models… but hopefully change is in the winds and things will change… mainly the children need to be aware that it is not about them, it is not their fault but the blame falls on the bully, someone who is trying to make everyone as miserable in life as the bully is… 🙂
“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.” Michael J. Fox
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August 3, 2018 at 5:13 pm
Thank you Dutch for your thoughtfilled comment, as my son said recently and as I shared in Bullying…he is ‘grateful for it all’. He has learned a lot of life lessons and is mature beyond his years! Your quote as usual is perfectly appropriate and true! Thank you for reading!
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August 4, 2018 at 7:42 pm
Sadly, bullying seems to be more common than ever (and how can it not be, when we see it on TV reality shows on a daily basis, so kids get the message that it’s really okay?). I love your idea of giving our kids a safe place to reclaim what the bully has taken. I think that’s a strategy that will help them throughout their lives!
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August 5, 2018 at 4:03 am
Yes Ann, sadly it is almost normalised. Children become powerless over the simplest of choices even at home, and allowing them time to make decisions and play a part in the decision making process gives them back the voice that has been denied them by bullies.
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August 4, 2018 at 9:51 pm
Thank you for posting this Marie. You already know of my own experiences and that I share your views in the topic. x
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August 5, 2018 at 4:06 am
That I do Darren! Thankfully you have grown through the process and not allowed it ruin your life. X
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