I read and follow quite a few blogs and I find it hard to believe that just two years on from my first post I have penned or typed over 200 posts!
When I started I had just a few visitors and it was such a buzz to have someone add a like or better still a comment!
Now I have a few more visitors and coming to know you has been so interesting. I’ve really enjoyed your company over the past few weeks while I’ve been on sick leave from work. Thankfully I’ve been feeling a little better the past few days and I am hoping to return to work next week. Your visits while I’ve been at home have helped lift my spirit and your comments have been so encouraging! To thank you I thought you might like to engage in a little bit of time travel this Friday and maybe if you find it enjoyable you’ll travel back in time with me again next friday. I thought a link back to a little piece of me before we came to know each other might help us get to know each other a little better!
So you might well ask, has my perspective and life changed… Well that’s a big YES! I’ve come a long way from when I first started blogging. I’ve learned to live in the moment more, I’m enjoying the journey, fitting in some new experiences and I’m definitely less concerned about the destination. Your comments have widened my perspective and helped me be true to myself. I’ve finally allowed myself lowered my mask and I’ve learned to let myself just ‘be’. Thank you all for your wise insights which helped me do just that!
Now what about you? Has the last two years changed your life? Do you value the journey over the destination? Have you stopped to consider if you are further than you think? Please feel free to leave me a comment below and share any thoughts you have. I promise to reply as quickly as I can.
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
I believe if we’re open to learning and change we can evolve. My life today is so different from my life last year in all aspects. 😊. Thanks for sharing.
My life has changed drastically in the last 4 years but in hindsight, it’s been eye-opening to me to be able to find myself again after my divorce, to connect with my kids in a more spiritual way and to be free to be authentically me again after so many years. It was a tough transition, but I am really happy. Great post Marie! xo
Thank you Janie! Isn’t hindsight an amazing thing! Your story and the growth you have achieved despite the struggle will surely help many others! You are a role model! Xx
Lovely to hear you are feeling a little more rested Marie 😀
I am hopefully a little wiser two years on, I have learnt my body’s capacity & operate within that capacity much more… to live my best life 😀 & that’s important!
♡ Jennifer
I’ve learned a lot…now I hope to get back out there on my terms, if it doesn’t work I’ll have to step up and say ‘time out’ again! I agree it is about trying to live my best life! Thanks Jennifer for you kind message. Xx
Huge congratulations! You should be very proud of everything you’re achieving with your blog, and also with your self-development. “I’ve come a long way from when I first started blogging” – same here. I agree that for me it’s become less concerning about the destination, and more focus on the journey. I still see myself as a constant work-in-progress, but I’m learning to be okay with that. Here’s to more happy blogging – love the flashback idea 🙂
Caz xx
Hi Caz, thank you for such a lovely message! Glad you like the flashback idea! I have next Friday’s post ready and hope you will reply! There really is scope for substantial growth when you are amoung like-minded and non-judgemental people! Xx
Congrats on 2 years, Marie! I’m always happy to read your posts when I stop by. Hmm, the last two years, yep I’ve grown and changed and for that, I’m thankful for the opportunities to do so. Meeting you here in the blogosphere has been a highlight of that time. Thank you for reaching out to say hi!
great post — I hadn’t thought about it in depth till you brought it up — I was new to social media back then — & was rather afraid of it. I’ve found none of my fears confirmed, that it can be daunting to learn the ‘how to’ at times, but it’s all worth it
Marie, I had no idea you were ill. BIG HUGS!!! I’m just so happy to hear you are on the mend. It’s a real bummer to be sick! As for the last two years (and more) my life has been extremely difficult as one after another, I lost Loved Ones. And then it seems, I crashed and burned not even really wanting to live any more. This coming from a person that claims and does yes know, life is precious. When SO much is thrown at you, the darkness that pulls at you is horrible and is a recipe for insanity. I suppose my theme in this phase of my life would be “Loss and Coming Back to Life Afterwards”. I’m just now coming back after one year of despair after loosing my Mom. Her death broke the came’ls back, so to speak. There have been other deaths since hers as well, just bam bam and again bam! Finding the JOY and the Happy Heart amongst the rubble of once used to be my life, that is where I’m at right now. You asked. I’m honest. I told you. Coming through all what I’ve been through, I KNOW it is possible to put yourself back together and not get lost in the horrible despair that screams your destruction. I have NO idea why I just wrote what I did. Crossing fingers you gain something from out of the experience I call my life. XOXO
Amy thank you for your concern and virtual hug! I started back to work today. I am so sorry to hear of your sad losses, particularly your mum. I can imagine but can’t fully empathise as although my mum is becoming frail I’m blessed to still have her. I really appreciate the time and effort you have gone to, to share your experience. I see a real determined spirit that manages to find life amongst all the despair and loss. Your resilience is enviable and I have gained many insights from your story. I feel your mother and other family members would want to see you using this experience to support others and to reach your best and happiest self. Xx
Oh my goodness. I’m speechless! You gave me such a huge confirmation through this comment. A post that is coming tomorrow on my blog, will explain so much as why your words have moved me so deeply. I just now, Marie, have found the Inner Strength to pull myself back together in order to get back up and begin living life my way once again! I almost really did get to the point of saying, what difference does it make… Why not just give up and let myself go. I have the Goosebumps and my heart is just flip flopping in my chest. I am so moved and so grateful that I have been given a huge sign through you that by reembarking within my life as to my purpose, I am doing much good. Bless you from the bottom of my Heart! 😙😙😙😙😙
Amy, I feel so blessed and happy to wake up this morning to your reply! In your previous comment you were very unsure and said “I have NO idea why I just wrote what I did”…now this comment shows such clarity and you see why… because everything we do is for a reason and the answers come to us when the time is right! Continue to flourish and become, and thank you again for sharing. Much love, Marie xx
I understand even better why you once left that comment on my blog about the change of perspective. Even though I’m still not happy I’m certainly better than two, three years ago. It was a crazy painful yet at the same time valuable in the sense that I‘ve learned so much about myself. I certainly also have changed my perspective in that I don’t wallow that much in the past anymore. This used to be huge holdback for me, as I now realise. But I guess it just the time it took.
I’m so glad you can see how far you have come! It is the really painful events, if questioned and reflected upon can give us the best learning but that awareness only comes when we are ready. Thanks for your visits and comments!
This is a text widget, which allows you to add text or HTML to your sidebar. You can use them to display text, links, images, HTML, or a combination of these. Edit them in the Widget section of the Customizer.
October 5, 2018 at 4:48 pm
I believe if we let it be we all
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 5, 2018 at 4:51 pm
I believe if we’re open to learning and change we can evolve. My life today is so different from my life last year in all aspects. 😊. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 5, 2018 at 6:59 pm
And thank you Bernice for sharing your experience of change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 5, 2018 at 10:22 pm
My life has changed drastically in the last 4 years but in hindsight, it’s been eye-opening to me to be able to find myself again after my divorce, to connect with my kids in a more spiritual way and to be free to be authentically me again after so many years. It was a tough transition, but I am really happy. Great post Marie! xo
LikeLiked by 3 people
October 6, 2018 at 9:34 am
Thank you Janie! Isn’t hindsight an amazing thing! Your story and the growth you have achieved despite the struggle will surely help many others! You are a role model! Xx
LikeLike
October 6, 2018 at 12:53 pm
As are you and your son! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 6, 2018 at 4:47 am
Lovely to hear you are feeling a little more rested Marie 😀
I am hopefully a little wiser two years on, I have learnt my body’s capacity & operate within that capacity much more… to live my best life 😀 & that’s important!
♡ Jennifer
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 6, 2018 at 10:48 am
I’ve learned a lot…now I hope to get back out there on my terms, if it doesn’t work I’ll have to step up and say ‘time out’ again! I agree it is about trying to live my best life! Thanks Jennifer for you kind message. Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 7, 2018 at 1:17 am
You’re most welcome Marie 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 7, 2018 at 10:34 am
Huge congratulations! You should be very proud of everything you’re achieving with your blog, and also with your self-development. “I’ve come a long way from when I first started blogging” – same here. I agree that for me it’s become less concerning about the destination, and more focus on the journey. I still see myself as a constant work-in-progress, but I’m learning to be okay with that. Here’s to more happy blogging – love the flashback idea 🙂
Caz xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
October 7, 2018 at 9:53 pm
Hi Caz, thank you for such a lovely message! Glad you like the flashback idea! I have next Friday’s post ready and hope you will reply! There really is scope for substantial growth when you are amoung like-minded and non-judgemental people! Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 8, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Congrats on 2 years, Marie! I’m always happy to read your posts when I stop by. Hmm, the last two years, yep I’ve grown and changed and for that, I’m thankful for the opportunities to do so. Meeting you here in the blogosphere has been a highlight of that time. Thank you for reaching out to say hi!
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 8, 2018 at 10:57 pm
great post — I hadn’t thought about it in depth till you brought it up — I was new to social media back then — & was rather afraid of it. I’ve found none of my fears confirmed, that it can be daunting to learn the ‘how to’ at times, but it’s all worth it
LikeLike
October 9, 2018 at 2:26 pm
I’m glad it’s been a positive experience for you too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
LikeLike
October 9, 2018 at 5:15 pm
Marie, I had no idea you were ill. BIG HUGS!!! I’m just so happy to hear you are on the mend. It’s a real bummer to be sick! As for the last two years (and more) my life has been extremely difficult as one after another, I lost Loved Ones. And then it seems, I crashed and burned not even really wanting to live any more. This coming from a person that claims and does yes know, life is precious. When SO much is thrown at you, the darkness that pulls at you is horrible and is a recipe for insanity. I suppose my theme in this phase of my life would be “Loss and Coming Back to Life Afterwards”. I’m just now coming back after one year of despair after loosing my Mom. Her death broke the came’ls back, so to speak. There have been other deaths since hers as well, just bam bam and again bam! Finding the JOY and the Happy Heart amongst the rubble of once used to be my life, that is where I’m at right now. You asked. I’m honest. I told you. Coming through all what I’ve been through, I KNOW it is possible to put yourself back together and not get lost in the horrible despair that screams your destruction. I have NO idea why I just wrote what I did. Crossing fingers you gain something from out of the experience I call my life. XOXO
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 9, 2018 at 9:40 pm
Amy thank you for your concern and virtual hug! I started back to work today. I am so sorry to hear of your sad losses, particularly your mum. I can imagine but can’t fully empathise as although my mum is becoming frail I’m blessed to still have her. I really appreciate the time and effort you have gone to, to share your experience. I see a real determined spirit that manages to find life amongst all the despair and loss. Your resilience is enviable and I have gained many insights from your story. I feel your mother and other family members would want to see you using this experience to support others and to reach your best and happiest self. Xx
LikeLike
October 9, 2018 at 10:04 pm
Oh my goodness. I’m speechless! You gave me such a huge confirmation through this comment. A post that is coming tomorrow on my blog, will explain so much as why your words have moved me so deeply. I just now, Marie, have found the Inner Strength to pull myself back together in order to get back up and begin living life my way once again! I almost really did get to the point of saying, what difference does it make… Why not just give up and let myself go. I have the Goosebumps and my heart is just flip flopping in my chest. I am so moved and so grateful that I have been given a huge sign through you that by reembarking within my life as to my purpose, I am doing much good. Bless you from the bottom of my Heart! 😙😙😙😙😙
LikeLike
October 10, 2018 at 8:28 am
Amy, I feel so blessed and happy to wake up this morning to your reply! In your previous comment you were very unsure and said “I have NO idea why I just wrote what I did”…now this comment shows such clarity and you see why… because everything we do is for a reason and the answers come to us when the time is right! Continue to flourish and become, and thank you again for sharing. Much love, Marie xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 10, 2018 at 11:18 pm
🤗🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 8, 2018 at 9:35 pm
I understand even better why you once left that comment on my blog about the change of perspective. Even though I’m still not happy I’m certainly better than two, three years ago. It was a crazy painful yet at the same time valuable in the sense that I‘ve learned so much about myself. I certainly also have changed my perspective in that I don’t wallow that much in the past anymore. This used to be huge holdback for me, as I now realise. But I guess it just the time it took.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 8, 2018 at 10:16 pm
I’m so glad you can see how far you have come! It is the really painful events, if questioned and reflected upon can give us the best learning but that awareness only comes when we are ready. Thanks for your visits and comments!
LikeLiked by 1 person