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
It is still an unknown illness in a lot or respects Kate. I am living proof of the negative press it received and the impact that can have. I was diagnosed over 20 years ago with fibromyalgia, yet I only admitted it to those outside my close family and friends in the last year.
It was the early days of a new illness, little known about it. Medical route was very questionable at the time with icy baths, electro therapy and money guzzling suggestions. It came with labels of ‘yuppy flu’ and seen as a cop out. Also very negative mental health connotations surrounded it. I only realised through insightful bloggers that there’s no shame in being ill. Weird what we can’t see until we see it! Thanks for provoking conversations that I hope will encourage others to develop self care and self acceptance! xx
Thank you for sharing!.. my late wife had to deal with fibromyalgia and the courage and determination to not let the disease control her life… like any health issue there is no shame, etc for having to deal with it… 🙂
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
― Bernard M. Baruch
Thanks for sharing this Marie – I love your poem! I’m late with my Fibro Awareness post also – I had big plans to get one done, but you know how life (and pain) gets in the way…. Hope you’re feeling as well as possible sweet friend.
Thank you so much Terri, I’m so glad you loved my poem. I can definitely empathise with you and schedules being thrown off! We are blessed to be aware that intention and following through are more important than time! I’m good Terri, having your company, pre-charging and re-charging, pacing, you know the score! I hope you are well too! Xx
Ruins You or Matures You… a good way to view it, to make something of the challenges it throws your way. Really nicely done, Marie, a brilliant post for Fibromyalgia awareness! xx
Caz, I’m delighted this resonates & appreciate your vote of confidence!
I think we can try to choose how we view it, (not easy but we can try), if we see it as a negative we are giving away our power, opting to be voiceless or we can try to look within it to see what else it holds, like for us, having to slow down (we see the little things others miss) or develop patience (we grow kinder to ourselves & others as a result), two wins in my opinion! Thanks for your company! Xx
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May 17, 2019 at 3:06 am
always awareness day as you say Marie, you live with it every day so educating us is important!
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May 17, 2019 at 4:05 am
It is still an unknown illness in a lot or respects Kate. I am living proof of the negative press it received and the impact that can have. I was diagnosed over 20 years ago with fibromyalgia, yet I only admitted it to those outside my close family and friends in the last year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 17, 2019 at 4:54 am
wow that is not so good … I’ve known those with it for many years but just knows it yo yos
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May 17, 2019 at 7:51 am
My own doing, a lot of it but based on fear of judgement. Not anymore! Xx
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May 17, 2019 at 9:05 am
can’t imagine why anyone would judge you for that Marie, we paint some dark stuff in our own minds don’t we …
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 17, 2019 at 9:17 am
It was the early days of a new illness, little known about it. Medical route was very questionable at the time with icy baths, electro therapy and money guzzling suggestions. It came with labels of ‘yuppy flu’ and seen as a cop out. Also very negative mental health connotations surrounded it. I only realised through insightful bloggers that there’s no shame in being ill. Weird what we can’t see until we see it! Thanks for provoking conversations that I hope will encourage others to develop self care and self acceptance! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 17, 2019 at 7:52 pm
yes I often think these discussion on a post do help!
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May 17, 2019 at 10:16 pm
My favourite part, where more learning happens!
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May 17, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Thank you for sharing!.. my late wife had to deal with fibromyalgia and the courage and determination to not let the disease control her life… like any health issue there is no shame, etc for having to deal with it… 🙂
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
― Bernard M. Baruch
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 17, 2019 at 2:07 pm
It’s good to know you can empathise Dutch having supported your late wife through fibro. Your shared quote is so spot on!
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May 17, 2019 at 2:52 pm
Thanks for sharing this Marie – I love your poem! I’m late with my Fibro Awareness post also – I had big plans to get one done, but you know how life (and pain) gets in the way…. Hope you’re feeling as well as possible sweet friend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
May 17, 2019 at 4:36 pm
Thank you so much Terri, I’m so glad you loved my poem. I can definitely empathise with you and schedules being thrown off! We are blessed to be aware that intention and following through are more important than time! I’m good Terri, having your company, pre-charging and re-charging, pacing, you know the score! I hope you are well too! Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 17, 2019 at 4:15 pm
Worth the entire month of Fibromyalgia Awareness just to read this post. xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
May 17, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Thank you Kim such a lovely, encouraging comment. Xx
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May 19, 2019 at 5:02 pm
Ruins You or Matures You… a good way to view it, to make something of the challenges it throws your way. Really nicely done, Marie, a brilliant post for Fibromyalgia awareness! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 19, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Caz, I’m delighted this resonates & appreciate your vote of confidence!
I think we can try to choose how we view it, (not easy but we can try), if we see it as a negative we are giving away our power, opting to be voiceless or we can try to look within it to see what else it holds, like for us, having to slow down (we see the little things others miss) or develop patience (we grow kinder to ourselves & others as a result), two wins in my opinion! Thanks for your company! Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person