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
June 26, 2019 at 4:14 pm
Ooo a very thought-provoking post! I find the complexity of humans is what makes us and makes life so incredibly colourful, diverse and interesting. You’re absolutely right about needing to look closer and get to know people to learn more about them, and how they will always be aspects we don’t see, especially not at first. I also think that, with completing ourselves and being whole, people often spend their lives looking in the wrong places, like trying to get rich or get the ‘perfect’ body. xx
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June 26, 2019 at 4:33 pm
Great comments Caz, I’m glad this spoke to you and I agree that we can miss what’s right there under our nose while searching in vain for a false promise. Xx
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June 26, 2019 at 5:18 pm
What a wonderful photo for this week’s 3 topic. Thanks for playing along. 😀
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June 26, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Thank you, I enjoyed sharing.
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June 26, 2019 at 6:49 pm
such a great question!
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June 26, 2019 at 9:33 pm
Thanks Wendi, that’s great to hear!
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June 27, 2019 at 3:11 am
🙂
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June 26, 2019 at 8:51 pm
What a great way to capture people … will try that myself!
I have always followed my dreams and never understood why others don’t 😦
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June 26, 2019 at 9:39 pm
Life, particularly marriage and children can get in the way Kate, we can lose ourselves in trying to keep others afloat, which does not benefit anyone! I’m glad you’ve always found the way to follow your dreams, that must be so awesome!
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June 27, 2019 at 4:52 am
sounds quite selfish put that way but I’ve always volunteered since a child and chose not to have my own family so I could spread the love … only a few of us dare step outside societal norms and we pay for it in other ways!
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June 27, 2019 at 7:22 am
I don’t think it sounds selfish at all Kate, each path of life has its ups and downs. Access to greater support and information would have ensured we didn’t lose ourselves but we have learned from it!
My daughter is adamant at the moment and for years not to have family other than multiple animals, dogs, horses etc and tells me that the number opting for this has been rapidly increasing! Soon maybe it will be the societal norm. Xx
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June 27, 2019 at 9:19 am
I certainly hope so … my own mother’s only ambition was to be a wife and mother and she has never forgiven me for not following her … her loss really 🙂
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June 27, 2019 at 1:06 pm
Sad how much people lose when they can’t let go their expectations, definitely her loss!
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June 27, 2019 at 5:42 am
❤️
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June 27, 2019 at 7:23 am
Thank you Lillian! Hope you are thriving! Xx
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June 27, 2019 at 7:50 am
Thank you, I wish you a wonderful day Marie❤️
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June 27, 2019 at 9:30 am
Thought provoking post 💕 Great imagery! So true – it is only up to US to complete ourselves!
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June 27, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Thanks Wendy and we are complete and improving upon it daily!
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June 27, 2019 at 11:42 pm
Yes!! 💕❤
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June 27, 2019 at 7:37 pm
Thank you for sharing!.. What do you do to complete yourself, you ask, follow my heart of course… 🙂
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June 27, 2019 at 10:23 pm
You score 100% Dutch and pass the test!!
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July 4, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Thought provoking post. And I’ve always followed my dreams and to complete myself I need some time for myself where I can give attention to my needs, indulge in my passion and just analyze on my surroundings. 🌸
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July 4, 2019 at 11:02 pm
I’m glad this post caught your attention. I think it’s fantastic that you know yourself so well and that you practice self-care. So many people struggle for years because they never learn to love themselves or be passionate and chase their dreams!
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July 6, 2019 at 12:02 pm
True. We should be our first priority. 🌸
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July 5, 2019 at 12:11 pm
I think we have to complete ourselves. No one else can do it. Trying to get others to is like pouring water into a cup with a crack in it.
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July 5, 2019 at 1:04 pm
So well said Eliza, thank you!
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July 22, 2019 at 1:45 pm
Great post! I am a little late in finding it…my loss! I like the old saying that you should not judge a book by its cover. It takes time to get to know someone. Also, there are millions of books on every subject under the sun. Like people, who choose different walks in life, they all have something to offer. The world is a better place because everyone is different; it is a better place when we respect our own and other people’s passions and choices. And we can always learn from one another. The happiest people are the ones who follow their own passions, and are delighted when those around them step to their own drumbeat.
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July 22, 2019 at 2:16 pm
You have a win win philosophy for a happy and fulfilled life encompased in a few sentences! Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts! Le grà, Marie
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October 31, 2019 at 11:16 am
Well said, “Nobody can complete us, we have to want to complete ourselves.” 😊👍🏼
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November 1, 2019 at 8:28 am
Thank you, for reading & responding. 😎
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