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 18, 2019 at 6:23 pm
So very true Marie.
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August 18, 2019 at 6:54 pm
Thanks Len, lovely to have your company again! I hope you enjoyed your blog free, outdoors summer!
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August 18, 2019 at 7:19 pm
you are absolutely right! i love that at this moment, my life is simple and i treasure this blessing.
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August 18, 2019 at 8:36 pm
I like simple too Wendi!
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August 18, 2019 at 10:16 pm
🙂 your posts are such a pleasure to read, your words always provide a sense of calm and appreciation.
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August 19, 2019 at 7:51 am
Thank you Wendi, what a lovely message to wake up to and start my new week with! Life is good when my day begins by being gifted a thoughtful and affirming comment on some words I’ve created! How blessed am I to have found such a generous community of readers and friends on WordPress ! Now I’ll do my best to pass the gift on! Le grà, Marie Xx
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August 19, 2019 at 8:36 pm
it makes me so very happy to know that something i wrote made you happy! 🙂 bless you.
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August 18, 2019 at 10:54 pm
Len literally took the words right out of my mouth! Appreciate every little moment …
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August 19, 2019 at 7:54 am
Great minds think alike Kate! Xx
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August 19, 2019 at 8:49 am
indeed Marie 🙂
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August 18, 2019 at 10:59 pm
That’s exactly how I’m spending my Summer days- simple and happy. ☀️✨🌟💫
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August 19, 2019 at 7:56 am
I’m delighted to hear it Bernice! Simple might not be lush and expensive but it is rich in a multitude of life enhancing happiness! Xx
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August 18, 2019 at 11:58 pm
Marie,
Still trying to find that balance in life that constitutes “normal and ordinary.” My days are exhausting. When I find it though, I’m hanging on to it and not letting go! Mona
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August 19, 2019 at 8:12 am
Thank you Mona for sharing your thoughts and lived experience! Life is a challenge for sure and finding the balance is often near impossible. I hope you can find ways to slot little windows of pause into your day where you can just breath, just be and maybe reflect on whose expectations are in the driving seat. I’ve been there, it’s not pretty but I’m beginning to value myself and this only moment we are guaranteed. Keep me posted. Le grà, Marie xx
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August 19, 2019 at 2:54 am
So true, the comforting everyday routine! 😀
How are your Mum & Dad doing Marie?
Bless you,
Jennifer
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August 19, 2019 at 8:18 am
Jennifer, I think the simple things are profound if we let them be so and I like to buck routine as often as I can as I find it freeing to change things up, like eating at different times.
Thank you for asking, mam is shuffling minus walking frame now, pelvis fracture improving. Dad has patches of confusion but I’m so grateful he still knows us all. I hope things have settled and your husband is back to full health now. Xx
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August 19, 2019 at 11:32 pm
That is good to lay Marie! Yes hubby is doing really well, thank you 😀
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August 19, 2019 at 6:33 pm
Certainly something to think about, Marie. Thanks for sharing.
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August 19, 2019 at 6:50 pm
Glad to hear that Brenda, thanks for reading. X
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August 21, 2019 at 12:11 pm
A good point and perhaps one I could do with taking on board 😉
x
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August 21, 2019 at 12:34 pm
Often things are beyond our awareness Darren until the time is right, glad this gives you food for thought!
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August 22, 2019 at 11:36 pm
I love this Marie! I think ‘normality’ is too often taken for granted. Thanks for such a beautiful reminder to appreciate every moment. Blessings to you!
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August 23, 2019 at 3:39 am
My pleasure Terri, sadly we all too easy become complacent and need to remind ourselves! I think having fibro, we may have a slight advantage on others as we’ve come to appreciate a slower perspective on life and that can involve a deeper appreciation of normality or the everyday routines that might seem dull to others. Xx
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August 23, 2019 at 7:48 pm
You make a great point there, my friend! Have a wonderful weekend!
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August 24, 2019 at 9:11 am
So true! I love the status quo!
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August 24, 2019 at 5:42 pm
Thank you for sharing!!.. if one lives one’s life with an open mind one will find there is nothing “normal” about life and the ever changing universe… 🙂
“I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief” Gerry Spence
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August 24, 2019 at 7:47 pm
Brilliant quote Dutch, having an open mind is probably the greatest possession possible!
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August 28, 2019 at 10:30 am
So very true. Important to live every day like there’s no tomorrow 🙏
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August 28, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Agreed Mirian, we’ve just had a good reminder yesterday; a neighbour just lost her husband, found dead on their farm a few hours after he was meant to return. 58, totally unexpected. We often fool ourselves with a false sense of permanence. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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August 28, 2019 at 8:51 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about your neighbours husband. Very sad. So important to live every day mindfully and from the heart. 🙏
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August 28, 2019 at 9:05 pm
For sure Miriam.
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August 28, 2019 at 11:08 am
True words of inspiration, Marie so enjoy every moment that is fresh and pure.
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August 28, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Keeping things fresh & pure, that’s the secret! Thanks Kamal. X
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August 28, 2019 at 1:03 pm
Yes absolutely Marie. Welcome 😊😊 😊😊 😊 dear
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August 28, 2019 at 1:05 pm
So true!
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August 28, 2019 at 1:46 pm
Thanks Alexis! X
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August 30, 2019 at 1:22 am
That’s a very good reminder, Marie!
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August 30, 2019 at 1:26 pm
Thanks Ann, one that’s quite normal to forget!
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August 30, 2019 at 2:34 pm
Normal. What a gift… I do wish it back. 💜
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August 30, 2019 at 7:39 pm
For sure Kim, wouldn’t it be so great but then again maybe this is the normal we might wish for further down the line! Thinking of you as you embark on a new normal! Xx
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August 30, 2019 at 8:13 pm
Haha! Thank you so much Marie!!!💜
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September 11, 2019 at 1:38 pm
I love the status quo in my life when it comes. It’s a good place to rest and breathe and just live.
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September 11, 2019 at 6:28 pm
A great habit to build Alexis!
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September 11, 2019 at 7:40 pm
Very well said. I learned this when working in palliative care – how much to appreciate normality, and you may also have heard “oh I’m so old, it’s nothing to celelbrate that I’m a year older” while I want to say “But YES the older you get, the more reason you have to celebrate that you got to live another year with good health!”.
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September 12, 2019 at 2:03 pm
Hi Susanne, thank you for reading and adding your insightful comment! I’m sure working in palliative care was a great teacher, seeing people grieving the life they should have lived or celebrating the life they were determined to live. Not having worked in that area, I learned a lot from Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ book, On Death & Dying where she interviewed people in the final stages of their lives. I also grew up in a three generational home and gained a lot from my wonderful paternal grandmother.
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September 12, 2019 at 5:48 pm
Love a normal, ordinary day with a bit of excitement thrown in every now and then.
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September 12, 2019 at 8:27 pm
I’m with you on that one! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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