Favourite Weather

What is your favorite type of weather?

My favourite weather would have to be the weather we experience in late spring or early autumn here in Australia.   I love the fresh crisp morning air and the mild sunny temperate days of up to around 24 degrees Celsius.   I like wearing a light cardigan in the morning, and I also love the feel of the crisp fresh air on my skin.  I like it when it is still, or only a gentle breeze.   I can’t stand really windy weather.  Mild warm and temperate is my favourite weather.

Small World Without Coincidences

I am writing ✍️ this post as a footnote to the post 📫 I wrote this morning about my most influential teacher Mr Guppy.  Upon reflection there is no such thing as coincidence and everything is part of Gods plan for us

I received a lot of positive feedback about that post from fellow bloggers and friends.  I have a friend who takes me shopping at ALDI on a Friday as part of my NDIS support here in 🇦🇺 Australia.   We have become friends, and she occasionally reads my blog.  When she read today’s blog, she realised that we had gone to the same school and both had Mr Guppy as a teacher.   We both thought he was a legendary teacher, and both went to his funeral a year after he helped me get into a prestigious government school.   Unfortunately, Mr Guppy had committed suicide in a single vehicle accident with a tree 🌳 after his marriage broke down.  They played the song 🎵 To Sir With ❤️ Love” at his funeral, and every time I hear that song, I think of him. He definitely took me from crayons 🖍 (art supplies) to perfume.  He helped shape the lady I became, and I think my friendship with Sherree was meant to happen. God moves in mysterious ways, and I’m sure that Mr Guppy was born to teach and help as many students as he could.  He was the one who introduced me to the John Lennon song Imagine 🎵 and shaped my belief in social justice.  Just like the teacher Robin Williams played in Dead Poets Society,  he taught us Carpe Diem  (seize the day!!)

Mr Guppy

Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

Mr Guppy was my most influential teacher because he recognised both my writing ✍️ talent and beliefs in social justice and nurtured both in me.  He helped me get into a more prestigious government school, which led to tertiary education for me…… He was an amazing teacher who once had written on the blackboard all the lyrics to the John Lennon song Imagine 🎵 and asked us to think about those lyrics and what they meant to us.  He was a teacher ahead of his time, who sadly passed away the year after I began studying at the more prestigious school.   I have him to thank for the journey I ended up on, and I know he would be proud of my achievements.

EMPATHIC

What is one word that describes you?

I rhibk the word that would describe me is  empathic.   I think that my experience of mental health issues and my career working in mental health has made me a better person, with lots of empathy for people.  When I meet someone in my life and they come to me to talk about their “stuff,” I try to put myself in their shoes.  There But For The Grace Of God Go I is the motto I live by.  Having empathy for our fellow humans is important.

Best Compliment

What was the best compliment you’ve received?

The best compliment I ever received was from my psychiatrist encouraging me to start writing ✍️ this blog.  He told me that I have wonderful writing ✍️ skills and that people would genuinely want to hear what I have to say.  My psychiatrist is a wonderful man, and I took his advice on board, and now I love being a blogger.

Aeroplane and cruise liner

You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?

This is a thought provoking topic.  I live in Australia 🇦🇺 and if I was travelling interstate within Australia I would prefer to use an ✈️ aeroplane.

However if I was travelling overseas I would prefer to travel on a cruise liner.  It is just so genteel and luxurious comfort, and all your food is provided,  meaning less stress about when and where to eat.   I loved my cruise to New Zealand and would love to go back again.

My brother Peter and Neil Finn

Who is the most confident person you know?

There are 2 most confident people in my 🌎 world.  Probably the most confident person closest to me would be my brother Peter.   Peter is very humble, but it is obvious that he has healthy self-esteem and doesn’t take himself too seriously.  He is a remarkable father and brother but seems oblivious to just how awesome he is.

Probably out of all the well-known people I admire, Neil Finn would again be th most humble but has the healthiest self-esteem.   He seems unaware of just how famous he is and just how talented he is and how respected he is by fans and peers alike.

Mindfulness  Lily and Angel Cards.

What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?

I have a few strategies to cope with negative feelings.  The first is that I practice mindfulness in everyday life.   I take time to just stop and live in the moment slowly savouring what it is I do.

I also give Lily lots of attention.  Just having her around brightens my day and lifts my spirits.  She is such an affectionate,  loving little soul.

To lift my spirits, I regularly do an angel card reading for myself.   These cards are so wonderful, and unlike tarot cards, it is not fortune telling,  but rather affirmations and kind general advice from God, through angels.  These cards always make me feel good about myself. I have done some readings of these cards for friends in the past, and all enjoyed that experience and found it helpful and empowering for them .