If you’re having a shitty day, then this blog is for you and I hope it lifts your spirits
Have you ever had those days where you just feel like shit?
You might feel like a cold is coming on, you have to drag your arse to work?
I felt a little like that today.
Maybe you feel like everyone wants a piece of you.
But then, there are random small acts of kindness that allow enough sunshine into your day to lift you from a place of darkness.
And it’s those simple moments that completely send us on a different track.
It allows us to gain a different perspective on life.
I’m going to share two stories with you, so if you’re having a shitty day, I hope this lifts your mood, just a little, like it did mine.
A Ray of Hope for a Single Mum with Emotional Resilience
More and more we see contnet shared on social media that demonstrates touching stories of random acts of kindness. I’m not sure how much of it is click bait so it’s always a lovely surprise when my friends share with me real stories.
In doing so, they lifted my day.
A friend of mine, an extraordinary single Mum, finds some days tougher than others but manages to pull through with good humour. But above all, she is unwaivering in her love and dedication to her children.
She often inspires me with her honest reflection on life and her emotional resilience.
She shared this image. It was a message, that for that moment, on that day, gave her hope.
.
Surviving Grief and Loss or the Pain of Suicide
And then there was a message from Peter, my friend on Facebook. I don’t even know if we’ve ever met, but we are forever tied by a common thread.
Peter was newly married, in New York, to his long-time gay partner, Des. In fact, they married the same day gay marriage was legalised across the US.
Des was my very old friend.
A kind, gentle, man with a great sense of humour, an infectious giggle and the kindest warmest, green eyes. Des had left the ruthless world of banking to pursue a career in a care based industry. When I knew him, he was studying to be a nurse. We eventually drifted apart, Facebook bringing us together many years later and the constant promise of “we must catch up” when we were both in the same city.
Des had been working for some time as an Anaesthetic Nurse in a large Melbourne Hospital and been victim to significant, severe and brutal bullying. He was unsupported by his employer and left feeling demoralised and hopeless.
Without any warning, he committed suicide.
It was around this time that Peter and I had become friends on Facebook. Barely knowing Peter, I watched his trauma and grief play out on Facebook as he navigated the grief of losing Des. My old buddies came out of the woodwork to support him and to remember and honour Des.
I marvelled at the steps that Peter took for his recovery. In 2016, Peter chose to walk the Camino de Santiago, I guess a right of passage to let go and begin a new journey in life. I followed his travels with enthusiasm. With shared hope.
Peter shared a beautiful story, a reminder of that period in time and the people who touched his life.
With Peter’s permission, I share this story.
Walking the Camino de Santiago I came across this sign on the road someone had made for ‘Aussie Pete’ and I thought how lucky that Australian Pete must be to have friends go to such an effort to get his attention and leave a him a note. Then I discovered it wasn’t for another guy walking called Pete, it was for me! A beautiful note from two beautiful women from NZ I’d met on the first day and it was now day 26. I’ve learnt since then that people come into your life for all manner of reasons, some for a season and some for a lifetime. I used to find this a little distressing as Des was more than a reason and a season in my life. Then I realised that it was I who had come into Des’ life for not a reason or a season either, but for his lifetime. The Camino taught me many things. We all have our story and we’re all on a journey to somewhere – to find peace, to seek happiness, to discover enlightenment, to just resting our weary feet for the day…
#tbt#caminodesantiago #2016 #iamaussiepete #istillcrybutimstillhere
#reason#season #lifetime #cherisheverymoment #tellthemyoulovethemeveryday
The people who started these small acts may never know how much they touched many lives.
If only they knew.
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About the Author
Her professional experience has included contracts with small business, Not For Profits, Aboriginal Organisations, Media, Marketing, Aged Care, Universities, Health Services and Cruise Ships
Her professional experience has included contracts with small business, Not For Profits, Aboriginal Organisations, Media, Marketing, Aged Care, Universities, Health Services and Cruise Ships
Her professional experience has included contracts with small business, Not For Profits, Aboriginal Organisations, Media, Marketing, Aged Care, Universities, Health Services and Cruise Ships