In a previous blog, I wrote about how asking myself the question, “What am I afraid of?” can be useful to diffuse feelings of anger. This was the beginning of my journey to discover the value of asking myself questions in a range of emotionally challenging situations. Continue reading “The value of asking myself questions”
Decide to Rise
Operation Christmas Child
Every October our MOPS group (and many around the county) runs one of our favourite meeting sessions of the year- packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We love pooling our donated items and packing the boxes together over coffee and conversation. The chance to spread love and kindness to an unknown child brings us so much joy. Continue reading “Operation Christmas Child”
What will be your fatherhood legacy?
Have you ever stopped or slowed down and reflected on everything and everyone around you, and considered what kind of impact you will leave behind? I have found that Australia’s biggest need is for fathers- fathers who love their wives, who love their children and who have an intentional presence in the home. This year’s MOPS theme “Decide To Rise”, is just as important for fathers of preschoolers as it is for mothers. Father’s Day is defined as “a holiday to honour and celebrate fathers and father figures”. As we celebrate Father’s Day, what will be honoured about you? Your indifference, your indulgence, or your positive influence? What will be your fatherhood legacy?
Seek joy
In the busyness of life, I often forgot to seek joy in the mundane and everyday moments of life. When my youngest comes into our room at about 5am, requesting a cuddle I obligingly pulled back the covers. I lay there with a snuggling one beside me, thinking (worrying) about what was going to happen in the minutes and hours to come. Continue reading “Seek joy”
Do your work
The theme for MOPS this year is Decide to Rise and includes the principle “Do your work”. But what does that even mean? As a fellow mum, I know the work is a never-ending cycle! The constant answering of questions, household cleaning, cooking, feeding, creating routines, stimulating minds, spending quality time, shopping, clothes… gah!
Chasing joy in winter
When I think about joy, and how it comes to us, the word that comes to mind first is gratitude. But when the days are short and bleak, it can be hard to focus on chasing joy in winter. Continue reading “Chasing joy in winter”
Lead as a mum- because you already are!
Have you ever considered stepping up to lead, but didn’t? What held you back? Often is the lack of belief in our own skills and abilities that holds us back from stepping up to lead.
Chase Joy
Years ago, if someone had told me to “chase joy”, I would have laughed at them. And it would not have been a joyful laugh. Here I was, a new-ish mum in my mid 40s. Because of infertility issues, I could not have more children after my one miracle baby and I missed having a family. I had no tertiary qualification. My paid job was unstimulating. I regretted lost opportunities that I saw no hope of retrieving. There were difficulties in my social environment that were emotionally destructive. I would describe my overall mood as one of despair. Me, chase joy?! I was pretty sure there was no joy in my life at all, and furthermore, I saw no prospect for joy in the future either. And so I decided to examine my life to see if it was true.