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| Roots and Wings | A newsletters for mums abroad, November 2010 | |
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 Welcome to Roots and Wings - and particularly to this November issue. If our roots are what keeps us grounded (think stable, not stuck!) then our wings are what gives us the ability to explore and develop our potential. Same goes for our children, and as parents we can influence both, wherever we are in the world.
This month, my themes are Tradition and Inspiration - as two aspects of how we enable our children to develop their roots and wings. I see Tradition being the long term routine, the consistent, the "we do it this way every year" and Inspiration being something new and different, a little bit of wind under our wings.
Thank you so much for all the lovely feedback about the last Autumnal issue, it really means a lot to get this feedback. Please let me know if there is a topic close to your heart you'd like to see covered here - I'll certainly give it a shot!
Best wishes for an inspirational November, and for happy times with your family
Kirstin Barton
www.alivetochange.com |
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Traditions
National and Local
 What childhood traditions do you remember most? How do they make you feel, looking back? This time of year there are many national traditional holidays or special dates, whichever country you are from - think Halloween, Bonfire Night, Remembrance Sunday, Thanksgiving (I'm not mentioning the one coming up at the end of December yet!!). Coming to a new country, you'll likely find that the key events you have traditionally celebrated are nowhere on the calendar. We can't track down the traditional food we eat, and we can't always celebrate the day in the way we traditionally could. What does it mean to you for your children to experience and enjoy your national traditions? If it is important to you, you may need to recreate your own traditional parties, and, even better, introduce these to your local friends too, who may just enjoy and adopt them (or smile in bemusement but join in anyway).
Alternatively, as at least one Roots and Wings reader does, we can reach out and connect with fellow countryfolk who do remember how we did things in the "old days" (she knows who she is!!).
Doing the same with our children as we did when we were young is just one way of creating special shared bonds and memories . . . in other words, roots!
Of course in a new country, there are new opportunities to celebrate local traditions too. What do your neighbours celebrate, and how? There's a few coming up locally too.
Why not reach out and connect locally, by finding out who's celebrating what this time of year? Learning something new together with your children can teach an important lesson in valuing local traditions, and also help to create stronger roots as they explore and connect to this place, their home for now. |
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Inspiration
It's Everywhere
 This time of year might not feel very inspirational, but I've now learnt that there is inspiration everywhere. Of course, I'm always open to a stunning view, a well timed shaft of light, a rousing tune, an evocative smell and so on. But for good old fashioned everyday inspiration, the kind that keeps us moving forward in our lives, I look to the everyday and ordinary and look at it differently. What if ? Or, more accurately, what if I . . . ? Moments of clarity can come at any time, and I have been somehow blessed with two in a week, in the most mundane of situations. One was during an argument with my daughter, and I suddenly really and truly "got" what she was saying (at last!), and just knew what I had to do to solve a problem. And I did!
The second came while I was cramped in a small hallway waiting for a long time by myself (it's a long story, but nothing untoward). I'd armed myself with my notebook to help pass time. I started doodling, apparently aimlessly. Suddenly, I realised I'd drawn a diagram that helped me fit a few things together for my new website in a way I couldn't see it before. WOW ! Inspiration in the hallway!
So you don't need to go somewhere special for inspiration - but you do need to be ready for it. Be open to inspiration!
Inspiration is what gives us our wings, and when we're feeling it, we're unstoppable. Our children too. Watch them when they're doing something they're clearly excited and inspired by. Then watch out for them when they've lost the inspiration. What can you suggest to them to find it again - a change of scene or activity? a different input? a fresh pair of eyes ?
From time to time, we all feel a lack of inspiration and that frustrating gap between having a bright idea and getting the chance to do anything about it. Why not have a little notebook to stick "someday" ideas in? I have also, finally, got round to cutting out all the inspirational articles from magazines I've been hoarding - and have some fantastic files which are an instant inspiration and energy boost!
So, where do you need a sprinkle of inspiration in your life ? What would give you a little more wind under your wings this November ? |
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Creating Traditions
In your family
 Family traditions create stability. Whether it is a monthly family games or film night, or a Sunday afternoon walk, or a certain way of celebrating birthdays, or whatever you do on a regular basis that feels special to you as a family. They will evolve over time, and can be created at any time - it is amazing how quickly children will adopt as tradition something (usually that they like) that has only happened once or twice. When many things are changing, traditions are what holds it together and keeps you rooted together as a family. If they have been happy experiences, these traditions are what your children remember when they leave home and try to recreate later in life. It's never too late to establish new happy traditions in your family - or explore new ways of celebrating traditional events. Start small, one at a time, and see what works. Adapt them as the children grow older - or follow the children's lead. If it ain't broke - don't fix it! When you think of your family, think widely too, if you're close to your extended family. We only see our close and extended family a couple of times a year now, and we have developed our own traditions which make it easier to plan meet ups and give some routine to hectic holiday times. Planning these events is part of the excitement, and starts long before the events happen - and of course the post mortem and photo sharing continues long after. This is living abroad and trying to stay connected !
If you have a family which combines two or more traditions, how do you make sure you can enjoy each?
What family traditions do you want your family to look back on, and see as part of their roots?
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Who inspires you ?
And who are you inspiring right now?
 I recently asked a group of 9 and 10 year old Girl Scouts to think about people that inspired them, and to share their special qualities. I expected a raft of famous people in response, and did some research to stay ahead of the game. Instead, I felt humbled and more than a little moved when the vast majority came back with their favorite heroes and heroines from much closer to home.
I heard stories of caring godmothers, supportive sisters, hard-working mums, brave grandads, the special people picked out as one in a million by these girls. It certainly made me look at my own list of inspirational people - from long ago and now.
There are so many people along the way that inspire us and encourage us to do our best, and to keep on growing and spreading our wings. Most of them aren't rich and famous. And many may not know how they contribute to your life.
Who inspired - or still inspires - you? Why not TELL THEM !!! THANK THEM !!! Let them know how they have inspired you. Why not? Wouldn't it be wonderful to know you had inspired someone ?
Who is inspiring your children right now? Find out ! Share who inspired you and who inspires you now. I am often inspired by my children who say and do the most incredible things when I least expect it. When your children inspire you, let them know. Let them know they too can find inspiration from many people.
Inspiration is a positive energy. It can come from a sudden idea, a moment of genius, an example to follow, a special sight, smell or sound, an act of encouragement, a feeling of creativity, the feeling that "it can be done" or the image of a loved one cheering you on.
When we feel stuck, as we all can and do, we need to remember to reach out to those people or things that inspire us the most. Do this - and then be patient - it will come !
Who do you inspire? Perhaps you are doing so without ever realising it!!
Let people tell you when you're inspiring them - they may tell you in different ways - but let it sink in, and know that YOU INSPIRE PEOPLE.
You really do. |
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Feel Inspired - Be Inspiring !
 If you are not feeling inspired or very inspiring right now, Life Coaching can help. For Major Inspiration, I offer the Dream - Believe - Act Programme, and for a short sharp burst of inspiration and motivation, I offer Kickstart. Or you can go for individual sessions. I also offer workshops on a wide range of topics and I can tailor them for groups as required. Just contact me for more details. Coming Up: November 9th - I can be Mum and I can be Me workshop December 2nd - Life Audit workshop My Exploratory coaching sessions are always free of charge, so there is no risk, and there is no pressure from me either. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you know who might like to read it. They can sign up for their own copy at www.alivetochange.com, or by clicking the link below. Many thanks for your continued support, Kirstin Barton Alive to Change |
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Save 20% on a Life Audit & Kickstart Workshop
Special offer
Life Audit is a detailed review of where you are right now in your life, exploring your life in all its aspects. Together we identify the priorities to work on and pick out some important next steps.
Kickstart is a focused workshop which takes the priorities from your Life Audit and provides a dose of inspiration and motivation to help you start making the changes in your life that you choose.
The cost for each programme in 2010 is CHF100, and this voucher entitles you to the two programmes for a total of CHF160. Programmes can be face to face or over the telephone.
Spaces are limited, so please book early if you are interested. Contact kirstin@alivetochange.com for further information. This offer is not advertised anywhere else, including on my website.
There's no rush - I've taken off the short term time limitation, just contact me when you're ready! | | |
Offer Expires: End 2011 OFFER CODE: OCT10ATC
www.alivetochange.com |
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