Weekly Wins 35: Lessons From a Friend & a Vision of the Future

I love my life, I really do. I have the most amazing husband and family, I truly do. But, full transparency, I have not always felt this way, and we are all far from perfect, but when I zoom out, my family are all spectacular human beings. Honestly, if I think about it too much (as I am a ruminator #auadhd), I could start crying with how fortunate I am with those who chose me to be their mum, and the man who chose me to be his wife. Without them I wouldn’t be me.

I met an interstate friend of mine some years ago and despite our age and life stage difference, we had similarities in core values and limiting beliefs. He recently started posting more online and I got intouch to tell him that I loved seeing his posts and that I found it inspiring because he had found a way to utilise social media in a way that suited him, but it was inspiring to me and brightened my days when I read his posts.

Sidetrack: I have this funny relationship with social media, which I’ve spoken about before. I enjoy it, but do find it unusual to speak into a camera about my thoughts which I tend to overprocess on and dislike doing things live… anywho, I digress.

So, what was he posting? It was “just” positive comments/quotes/thought provoking questions and I think they are a great way to act as a circuit breaker. They can quickly and effectively change my mood, boost my appreciation for life and bring me back to a sense of gratitude for life. I find them that powerful.

That same friend died last year. Stay with me here. He died, and now he’s posting online. He went in for routine surgery and was given a lethal dose of anaesthetic and died on the table. Fortunately, he was returned to earth by some quick thinking, very skilled and intelligent (likely #auadhd I might add) medical staff. He had a life changing experience that has rippled out to me….

And today as I sit here, thinking of his posts, grateful for his life, grateful for his opportunity to live again, I’m also grateful for my own life. Absolutely there are things that annoy me, things that frustrate me, and I’m sick of hearing my own voice say the same instructions on the daily, but I have ONE life, I have an amazing husband, 4 amazing children who both make me cry in frustration, in happiness, with worry, and cry with pride.

I guess this blog is a reminder to me, and hopefully you, that we have one life, some of us aren’t as lucky as my friend to get the chance to come back, so let’s make the most of it. Let’s do it with love, gratitude and presence. Yes, I know it can be challenging, but let’s have the foundation be of love, gratitude and presence.

My vision and what I hope the future looks like for anyone who connects with me via The Incremental Shift is one of inspired mums, dads and children who believe that they are creative, resourceful and whole, with the capacity to nurture, grow, respond to challenges and build resilience both individually and collectively as a unique family ecosystem.

If this aligns with you, if this brings you a sense of peace and calm when it sits within the depth of your heart, but you are tinged by a thought of “BUT HOW?!!!”…. Follow along, I will support you, we can do this together, I know we can.

Much love,

Alison xx