|
Hi Reader, At my secondary school, there was a teacher called Mr Robson. He was a fearsome character yet much respected. So, when he took to the stage at our daily assembly one morning, we listened intently. It was unprecedented. Mr Robson spoke of the importance of honesty and accountability. He gave an example of being given too much change in error in a shop, and keeping the extra money as if we had won a prize. It was a perk, we deserved it, just fortune smiling on us. But, it was still wrong. He explained to around 250 teenagers that the person manning the til would likely have that money deducted from their pay. In the worst case, they could themselves be accused of stealing and lose their job. I remember we stood silent, regretful at the times we had thought ourselves lucky at someone else's expense, ignorant of the implications of our actions. This is rightly a lesson for children. But it never hurts to revisit lessons and apply them to our lives. There are consequences to all of our actions, no matter how small. I have recalled Mr Robson's assembly many times throughout my life and wonder how many other students have done the same. Sometimes the briefest of lessons stay with us to lasting effect. This was given to me to share. Don't live your life at the expense of others. Apply thought, word and deed with care.
It is your legacy.
Focus on the light, always, Natalie Attenborough |
Hi Reader, The Dalai Lama teaches that anger is a weakness, and counsels never to act or make a decision when in an angry state. While passionate feelings may inspire great deeds, no good comes from anger. I am generally an agreeable person. Though we all get angry at times. When angry, my natural response is to try and rationalise the situation. But my reasoning is flawed by the negative emotion, and I always, and I mean always, either make things worse or hurt others or myself. So now, when...
Hi Reader, I went home for a few days recently. My family home. My parents still live in the house I grew up in. It is a house filled with memories, and love. The same chair where I sat on my Mums knee as an infant, that I now sit in with my daughter when we visit. The dining room where my family shared Christmas meals after opening gifts. The bedroom I shared with my older sister. Every square inch of the house is crammed with memories. As is the village it is located in. And going there I...
Hi Reader, When I became a parent I was given one piece of advice that I found particularly useful. Never compare your child to others. As a first time parent it can be easy to question your own methods. And by comparing your child to others, conclude you are getting it wrong. But as we know, every child is different. So I chose not to compare mine to others, particularly for significant milestones such as crawling, walking and potty training. And I let my daughter proceed at her own pace....