Monday 29 August 2016

Ctrl, Alt, Del…reset.




Do you ever just sit back and think "Wow! I did that!" No? Well…you should. I say that tongue in cheek because, until this month, I haven't. You can get so wrapped up in surviving, deflecting criticism, following your dreams, helping your children follow theirs and listening to negativity, that you forget to look at your achievements so far. Remember, nothing is absolute. At any point in your life, you can press control, alt and delete and basically reset your life. Sure, some things you can wipe out but you can move forward and re- configure your life. All you need is will power, faith and hard work.

People's negativity towards your life and your choices is as a result of their ignorance and their perception of what a 'perfect life' is. Let's be straight here – A PERFECT LIFE IS NON-EXISTENT! 

Life, for me, boils down this… it is YOUR LIFE, YOUR CHOICE, YOUR CHANCE. No one has the right to tell you, you can't succeed – you can! No one gets an easy life (unless you're a Royal of course). You have to work hard and you have to accept there will be bumps, or huge mountains in your way. You can choose to ride over them or around them but don’t choose to give up. This is where I am now in my life. I have wasted too much time thinking or being told I wasn't worthy or clever enough.  Honestly, it's an absolute load of rubbish!! Some people will not want you to succeed, they don't want you to achieve what they themselves don't dare to try for. Let's face it, I could land on the moon, invent life-saving equipment or a discover a vaccine and yet some will still despise me or criticise me.  I say ignore them and go for it! Follow what makes you happy.

I know my faults and I know my limitations. I choose to exceed those limitations and right some of my faults. The only true support I have had during this time has been from the boys and my very close circle of friends. The circle has contracted even more recently and I could not be happier. Those doubters, obstacles and mountains have been removed! I have no ambitions or inclinations to surround myself with dozens of people pretending to support me. I'm far too busy creating the next chapters in our lives to deal with silly drama. I have set my new goals for the next six months. It's very exciting.

Spending time with the boys and Erin over the summer holidays, has reinforced the importance of genuine family time, precious time with people who make me smile and who create a natural, happy environment. When you strip back the artificial stresses imposed by external forces, you really see the beauty of the people around you and the beauty in yourself. 

We've had the best summer ever, with a short break down to Morfar Bychan in Wales (one of my favourite places - you can see why).










Lucas reached a milestone of ten - TEN! Where did the time go. It poured it down all day but we still had a barbecue and the boys played in the paddling pool in the rain. Seeing the smiles on their faces was truly priceless.






Wes achieved his place on the course of his choice at University and is ready, and excited, to start a new chapter in his life.


 

Yes, I sit back and look at what I created and nurtured. I am truly blessed and love my little, imperfect family.











Writing


I have struggled to find words recently but I'm back – can you tell? I have a strong feeling my hands are going to struggle to keep up with my brain. It's not a bad position to be in. I have so many new ideas and projects to complete – one glorious step at a time.

 






Masters


Over the next few weeks, I am preparing to study a Masters in Information Technology. I couldn't secure funding for the PhD this year but I haven't given up! Where there is a will, there is a way.



Right, I'm off to enter my screenplay into a few competitions. You never know your luck! Have a fabulous week. I can’t believe we only have one week left before the school term starts. I am going to miss having little legs at home even though I can go for hours before seeing him emerge from his little den. Still, he is happy and his mental well being is vital for his future growth. The only time I do see him is for food and to escort him in his search for Pokemon!! I love it really.

Enjoy your week x




Wednesday 17 August 2016

Life is blooming tough…but thrilling too





The side effects of lies


I am currently dealing with so many issues, I feel like my head is about to explode. It's tough being on your own. We all need a sounding board but we don’t want to sound like we're moaning all the time. 

One of the side effects of Meniere's is lack of self-confidence. It's tough to know when the next attack will strike. Do you stay in? Do you venture out? Do you tell people about your illness? Do you keep it to yourself? Will people understand? Will people misunderstand when you can't attend events? Whilst I try to get on with life and, I think, I do quite well most of the time, I do have days when I can't breathe from the fear within me. This fear has also been fed by the terrible monster unleashed by peoples' lies about me. They have killed my self-esteem and confidence many times over.  I am trying to come to terms with years of being told my instincts were wrong and I was paranoid, only to discover and prove beyond any doubt, my instincts were 100% correct and I wasn't paranoid…EVER!

I am not angry at the lies. I'm angry that I spent all my life second guessing because I believed I couldn't trust my own instincts. When people I loved told me I was wrong, I was paranoid and stupid, I genuinely thought there was something wrong with me. For years, I have avoided relationships and friendships because I thought I was incapable of being loved or loving back. Can you imagine that? 

When I finally had irrefutable evidence, I was angrier with myself, than the perpertrators. I had allowed myself to be manipulated. I couldn't work out what I had done to deserve the treatment I received. Now, I don’t think I did anything wrong other than denying it was happening and not turning my back on it years ago. 

From day to day I get flashbacks of events that happened many years ago – my reactions to them range from anger, sickness and floods of tears. It is all part of the healing process and I am so thankful Wes has been helping me to come to terms with it. Some days are better than others but I have no choice other than to work through this while keeping my head held high, bring the boys up, support them, the house and forge a new career for myself. I realise just how strong and determined I am. 

Lies MUST be uncovered and called out but more importantly, people need to accept the consequences of those lies and the bullying and manipulation that follows when trying to cover up the lies. Honesty is the best policy. Own your mistakes, apologise where you need to and most of all, LEARN not to repeat. 

I am impatient. The trouble is, the enormity and emotions of the events take over every single aspect of your life. The fight to stop it taking over creates another conflict to get over! Some days, I feel like I am on a constant cycle of pain between a broken heart and broken ears. In between all this, I am trying to live my life and build a new career.  I want to wave a magic wand, get over my past and move on. If only it was that simple! Instead, I am fudging day by day and know one day, hopefully not in the too distant future, the fudging will be replaced with calm acceptance of my new, peaceful life.

Until then, I accept the struggle but won't give up on my children or my dreams. My enrolling on a Masters course is part of the process of getting out and not hiding away. I love being around like minded people and if I can get over the fears instilled over many years of abuse, I know I can succeed in all of my dreams. I refuse to give up!!

Before anyone reads this as self-indulgent wallowing, it most certainly is NOT. So many people are lied to or lied about; so many people are bullied by the people who pretend to love them. I just want those people to know, you are not alone. Message me. I can't promise I have the answers but I can lend you an ear so you are not going through it all alone. 

Writing

I confess, I have not written much over the last two weeks. I have been reading up on writing techniques and reading many writers' works. It's important to me to pick up the craft of writing and extend my knowledge but now it is back to finishing the work I have started.

The Nanny

This is progressing well. There is lots of research involved in this project which I absolutely love.











 

Streetwise



Is out in the market place, still.













Beyond the Past




Have you had the chance to read it yet? Would you like to review it for me?
Read the first three chapters FREE on my website
Available from:
Pegasus Publishers
Amazon UK
Kindle
Amazon US
Or you can order from your local bookshop. The ISBN number is : 978-1-84386-789-0

Masters

I am looking forward to going back to University to study Information Technology. People are surprised when I tell them I am not doing a Master in writing but I want to broaden my horizon and my career prospects. Nothing wrong with having more strings to your bow.
I can’t wait to get stuck into my new challenge and know I can do this and write. I will still be pursuing funding for my PhD.

I am off to get ready for the first pre-season football training session this evening. I do love the summer holidays but autumn is my favourite time of year. Good luck to all the students getting their A level results tomorrow. I do hope you get what you want. We are anxious here but it's not the end of the world or life and death!!
Have a fabulous week and please, be kind to everyone.

Much love