Hey Meiron I red carded myself last week after a challenging couple of weeks with my teenage son. (Mind you I could have red carded him every day really, but am talking the rugby red card there!) After a week of waking at 4am with the "monkey chattering" I came in to work feeling less than fabulous. My red card is blu tacked on to my computer and I grabbed it and carried it with me whilst I went and got a coffee. Was I really choosing to allow things to affect my well being that I didn't really know for sure was happening? I actually re framed things and turned it in to something like The Chaser and by the time I was walking back to work I realised that I had a huge smile on my face and I was almost skipping along. Instead of allowing Batboy to "push my buttons"....I was designing a comedy skit! It worked :) Pretty funny really..... ... View more

Thanks for your thoughts Julie. I agree with you that many people cannot deal with someone dying. Its certainly outside comfort zones for many. I think as a community we could acknowledge death and dying more openly as it is inevitable for all of us at some time, and the more this is talked about the less fearful it becomes for people to acknowledge. Yes, perhaps the universe did choose well, as I do feel so privileged to have been there for the duration and actually at the end. I guess its the way things are worded which can really leave you reeling. I learnt to stay away from the people who, however well-meaning perhaps would have been more comfortable to see me at home teary and in my pyjamas making cups of tea for them so they could tell their friends I was not in a good way. They had a pre conceived idea of what I “should” be doing, not wanting me to do something that was outside their parameters of “their normal”. Returning to work however challenging at the time was a life changer for me. My confidence and self-esteem rose and I felt valued, a kind of different value, …… I began to be someone other than a carer. (and that does not mean to undervalue being a carer) I also believe the children were happy that I wasn’t at home in a “cancer” existence. I was fortunate as I said to have supportive colleagues but there are many that don’t. Despite this, I still felt guilty at times as I wasn’t sure I was doing the best job I could and hoped that I wasn’t portraying low energy for my workplace as I juggled the “bubble “ existence. Mental conflict transition for sure!....... ... View more

Hi everyone, Hope you all had a great weekend. Just wondering if anyone has used strategies that were discussed in the workshop to assist with any work or study related issues? Would love to hear if you have Cheers Annie ... View more

Hi Kirsten, So pleased you enjoyed the workshop. Let us know if there is anything you put in to place that you are happy with and think others can benefit from , Have fun at work and ignore the monkeys no matter how cute! Cheers Annie ... View more

Wonderful to see you all again on Saturday guys Sounds like the resilience stones are a hit at the moment and I did like the idea of keeping the bell in the back pack so every time you pick it up its a reminder to be in the present......unless of course you are jogging with the back pack and then it could work either way! Looking forward to hearing more about the ways you are all going to use the little bag of strategies. Keep the ideas rolling in and we can share with everyone Cheers Annie ... View more

As a carer, I had a good line thrown at me ......." Hey its such a shame you are going through this, but if it had to happen to someone it was good it was you as you are such a strong person" I can chuckle about it now, however at the time I was so shocked that I didnt really know how to react! ... View more

Congratulations Nikki. How wonderful for you, your partner and ALL of your beautiful family. Love the name Finn, and it kind of suits you too as the mother. (Dont ask me why!)....Take care of yourself and we will hear from you much later on Annie ... View more