Be yourself

Putting it all into practise

Why You Should Say Thank You to Children

~ Nicky M ~ 13 Comments

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Anyone who works with children will understand the roller coaster ride of emotions you experience over the course of a school year.

Whilst I love my job, working with children can make you feel tired, sad, worried, stressed, daunted, unfunny, a failure, out of touch, old, emotional and rubbish at your job.

Sad but true.

However, you learn so much when you work with children. You get to see things from their many perspectives – straightforward and complicated, innocent and streetwise, selfish and caring.

I’ve learned over the years to take children just as they are.

By adopting this approach you allow yourself to see the world through their eyes. Not to judge them, but to understand why they may behave a certain way, gain insight into their experiences of life so far and to appreciate the little things they do in all their simplicity.

Here are a few examples of the wonderful moments I’ve noticed when with children:

Excitement – is what you experience when say you will get the Lego out during wet play

Generosity – is being given ten drawings by the same child

Happiness – the face that literally lights up when you thank them for something they did

Motivation – children working together to tidy up quickly so we have time for a game

Creativity – 30 children, a whole afternoon, plain old white paper and a box of crayons…

Compassion – half the class offering to take the child who has fallen over to first aid

Appreciation – the handmade card at the end of the year

Humour – because kids are funny. Period

Wisdom – need to know anything about Minecraft? Ask a child.

Courage – for some, just showing up every day

Friendship – navigating the trials and tribulations of the school playground

Confidence – anyone can blossom with a little support

It is a privilege to work with children and young people. Hard, but a privilege none the less.

So I want to say thank you to all the amazing children out there.

I never miss an opportunity to say it, and I want you to say it too.

Children are fabulous educators and the positives far out way the negatives.

Thank them for all they are teaching you.

Share your stories of what lessons children have taught you below. I can’t wait to read them.

 

Little Miss Sunshine

~ Nicky M ~ 15 Comments

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Who doesn’t love a little sun to shine on their day?

I love getting an award – not just because I’m honoured and humbled to have been chosen (which I am!) but because I get to share some of the new blogs I’ve found with my existing readers.

It’s so great to get a shout out. My heart does little star jumps when I read my comments – the fact that someone has taken the time to read and write on my post makes me smile from ear to ear.

So thank you to Blogmomrocks2 for nominating me for The Sunshine Blogger Award – you are awesome!

The rules are as follows…

1. Thank the person that nominated you
2. Answer the 11 questions from your nominator
3. Nominate 11 bloggers.
4. Give them 11 questions to answer.

Here’s what you wanted to know…

1. A ham and cheese sandwich or a veggie tray?

Probably the veggies – not too fussed wth sandwiches.

2. Friendship or Marriage?

I think a friendship within a marriage is the best answer – too many people are unhappy in their marriages. I love being married. But it’s because we are friends. We treat each other as we would our friends – you have to put the effort in.

3. Facebook or Twitter?

Going to say Facebook – but actually my fave is Instagram – so much friendlier.

4. Your preferred form of transportation?

Walking. I love being outside in the fresh air. I actually can’t drive and have no intention to learn at present.

5. Fiction or Non-fiction?

Oooooh toughest question yet! Going to say fiction has the edge – but I’m loving reading autobiographies of kick-ass women at the minute.

6. Puppies or kittens?

Definitely puppies.

7. Wendy Williams show or Dr. Oz show?

I live in the UK and don’t watch much TV – so unsure who these are….

8. Pants or shorts?

Again, UK gal. Going to say pants (hope that’s trousers) although I prefer skirts and dresses over both.

9. Living in a Mansion or a country home?

How about a mansion in the country? Wouldn’t actually mind either – as long as it felt like home and all my kids were there.

10. Sweet or salty?

Salty. No sweet tooth here!

11. A Nature Preserve center or an Art Museum?

Art museum – it’s good to broaden your experiences.

I proudly nominate…

Hide Away Girl 

A Flair for the Dramatic

Yasmin’s Lifestyle Blog 

My Favouriite

Life Lessons From Around the Dinner Table

That’s So Jacob 

Francis and Anna

Send Sunshine

Sparky Jen

Brizzle Lass

Joseyphina’s World

Anyone else who would like to take part and add this award to their blog – you’re all worthy!

And finally, I want to know….

1. What’s the last thing you do every night, before going to sleep?

2. Think of an adjective to describe yourself that starts wth the same letter as your name.

3. How many blogposts have you published so far?

4. What’s the title of the next post you’re going to publish?

5. If you had to choose one colour to wear for the rest of your life, what would it be?

6. What was the last lie you told?

7. Name one nice thing about yourself.

8. When we meet for the first time, what will be the first thing I notice about you?

9. What do you like to do when it rains?

10. If you had to change your blog name, what would it be?

11. Name one nice thing you will do for yourself today.

Hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little more. Don’t forget to give me a shout out when you post as I can’t wait to learn more about you!

Have a sunny day. And remember to keep those smiles firmly in place 🙂

Nicky xo

It’s the little things 24/07/16

~ Nicky M ~ 7 Comments

It’s the things that add a little sunshine to the showers and show up like a rainbow after the storm.

Here’s a round up of all the little things from my week that have made me smile…

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The sun made an appearance …and has stayed around! 
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Yay me!
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Smiling like the proverbial Cheshire Cat…cos school’s out!!!
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Picnic in the park – because I can!
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Just chillin’
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Clear summer skies and a beautiful moon

This week, the sun has certainly helped the mood…I hope next week is full of sunshine and smiles too.

And remember you might just be the sunshine in someone’s rain cloud!

Have a great week whatever you’re up to!

Nicky xo

One Simple Truth you Need to Increase Your Happiness

~ Nicky M ~ 17 Comments

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How happy are you?

How do you define happiness?

On a scale of 1 – 10 or I’ll be happy when..?

What does happy look like to you?

To me, it’s my kids…food in my cupboard…time spent alone…a good book…pottering in the garden…helping someone find their smile…surprise gifts…chocolate cake…

What’s stopping you from being completely happy? 

Your situation? Other people? Lack of time? Or money?

All of the above?

The thing is, we put so much pressure on ourselves to be happy, that we rarely spend any time doing it! You can read books on how to be happy, attend workshops to help you find your happiness, listen to guided meditations….the list goes on.

Did you ever wonder why some people seem to just be happy, no matter what life throws at them?

I’m guessing it’s because they’ve realised one simple truth…

“Happiness is a choice”

No, honestly it is.

And it starts once you realise that life isn’t about being perfect.

We get stressed and upset when things don’t go our way or how we had planned them. We tell ourselves that if it goes this way we will be happy. We let circumstance dictate our happiness.

We decide that there is only one perfect outcome and anything less than this is wrong and therefore we will be unhappy.

Do you see how crazy that is?

ONE perfect outcome and A MILLION ways to get it wrong. So basically you’re giving yourself a million to one chance to be happy everyday!

Let’s start flexing our flexibility bone people. There isn’t a perfect way to live. It’s nigh on impossible to be perfect all the time – and why would you want to?

We are human beings. We mess up. We make mistakes. We change our minds. We get stuff wrong. We say the wrong thing. We make wrong decisions. We create chaos.

It’s what makes us human.

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Stop striving to be perfect, don’t judge others, start paying attention to the little things that make you smile, be grateful, do stuff for other people, look after yourself more, decide every morning that you’re going to be happy and start enjoying life exactly as it is.

You’ll be amazed at how happy you can be, once you make your mind up.

It’s the little things 18/07/16

~ Nicky M ~ 14 Comments

It’s the little things that make me want to spin you right round, jump, jump, jump and do the Macarena.

Here’s a round up of all the little things from my week that have made my heart swell an my soul sing.

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Setting my intentions
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This flower – because who doesn’t like a little glitter?
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I love a good transformation photo!
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Another amazing transformation – creating a therapeutic garden at work
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Spending the day with hubby always makes me smile 

A little later than usual this week – but hey ‘Ease & Flow’ remember?

Have a great week guys and renember to notice the little things – they’re there to remind you to have a good day!

Nicky xo