Hiya.

I happened to be getting off the Bakerloo Line on London Tube at Baker Street the other day, when I literally bumped into an old University friend. We exchanged the usually ‘Hellos’ and stuff and then he said, “I saw your bro and he said, ‘Cheryl is into Personal Development more in a big way now; she’s a Confidence Coach’ and I thought what the hell was that?”

“This is a question that I often get asked but rather trying than trying to explain here, I will write a short story that will illustrate my philosophy, so to speak. And, just because I’m crazy; I will post it on my blog. How’s that?” I said.

After I said it, I thought “Ok, I’ve got to do it now”.

We said our goodbyes and I said that I would drop him a line when it when on the blog- so here it is…. well part 1. I have split it into a 5 parter.

Check in tomorrow for part 2.

I happened to be getting oAnne came running into my bedroom, pulling her Father behind her.

“Mum!  Look!  We bought you a present from our walk!”

Her voice jangled into my headache and made me wince but she was so excited that I had to smile.  She made me hold out my hands and close my eyes.
I felt something drop into my palm.

“Open them now, Mummy!”

Anne was wriggling with the anticipation of my response.  When I looked, a tiny Acorn nestled there.

Suddenly, I was a child again, looking at the world through the eyes of my daughter.  She saw wonderment, magic and possibilities.

My life felt very different.  My assistant directorateship position was in danger due to efficiency savings at the company.  I was exhausted from juggling work and trying to be a Mum to Anne and a wife to Mike.  All of this was giving me regular tension headaches – like today, when I felt too rotten to go for a simple walk in the woods with my family.

As I looked at the Acorn, I thought to myself that my life would be what I make it.  I would have to make some decisions.  My old Maths teacher once said to me “It’s all about attitude.”  Anne’s attitude was a great example of that.  Her glass wasn’t just half full, it was overflowing!  In that instant, I decided to ask to go part-time at work.

Mike had already suggested it several times but I’d brushed his idea aside.  The truth was that his job was well paid enough that we didn’t have to rely on my full-time salary.  Now, I saw that it wasn’t the job that was the problem – it was my attitude.

I had believed I needed the job to make me who I was.  But I realised that  the people that loved me already knew who I was.  I had a loving husband who supported me totally and a delightful little girl who was growing up fast.  Too fast.  If I didn’t spend some time with her, I would miss it.

“It’s beautiful, darling!”  Anne beamed with pleasure at my reaction.  “Tell you what, let’s go and plant it.”

Anne’s eyes grew wider.  “Now?”

“Yep, right now!”

She looked a little confused.  “But what about your headache, Mummy?”

I smiled.  “I think it’s gone – the Acorn must have made it better!”

**********

Check in tomorrow for part 2.

So you're new here and you want more so click here to subscribe to my RSS feed. Bye for now. Cheryl

Tags: Attitude, Human Interest, Leadership, Passions, Relationships

This entry was posted on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 4:00 pm and is filed under Leadership. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Both comments and pings are currently closed.