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Dear Reader Congratulations!I am humbled and cheered by the evidence I see all around me of the resilience and strength people display during the struggles facing us all as we navigate our way through life. Sometimes, though, I look at someone’s success and cheerfulness in their triumph and forget that there’s no such thing as an “overnight success”. Success comes through nver giving up, through facing each seemingly insurmountable challenge head on, through putting on a brave face even though the knees are trembling and the voice feels constricted. Today I want to honour three such people who are breaking through the barriers and are on the edges of a spotlight shining on their success. The first is my friend Suraya Dewing, Creator & Founder of Stylefit and The Story Mint. Suraya and I were at University together. We were pregnant at the same time; her son Leif was born a week before my daughter, named Suraya by her siblings. A few years later we were housemates. And our friendship has strengthened through the years.
Suraya has developed a program to help and encourage young folk to write creatively. And every year Stylefit has a writing competition for students. To see details of the competition for 2024, click on the following The Great Kiwi Write Off. Suraya says her “goal at Stylefit® is to inspire discovery and improvement – understanding the impact of words and how they change the tone and style of how we communicate throughout our lives.” A worthy goal and I’ve certainly enjoyed seeing how my own writing can be improved through StyleFit. And when you have a look at the competition page, I’m sure you’ll agree there’s a lot of fun to be had with the learning. Maybe you have someone who might like to enter the competition? The second person I’m sending my congratulations to is fellow writer Pat Backley, who I’ve mentioned before and reviewed her latest book a few weeks back. Pat is generous, cheerful and helpful.
The first book I read was born out of her experience of being abandoned by her husband for a ‘younger model’ – aptly titled The Abandoned Wives Handbook. I found her honesty and compassion helpful in putting my own experience of being ‘abandoned’ by my first husband through his untimely death. I am forever grateful for those who write of their own experiences through loss and grief as they help us all to heal from our own losses, regardless of the similarity of the event. Pat turned her adversity into a passion for writing. She has published eight books and contributed to an anthology. Go to her website to read more And my third and final congratulation shout out (for now) goes to my daughter Suraya. One day I hope she will share her story about her life. From the time she was born she has been her own person, defining her story and working out how to live it. She’s had her challenges along the way too. And like others, the challenges have given her growth opportunities.
One of her many skills is design and recently she’s created thong underwear designed to manage heavy period flow. Suraya is participating in a business booster program and has been chosen to pitch her business idea in Sydney next month. Have a look at her post here on Facebook where she talks more about what she’s been doing and shares the product pitch that won her the opportunity to present her ideas in person in Sydney. If you think her idea has merit, you can follow her to get updates. Suraya deserves every opportunity to progress the Flow Riders thong to production. And my hope is that you agree too, and will help her get there. There will be a people’s choice prize awarded to the applicant who receives the most likes for another video she will post around mid July. If you follow her on Facebook, she will let you know when she posts this second video and you can decide then whether to support her further by clicking the like button. Is it Winter or is it Spring?I planted a whole lot of daffodil bulbs, in anticipation of a spring showing. However, one gorgeous flower emerged on 1st, the first day of winter! I know some of the bulbs are ‘early’ varieties, but is this a bit too early? Or do we have a microclimate in our garden? Regardless, I’m thrilled to have this happy face smiling up at me!
Colds – another C Word!Hubby and I’ve both been enjoying colds. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what self care means to us. Neil has been feeling like working in the garden and being busy. I’m reclining on the couch in the sun, reading or doing the wordle. We’re both recovering nicely, I’m sure! Take care, and whatever your means of self care, enjoy the process! Till next time, My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond: “Write it on my heart that every day is Ralph Waldo Emerson “Remember that sometimes not getting “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them, please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook. FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of |
Congratulations and Spring in Winter?
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