#21 Sharing Stuff

I honestly didn't think I would be sharing any stuff this month.

I was planning on keeping up with the excitement of my previous share but life has thrown several difficult curve balls this past month so whilst I can't promise excitement, I can deliver on honesty, and an insight into?the things that have contributed to this, which still manage to light me up even through the more difficult days.

So here goes ...?Sharing Stuff That Lights Me Up!?

As always, I'm starting with a quote.? Another one?from my Be Alive workshop, this time about letting go, which will make sense as you read on..

A tribute and a Ted Talk

This part of my share is usually where I share a couple of podcasts that I have loved over the past month. This share is slightly different.

It's a tribute to Walter, our wonderful little dog who we had to say goodbye to earlier this month.

We had to let him go. I'm not sure this letting go made us strong though; even though it was the kindest thing to do, it’s one of the hardest decisions we made.

?

Walter has been with us since his day 1; we also had his mum, Tilly, and he was the pup we kept out of a litter of four.

He wasn’t the biggest dog in the world but he had the biggest character and was always such a happy loving chap.

Since mid 2020 when I gave up full time employment to train to coach and start my own business, he has been my constant companion. My work mate. My chief listener. My confidant.

The hole he has left is immense.

Our home feels empty.

I read in Susan David’s book, Emotional Agility, that grief was love looking for a home.

We have a lot of love looking for a home.

And even though I know it won’t be long before we have the patter of paws ?? again as Paul and I have never lived without a dog, I wanted to pay a loving tribute to my little work and teammate who always made me shine ? ??

When we think of?grief, most people will think about the loss of a person. And when you lose someone close to you, you are almost certainly going to grieve, it's accepted and expected, even when it is still hard.

Our pets are part of our family, our lives - they are part of us.? So that grief hits just as hard, sometimes even harder.??

One of my lovely LinkedIn contacts shared with me a TED Talk - Pet loss grief; the pain explained by Dr Sarah Hoggan

Sarah is?an emergency vet; she is there for people and their pets on the worst day of their lives - when they have to say goodbye.? She shares how the grief of losing a pet is absolutely crushing; and yet it is too often minimised. Her talk explains why the pain of pet loss is different and why it is valid.

Here's the link if you feel this will help you or someone you know - be forewarned, you'll need tissues!

?

Podcast shares:

Well, there's not an abundance of podcasts this share but if you're going to listen to anything over the next few weeks, let it be this one!

Regular receivers of my shares will know how much I love Mo Gawdat, his books, and his podcast, Slo Mo, and this episode doesn't disappoint.??

Slo Mo: A podcast with Mo Gawdat:?Unstressable with Jodi Wellman - Living Fully

When was the last time you felt fully alive?? I mean, really alive, not just happy and joyful.? Of course, those moments are important but feeling fully alive is a different feeling.? Often hard to describe and totally unique to each person but for me it is when I am running.? It's when my body and mind feel free, all my senses are buzzing and the endorphin buzz I get from running is second to none.??

How about you?? What makes you feel fully alive and when was the last time you felt it?

And if you enjoy the podcast (here's the link), then you are going to love my Be Alive workshop.? My workshop touches on so much of what Mo and Jodi talk about, it could have been designed off the back of the conversation!? But my workshop came first so at least I know I'm in great company with my design and delivery.? A new?date for my next Be Alive workshop is?coming soon, so keep subscribing!

This month's book share...

Unmasked - the ultimate guide to ADHD, autism and neurodivergence by Ellie Middleton

I wear a number of hats as Shine Coaching and one of them is my role as Associate Coach for Genius Within, a CIC?specialising in supporting neurodivergent adults and the organisations that work with, and employ them.

I love working with my Genius Within clients.? In supporting them as their coach, I get to learn so much from them.? And?as well as all the training and CPD Genius Within provide for their associates, I top this up with reading and podcasts.

And Ellie's book about her journey is such an inspiring read.? Ellie was late diagnosed as an autistic ADHD'er and shares her story in this excellent book.? I love her honesty, humour, kindness, and vulnerability.? Ellie shares chapters on mental health, pretty privilege, how to navigate the workplace, and the importance of self-diagnosis, so that we can all better understand and celebrate neurodivergence, and ultimately make the world a more inclusive place.

Bottoms up at the end of this share!

But who's bottom is this?

You are the first to meet our new family member, Nell!

It's just a sneak preview of the cuteness that is to come.

This is Nell helping me move furniture (aka a cat bed!) in my office to try and make my office Nell-proof!

Keep your eyes out for more flattering photos of Nell to come!

So, I did it.? Even when I didn't think I would be able to.? It's funny how we are the ones that?often put the mental blocks in our own way.

And do you know what, I'm glad I did it.? Glad I shared this month with you, even if it wasn't brimmed full of excitement.

Until my next share...

Best wishes and?stay shining

Sally

?