People, Pets & Pride

Hello pal

Happy Wednesday! How are you?

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Right, I am planning for this to be a quick love letter as the sun is shining right now in Scotland which as you know is RARE. I need some of that Vitamin D ASAP! :)?

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It has been a big two weeks in life and work hence why you never got a wee love letter from me last week. I dont know if it is the “summer” vibes here in Scotland and that kinda season where there is alot more going on but I am just rolling with it… so bare with me :)?

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Firstly, I am throwing it back with this picture above of my Granpa and I at my Gran & Granpa's Wedding Anniversary many moons ago. I think I was about 8 at the time and of course I am dancing with my Granpa - ?in complete awe of him. I adored this man and he taught me so much. He was a wise, quiet, humble and loving man who literally was only ever about three things - his faith, his family and being in service to others.?

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I know Fathers Day has just passed here in the UK and it can be a bit tricky for people, I know it is for me. I have a unique relationship with my Dad, I actually only met him for the first time in 2018 and we talk now & then but not much. So if Fathers Day is a wee bit hard for you - I get it.?

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Luckily though I have my Granpa to remember and honour not just on Fathers Day but everyday. ?He was there for every school pick up and drop off, meal times and so much more. He taught me how to ride my bike, tie my shoelaces, sit in silence in nature and above all be a kind human.

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Gosh I was so PROUD to have him as my Father figure and I was so proud to be in his family. So here's to my Granpa - and remembering what is really important in life - Faith, Family and being in service to others.?

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And… there are so many things I want to share with you so first up:

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Social Enterprise Academy Awards in Edinburgh, Scotland.?

I had the absolute honour of attending the Social Enterprise Academy Scotland Awards in Edinburgh. If you don't know this incredible organisation, they educate young people in Primary and Secondary schools across Scotland about what it means to be a social entrepreneur and how to create a social enterprise (a business that creates a positive social and / or environmental impact in their community) They work in partnership with schools & teachers to make it happen.?

It was honestly the most inspiring day ever. I spent the morning in the “marketplace” listening to some of these young change makers share their enterprise and how it was making a difference. So happy, excited and a wee bit nervous too but ultimately so passionate about their business and the impact they were having.? I have so many highlights from the event because everytime I spend time with young people they always teach me something - whether that's their mindset, ideas or even just how the explain things.?

One of my fav stories was when I went to buy a candle from “Wax Flame & Candles” and they said “we have two scents what one would you like?” I replied with “vanilla please” they said “oh you can have this special one that says SP on it” and I said what's so special about it?? And they explained that while they were making all the vanilla candles there were three that turned into the colour orange but they couldn't work out why. So instead of binning it they kept them and put a label on it saying “congratulations you got a rare one” and then just to top it all off when I opened the bag later they had put extra sweets in there! And their profits were going to a cancer research charity.

Talk about the best customer experience ever - inspiring, delighting and surprising me all in a matter of minutes!? I wish I could share all their stories but there were simply too many but they are truly heartwarming!? So one thing I will ask is this - If you have a child or children in a school in Scotland or the rest of the UK, in either primary or secondary and you haven't got Social Enterprise Academy in educating your children about how to build a business that makes a difference then make sure you get in touch with your school and SEAS to make it happen!? They currently are working with 50 % of schools in Scotland (I AM PROUD OF SCOTLAND FOR THIS!) - imagine if all our schools and our children had this education!

We keep this type of education circulating we are in for a VERY bright future in Scotland!? ?

ps As part of my business Definitii we give 10% of our profits to educate or partner with people who are educating young people about Social Entrpreneurship. So with SEAS we have dedicated time and money to support their work because it is TOP NOTCH education and something I truly believe all young people would love to have access to. They also educate in other parts of the UK and globally so I am going to the London Awards in July to celebrate their work in that region & as always see what I can learn from these talented young people.?

Pets are life!?

Just a reminder - Pets are LIFE! I had a family gathering this week and met my cousin “Ginger” the Guinea Pig for the first time. I swear all worries disappeared, I was so present and this wee old dear brought me so much joy just watching her chew on a red pepper! If you haven't got a pet then go and spend some time with your pal's pet, honestly I truly believe animals are wee reminders of love each day and are brilliant for our wellbeing!?

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Likewise…. our precious young people are life too….. this dance season has come to an end and I cant help but smile at all the pics from the end of season shows & competitions….

Don't get me wrong having about 30 kids in one room, with 3 costume changes with some sugar involved was a total riot! However, again similar to Ginger the Guinea Pig they provide SO MUCH JOY! They are precious wee souls that I feel so grateful to be around and be trusted to help them start their love for dancing! I myself started dancing when I was 3 years old and ended up learning to teach others 20 years later. Dancing is such a key part of my life, it always will be and I know it will play a special part in these kid's lives too. What I have learnt over the years in myself and others is that dancing creates confidence, consistency, discipline and helps you overcome fears and helps you believe in yourself and your dreams that wee bit more.

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See below a picture of our “Masters” Team all still dancing well into our late 30s / 40s! :) we well and truly feel the fear even more so these days but we still go out and perform at shows & competitions… and it just so happened that on our last comp at the weekend we won alongside the kids! And why not eh?!

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I AM SO PROUD OF ALL THE ?DANCERS IN THE JAZZLE DAZZLE FAMILY!?

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Soooo….. KEEP DANCING! :) (or start!)?

Believe in Scotland!?

I know … I know… the Scotland football team got absolutely “gubbed” ( as they say in Scotland! hehe) in the opening game of the Euros! However, that doesn't mean that we stop believing in them! Although, it is easy to not believe in the team after that performance, however I believe in the power of intention, cultivating a positive mindset, sending good energy to people and always having rebellious hope! As I was out on a wee walk the other day, I saw this tiny wee stone with a message for of course me but also for the people of Scotland and of course our brave Scottish football team.?

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BELIEVE IN SCOTLAND?

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When we do this for our football team, it transcends the football pitch, it goes beyond this game and the entire Euros. It filters through to every part of our cells, rewires our DNA and our belief in going for our own dreams and also the ability to perform at our best in whatever we choose to do as a country.?

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“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny" Mahatma Gandhi

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That's why BELIEVING in Scotland is so important.?

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So let's go tonight! The pride and passion is so deep.?

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I LOVE YOU SCOTLAND!!!!?

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NO SCOTLAND, NO PARTY! :)

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ps and of course.. that wasn't a quick wee love letter at all… the sun has gone! LOL.. :)

I've got your back,