School as I wish it: Starting simple (1)

Time is a big concern to me on how I would fit this with my work and other duties. However, I promised myself to persist starting with very small steps for 15 to 20 minutes everyday.

What matters is the journey and that I do start it!

My other concern was burning my ideas, however, if I am true to my cause, I want to add value so I should not bother about leaking my book steps.

A third concern is “Who am I to write this?!” But simple again is my answer: “I am a mother”. It is true that I do not have my own children but a sense of motherhood towards the young is one of my drivers.

A fourth issue is how I would present my steps: honest, basic and just as they happen. Nothing to hide and nothing to feel embarrassed about!

School as I wish it to be

It is a new year. Another one. I kept delaying and procrastinating about writing a book that I could leave behind with the lessons I have learnt. But, today I hope it is going to be a new start without stopping until I have a product.

I plan to share my journey of writing the book step by step. I perviously had the title of “The girl from the bride of sands” telling the lessons as I tell my story, an ordinary one. However, as it would have been a form of an autobiography, it was hard to do and to embrace the full vulnerability that comes with it.

My aim from writing the book is to pass the knowledge and skills as a mother would have passed to her own children, only that anyone who will find the material would be my child. I want people to see from the future, to avoid the mistakes and to focus on things that would matter more if one focuses on them sooner.

I will share the journey on facebook, youtube and instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AyAEx8RHn/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://youtube.com/@schoolasiwishittobe?feature=shared

Let us hope that it will be a valuable and enjoyable journey!

JC Maxwell’s laws of growth: The law of intentionality

“Growth is the only guarantee that tomorrow is going to get better”

If you want to grow you have to be intentional.

You cannot give what you do not have.

Question 1: What are you doing to develop yourself? (Foundation)

My answers:

I read books – I need to be intentional about the skills and books to read, time them and stick to my timing.

I attend courses – I need to be intentional about what courses to attend and wehn

I reflect – I need to commit

Question 2: What are you doing to develop others? (Compounding)

My answers:

I teach – I need to choose more what I teach on

I share information

“You cannot develop yourself or your people unless you are intentional.” J.C. Maxwell

Join me for learning and reflecting on: https://www.maxwellleadership.com/

How to be valuable (AI assisted)

I could not stop thinking about my value as a human in this world since I returned from Bletchley Park seeing the impact Alan Turing and his alike made in the world. There must me more for us to do so that at the end of our lives we could say that the mission we were sent to accomplish on this plant are completed. Whilst I have to find my own answer, I could not but ask ChatOn AI.

ChatOn AI response:

As a human, you have the potential to be valuable in various ways. Here are a few ways you can maximize your value in the world:

  1. Pursue your passion: Identify what you are truly passionate about and pursue it wholeheartedly. When you engage in activities you love, you are more likely to excel and make a positive impact.
  2. Continuously learn and grow: Embrace a growth mindset and commit to lifelong learning. Acquire new skills and knowledge to stay relevant in an ever-changing world. This will enable you to contribute to society in meaningful ways.
  3. Help others: Offer your skills, time, and resources to help those in need. Volunteer for causes you care about, mentor others, or support charitable organizations. Small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on individuals and communities.
  4. Foster positive relationships: Build strong and supportive relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and your community. Encourage and uplift others, collaborate on projects, and create a network of individuals who can inspire and support each other.
  5. Make a difference in your profession: Whatever your profession or field of expertise, strive to make a positive impact. Innovate, solve problems, and contribute to the betterment of society through your work.

Remember, being valuable in the world is a personal journey and can mean different things to different people. Find what aligns with your values and strengths, and use your unique abilities to make a difference.

I know I need to start getting better at what I do but I feel that I need to do more with what I have even given. I will have to enquire more about mentoring the youth in our community. I might come back to you with progress if that enquiry was a fruitful one!

Please share with me any ideas you have about making our journeys as individuals more valuable to others.

With my best wishes!

Bletchley Park: home of the code breakers

Visited Sunday, March the 31st 2024

I strongly recommend a visit to Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes to witness an integral part of where the WWII was won. The great men and women of Britain saving their country by science, math and technology.

The lake for the code breakers to relax in their free time
The motorcycles used by the staff to transfer information. They were mostly women
The cipher machine
Colossus, the first computer
Parts of colossus
Alan Turing
The polish memorial

Building a new routine (2: Breathing)

“I’ve got to keep breathing. It’ll be my worst business mistake if I don’t” Steve Martin, American Comedian

“I am grateful that I am breathing” I told myself this morning and scribbled it in my journal to be one of the first things I am grateful for.

We take breathing for granted and we do not pay attention to it until we catch ourselves sometimes in the midst of a stressful day holding our breath in a fight and flight reaction.

I have used breathing before to calm myself but I have not practised it as a regular routine and I have not actively thought about using it for other purposes. I know that this is another thing that I will need to practise daily. So I am making the commitment of 2 to 5 conscious breathing 2 minutes sessions everyday.

Some of the benefits of proper breathing (diaphragmatic breathing) (1):

1- Reduces both physiological and psychological stress.

2- It could improve the respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength

3- Reduces blood pressure.

4- Improves the quality of life in general and in patients with cancer and GERD.

5- Improves the cardiorespiratory fitness of patients with heart failure.

Recommended book: Vital living: Breathe for a calmer you by Becky Dickinson

If you are a beginner, this book has everything you need to learn about breathing for a better health.

What you need to do:

1- Breathe through your nose not your mouth.

2- Practice abdominal (diaphragmatic) breathing rather than chest breathing.

3- Improve your posture to help with your breathing.

4- Consider breathing techniques for anxiety e.g. box (square) breathing or alternate nostril breathing.

You do not need to sit on the ground to do the alternate nostril breathing and you could use only the thumb and index fingers.

If you want more, look for more information about how to strengthen abdominal and intercostal muscles.

With my best wishes!

Reference: (1) Hamasaki H. Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Health: A Narrative Review. Medicines (Basel). 2020 Oct 15;7(10):65. doi: 10.3390/medicines7100065. PMID: 33076360; PMCID: PMC7602530.

Building a new routine (1: Gratitude)

Over the years, I have repeatedly tried to have a daily routine that supports the life I wish to live and the goals I plan to achieve. However, it was very hard to stick to the routine with changing demands and circumstances. However, as you already know, to lead a successful life, there is no escape from having a routine for success. I take that back, I prefer to call this “a routine for a happy and fulfilling life”.

Tonight, I will restart writing in my gratitude journal and commit to not skipping a day for the coming 30 days.

3 things to do today to practice gratitude:

1- Keep a gratitude journal: List 3 things you are grateful for in the morning and in the evening.

2- Express gratitude to others: Tell someone today thank you for something positive they have done for you.

3- Practice mindfulness.

With my best wishes!

365 days: Day 155: Satisfaction!

My clinic today was a satisfying one. Although I was worried not to see everyone in time after the first appointment running later than expected and though I was one hour behind by mid morning there was something different I have missed in myself for sometime: I gave myself time and allowed myself not to worry about the next person coming in as much as giving my attention to the person before me in the consultation room.

Connection with patients and playing the game of turning a worried patient coming in to a person leaving with a smile on their face or at least a calm reassurance in their eyes is one of the sources of joy to me in the outpatient clinic.

It was not because gaining a super power in myself today. Simple things make a difference in the consultation: giving time, listening, responding to concerns and following the agenda of the patient not your own as well as adapting the space, the tone, the way of communication to the patient and their companion. Of course you have to check the important safety questions and assessments as well.

I must admit that one patient was not happy for the long wait at the outset.

“Thank you for waiting!” That is what I have learnt overtime to be better said than “Sorry I am late for you!”. Acknowledging that their patience to wait is generous!

When she came in, she learnt why it took that much time. Drawing the diagnosis in sketches (not very good drawings but satisfactory for the purpose!) and answering the questions.

I was late but it was smooth because I had no concerns of finding support. The healthcare assistants in the pre-assessment area were readily helpful with general observations and blood taking as required and our amazing endocrine nurses supporting with education for patients following the consultation when needed. The availability of an emergency drug for another patient was invaluable and saved me from hustling around and the patient from having an adrenal crisis!

I was worried at the beginning but I enjoyed every single consultation today. The most I enjoyed was when I found myself doing something I have not done before: the patient ended sitting in my own chair! Well, her vision did not allow her to see the screen and I had to explain to her and her daughter. With her on my chair, her daughter on the opposite side and myself leaning across the table in between to show them the results and to draw the explanation on paper. For a minute I forgot that I was working! I was comfortable and happy and I was happier to see my anxious lady heading out calmer with her and her daughter thanking me and saying goodbye!

It was a relief to have today’s clinic following an unpleasant occurrence the day before yesterday (of course I share no negative thoughts here! 😅🤭).

Anyway, I did not realise that today many things happened that I could be grateful for until I wrote this in my notes and I think I will share it openly!

Thank you for everyone who made this possible! 🙂

Day 152: Gratitude

10 to 10

The last 24 hours showed me that I am not alone. Everyone is here to help!

Starting from my neighbour inflating my flat bike tyres last night making my journey today to work and back easier and smoother to all colleagues stepping in to fill the emergency gaps.

Others helped by distributing the share of work and taking some back..Juniors stepping up and showing initiatives, leadership and teamwork..Others advising and acting on delegated work…And my work partner and friend offering to bring me tea at a short break of her work!

I count 16 people (more if I count every single detail!) who made my day a good one even though at the outset it dressed as a dark hole!

I am not alone! 🙂