Ok then folks ….. here goes….. A NEWSLETTER! ..... TA-DA!!!!

Now, while wait for the rapturous applause to die down, I would like to confess that this may well be a waste of space!

I know, I know …. it has been ages since you signed up for it, anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I can ramble on and on for England etc etc, but I want to add value whilst hopefully entertaining you and giving something that you may wish to pass onto your friends and colleagues.

In true Onion style, I am asking for feedback ….. tell me what you like and what you would like to see, ask me questions and I will give any answers in the next edition. Remember though that this is my newsletter, everything that I write is from my perspective and what works for me ….. links to stuff that motivates me, and really my ramblings. Oh! and if you are really really interested …. (‘course you are J ) …. where and how you can talk to me …. (just how self-important can an onion get!! )

Please email your feedback to heather@oniontalks.com

Now let’s get on with it ….. here goes……

Success is the achievement not only of our brightest dreams, but of our best selves.
….Anon

Is it just me, or does that resonate with others? So often, we equate success with fame or fortune, but surely success is simply being the best that we can be.

Sometimes it is soooo difficult for so many of us to reach out to others help for many, many reasons.
We are possibly fearful of rejection and hold the thought that we will be seen as weak, needy or a failure.
We all have our own destiny to fulfill, and part of that destiny may be to help others reach their own, or indeed be to need assistance ourselves.

Who are we to deny someone that part of their destiny by not asking for help when help is needed, or giving when we can?
Who are we to deny someone their greatness, or in fact deny ourselves our own?

A random act of kindness may only take a moment for the giver, but can have a lifelong effect on the recipient.

Trust and belief in ourselves and others can have a phenomenal impact on us all. Like a child, we should learn to accept rather than question, be open to all possibilities, and live and love life to the full ..... without the limits that we place on ourselves.

Try it. Go on ......I dare you to be great!

Stuff I try to live by ......

Mahatma Gandhi was approached one day by a woman and her young son. She asked, "Mahatma, can you please tell my son to stop eating sugar. It's not good for him, and he won't listen to me. He respects you, and I know he will listen to you."

The Mahatma said, "Fine. Come back in a week."

A week later, the woman and her son came back. The Mahatma said, "I'm not quite ready. Please come back in another week."

Another week went by, and the woman came back with her son.

The Mahatma was ready, and he said, "Son, you should stop eating sugar. It is not good for you."

The woman was pleased, but also a bit confused. She said, "Why did it take you so long to say such a simple thing."

The Mahatma replied, "When you first came to me, I had not stopped eating sugar myself."

The moral of the story is clear: Don't tell people to do things you haven't done yourself.

So..... , I'm not gonna write about things I haven't tried and tested myself, and I'm not gonna tell you a load of old rubbish I don't believe in. (Just the load of old rubbish I do believe in )

The Onion's Guide to living Authentically

1: Live your own life.

It takes a lot of strength and courage to live your own life, because so many people want you to live their idea of what your life should be.

But they are not you, and their values and goals and dreams are theirs, not yours. Only you are you, a wonderfully unique human being ..... you have the ability to soar higher than you ever thought possible. Just believe ........

2: Respect other people

3: Be persistent. Don't give up. Keep building your dream, whatever it is.

4: Express gratitude and appreciation to everyone every day.

5: Now is the only time there is

6: Don't become cynical and selfish.

Take Responsibility For Your Life

Him-Indoors plying me with alcohol on holiday :)

Gosh!!!! That really is an unforgiving photo ...... but it was not my fault!!! Him-Indoors and I were on holiday!! It was late at night and I was tired ..... and I don't usually drink ..... and the camera wasn't working properly ..... and I wasn't wearing any make-up ... and ..... and ..... and ..... and the list could go on and on and on couldn't it.

I would like to think that I usually 'scrub up' well, and that children do not run screaming from the room as soon as I walk in, but methinks the truth of the matter was that I had had 2 cocktails on a night out whilst on holiday in Turkey. It is very rare that I do drink alcohol, and now the world-and-his-wife can see why. The blame lands squarely at my feet and nobody else's!!

"Many of us have experienced the tragedy of abusive childhoods, broken relationships or the loss of a loved one. The easiest thing to do in times like these is to blame other people or circumstances for your life, your state of mind, your finances and career.

It's so easy to blame an abusive parent for the way you are today, or a broken relationship for destroying your ability to love again. But blame is a very disempowering emotion.

It places on others the responsibility for your life, your emotions, your self. It disempowers you because you cannot change people or circumstances. The only thing you can change is yourself and the way you react to them.

Some people go through their lives blaming others, living in hopelessness and despair. But, with the exception of child abuse or losing someone you love, no one can do anything to you that you do not give them the permission to do.

By choosing to let things happen they way they do, you are as much to blame for the consequences. It takes a lot of courage to accept that you're the way you are because of the choices you made. But it can be very empowering indeed.

The simple act of taking responsibility for your self and your life is the first step towards picking up the pieces and moving on. When you shift the onus of change to yourself, the constraints of the past are lifted and you can be anything you choose to be.

True empowerment is not about taking control, passing laws, fighting injustice or changing the world. Empowerment starts from within. It comes from your willingness to be responsible for what is happening to you, your life and your world.

At some point in our lives we all face adversity. Some of us blame others, while others own responsibility and get on with their lives.

The way we deal with our pain and let it transform us makes the difference between winning and losing the battle. When you realise that and act on it, you are truly the master of your own destiny."

(My thanks go to Priya Shah for the italicised bit above ..... she puts the point that I want to make more eloquently than I could ..... so I borrowed it.)

STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS:

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Breaking News: This year, I am launching a new service to the world. By popular demand, I will be offering life consultancy/mentoring on a 1-2-1 basis. Details will be on the website very very soon, but if you want to 'jump the gun' so to speak, and get on the waiting list ..... book here for more details.