Posts by Sue Watson

The agentive mind is not only active in nature, but it seeks out dialogue and discourse with other active minds. And it is through this dialogic, discursive process that we come to know the Other and his points of view, his stories. We learn an enormous amount not only about the world but about ourselves…

“The biggest lesson I learned this year is to not force anything; conversations, friendships, relationships, attention, love. Anything forced is just not worth fighting for, whatever flows flows, what crashes crashes.”  Amanda Rose I found this quote recently and it really resonates with me, and I thought it was well worth sharing and I have…

“Your life will be in order when disorder ceases to bother you.”  James Pierce I am back from a two week break for the festive season and life is certainly calmer after Christmas and the New Year.  Whilst I did not leave the region, I did manage to take some down time, and this has…

“Don’t worry about the pressure or the responsibility. Just live in it, have fun, and when everything seems to be going right, just stay humble and remember your family.” Roman Reigns This week’s conversation is about worry or worrying and this quote is a timely reminder as we are nearing the most stressful time of…

“I would tell my younger self that there’s no shame in asking a teacher for help, telling a friend that you’re uncomfortable, and that [anxiety issues] is just the same as falling down and scraping your knee.”  Lena Dunham I started writing a different blog today and realised that it was too negative, so began…

“Being brave is not as easy as it looks.” Simone Elkeles This week’s discussion is being brave, or bravery and I have been thinking about this over the past week.  In my mind, bravery is a conflict of two emotions occurring at the same time.  Be brave despite a difficult situation.  To be certain, I…

“Courage is what preserves our liberty, safety, life, and our homes and parents, our country and children. Courage comprises all things.” — Plautus This week’s discussion is courage and at times, this can be difficult for us all.  Especially when the price/prize is important to us, and we are emotionally attached to this. A friend…

“Confidence isn’t optimism or pessimism, and it’s not a character attribute. It’s the expectation of a positive outcome.” — Rosabeth Moss Kanter This week’s discussion is about the power of positivity.  I like to think that I am (mostly) a more positive person.  A glass fuller type, rather than the half empty and I tend…

“… what you learn today, for no reason at all, will help you discover all the wonderful secrets of tomorrow.” Norton Juster Being curious is a great motivator for learning.  I am having a little break from mosaics due to a wedding in the family of my studio.  I saw an advertisement last week at…

“Truly successful decision-making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive thinking.” Malcolm Gladwell This week’s discussion is about the art of making decisions and at times, this can be difficult for us all.  Approximately twenty years ago, I made a huge decision to apply for university as a mature aged person.   It was a…

“All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.”  Orison Swett Marden This week we are discussing goals, and at times I need to write down my goals in order to work towards completion – even if it…

“It is how we create firm boundaries and allow others to know who we are and what we value.” John Earle I have been attending a conference this week in my backyard for rural and remote allied health professionals.  It has been great hearing about the work that many people are doing and unfortunately, I…

“Here’s the truth about grief: loss gets integrated, not overcome.  However long it takes, you heart and your mind will carve out a new life amid this weirdly devasted landscape.  Little by little, pain and love will find ways to coexist.”  Megan Devine Grief and loss are not only the death of a loved one…

“A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life.” William Arthur Ward This week’s discussion is about balance and for me, this means a balanced life in which I try to align with my values, my work, my family and leisure.  This assists…

“Wisdom…. comes not from age, but from education and learning.”   Anton Chekhov This week we are discussing education, and this comes in a number of ways.  As a social worker, each year – we need to undertake continuing professional development, and this is over a number of different aspects.  Clinical supervision helps us to discuss…

“Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.”  Nancy Pearcy I am not the sporty type anymore; however, I do need people around me to encourage me to keep going with whatever endeavour I am attempting.  Whether that is other people…

“Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it’s about deliberately choosing to be different.” Michael Porter This week we are discussing the choices that we constantly consider and make.  Whilst this is true for each and every one of us – those of us who run our businesses also need to consider this important fact and…

“Change is inevitable in life. You can either resist it and potentially get run over by it, or you can choose to cooperate with it, adapt to it, and learn how to benefit from it. When you embrace change you will begin to see it as an opportunity for growth.”  Jack Canfield We change each…

“When you find yourself stressed, ask yourself one question: Will this matter in 5 years from now? If yes, then do something about the situation. If no, then let it go.”  Catherine Pulsifer This past month, has me recalling my introduction to my cancer journey and this past week marks the start of my “official”…

“Everywhere was connected to everywhere else, Pismire had said.” Terry Pratchett This week we are exploring connections and what they can do for us and the community as a whole.  I have two quite different examples which have enriched my life and provided me with opportunities that I may not have experienced otherwise. My first…