Dear Reader

Having Confidence in Ourselves

One of the women I most admire is Marie Curie. She was born in Poland in 1867. She received two Nobel Prizes for her work: one in chemistry and one in physics - the first woman to receive Nobel Prize in two distinct scientific domains. I honour you, Marie!
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What I admire most about her is her tenacity. It was not easy for her to work in a discipline traditionally dominated by men. She acknowledged that struggle is part of being human and not unique to one individual. With this attitude, she encourages us to believe in ourselves.

For many of us, it's hard to believe we have gifts, let alone a specific gift for something. I've noticed throughout life that most people don't recognise their special gifts, or talents, as being unique to them. They think everyone has that trait, or it can't be special to them because it's 'just the way' they are. It comes easy to them, so it must be easy for others.

Many Facebook stories tell of the kindnesses of the checkout operators, for example. Some might think that's just part of the job. But we all know that not every checkout operator is overtly welcoming. In fact, it might be that some think the aim is to push the groceries through as fast as possible, take the payment, say "Have a nice day" and go on to the next customer.

But I know how important that skill is. The number of times I've left the checkout with a smile on my face because of the interaction with the staff proves to me that when someone has the confidence to make a mundane activity an event in customers' life, they've made a choice that has a ripple effect no one will ever see the extent of. I leave the supermarket smiling and that triggers a mirroring smile from the person coming towards me. And where does it go from there? I don't know, but I do believe it ripples outward - to infinity.

What else does Marie Curie say?

Here's a couple of her other quotes I love that encourage me to focus my efforts in the adventure part of my every day experience.

If we could only learn this next of her thoughts early in life, so much pain would be averted, I'm sure.

How many times have we been stunted in our growth - in our education, our careers, our personal lives, in learning new crafts and skills, in planning for our future - because of our fears.

Fear of failing - or succeeding. Fear of what others may think of us. Fear of 'biting off more than we can chew'. These and many other fears often stop us before we've barely begun.

Understanding is underrated. We often don't realise that struggle is part of success. We need to change our habits - so to take on a new one requires effort. We want to learn a language - making new sounds doesn't come easy to most of us at first. It needs perseverence and

This is so often the case, isn't it? You may have had a boss who only saw your work this way. I know I did. And how discouraging is it to have your work dismissed and devalued this way?

I've begun to learn that it's even worse when I do this to myself. In truth 'IT' is never finished. If we tell ourselves we'll celebrate when 'IT is finished', or something similar, we deny ourselves the joys of small accomplishments.

We are born and we die. Death comes to all of us in the end. It's inevitable. How we live our lives mirrors our willingness to take the next steps in life - living a life well leaves a legacy none of us can ever conceive of because of the ripple effect. I could go on and on about the influences of people in my life who's tiny actions warm my heart decades later, giving me courage and filling me with love for us all in the common struggles of our being part of the human family..

May we all find that spark of our own special gifts and have the confidence to share them honestly and with humility, with the courage that comes from knowing we are all part of the ripple effect that tells each of us we are loved.

With love,
Stephanie

Why I Write - for you and for me too.

Some stories come from lived experience, like navigating my son’s addiction and the long road of recovery. Others are shaped by imagination, like the cozy mystery I’m writing, set in a small café where trust is both tested and rebuilt. Some of my life stories still bring tears. Others make me smile. And many are filled with memories that warm my heart.

I write for anyone who’s ever carried a burden across generations, and for anyone who longs to heal forward.

I write to bring a little encouragement, comfort and joy into my life and yours.

With love,
Stephanie

My thoughts for Living Life in 2026 and beyond:

"My religion is kindness"

Dalai Lama

“Cast your bread upon the waters and it will
come back - buttered”

Doris May Payne - my mother

"Life is a Daring Adventure or Nothing"

Helen Keller

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck"
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Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

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