"BIG OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW"

I had the real honour of attending my youngest daughter's valediction ceremony last night. This is a formal celebration, held by the school, which marks the end of the Matriculants' schooling career. It was a particular honour for me, since many of these young adults have been around in my life for the past 12 years. They are finally emerging from their chrysalises and it was an opportunity to witness the extent to which this has happened.

It made me think of the quotation; "BIG OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW" (A primary school motto) and highlighted to me, yet again, the responsibilities we have as parents towards our children. Children will grow up in spite of us, but with care and the right environment, they truly will become amazing adults.

Let me explain the analogy: When a child is born we, as parents, are truly presented with an "ACORN" which is equipped with all the genetics and possibilites to thrive. As parents we water the seed with our knowledge, guidance and understanding. As parents we put that seed into our environment and have the responsibility to nurture the"SOIL" with unconditional acceptance. We provide regular "FEEDING" by giving our children the opportunities to achieve their full potential. We also know that if we put this "LITTLE SAPLING" with others, they might thrive and learn, together, to grow towards the sunlight.

One certainty along the road of growth is the inevitable rough times; figurative "DROUGHTS", "ILLNESS" and "FLOODS". Crises only serve to strengthen all of us and allow us to appreciate everything we are presented. It is how we, as parents, deal with the crises, that we teach our children how to deal with their own. Values such as integrity, tenacity, caring, sharing, patience, self-control and keeping focus emerge during these tough times.

My point really is that our children are presented, in raw form, to us to shape and mould to reach their full potential. It is the biggest responsibility that we are presented in this life, since what we do with our children will shape the society that we will grow old in. So take this time with them seriously and enjoy every moment of their lives.

It would be remiss of me if I didn't congratulate my amazing daughter:

WELL DONE, ROBZ! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! HOLD ONTO YOUR DREAMS AND BE THAT AMAZING OAK TREE - STRONG AND PURPOSEFUL, GIVING SHADE TO ALL THOSE WHO WANDER BENEATH YOUR BRANCHES. I LOVE YOU AND GOOD LUCK FOR THE FUTURE. MOM

DREAMS AND OPPORTUNITY

Only as high as I reach can I grow,
Only as far as I seek can I go,
Only as deep as I look can I see,
Only as much as I dream can I be."

Karen Ravn"

In April this year, I never dreamed that I would be running 10km races. Instead I was focussing on the symptoms of my body not being able to do what it use to do. I was immersed in the past and allowing all that knowledge to dictate who I was.

Whilst it is important to reflect and look back on our growth, our successes, our failures and our life's walk, it is equally important to use this knowledge and to focus it in some kind of direction. Without a vision of some kind of dream, we tend to wallow in the past and focus on what "is", and not what "could be!" So how did this change for me?? What was the catalyst and how did the change happen?

Well, by joining Run/Walk for life, I was introduced into the realm of possibility. My first session there gave me access to the knowedge that it was indeed possible for my body to walk systematically and purposefully for 5 minutes. Whilst this is small, it was the start. Indeed, most people can do this! After I had affirmed this twice, I was shown that my body could indeed accomplish 7 and a half minutes. Every third session, the possibility of a further two and a half minutes emerged and was accomplished. Those small steps of affirmation have led me to where I am today - a full 10km in 76 minutes. I am marvelled and amazed!

I have always held the view that "SOLID FOUNDATIONS MAKE STEADFAST BUILDINGS!" but have now come to realise that "EVERY SMALL BRICK COUNTS!". Once a brick has been laid firmly and cemented in place, it is very hard to remove. This is such a true analogy for life in general.

So today, I celebrate my third 10km race. These accomplishments I regard as the bricks of further dreams and opportunity. They are special and cherished achievements and rightly so. I would like to ask; What are your special bricks? What possibilities do they represent? They are waiting to be solidly placed into the plan for your dreams. Go for it! Take courage and embrace the opportunity which presents itself. I wish you the best. CAM

"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains,
at the huge waves of the seas,
at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motion of the stars,
and yet they pass by themselves without wondering."

St. Augustine, 354 430