A message of Hope

Hey Wildflowers,

What a year is has been so far! Although I am sure many of you don’t need me to remind you of that.

As a community we have definitely endured our fair share of turbulence from the droughts, fires, floods and now COVID-19, so whilst it is a little while away, I am predicting that some of us will really take the time to celebrate New Year’s this year, with a good riddance to 2020. Whilst many of us are keen to move forward, and move forward quickly, there are some of us who are really scared, anxious or worried to return back to the way things were. Over the last week I have had some time to reflect on the last 6 months, in respect to key lessons and things that I have learnt as a human, business owner and psychologist. In my reflections the word that really jumps out for myself in respect to our community is resilience.

Within my role as a psychologist I find myself to be in a position of honour, a position that I do not take for granted and one that I reflect on greatly. Many of us, face challenges on a day to day basis, however recently those challenges have really intensified. For some of us we are just hanging in there, for others we are thriving and for many we are just taking it day by day. As a community we are experiencing things that we have never felt before, and for many on quite a deep level, so I really honour each of you, who show up in that space as I know it is not easy to reflect inwards when at times all we want to do is run away, hide and wish that things would go back to the way they were, or wish completely that things would go away, or wish that things would change and things would change quickly. I see it, I hear it and I get it.

However, despite all of this turmoil, heartache, and frustration what I really see is resilience. Day in day out, each one of you rises to a new challenge. Whilst it is not easy and sometimes we feel like we are not good enough, or failing as an individual or parent, or feeling guilty for all of the emotions that we are feeling, I want you to remember that there is so much magic in each one of you and at times my only hope is that you see yourself through the eyes that we see you as a Wildflower community - one very resilient Wildflower! Wildflowers grow in barren and dry conditions, yet are all so unique, magical and resilient – they shine through despite the conditions in which they grow and each of you is shining in your own little way.

So I have a wish for you all; my wish is that you take 2 minutes out of your day to listen to me read the following book to yourself. Sounds a little weird, however, allow the words to wash over you and land deeply. Give yourself permission to feel self-love.

If you are reading this and have a child or adolescent within your household, I still strongly encourage you to listen to the book for yourself and please take the time to share it with your child or adolescent or even your family.

With gratitude,

Alex :)