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‘Share your achievements, however big or small!’

Aug 06, 2018

You should celebrate your personal achievements. Source: Pixabay

Before I pop my clogs, fall off the twig, kick the bucket, join the heavenly choir etc. I thought I would list a few things I have done. A lot of people struggle to talk of their achievements – probably for fear of being called a braggart or some such thing – but I like sharing the successes I’ve had over the years.

For example, I’ve been up in a hot air balloon, twice, over Bath in the United Kingdom. It was a beautiful (uplifting in all ways) experience; scary, but wonderful. During my first time, we landed and the balloon hit a hedge so we careered on our side across the field, landing with all the occupants in a heap. It didn’t stop me from doing it again though. We were only slightly bruised as we laughed our way to the hotel and recovery.

I’ve also sailed right around the world, well, not sailed, as it was on ocean liners, but I’ve been across both ways, through the Panama canal and back through Suez. I went off as a young bride and returned as I was about to have my third child. At five months’ pregnant I still won a lovely legs competition on board the cruise ship.

Although my husband and I have spent 29 years in Australia, it is just one of the three countries in which we have lived. I was born in the UK and, after leaving, we later returned and spent a little more than 23 years there (1964 to 1987). We also spent five years in New Zealand. It can be rather confusing, but it was UK, then New Zealand, then UK again, now Australia, which is now our permanent home.

I have climbed a small mountain… I like to pretend it was a mountain, anyway. It’s called Ska Fell Pike in the Lake district.

I’ve worn a see-through mini. Oh, the power of being a woman then! It was the most heady power ever, so if you have it, use it! Grab the chance to do some wild things and make memories.

The best thing of all (and perhaps I should have put this first)… I’ve had three children. All are different, all are special, I will always love them, whatever they do. I had my three rather quickly, in less than four years, but there are no regrets.

Small triumphs I am content with include having a story published in a small publication, and two broadcast on Radio Capricorn. I’ve also sold a painting or two.

I like to travel and have visited Bundaberg, Silverton, and Broken Hill. My husband and I have travelled most of Victoria, and have loved it! There is still so much to see and I love this country. We camped at Broken Hill in a tent it was 39C, all we had was a block of ice. No food would have survived.

While at sea on my daughter’s yacht in Devon, I experienced an eclipse. It was an amazing experience. The sky turned as black as night.

I’ve been up for a flight in a glider twice. The silence and the beauty is life changing.

I have also lived without running water or electricity, or a flushing toilet for a year or so. This was while my dad was building our house. For my brother and I it was the happiest, wildest childhood, running free in the countryside of Gloucestershire. We had real gypsies living next door and the address was Cuckoo Lane. How idyllic is that?

I’m also happy to have been proven wrong along the way. I swore I wouldn’t enjoy technology and computers, but I have learned how to have fun on a computer.

Finally, I lived through the late-1960s when the world was a different place. I experienced the start of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix, Pink Floyd and all that era, it was a great time to be a young mum, and the parties were awesome! I sometimes wonder about how many brain cells I lost on the way, yet here I am, still having a busy life.

These are 13 reasons I am glad I have lived! There is still so much out there, but I have decided against dangerous jumps or going over rapids. I have since been up twice in a very small aircraft though. Life can still be an adventure. Go for it!