I have been talking with hundreds of children about my latest book, The Little Stowaway, visiting schools big and small. I’m told by my publisher that not many authors like the publicity side of the business of writing a book. That they would rather be writing another book than promoting and marketing the one just published. But I love it. I love connecting to the readers and encouraging writers, young and old to be better writers. (more…)
The creative journey for me has been an exhilarating experience which repeatedly leads me into unchartered waters. I certainly didn’t start out being a documentary maker.
Having just been through the season of joy, I ask the question: How did you go with unleashing your joy over Christmas?
For some, joy can be terrifying because as soon as we start to feel it we self-sabotage saying, ‘What can go wrong?’ or ‘I’d better knock on wood.’ Indicating that it may not last. When we lose our vulnerability, joy becomes foreboding. If the fear of joy rises in you, be alert that this may be an old pattern of letting yourself down gently, of protecting yourself.
I first heard about foreboding joy in an interview with Brené Brown. She talks about using the practice of gratitude as an antidote for the fear that rises around joy. Feeling gratitude about joy rather than fear that it can’t last.
Letting it in, leaning hard into moments of joy.
In a culture of scarcity, we look for extraordinary things to fix us, rather than being grateful for the small things. Recognising those small, lovely things that we can be thankful for all around us, every day. That’s the trick.
I lean into this extract from a poem by Kahil Gibran on Joy and Sorrow for more inspiration.
My Mum used to say, ‘If I can just get myself right, I’ll be OK,’ in relation to what was ailing her both physically and emotionally at the moment. I hear myself echoing her words sometimes. An obsession with needing to be fixed; to be fully healed physically and emotionally for all time. (more…)
In 2015, I wrote a children’s book, Two Pennies, I had no idea that it would find its way into a documentary or that I would become the co-producer and screenwriter of my first documentary, Never Forget Australia. Then I heard about the remarkable story of a little French war orphan’s journey from the battlefields of France to the Australian outback. I was spellbound; compelled to write about it. (more…)
It’s easy to forget how easily our minds can go to war with our bodies. Especially when it’s close to home; when someone triggers a negative reaction in you. (more…)