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Do what you love doing!

2/2/2013

12 Comments

 
Picture
photo credit: pigpogm via photopin cc
I never understood train spotters until now.
What could be interesting about taking down the numbers of trains and learning about engine types, I thought in my own mind.
But now I have found my very own 'train spottting' passion.
I sit in dusty libraries and trawl through old books and micro-fiche catalogues tracing family members who are long gone.
Time passes and I don't notice that I am hungry or that my back is sore or that my eyes are tired.
I know nothing but the information before me, the thrill of the chase and the assembling and re-assembling of a picture of my family in times gone by.
Now I search, not only for my own family, but also for the families of others.
Before Xmas, I had the priviledge of helping a Canadian family re-unite with their Irish family of origin in my work as a volunteer with Ireland Reaching Out
 It was such a moving experience.
I can only liken it to the experience of being present when someone makes a massive breakthrough during a coaching session.
There was laughter and tears.
And none of us will be the same after it.
Life is short.
It is so good to do the things that we love doing.
Often we save the good stuff up until we feel that we have earned it, or after the children are grown or the mortgage paid, or after we retire.
This is not a good way to live.
Life is for living NOW.
In the next few days take a look at what you put on the long finger.
Choose one thing that you long to do.
And do it!
Do it now!
You won't regret it...

More help to live YOUR good life is available here in the Happiness Book
12 Comments
Julia Barnickle link
2/2/2013 09:12:07 am

Great to hear you're doing what you love doing, Martine. I've just taken up knitting again, after about 25 years. Wasn't even sure I could remember how to do it, but I'm really loving doing it, and watching as the colours of the yarn unfold and the garment grows!

Reply
Martine Brennan link
2/4/2013 03:40:32 am

I am delighted to hear you enjoying something so much Julia. Mx

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Dr. Pat Flynn link
2/2/2013 02:51:17 pm

My husband will be retiring from the railroad end of this year and we hope to start doing things more with friends. Fighting stillbirth has become an all consuming passion, but we need those weekends out with family and friends just enjoying things. One of the things we are hoping to do is take a trip with five others to Ireland. I am hoping we can arrange to meet with you over a shared meal and thank you for all your support in our nonprofit work.
1st Breath has been asked to be involved in three very important USA and international missions. We are part of the steering group for the new USA Actions for Stillbirth Awareness and Prevention. This is a national coalition that is asking all bereaved parents, organizations, individuals and caregivers to join in one voice to fight stillbirth. Anyone who would like to add their voice with ours may join at www.StopStillbirthASAP.org.
The second effort 1st Breath is helping with is a new piece of research that we are very excited about. This blind study involves parents of babies who have been stillborn, as well as parents who are currently 28+ week pregnant or has a baby under 3 weeks or younger of age. We would greatly appreciate anyone who fits these qualifications to join the blind study by completing the survey at http://starlegacyfoundation.org/stars1/
We are currently on the planning committee for this years Stillbirth Summit. If anyone can attend I encourage them to start saving and join us. This summit is where researchers of stillbirth come from around the world to meet and share findings and work on topics of interest. Bereaved parents are encouraged to participate also as they are often the ones that provide information researchers have not had access to. This has helped start to open up the dialogue between parents and researchers, as well as guided researchers to investigate and study issues not presently looked at.
I would love for you to be able to join with 1st Breath in any of these activities. Please share them with others and let me know if there is anything we can help you with.
Hugs to you.
Pat

Reply
Martine Brennan link
2/4/2013 03:48:17 am

Lovely to hear from you again Pat... and delighted that we might be able to meet up when you come to Ireland. If you or your husband have Irish roots be sure to get some help via Ireland Reaching Out at www.irelandxo.com
I will pass on all the news about 1st Breath to Feileacain. You have achieved so much. As my daughters grow older, the thought of a breakthrough becomes more and more important to me because of my family history of having babies who are born still.
Hugs right back at you. Mx

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John m Cahill link
2/4/2013 04:56:23 pm

Great advice Martine, very timely personally. I love it.
JMC

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Martine Brennan link
2/5/2013 09:01:58 am

Glad we are on the same wavelength John. Martine

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#yankshouse link
2/8/2013 05:20:01 am

Reading your blog - one of the things I like to do #yankshouse

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Martine Brennan link
2/9/2013 12:42:18 am

What a lovely compliment to wake up to! Thank you Mx

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Kathleen Prophet link
2/8/2013 02:26:26 pm

ohhhhhhh LOVE you Martinne! Every post of yours I read I feel such a welling up of LOVE and LIFE and YESSSssssssss! Thank YOU for living so richly and fully... telling us the story of it... so we can continue to awaken... over and over again!

Reply
Martine Brennan link
2/9/2013 12:47:46 am

Kathleen dear, I love to hear how you are rocking your world and loving your canyon. I know you will enjoy the fact that I have been taking drawing lessons (a long held dream) I am getting a whole new perspective! Mx

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Pam Smith
2/27/2013 10:53:11 pm

Great advice Martine. True fulfilment being in the moment whatever the subject! Always enjoy reading your blogs

Reply
Martine Brennan link
2/28/2013 03:28:50 pm

Delighted you called in Pam! Always a pleasure. Mx

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