Reflections, Robins and Re-energising

Following a tough few weeks...

Something is going on, and I can literally feel it. If I didn’t know better, I’d say that somehow my friend’s amazing energy, upon passing, has infiltrated my own.

Or is it just a physical response to too much sadness of late and my mind and body saying ok we need to move through this and get going again?

Either way, it’s like I’ve taken a sudden step up, and whilst it’s here, I’m using it to my advantage, because who knows how long it will last, and I know Allyson would approve.

Ideas and opportunities are flying in, not least in my business, but random, weird opportunities where I know I can help, so I’m jumping on them, because it feels good to do so and why the hell not?

I could stay still and only think of the horrible things that have happened lately, but where would that get me? And how would that help uphold the legacy and positive attitude of my friend? It wouldn’t, and I know she would be telling me to ‘Go on gal, you can do it!’

It’s not to say that I don’t feel sad. There are times when it catches me off guard, like recently when I’ve started compiling what I’ve done this year and Allyson features a lot within that, or when I’m looking at old social media posts and there’s always a kind and encouraging comment from Allyson on there.

I hear her distinctive voice all the time, I see her dazzling smile in my head and in so many tributes that have come flooding in.

A few weeks ago was the Park Run in her honour which another friend of mine Ally and James went along to and ran, I know it was a hugely emotional day, but also filled with so many stories from the runners of how Allyson had impacted their lives.

I know everybody handles grief differently, and sometimes I worry I’m doing it wrong. I know, I know how can that even be a thing right?

I don’t know if it’s a response to everything I’ve been through up until now and an innate coping mechanism where I just can’t actually BE sad for very long, or just that I am very much like Allyson in personality and always focus on the positive.

Walks in nature and lots of reflection time under the trees is helping…

She wouldn’t want me to be sad, she’d just want me to remember her and her smile, and I do, every single day.

Her attitude and way of living has fortified mine, and given me a new determination to make things better for more people. I think that is where the energy is coming from.

Maybe I just shouldn’t question it, and just do/be me. Maybe it’s also the ADHD brain effect, we are good in a crisis, and can super focus on the job in hand.

I am very curious about it though, and wonder what I will be like when really close family members pass. It’s a strange, kind of detached feeling.

A few days ago a robin came close by on my walk in the woods, hopping along the wall right next to me, cocking its head to one side and really looking at me. It made me smile and ask, ‘Is it you coming to say hello?’

I am a firm believer in these signs that loved ones are close, keeping an eye on us and making sure we are ok. As you know when I heard of her passing, a perfect white feather appeared on the path in front of me, this has happened to me many times before when people have passed and brings me comfort.

White feathers are often seen as a sign of protection, peace, or spiritual energy around you, a message that angels are watching over you and your loved ones.

It seems a geese fly-by means something, who knew?

Interestingly on the day of her funeral, a huge flock of noisy geese flew over the crematorium, setting off on their migratory journey, just before we all went inside.

When I’ve looked up what the spiritual meaning of what this could mean, it explains that geese represent the power of communication, community, and the importance of cooperative effort. The goose reminds us to follow our own voice, even when it leads against the current.

This could not be more apt for Allyson, who was driving change in the way medical professionals speak to their patients, using better, less medicalised words that don’t alienate or upset patients.

I like to think that Allyson was making her presence known on ‘her’ day, nothing would surprise me as her energy was so strong.

As you know Allyson was a prolific writer on here, whilst she was in hospital, writing 57 posts in just 6 weeks, and we are looking at ways to honour that legacy of her as a Fearless Writer, with some exciting things being worked on behind the scenes, as soon as I can share more I will, but I know she would love the idea we have come up with, as do her family.

The eulogy at her funeral was filled to the brim of Allyson’s achievements in life, and the love she had for her family and friends of which there were many. It was a full crowd in the Crematorium, all with a connection to Allyson, a story to share of the impact she’d had on them.

What a woman she was and still is, her legacy will live on forever.

But this is also another lesson to do it now, whatever it is you are passionate about, whatever it is that is burning in the background, waiting for you to take that leap of faith, do it now.

Recently a good friend is making a tricky decision, as in fact many of our WOW Team (the small business accountability group I co-founded) are, and we are all channelling our inner Allyson to get things over the line and JUST DO IT!

As my friend Suzy often asks as part of her Heart Leap membership, when thinking about these things, is it a Heart Leap, or a Heart Sink? And there’s your answer.

Then it’s down to you to put yourself first, know that time is precious, and act on that decision.

I know I preach about this a lot, but we get ONE life. Having been through cancer myself, and being a Life After Cancer Coach, I receive that lesson all the time.

It’s not necessarily the lesson I would have wished for, and especially as I grow older cancer is effecting more and more of my circle, but it is a VITAL one, IF you want to make the most of your time here on the planet, and even more so if you want to make a difference in the World, as Allyson did.

And after the American news this week, we need more hands on deck than ever.

Small actions by many make big things happen.

So my intention is to continue to be galvanised by Allyson’s energy, along with the passion, hope, care and ambition of those I am lucky enough to be surrounded by.

There is plenty of work to do, and as I reflect on this year and how much I’ve grown as a person and within my business, and got A LOT done, it boosts my belief that I can do it; ‘Yes I Can’ as Allyson would say.

And as Tony Robbins says – ‘Energy flows where attention goes’ and so I’m using that attention for good, and trying to steer clear of the disturbing news this week, I hope you can too.

I’m planning many heart leaps next year, with Allyson in mind, cheering me on. It will soon be time to create my list of 25 for 2025, of things I want to achieve and enjoy, and I know within that will be - Get the damn book finished!

I suspect that may be on some of your lists too! And we can do it, all together now - Yes We Can!

Until next time,

With love and light

Juliet x