Elaine’s Blog

I hope you enjoy these ramblings

You Don’t Have to Catch the Ball

You Don’t Have to Catch the Ball

Maybe I’m a year-round grinch, but when I worked in any organisation, I hated the smiley, fakey, irritating team-building exercises that companies feel they have to put on for their staff. Especially the ice-breaking part where people would sit in a circle and the...

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Stop Trying to Be the Hero in Someone Else’s Story

Stop Trying to Be the Hero in Someone Else’s Story

Who doesn’t like a hero? Someone to take charge and make things better. Someone to rely on and trust that they catch you if you fall. My dad was my hero when I was young. I thought he knew everything and everyone. It didn’t occur to me that the men he called by name...

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It’s About Time You Heard a Home Truth

The fact that a great many people believe something is no guarantee of its truth - W Somerset Maugham I overheard someone saying recently, ‘well, she needs to hear a few home truths’ and, even though I’ve heard the term ‘home truths’ many times, it made me smile. I’m...

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Show Me, Don’t Tell Me

Show Me, Don’t Tell Me

‘Don’t tell me the moon is shining. Show me the glint of light on broken glass,’ Anton Chekhov. Writers are constantly told to show, not tell, aren’t they? Instead of telling the reader what happens, show them through action and dialogue. This is easier said than...

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Be More Dog

Be More Dog

Do you neglect your dog? I’ll bet you don’t. I’ll bet my last chocolate in the box that you look after your dog. I’ll bet you worry about time when you’re out as you have to get back for the dog. You walk your dog regularly and only feed it the best food. You’ve...

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Do You Deserve a Second Chance?

Do You Deserve a Second Chance?

‘“I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. I’ve learned that life always offers us a second chance to prove ourselves.”  Maya Angelou. People often talk about getting or wanting a second chance. But to do what? Why will a second chance...

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Let Me Represent You

A guy is riding in the first-class cabin of a train in Spain and to his delight, he notices that he is sitting next to Pablo Picasso. Gathering up his courage, he turns to the master and says, ‘Senor Picasso, you are a great artist, but why is all your art, all modern...

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How Many Noes Can You Collect Today?

How Many Noes Can You Collect Today?

What on earth am I talking about? Why would you collect noes? Who wants to be told no? But collecting noes is freeing; it’s your golden ticket to peace of mind. Saying no is one of the first words that children pick up. When your toddler said no for the first time,...

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