Embracing Life
Pond Jumping is Life!!
This is a tribute to a dear friend…and all I have learned from knowing her
Lately concentrating on anything has been challenging. I feel like I have been just going through the motions, a deep undertone of sadness lingers in my heart. I recently lost one of my dearest friends, taken far too soon by that cruel enemy called cancer!
She has been on my mind a lot in the days since we heard the news. Memories of her keep surfacing, weaving through my thoughts when I least expect it.
The first time I met her, I tipped a cup of coffee all over her top! She told me “it was designer” then burst out laughing, saying “it’s actually an M&S special, stop panicking!” Then there were our girlie weekends: shopping, drinking wine, laughing and even an occasional pond dive (yes my website launch was not the first time, and likely not the last!).
We also had amazing school sports days, sneaking in cool bags full of prosecco and snacks, cheering on our tribe of children and then retreating to her house for further partying afterward. And most of all, I remember our endless catch up conversations during the 20+ years of knowing her, 18 of which were marked with her fierce battle with the disease. Diagnosis, treatment, remission, recurrence and more fighting - I will forever be in awe of her positivity and resilience.
She often said, “Whilst I remain alive, I’m going to bloody well LIVE”. Her words resonate with me now and forever more. So what does “bloody well living” look like?
“BLOODY WELL LIVING”: A GUIDE
1. Say “I love you” at least once a day: Whether it’s to your nearest and dearest, friends, pets or even your work colleagues, express your love.
2. Take that Trip: It doesn’t have to involve air travel. It could be walking distance to a place you want to explore.
3. Pick up the Phone: Hear a voice, appreciate the emotion and care in the relationship. Texts never convey to same sense of proximity.
4. Embrace the Outdoors: Dance in the rain, sit under a full moon, smile at the stars, feel the grass, sea or even mud between your toes.
5. Slow Down: Notice the beauty around you. Family gatherings with roast dinners and Disney films, Flowers, trees, birdsong, air. The giggle of a small child. A hug. A smile.
SMALL MOMENTS
It is these small moments, tied together with love that create such a reason to BE. While my undertone of sadness lingers, it IS beautifully blended with love. Love of my dear friend, love for our giggly memories and love for the reminder she left me to “Bloody Well Live”.
“HIYA”
I can’t believe she will never greet me again with her high-pitched “HIYA!!”. Maybe I’ll start doing it myself. It always made me smile and keeps the spirit of living well and truly alive.
So, WHAT WOULD BE ON YOUR “BLOODY WELL LIVING” LIST? ARE YOU STUCK TRYING TO FEEL FULLY ALIVE? DROP ME A LINE AND LET’S SAY “HIYA!!”
Bobby Davis is a qualified executive and team coach with extensive experience in organisational development, business change (the people angle), human resources and personal leadership.
Her coaching experience is against a backdrop of 30+ years working in managerial and human resources/OD roles in the British Army, Not for Profits, Professional Services and most recently with a private equity owned Hotel Group.
She has led the People “strand” within large business transformation programmes, creating people strategies, internal coaching schemes and embedding strong performance cultures, as well as supporting at all levels of an organisation to implement effective change.
She is absolutely passionate in her pursuit to support, challenge and deliver sustainable change for individuals, teams and organisations, one person at a time if necessary!
You can catch her for a chat about coaching, using your body better as a leader and/or supporting you in HR/OD here Bobby Davis FCIPD PCC | LinkedIn