Big Brothers

Minttu and big brother Niko

My friend Minna rang me this evening. We speak to each other almost every day. As it turned out, we were both feeling a little bit blue, so we did what we normally do when this happens. We asked each other about the highlight of the day.

Until that point I hadn't actually given it any thought. I was concentrating on all the things that were bothering me. But she had asked the question so I took a minute to think about my answer.

"Well actually, there were a few things, now I come to think about it," I said. "I had three books which I needed from the library. I'd expected that I'd have to order them in, but as it turned out all three were there on the shelves, which meant I could get on with a piece of coursework I am doing. In addition I finally managed to find some paperwork I'd been looking for, and also I finished a piece of work that's been bugging me for a while."

"Well that's quite a lot then", Minna said. She was right. But as I thought about it, there was more. Lucie was cooking pasta bolognese for dinner.  I had also bumped into a friend this afternoon in Somero whom I hadn't seen for a while and we'd arranged to go for coffee. Later in the evening my neighbour Anne also turned up out of the blue and brought candles and chocolate because she wanted to cheer me up. We ended up deciding to hold a coffee morning next week for some elderly people in the town, which should be fun. And I'd managed to do another five things on my list of things to do. So not a bad day, in fact.

Apart from those days when something serious happens, (and that's not often really), most days have plenty of good stuff in them - if you just remember to think about those things.

I have always wished that I had brothers and sisters, but particularly a big brother. In my dreams my "big brother" would have looked out for me and been there to lean on in good times and bad. Obviously I will never know what he would or wouldn't have been like. What's for sure though, is that if I spend the rest of my life wishing I had a big brother, I will spend every day disappointed, because I simply haven't got one. If, instead, I remember to concentrate on all the friends I have, and the children at home, having no siblings won't feel like much of an issue anymore.  

So in the end, despite its imperfections, today was a pretty good day, something I remembered thanks to talking to Minna. I am also happy that little Minttu will never have any concerns over not having a big brother...she has four of them...and as you can see from the picture, Niko, at least, will always be around with his faithful dog Benjy to make sure his little sister is ok.

Thank You Anita

Do you know that feeling, when you desperately want to do something....you have an idea which you feel is a good one...but no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to get it done?

Anita Hallapelto

Well I know that feeling really well. I have always been someone who often has new ideas, and sometimes there is one I would really like to make a reality. Recently though, perhaps because of everything that has been going on, I have found it almost impossible to finish anything. I have started things, but then haven't found enough energy to finish it. I don't like this at all, but having spoken to several others I know that I am not the only one who sometimes finds herself in this position.

Anyway, I am happy to say that this is now starting to change. This week I have been working on completing projects that I started a while ago as well as starting some new ones. And it feels really good to finally have some energy and enthusiasm back again.

How did this happen, then? Well, one of the things that helps me when I am stuck is to surround myself with positive  people. When I am lacking my own motivation and drive, I move towards other people who have those things, and I find that their energy for life is almost always contagious.

The reason for that introduction is because Anita, the lady in the photo, is exactly one of those people. She is one of the most positive people I have ever had the good fortune to meet.  Anita and I met earlier this year through our shared love of dance. She runs a shop in Somero called "Helmi" which sells vintage style clothing, and as there are three large dance venues in Somero (Ämyri, Esakallio and Teeriharju) many people go to Helmi to buy dresses for dancing.

Anita, me and members of Monokas dance group at the Turku Book Fair

But there is another reason that people go to Anita's shop. It is because of her. Anita is one of those people who is always smiling, radiates positivity and always has something good to say both to and about other people. Sometimes I go to Helmi to buy a new dress or outfit, but more often than that I go with a couple of doughnuts and stay for a chat about anything that is going on. Plenty of other people do exactly the same. Anita has listened to both good and bad news and we have both laughed and cried together. She has also given me a hug more times than I can remember. But one thing is for certain. Everyone always leaves Anita's shop feeling better than when they went in.

Anita in her shop

Yesterday I joined Anita and other members of the dance club Monokas in a dance and fashion show at the Turku Book Fair. It was a new experience for me to dance anything other than salsa in front of an audience, but it turned out to be great fun and I didn't fall over thanks to my partners Kari, Markku and Arto.

So my message this Sunday to you is this. If you are feeling a bit "stuck" at the moment, or lacking in energy or motivation, go and spend some time with someone who is feeling the opposite. Someone who believes in you, wants you to succeed and chooses to focus on the positive in life. These are the kind of people who will help you find your own drive and enthusiasm again. I know it worked for me. Thank you Anita for your endless optimism, enthusiasm and endlessly positive outlook on life....you were there just when I needed you. I hope you know that you bring something very valuable to Somero and I am sure that everyone who knows you feels the same. Wishing you all a happy Sunday!

Somero at the Turku Book Fair

I am off to the Turku Book Fair in a few minutes, where Somero has a prominent role this year as the Finnish town chosen to be featured for 2013.

I have always loved books and was lucky to grow up in a house where I was surrounded by them. I have often thought what a different place the world would be without the opportunities and enjoyment that books provide.

I don't have my own book there yet (still in production!) but I do have a series of twenty postcards at the fair which just arrived from the printers' yesterday. To me, writing a postcard to someone you care about has always been a good things to do, but has even more meaning nowdays than it did in the past. In this day of text messaging, emails and communicating through Facebook, (all of which can of course be good things) writing and receiving cards and letters has attained even more significance. I know that anytime I go to the post box and there is something there other than a bill or official letter, it brightens my day much more than the person who wrote it could ever realise.  Now I have several boxes of postcards waiting to be written.....if anyone out there would like to receive a card from Somero just let me know and I will happy to put one in the post!

Anyway...must go pretty soon, but here are some pictures from Somero's stand at the fair....hope to see some of you there!