It’s Monday again! And it’s nearly the end of March! Which means:

1. Spring has started, regardless of what the weather is trying to tell you. This last winter in the UK was long and cold, and it seems to be really reluctant to leave us, but once it does, it’s going to be amazing! Can’t wait to see flowers in the parks and go for walks and lazy laptop days in the sunshine.

2. I’m off for another break in the sun, returning to one of my favourite places. This time it will be even more special, as I will get to spend some time with two very special people. Can.not.wait!

3. It’s my 5th wedding anniversary in just a few days! Eeek! 5 years already! The only plan we have this year is to go away. No presents (can’t really afford one anyway!), just sunshine and the two of us, and lots and lots of swimming…

4. It’s time for another instalment of Personal Life Lessons! A month ago I shared with you some of the lessons in life I’ve recently learnt. It seems that many of you really enjoyed it, as I had lots of positive feedback from my readers via Facebook and twitter. So, today I thought I’d share again some of the things that have been on my mind in the last 4 weeks – but beware, most of the deep thoughts that go through my head at the moment are about the meaning of friendship and the love between two friends, and work… If you’re looking for anything about love or relationship, you’ll be disappointed. Sorry!

Friendship | no matter where

My closest friends live in different parts of the world. And this, per se, makes me deeply sad. I saw my best friend by chance last October as we both bumped into each other at Malpensa airport, both arriving in Milan at the same time, one from London, the other from Sicily, to see our families. It was pure coincidence. The last time I’d seen her was 2 years before, for a brief afternoon together. And the time previous to that was 2 years earlier, at my wedding. I will see my other friend in just a few days, and this is incredibly exciting, but sad too, because after my brief visit, I don’t know when I will see him again.

BUT… two hearts that really care are not fazed by how far they are from each other. And that’s the truth. I recently posted this on my Facebook profile (please forgive me for the grammar…I know that it’s ‘stayed’ and not ‘staied’!):

The truth is, no matter where, no matter how far, no matter how difficult, the people that want to stay in your life and want you in theirs will find a way to make it happen. The ones that have and are going the extra mile to make this happen with me deserve nothing less than all my love and support. So incredibly grateful for their presence…. <3

She just needs to wake up

I’ve been observing people in the wedding industry and I cannot help but notice that it is very much a female oriented industry, made up of women with a force, drive and maturity that is mind blowing. I’m inspired every day by some of the ladies I regularly meet or deal with, and I do all I can to let this inspiration drive me. There are times that I feel mentally lethargic – I have no strength or will do anything, but I continue because life cannot stop. But the times I ‘wake up’, I feel like I could move mountains, and mountains do I move! Less than two weeks ago I had my first shoot featured on both Rock My Wedding and Wedding Magazine and this has given me the confidence to do a lot more. The only obstacle is controlling my mind. I want to go 100 miles/h, but I have to slow down for the sake of the people around me. Ambition can be a dangerous thing, so learning to balance my desire to be successful with putting the people I love first has to continue being my top priority.

Never underestimate the impact you have on a person’s lifeI’m not really sure what else to say to this. This is the absolute truth. Everyone is on a journey. Every single person. The way we treat the people who let us into their life will have a huge impact on their ‘story’, on who they become and where they are going. I’ve recently learnt this by allowing a new friend to become a huge part of my life. I had no idea of what an impact this would have on us both. But I chose this path and I’m glad I did because somehow my ‘story’, my path, has changed. And it has become an amazing story, one that I can’t wait to read to my future children, quote and recall to them. So never underestimate the impact you have on others. Because what you do and what you say will make up their story, and you have the personal responsibility to make that story worth reading.

Carpe Diem

Over a month ago I decided to join a dance class, one of those that you just need to drop in without having to enrol. Week 1 I didn’t go because I finished work too early and couldn’t be bothered to go back. Week 2 I didn’t go, well… just because… Week 3 I went ‘just to ask information about the class’… luckily for me the girl at reception practically tricked me and forced me to go in. I went and never missed a class since. In fact, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done, as it is the one time in the week I get to really and truly shut off all the negative and stressful thoughts and concentrate on something that is good for my mind and body. If I skipped that third week, I probably never would have gone. Full of excuses, we always tell ourselves ‘Now is not the time’… But when will it ever be? When are we ever going to be ready? I’ve been waiting for far too long to give a push to my business, but enough is enough. There is only so much waiting for miracles to happen that one can do. The reality is, good things don’t come to those who wait. Good things come to those who make them happen. I can make 101 excuses as to why it’s not a good time to do this or that. I do it all the time, but I’m sick and tired of it. So ‘I can’t’ or ‘I’m not ready’ will now be banished from my vocabulary.

So, what are some of the lessons you’ve learnt in the last month or so? Please do share in the comment box below anything that made you happy, grow or stronger 🙂

Baci e abbracci!

Betta

Credits: all images via Pinterest