I’m back! I know it has been a while, but life has a way of moving so rapidly that it can be a challenge to catch up.
Since my last update, I have been blessed with the arrival of a beautiful new granddaughter. After what seemed like an interminable wait—because babies always insist on arriving on their own schedule—Netta Florence (affectionately known by me as Button Nightingale) made her way into the world in the early hours of October 15. Mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully, and I was lucky enough to spend her first week soaking up all those precious grandmother cuddles.
During this time, my home was full of life. One of my sons and his family stayed with us while preparing for their big trip around Australia. It gave me a chance to enjoy “grandmother status” with my older grandchildren, too. There is something so special about them being old enough to tease and finally understand my sense of humour!
And now I’m looking forward to spending time with the rest of my grandchildren over Christmas, who are also old enough to tease.
Expectation vs. Reality
While I initially believed I could seamlessly balance family time with my clinic and business demands, the reality was somewhat different. 😊
This has been a recurring theme over the last two years. Like so many of you, I set goals and timelines for how my personal and professional life should look. Yet, Reality often has a different itinerary. The biggest lesson I’ve learned through this is the value of living in the flow.
As we close out 2025 and prepare for 2026, I encourage you to keep your goals and expectations realistic. I find that lowering the pressure of “expectations” minimizes the feeling of failure. As the sayings go: “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” and “No expectations, no disappointments.”
Life is one big ride. Enjoy it, lean into the pivots, and prioritize the things that make you truly happy.
