Recently I have been thinking a lot about the influences in my life. There are the obvious ones: grandparents, parents, siblings, wife, children, aunts and uncles, cousins (they each deserve more individual recognition than being lumped in as ‘family’). Some inspiring teachers and the lessons that still help me today (thank you, Miss Eddington!). Friends, writers, photographers and colleagues who have added their voices to the story. Music that has been the soundtrack to my journey.
And of course, we are all influenced by the experiences we collect along the way. Unexpected conversations that still linger in the memory twenty years later. Observations of mothers in faraway lands that shape the way we parent our own children. Insights from different cultures that challenge our perspective of our own community or lifestyle. Exposure outside our comfort zone that give us courage and self-belief.