Six days to go! My daughter and grandchildren arrive from Australia on the 26th of April. They are travelling all the way from Rockhampton (North East coast) to Johannesburg, South Africa. Excitement levels are ever so high in our household - preparations, cleaning, polishing, decorating, buying of gifts ..... and for the first time in six years I will have one of my children with me on my birthday. What a blessed gift.

Kitty to teddy ... "Don't be afraid Ferdinand, I will protect you, look how fierce I am!"

You will succeed not because you're allowed to, but because you decide to.

You will prosper not because of the hand you;ve been dealt, but because of what you do with it.

You can allow yourself to be held back by what is, or you can choose to create what can be.

Whatever comes your way is insignificant when compared to what you make of it.

Though others may have impressive wealth and other advantages going for them, remember this ..

You have you going for you.

You have a solid, authentic purpose and the determination to fulfil that purpose. You have a unique perspective and the ability to leverage that perspective into real, lasting value.

That's more than enough to take you wherever you choose to go, no matter what your starting point may be. Whether circumstances favour you or not, your commitment and your actions can always be working in your favour. Don't waste your time obsessing over what's unfair or unfortunate about your situation. Put all your energy into what you can do, into the positive steps you can take and deliver yourself to wherever you wish to be.

- Ralph Marston