I wanted to share a win with you all which for me is pretty big.

At the same day that the Geelong course started, I decided to do some work on secrets regarding my mother. Things werent going too well between us and I knew I had a secret. I was stuck. I kept reading the questions, gazing out over the tree tops, reading the questions again. I felt I was in it, but just couldnt get it. I re-read the question, and it talked about what would I want to protect myself from, or want to protect someone else...POP

I realised my secret was that I wanted to protect not me, but my mother from things that she couldnt change or fix for me. I had been holding her and me to ransom all these years, just because I wanted to protect HER.

WOW. And since then, amazing things are happening in my space. I can connect with her. I no longer am critical of her. I can just be me around her. Souaad, you would know - youve seen some of our journey and the work Ive done in relation to my mum.

Over the last year and a bit, Ive been working through layers of commitment, and my lack of it.

Ive worked in the printing industry since I was about 12, working after school in my mothers factory. (Im now 39). For at least 15 of these years, Ive been involved in the graphic design side of things. However, this wasnt always at my mothers factory. I would start to settle into the place, and then want to leave. Ive left more times than I can remember. Im back there now, working for my mother. I wanted to face my commitment issues head on, and had a clear goal of what I wanted to achieve.

I dont have formal qualifications for anything in the printing industry, and have recently found this to be a secondary to my next steps. So, armed with the Avatar tools that I have (many life experiences and reviews of the course, then the advanced courses) I faced it all head on.

Another win is that I set a clear primary about doing what I had to do to get formal qualifications, and have been informed that I should be able to get the ticket (same as apprenticeship papers) by providing evidence that I have done the work. A fee will need to be paid, papers sent off, and ba da bing...trade qualifications! Im so over the moon with the whole thing.

I have a new appreciation for my mother, and my connection with her is awesome! Thank you so much for your patience with me. Andrew, remember when you asked me to set 5 type 4 primaries and I couldnt even come up with 2...lol. I know why now. Such a decision. Too many primaries to commit to. lol

Anyway, another success story for the Avatar team. Yay! Thank you all so much for your beautiful support.

Much love and appreciation,
Jackie Mannix
Calliope, Australia