Create your own story



If there is anything to be feared about expectations, it is our tendency to put the power in the hands of others. To allow external influences to determine how we should behave and think, and what we should have or live with.

When we allow others or culture to ‘squeeze us into its mould’, we are at risk of signing up for a set of rules and laws rather than personal values and aspirations.

Instead we need to set our own expectations. To create our own story. To form our own beliefs about what will happen out of our beliefs and values.

For example, culture may say, “look out for number one or you will get nowhere in life”.

Friends may say, “you’re too generous. It’s your time now.”

But what do you say?

What are your expectations about a life of generosity and humility? Clear values and expectations are protector factors in life. They hold us to both standards and a way of living that allow us to look at ourselves every day in the mirror, as well as at the end of a lifetime and say, “I have lived true. All is well with my soul.”


About Kelley

Kelley is a speaker, author, overseas aid worker and perpetual student. She is passionate about women and gender issues, both in the local and international context, which underpins her enthusiasm for kinwomen and its contribution to women ‘living their finest life’. In 2014 Kelley completed a Masters in International and Community Development before establishing The Foxglove Project. Foxglove is a registered charity focused on supporting international development projects that are sustainable and driven by indigenous leadership. Kelley’s paid work requires her to travel extensively to evaluate and support projects supported by Australian funds. This experience and networking enables Foxglove to partner with outstanding overseas agencies delivering real opportunities for the poor and vulnerable to lead independent self-determined lives. Kelley combines these passions with a love of family and faith. Across more than 30 years of marriage, Kelley and her husband have worked through many of the challenges of building a relationship while raising three sons. Their boys have now finished high school changing the dynamics of family life and relationships. One of her great joys is sharing parenting lessons and learning from good and bad (sometimes disastrous) experiences. She uses humour and common sense to talk about the everyday challenges facing parents in today’s context.