I had the privilege of meeting Professor Fiona Wood (Australian of the year 2005). She shared with the 800 women at the Business Chicks event Melbourne (and the following day in Sydney) her journey, persistence and passions. She is a fundamentally curious person with a passion for learning that is addictive.
As a child growing up in Yorkshire, she heard her father say when she was just a small girl – ‘Who are we not to dream’ – even though he was a minor, with little education – he had big dreams for his children, all four of them going to tertiary education.
This very humble woman who has dedicated the past two decades to healing burn victims had some very profound things to say:
- “We should praise a little bit better – it does not hurt”
- “I think of all the people who helped me along the way – that I wish I’d thanked more – and now they are not here”
- “Taking a little extra time can make someone’s day – just seeing what they do and telling them.”
- “Thanking people is about getting positive energy in”
- “The choices we make – make history tomorrow.”
Why is a natural state of happiness so important? Professor Wood shared that those with the predisposition of positive energy are far more likely to heal – than those who are negative.
In her experience some of the toughest nursing jobs are those in the burns unit and the oncology unit – yet consistently she has seen lower absenteeism by nurses in those units. She says in her belief it is because those nurses are the one’s that are thanked the most, by their medical colleagues, but also the patients.
Professor Wood is passionate about us simply being grateful to those around us – and such positivity will hold us in great stead, in case we find ourselves in a calamity.
Thank you, Fiona, for your inspiring words – There were 800 women today who left, knowing that they could follow their dreams – and also feel wonderful by simply saying thank you sincerely to the people around them.
If you would like to donate to the burns, trauma and scarless healing foundation http://www.mccomb.org.au/ it will be very gratefully received.
Vanessa says
Absolutely inspirational!
Fiona is an amazing gift to this world.
Phill says
You are both truly inspirational