I was having a conversation this week with someone I have known since I was a teenager and we were talking about choices you make in life. The things that matter. (for those looking for a business blog or anecdotes should probably switch off now).

The things that matter? Thats a tough one isnt it? It changes from person to person. Some people aspire to be millionaires while others more content to be rich in love and happiness. Did anyone ever say on their death bed "I wish I had worked more" - I doubt it. Its the things we look back on, the things we regret, I was questioned as to whether we should live our lives with reckless abandon but this philosophy seems to give no regard for the others around you. What matters more? Your pursuit of happiness and fullfillment or the collective contentment of your "circle". Google+ has its new social media offering, allowing us to create circles of friends, colleagues and acquaintences but this isnt what I mean.

The conversation made me really reflect on my choices and those that know me personally will know that I made some tough choices at the end of my twenties that caused me both heartache and relief in equal measures. I dont regret that decision, it made me the person I am today so I suppose it depends on the risks you are prepared to take, the decisions you make and whether you can stand by those without regret. I stand by mine.

Having millions of pounds in the bank would be nice, and would buy me a few more pairs of shoes (shhh), but material things dont really matter. Those millions of pounds might buy you a nice house, car, clothes ..... and funeral in the end but whats the point if you have money to feed your pocket but no-one surrounding you to feed your soul.

There is a quote that says "friends are the family we choose for ourselves". Its true and however your "family" is made up, in my mind .... nothing matters more.

I had to write a 150 word summary about myself today and whilst I am usually at risk of waffling too much, it was quite difficult to write. It made me look closely at myself and what I believed in. I am usually someone elses biggest advocate but when it comes to myself, self promotion isnt my strongest quality but I do believe in myself. My daughters will grow up in the knowledge that you dont have to be first off the starting block in order to win the race and geniune personal attributes are to be celebrated.

I may not be the strongest but I have inner strength.

I may not be the cleverest but I am knowledgeable.

I may not always shout the loudest but I will make myself heard.

No one will deny me, no one will defy me, no one will tell me what I can or cant be.

Belief can change your world, belief has moved continents, changed lives and put a man on the moon.

Belief in myself will always carry me through.

Do you believe in you?

I have lots of roles in life, from mother, wifey, friend, cook, cleaner, taxi driver and chief bottle washer (this is not a joke) but the biggest responsibility has to be as a mother. It is ultimately my job to keep my children safe. From the moment they arrive in the world, keeping them from harm has been my sole objective in life.

So what do you do when something, outside of your control, affects your child's safety?

I was driving home, after taking my daughter to a show, and we were chatting away as we drove through the lanes on our way home, unaware of what lay ahead. I saw a car in a lay-by on the left hand side of the road and assumed that they had broken down but as I approached the car, they suddenly turned in the road. They literally took a U-turn in the road. I had nowhere to go, except straight into them.

People tell you that your life flashes before you or that the silence before the crash is defening but my instinct was to protect my daughter.  Ironically, she was looking in my bag at the time and on impact, she simply looked up and asked "did we crash?"

I was distraught, I felt like I had failed to do my job, regardless of the fact that she was fine. Adrenalin kicked in but when the Fire Brigade, Police and Air Ambulance arrived, I was in tears. It wasn't my fault but that didn't stop me from blaming myself.

It was a reminder that life is precious but it was also a reminder that other people are not as honest and you may be. The third party tried to pursue a claim after the accident and its a times like that you need to employ the services of road accident lawyers as they are the specialists. 

I shall just continue to specialising in keeping my children safe ... I can't say the same for my car though!