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Catching the Curveball

The art of dealing with the unexpected

the art of dealing with the unexpected

Celebrating another lap around the sun
In:CelebratePositive

Celebrating another lap around the sun

May 30, 2018May 28, 2018

May is the month of celebrations for our family. For me it has always been a much-anticipated month. As a child it was all about MY birthday coming and I was convinced that the magic of autumn turning the 100-year old Elms that lined the street where I lived in Canberra into a golden yellow was nature’s way of preparing for my special day.

Photo of Grant Cres, Canberra – Credit Grahamec (via commons.wikimedia.org)

When we moved to tropical Queensland I think that was my biggest disappointment. There was no change to the season, no heralding of May…the anticipation was all but gone.

I share the month with both of my parents who have birthdays on consecutive days in May. But May started to get a little more hectic when I started dating Craig also born in May and THEN we decided to set out wedding date slap dab in the middle of both of our May birthdays so we could celebrate for a week every year. Having kids, then added to the crazy, throwing Mother’s Day into the mix.

My house pretty much looks like a florist right now! Not that I am complaining!

Since losing a friend my vintage a few years ago, I am grateful for each and every birthday I see in – because it is a blessing denied to many.

Those who know me well, know that I have been 37 for over a decade now. My mum was 35 till she was 50, so I figured I would do the same. Many tease me about being in denial, but I am not. I am just not a big fan of the number four. To me it is such a “meh” number. It can’t even work out how it should be drawn – some people draw it closed and pointy, others draw it “open” like some odd headless stick figure with an arm pointing skyward! There are no lovely curves AND you have to lift your pen off the page for it! The pain of it!! So – I am skipping the fours and I’ll jump straight to 50 when it is time to! Judge me all you like. This is me. Ha!

I know it is cliché but I really do want to make each day count. There are days that I do that better than others of course, but I try to live each day so that I have no regrets. If I am not happy with how a day has gone, I do my best to make amends where I need to or make the next day a better one.

Late last year after connecting with a business mentoring community I was challenged in my thinking on goal setting and invigorated like never before to back myself to use my experience in the law and in life to see if I can’t bring some change to my “world” and to leave it a slightly better place. Three weeks later, I started writing this blog. Posting to the sound of “crickets” I thought, yet now I am surprised at getting feedback from the other side of the world and as I type I am humbled to say my posts have been read over 6,300 times in just 6 months.

I am madly writing a “how to” book in the hope that I will have that written and published by November this year. With it, I hope to spread the message to law colleagues and the community generally, that there is a better way to resolving wills & estates inheritance disputes than starting down a court battle pathway. I am genuinely passionate about helping grieving families navigate, what is already such a difficult time, in a better, less painful and less costly way.

For the last few months I have seen midnight more often than not. I am at times tired, but my bigger goal gives me the energy to keep going.

If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you. Steve Jobs

I do want to leave my “world” a better place. I want to make a difference. I try to do that daily in my life as a mum to my two kids, as a wife to my hubby, as a neighbour, as a friend and as a boss. The key, I think, is living in a way that aligns with the things I value the most. I put family first and I value relationships above material things. I want to do right and make right. I love to try new things and to see things from different perspectives. I try to encourage and build up, I cheer others on. Sometimes I do ok, other times I screw up. But most of the time I am contented knowing I have given this thing called life my best shot each and every day.

I had a conversation with a friend over the weekend just gone – about how hard it has been for her to watch her strong and capable father, age and now suffer with the daily pain of an incurable cancer. Yet she took comfort in knowing that neither she, nor he, nor their family will have regrets when he breathes his last. Not just because his suffering will end and his eternal life will begin, but because nothing has been left unlived or unsaid. Love has been shared freely, openly and often. Family holidays and overseas trips have been enjoyed with an ever-expanding family of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Life has been long and full and overflowing with the good things that outshine the bad.

A life well lived is a legacy in itself.

Try and leave this world a little better than you found it, and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate, you have not wasted your time but have done your best.

Robert Baden-Powell

As I mark having navigated another lap around the sun, I am grateful for the life I have lived so far, and I am excited for the days, weeks, months and, God willing, years ahead.

How about you? What plans do you have to leave your “world” a little better?

better, big picture, birthday, celebrate, legacy, values, vision

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Hello

I am Zinta Harris. I live in Brisbane, Australia with my husband of 25 years, Craig (known by most as Harry) and our two children Teja and Zigi. I am a specialist wills and estates lawyer by day and inspiration seeker by night. I help Australian families navigate the legal fallout after the loss of a loved one in a calm and compassionate way. My mood is better after a daily double shot coffee and a glass or two of bubbles. I get my energy from people. My superpower is encouraging others. It is my sincere hope that this blog will encourage you. I hope it gives you a chance to chime in with your experience or to feel part of a community that has walked through a valley and made it through. Read about me

Check out my new book! “Rest in Peace” – how to manage an estate dispute without inheriting heartache

https://resolveestatelaw.com.au/

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Veuvey Happy Birthday to me! 🍾🥂🍾 I spent Veuvey Happy Birthday to me! 🍾🥂🍾

I spent the last two days sipping my way through a bottle (or three) of my favourite bubbles @veuveclicquot while spending time with my nearest and dearest! 💕🍾💕

It was a "nothing" birthday. 53... or is it 35? But seeing what I see as an estates lawyer I make sure I mark every one I am blessed to live! 💝💔💝

My heart is so full. I have been showered in love. I have shared so many laughs. I have eaten like a queen and danced like a rock star! I have had so much fun! 💞🤣🍾🥂🦪🕺🍾🥂🤣🤪😍

My amazing hubby sure knows how to spoil me rotten! 😘

Thank you all for your kind messages and calls. I truly feel loved and celebrated! 🥰🎂🥰
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#happybirthdaytome🎉 #happyplace❤️ #birthdayfestivities #festivalofzinta #foodwineandfriends #familyiseverything❤️ 
#lifeistooshort #celebratinglife #anotherlaparoundthesun
A rare free dress day ahead of the school's cultu A rare free dress day ahead of the school's  cultural night.

I was sad to miss the fun this year to watch Zigi join Teja to represent Latvia! 

But at least Opa and @mara_siksna, Grandma @roslyn.harris.716 and Craig were there to cheer them on! 

#latvian #freedress #culturematters #highschoollife #culturalheritage 
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#resolveestatelaw #brisbanelawyer #brisbanelife #brisbanebusiness
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#choosecompassion #bekindalways
#zintaharris
29 years married to this hunky man I am lucky enou 29 years married to this hunky man I am lucky enough to call my hubby! 💕

We just spent the most amazing 24 hours at @whotels Brisbane! Enjoying a mind-blowing degustation at @bacchusbrisbane last night and an incredible day spa experience at Away spa!🥰

We are so lucky. 💝

We are still in love. We still enjoy adventures together. We still make each other laugh. We still have each other. 😘

We take none of it for granted. 💘

Happy anniversary to us! 💞
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#happyanniversarymylove #iloveyoualwaysforever
#thosewhoplaytogetherstaytogether
On Friday night I got to hang out with my bestie @ On Friday night I got to hang out with my bestie @tan_hall to see the opening of Aspire at the newly renovated home of the @qldballet at Talbot Theatre West End. 🩰

To watch their talented students perform three unique pieces with stunning interspersed solos was truly breathtaking.

It almost made me want to put my dancing shoes back on...but then I remembered my age (and distinct lack of equivalent talent)!🤣

The future of Qld Ballet is truly in wonderful hands! 🙌
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Happy birthday to my soul mate! AKA the hunky man Happy birthday to my soul mate! AKA the hunky man I get to call my hubby! 💕

We adore you.❤️

You are our world.🌏

We don't know what we did to deserve you.😘

We don't know how we would live without you. 🙃

We love you to the moon and the stars and back! 🌚

Happy 55th birthday you gorgeous man! 🎂

#happybirthdaydad #happybirthdaydad #weloveyoutothemoonandback 
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#choosecompassion #bekindalways
#zintaharris
One of the hats I get to wear is that of QACP comm One of the hats I get to wear is that of QACP committee member. 

The Queensland Association of Collaborative Professionals was established by a group of Family Law professionals decades ago when the collaborative practice model designed to help divorcing couples separate without going to court - first came to Australian shores. 

After learning about the model, then "stealing" it and tweaking it for Succession Law - I have been on the QACP committee since to help spread the word about how this model can transform the Wills & Estates space!

QACP are kicking off 2023 with a series of FREE "lunch and learn" sessions. The first one will be held at 12pm on 23 May. 

Clarissa Rayward and I will be hosting the first session on how to add Collaborative Practice to your tool kit (for Wills & Estates and Family Law). The session is open to lawyers, financial advisors, psychologists and mediators already working as collaborative professionals or for those interested in learning more about how to get involved!

So - if you have wondered how to offer family inclusive estate planning services to deliver a succession plan that is as watertight as it gets OR if you are yearning for a respectful out-of-court way to resolve estate disputes that eliminates agro and ego - this session will be of interest to you!

The link to register is: https://qacp.org.au/events-and-training/

I hope to see you there!

#collaborativeestates #collaborativelaw #estateplanning #estatelaw #succession #QACP #free
Every estate Law matter is different and your indi Every estate Law matter is different and your individual circumstances will determine what fee structure is best for you. 

We are committed to providing our clients with an open and transparent fee structure that is suitable for them.

Call us to learn more about our fixed-fee probate services on (07) 3371 0795.
Just as the sun emerges from behind the clouds aft Just as the sun emerges from behind the clouds after a rainy day, our lives can also have moments of darkness followed by moments of light and joy.

The sun always comes after the rain, and with each passing storm, we have the opportunity to learn, grow, and appreciate the beauty of life.

#growth #motivationalmonday
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