As December waltzes by drawing to close the most extraordinary year of my lifetime, I find myself relaxing in the reception on my favourite chair reflecting on lessons learned, counting our many blessings, and feeling very grateful to everyone who has supported us and our business.

For all the uncertainties and rule changes, ups and downs, closure’s and different levels of reopening… here we are rolling out our mouth -watering Christmas menu to our Dining on the Deck restaurant packed full of hungry, happy patrons!

As 2021 looms our new normal in hospitality is the Covid Safe Plan. For Secrets this means filling out the form and sanitizing hands and distancing when entering our reception, using our facilities, or dining in the restaurant. This sometimes offends but we have no choice. On the upside, I don’t think a single staff member has caught a cold or flu this year… so despite the inconvenience, following this regulation is making us all healthier.

I am a bit of a worrywart. What if this happens? Or that? What will I do if I can’t do this? You get the drift! My father gave me some great advice once when he could see my little head turning inside out over an issue that seemed so significant at the time but I can’t for the life of me remember what it was now! He said you only worry once ‘it’ actually does happen… worrying beforehand is a waste of time. It may never happen.

So, I gave worrying the boot (mostly!) and try to focus on the good stuff. And there is much to be grateful for despite the roller coaster 2020 has taken us all on. There are always at least two ways of looking at things! Here’s what this year has taught me…

• Concentrate on the things that are in your control… such as clean your space, eat healthy food, be fit, enjoy life in the moment and feed your mind
• There are some things you just can’t control… but what matters most is how you deal with the changes they effect. Do you live in fear and worry? Or do you adopt a little c’est la vie attitude and roll with it to make lemonade from those lemons?
• Make hay while the sun shines… and when it gets a bit gloomy then prepare your hay for when the sun inevitably shows itself again… because nothing lasts forever!
• It’s all about perspective… when you get a little overwhelmed or things seem to be piling on top of you then often the best medicine is a change of scene. Focus on all that is good and if you are able to… change your scene for a moment. The answers and strength will come.

Secrets on the Lake is the perfect change of scene if you are looking for some perspective! George and I built this truly special place for couples to lose themselves in the magic and beauty of nature. There is no better place to reconnect with one another in a relaxed and stunning lakeside location surrounded by pristine rainforest.

Secrets has a special energy that feeds the soul. Every day I see how it transforms the stressed tired faces of guests as they check in, to the glowing ‘10 years younger’ faces as they reluctantly hand in their key and head home. And for that I am truly grateful, because in our own small way George and I try to make a difference in each of the lives of our treehouse guests, wedding guests, and Dining on the Deck Patrons. We would love to welcome you through our doors soon!

For more information or to make a booking please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 07 54 785 888, emailing at info@secretsonthelake.com.au, or visiting online at www.secretsonthelake.com.au