"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been"
- Mark Twain
When we were younger, me and my sisters would very often go to a local wildlife park, not so far from where we lived. It wasn't a massive place, nor could it really be considered a zoo. But it did have a range of animals that weren't exactly natural to the environment. There were lamas, monkeys, camels and the largest number of flamingos I have ever seen. Not exactly London zoo, but it made for a good day out.
So why this thought of wildlife parks?
Well, today's blog isn't really about wildlife parks, but about flamingos! Those silly, crazy, pink birds that seemed to be the inspiration for a plastic hit in the 80's!
As I was driving on the way to work today, there was a news item on the radio about flamingos. Not exactly the most exciting topic in the world, but it got me thinking none the less. Scientists have been carrying out research into the lifestyle of flamingos and have found some new information about these birds that they didn't know before. Here's what they found;
"Research into the social interaction of flamingo flocks has suggested that the oldest and pinkest flamingos are the most popular and therefore the key individuals in a flock." Read more here...
WOW! Hilarious. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I heard this. The oldest and pinkest flamingos are the most popular. That's what I've been missing. Give me a few more years and a couple of pink outfits and I'm in. Imagine that's how life worked today? The older and pinker you are the more popular you are! Sunburnt pensioners would be right in there if that was the case. Maybe life should be a bit more like this? Ok, maybe not about people being pink, but what about those older people in our society? Maybe the older members in your street or family? Scientists found that when the older flamingos started doing things, like building nests etc, the younger flamingos would soon follow their example. I wonder how different society would be if we took a little bit more advice and example from those older people around us who, very often, have been through a lot more that we have. People who survived the war, people who worked in hard times, so much advice and knowledge of life and yet, so often we forget about the experience that older people bring with them. And so I end with this thought. All of us go through things in life. It's the reason I write this blog. But how often do we turn to those older than us for advice? When we go through difficult times or situations where we are unsure of what to do, how often do we ask advice form those who have more experience of life than us. So often in society people cast off older people, like they've reached their sell by date. But from my experience, the life stories and life experiences that the older people I know bring with them go far beyond anything anyone else can offer me. They have been there, they've done it, they even have the medals and uniforms to prove it. Today, don't simply cast off people because of age. Remember, with age comes wisdom and there are plenty of people around you who bring with them advice and experiences that may just help you out of your situation. Maybe those flamingos aren't such silly birds after all! Bywyd sydd yn byw! - Just living life! RM
"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you"
- Lao Tzu
So it's Saturday night, or at least it is here in the UK, and that can only mean one thing...Saturday night game shows! I know there are lots of readers of my blog who are not from the UK, and maybe Saturday night game shows are not so familiar to you. But I have no doubt wherever you are in the world game shows are no strange thing you.
Over the years there have been so many different game shows, but still to this day one of my all time favourites has to be 'Deal or no Deal'. What a show! It's so successful that I think it's been produced in every country around the world. I remember a holiday once in Spain and remember seeing a Spanish version being broadcast on TV. It's such a good game show. Luckily for me it's simple. There's no real skill or mental challenge needed to win the game, just simple pot luck. Pick a numbered box, and hope that the amount of money inside is not a high amount. If you are not sure of the program here's a link to a clip for your viewing pleasure!;
As I sat watching TV this morning there were repeat episodes being played, one of which I had seen before. It was of a woman who had reached the final round with two money options left; either she would win 1p or £250,000. Quite a difference! As the tension built up the phone rang. Mr Banker. (If you haven't seen the show, there is a secret banker who tries to offer contestants different amounts of money to stop them playing the game further.)
So the phone rings and the banker makes an offer. £75,000. WOW! That's an offer. If someone offered me £75,000 I would in no way turn it down. But how could the player take £75,000 when she could have £250,000?!?! What would you do in that situation? Take the £75,000 or risk it all for the chance of £250,000? Tricky decision!
Watching this this afternoon reminded me of of a saying my dad used to say to me that has always stuck with me, and has helped me out of a few tricky situations. The saying is one that many people know and it goes;
"A bird in the hand is worth more than 2 in the bush"
Ok, so as a child this saying meant absolutely nothing, but as I grew up this saying made complete sense. When there's something you do have, why risk it for something what you could have? If you have a bird in your hand, that bird is yours. That's worth far more than trying to go after two birds in the bush which could, very easily, fly off leaving you with nothing!
So back to the program. As I watched, shouting "Deal" at the screen, it was clear to see that this player was definitely going after 2 in the bush and she turned the deal down. This was it. 1p or £250,000? As you can probably guess, she ended up with 1p. Her two birds flew off!
This got me thinking about life.
Have you ever been in the position where you have made a decision and very quickly afterwards something else has comes along that you would have preferred? Maybe you've made plans with someone and then you get an invite to another event. Too late you've made your plan. Or you accept a job offer and another comes your way? There are loads of examples I could go into in life, where we've got a "bird" in our hand, but those 2 in the bush look really appealing! Where we've decided on one thing but something else comes along which on the outside looks so much better.
And so I end with this thought.
In the world there are so many people who are willing to drop everything for something better. Very often it's not about what I can do for others, it's about what others can do for me. I'm certainly guilty of doing that in the past. We live in a world where people are simply eager to drop everything when those 2 little birds come hopping past. But why?
So often the things we have, the relationships we've got, the possessions we own are more than enough for us. We have all we need and yet we are never satisfied. People are always looking for the next big thing to come along, looking at how they can trade in and upgrade. From simple things, like upgrading to the iPhone 5S because the iPhone 5 wasn't good enough, to bigger things like finding ways to move up the ladder in work. We are always trying to go after other things rather than being happy where we are.
Am I saying we shouldn't be ambitious? No. Am I saying we shouldn't strive to be better? Absolutely not. So what am I saying?
Life is full of amazing things. Things that sometimes we fail to appreciate. Things that are ours and that we have in our hand. Yet many times we can be swayed, distracted, by the opportunity to "upgrade" for new things we could have! All to soon we leave everything else, and everyone else behind.
Life is about more than simply upgrading and getting bigger and better. It's more than just going after the 2 birds in the bush. Yes, strive to be better, yes look to improve your life but appreciate and be content with what you already have first. It's certainly a lot more than many in this world have got. I love life and everything it comes with and I'm certainly not going after anything else while I have this one! As you read this blog, learn to appreciate everything you have. There are a lot of people in a far worse place than you, with no bird at all! I wonder how many people would say "deal" to you if you offered them your life?
Chances are...a lot!
Bywyd sydd yn byw! - Just living life!
RM
(p.s. People have been asking about the 1000th surprise. It did take a bit longer to sort out, as I didn't expect 1000 readers so soon, but should be ready by Tuesday/Wednesday at the latest. Will explain in my blogs! Thank you Musers!)
"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure"
- Bill Cosby
Success. We live in a world obsessed with success. It's something that everyone in life is aiming for. Whatever we do, wherever we plan to go, we measure everything we do by our success. Banks measure profits, Hospitals measure patient rates, Schools measure results. We're always looking for success. Ever heard someone measure how well something went by how badly it failed? No. Success is what counts.
In my job, I'm constantly looking at data and numbers to see how much success is being had. It's all about success. After all that is what helps identify the good from the bad, the top from the bottom. Time limits, profits, targets, numbers, it's all about success. Today, as I looked at my screen I started to think about how many other people were in the same place as me, doing a job so focussed on making data a success we forget sometimes about the other successes that are taking place around us.
But how do we decide what success really is? Is it academic? Based on grades? Is it based on money? Profits?
In life there are lots of different times when we experience success and really they are nothing to do with either of these things. As I sat at my computer to work on 'successes' I realised that true success in life is really about more than just education and money. Maybe its a music grading? Overcoming a fear? Doing something for the first time? Achievement in sport? Quitting smoking. It's all about achieving goals!
I love the story of Alan Sugar. Someone who left school with no qualifications, no real academic success, in most people's eyes, a failure. Yet through setting goals and following his ideas, he now has one of the most successful businesses in Britain. His success may, on the outside, seem to be measured by the amount of money he makes, however the real success story is how Alan Sugar was able to defy all the odds to turn his life around. That is the true success.
Life is filled with moments where we go through many different successes, times when we do things to improve our lives. Surely that has got to be the ultimate success no matter what!
And so I end with this thought.
Today life will bring many things your way. You will probably face new challenges and do things that you didn't expect (see previous blog for more on that!). It is easy to, all too often, focus on the failures or the things that didn't go right today.
But stop, pause, and think about what went well today. What were those moments today that were good? That were a success? Maybe you defied the odds and made something work which you never thought you would? Maybe you overcame something? Maybe you even turned your life around?
Success is all around us. Our lives are filled with successful moments and yet, all to often, we focus on the things that didn't go as we had planned. Thankfully our failures in life are not recorded on a chart or graph, nor are they highlighted in red. Our failures are in the past, and no one will really remember them in the future. But success lasts far longer. If you focus on those successful moments in life, then you see life in a whole new way.
Success is all around, the question is can you see it?
This is not a normal blog but it is a special blog. Today I had my 1000th reader! WOW!
I've been writing this blog for almost a month and I've had people from all around the world reading it, 1000 people to be precise. People have got in touch to say how they have enjoyed the blog and read it often. So I want to take this blog to thank you all!
As a dedication to 1000, here is a link to 1000 interesting facts you never knew!
People ask me why I started the blog? Why do I write?
I started the blog as a way of just reflecting on life. So many times I have talked to people who have been, and are, going through the same things as me. So one evening I thought, "Hey I'm sure there are lots of people going through similar things. I'm going to write about my experiences and what I learnt." And that was that. And now here I am 1000 readers later. Truly amazed.
Now I know I told you there was a surprise coming for my 1000th reader, and it is coming. I promise. But it's just taking a bit longer than expected. For my suprise, I wanted to develop my blog further and change it slightly and this suprise, I think, will be the perfect way to take it to the next level.
So thank you for reading. Just knowing that people are reading makes it all worth while. Back to the normal blog tomorrow so don't miss it!
"Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me."
- Carl Sandberg
It's almost over. September that is. That time of year when the nights start getting darker, colours start changing in the landscape and the days start to get wetter and colder. You only have to look back over the last couple of weeks to see that Autumn is definitely on it's way. We've all come to accept what happens. It's going to get colder and wetter and darker, that's it! No surprises. Just the expected things taking place.
Well today wasn't so expected. As the grey mist began to rise this morning it was quite clear to see a blue sky beginning to emerge. And what....what is that light in the sky...the sun? Making an appearance? In September? WOW! Not only did it pop it's head out for an hour or two but the sun seemed to stay all day. Not only that but it got warm too! I was strangely warm, really warm, so warm I had to take my jumper off and open windows in work. It really was unexpected.
For a time of year where we have come to expect specific types of weather and changes, today was definitely an unexpected moment. One which I wish stayed around for a bit longer. Warm winter's would be lovely, but realistically, it's probably going to get colder.
But the unexpected heat wave (ok, so maybe not a heatwave) was not what I had expected today. How often is that like life?
How often do we get up and start the day expecting things to happen, knowing what sorts of things will face us, expecting certain events to take place because that's what we're used to. Yet so very often life is filled with the unexpected moments. We expect one thing and face another. Ever been in that situation?
This kid has been. Watch what happens when Spiderman reveals himself (to be his military dad back from Iraq!)
Purely unexpected! Wow!
And so I end with this thought.
In life we spend our time organising ourselves and setting things in place so we know what's coming. So that we know what to expect. We're not people who like unexpected things because how will we prepare? How will we know what to do? How can we know what to expect? Quite simply you can't. Unexpected moments are just not something we're prepared for. And for some of us, that's not something we are comfortable with. Sometimes we even try to prepare and plan for the unexpected moments in life with the hope that nothing will catch us out. Why would we take out insurance otherwise?
Truth is we can't do anything about those surprises and unexpected moments in life. But that's a good thing. Life should be full of times where we are kept on our toes. Kept living life on the edge. Not getting comfortable but always ready to embrace new challenges.
So in your day to day life remember; don't expect the unexpected to be what you expect the unexpected to be (That was a mouthful)! Those moments never look the same and no two are ever identical.
The question is, what are you not expecting to happen today? You never know when your unexpected moments can become the new challenge in your life.
"I'd like to be settled into somewhat of a normal life. Somewhat. I know it's never going to be completely normal."
- Michael Jordan
So, I'm sat here staring at the screen waiting for something to hit me from today that I can blog about....ummm....nope! Nothing (keep reading....there is something!).
Usually when I'm writing my blog things jump out at me from the day. Maybe things I've seen or things that have happened. But today, it seems that I have a complete block. There are no real events standing out, no situations that are particularly interesting. It's just been a normal day. We all have those days and that's something I know is definitely true. Kind of disappointing really. Life is much more interesting when things are happening all the time right? Actually, no. Not always.
As I'm sat here thinking about having nothing to write about, that is the very thing I have come to realise I have to write about. Nothing. Life today was just a normal today. Nothing out of the ordinary, no lottery wins, no major situations or drama's. Life today was just life and, you know what, that's fine! It's ok to just be normal.
In this world people are always looking for the next big thing, looking to do something and be someone. Having those ambitions is great. It drives us on, makes us want to be better people. But truth is, for the majority of us, life will just be life today. It will be filled with the normal things that we do everyday. And that is completely fine. You don't have to do something new everyday, you don't have to make drastic changes everyday. If we did, we would very quickly lose any appreciation of the new things that happen in life.
So many people get down and depressed because they get bored of "normal life", of doing the same thing all the time, but the truth is, that's life for a lot of us. We all do the same jobs day in day out, we meet the same people, day in day out. Sometimes we need to just wake up and realise that "normal" is good for us, and is something that some people in the world would die for.
There is no-one in this world who does something new everyday. That's just life. Everyone is in the same boat and if we all tried pulling the pity card, what a miserable place the world be.
And so I end with this thought.
Today was a normal day for me, and you know what, that's fine! I'm happy with that. A nice straight forward easy day. A day that allowed me to appreciate those things in life that are concrete. Those things that are there all the time. But sadly there are those people who are never happy with the norm. Always chasing after the new, looking for drama, trying to be "abnormal". They are people who are always trying to fill a void that never seems to be filled because they are not happy with the normal things in life.
In life learn to appreciate every moment. Every moment is a gift that we have, even the normal moments. Yes, be happy with the surprises that happen in life, of course, but be even happier that today you managed to live and survive another normal day in this big old world. Some people aren't so lucky!
Today I thought I had nothing to write about, but having nothing to write about showed me that I have everything to write about. Friends, family, job, relationships! Ordinary life is filled with extraordinary moments and that's something that never changes.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
- Unknown
Tea. Most people like it, few people hate it but we all like it differently. Some prefer milk, some prefer sugar, then there's the argument of milk in first, tea in first; there are so many different ways and yet everyone has their way of making it. From a young age I remember my mum giving us tea just before bed. Granted, it was only a very small amount, but there was always something quite sophisticated about have a little bit of tea before bed. It made you feel like a grown up, even if it was from a Tommy Tippee cup.
As I got older I was lucky enough to start having sugar and I soon found what a difference that made to a cup of tea. 2 sugars was the perfect ingredient to make my tea taste like something completely new.
I remember heaping up the teaspoon and dropping it in to make the perfect cuppa. I also remember the shock that would appear on my face when we would have visitors round who would have no sugar! No sugar? Are you mad? Without sugar it just tastes like, well, like tea. I remember thinking to myself that there was no way I would ever be able to get used to that. No sugar? 2 sugars was the only way to do it.
As time moved on I soon started to realise the impact that sugar could have on my teeth and began to think that maybe the 2 sugars wasn't the best for me. So as any healthy person would do I reduced my tea to having 1 sugar. Much better for the teeth (kind of!). It tasted awful at first and took a long time to get used to, but eventually my lower sugar filled beverage became the norm and 1 sugar was plenty enough to satisfy my taste.
However, even though my previous attempt to be healthy had reduced my sugar intake, I was still aware that the one sugar was still no good for me. So, beyond everything that was going on in my head, I went down to no sugar! NO SUGAR! The drink that had once seemed like a nightmare to me had now become a drink I would soon get used to. If I thought the one sugar tea took some getting used to, tea with no sugar took a lot longer to get used to. The taste was not sweet, it didn't taste right and initially there seemed to be no way that I could ever get used to it. Tea needed sugar and that was that. But, I didn't give in, and eventually after weeks of forcing myself to do it, I can now happily enjoy a cuppa with no sugar at all. It even tastes better now too!
Tonight when I got in, I felt a bit low on sugar. So I decided that, just for a change, I would add a sugar in my tea to give me a boost. It wouldn't be hard. I used to drink tea with 2 sugars, so one sugar wouldn't be a problem at all. As the kettle clicked and I poured in the milk in went the sugar. It didn't seem quite right having become used to having no sugar at all, but I needed the boost.
As I took the first sip I had prepared myself to begin liking sugar in my tea again, but I didn't. It was awful. In fact I poured the tea away and made myself a new one. It was just too sweet. It didn't taste right. I had moved on to a new type of tea and the old type just wasn't for me anymore.
As always this got me thinking about life.
In life we try out lots of different things and lots of new things come across our paths. Whether they are challenges, hobbies or even specific periods of our life, there are very often times where we panic at new things and simply think to ourselves "I will never get used to that". Maybe it's a new job? A change in the home? A new family situation? A health problem? There are so many different things I could list. We like things to just stay the same and not have to change because, well, we know ourselves now better than we know ourselves tomorrow.
And yet when we move onto new things and then try to go back to doing the old things, our old ways; it just doesn't seem right anymore. Why? Because you've moved on. You've changed. You have new things in your life which have replaced the old. Ever been there?
And so I end with this thought.
In life we grow up, and move on. We do it daily. All the time. We get used to do something and can't really see ourselves ever not doing it. Yet when we move on to something new, going back to the old ways doesn't really feel right anymore.
Life is filled with new experiences, and seasons in life where we go through and become used to new, better things. Very often trying to go back to the past often leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Why? Because you are used to a new way of doing things and the old ways just don't feel the same anymore.
Yes it's great to think back and reflect on the past, but it's not always the best thing to try to go back there. Your past has gone and there's not a lot you or I can do to change it. But the future is filled with new experiences. New challenges. New things that will eventually, take the place of many things you are used to in life now.
The past is like a 2 sugar tea - it tastes good for a while, but go back to it after having no sugar and it's never the same. In life be thankful for the past, it's made you who you are today, but embrace your future. It's filled with new things that you probably didn't even see coming. Even when you think you can't ever get used to something new that's going on in your life right now, you will! Me drinking tea with no sugar? Never saw that. But now it's what I do and it's what I'm happy with. Your future is the same. Eventually you will do things you never thought you would, and they will become those things that are normal and comfortable in your life.
So think about your life and ask yourself; Life -1 lump or 2?
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth. - John F Kennedy
Has there ever been something that you really really wanted to do in life and yet someone has come along and put you off? Maybe you've wanted to do a skydive, but someone has told you about the dangers and possible death if you do it. Or maybe you really wanted to travel the world but someone has told you that its too expensive. There are lots of times in life where we have a clear idea of what it is and where it is we want to go.
Quite recently I've become a bit of a YouTube addict. There are so many videos out there that are brilliantly entertaining, and I don''t just mean videos of babies biting fingers or exploding pandas. I mean videos of people with great stories. As I was watching one particular video this morning, it got me thinking about how many times people try to make us do things or put us off doing the things we would really want to in life. The guy I watched told the story of his life through a new craze on YouTube called "Draw my life" where different YouTubers draw their life story and experiences.
As part of this video this guy told the story of how he felt he should pursue a normal career like everyone else, and how he was put off doing what he really wanted to in life, which was a career in media. Anyway long story short, after trying the things that people said he should do, he followed his own plans and now DJ's on one of the biggest radio stations in the UK. Not bad for someone who was told to just do what everyone else does.
As I watched the video I was reminded of an event, very similar, in my own life. Now most people in secondary school will probably be able to relate to this better than others. This particular story happened when I was coming up to the end of my GCSE year. My final year in school where I would decide whether to leave education or stay on and go to University.
There was always one particular career that I had always wanted to do and that was teach. Even when everyone else wanted to be firemen, doctors, pop stars, I just wanted to be a teacher. Who knows why but I did. I knew in my head the plan I was going to take. I would do my GCSE, then onto A level so that I could attend Uni and become a teacher! Simple.
So it came to the last term of GCSE year, Year 11, and as is probably the case in all secondary schools, it is advised that you have a meeting with a careers advisor to discuss your future plans. For those of you who are unsure of what a careers advisor is, it's someone who is supposed to give you advice on how you can get to the career that you want. However my careers advisor was more like a career dictator. She knew what people should be doing and she wasn't afraid to tell them.
As it came to the time of my meeting I knew the plans I had and so all I needed from the Career advisor was just confirmation that I had the right plans. I walked into the meeting confident that I knew what to do and explained my plan that had been with me since I had started secondary school. As I explained the plan I was stopped mid-sentence by a comment I will never forget. This was the advice I was given;
"Well teaching is a little overcrowded. Not many jobs and it's hard to get on to the course. That might not work for you. How about the army?"
I couldn't believe it. I thought she would give me support and now she's telling me to do something else. Long story short. I ignored her advice completely and went with my own plans. Even though she was someone who was trying to put me off, I knew that teaching was what I wanted to do. And now here I am, qualified, teaching in my 4th year, part of management teams, starting new initiatives for schools, and career going from strength to strength. I can say with confidence that it would have been a completely different story if I had joined the army!
And so I end with this thought.
In life people will always try to make you conform to their way of thinking. If they can't do it then you can't do it. So many people have dreams and aspirations and so many times they are put off going for them because of people putting them off with their own or others sob stories.
James Dyson, creator of the Dyson vacuum cleaner, was slammed for his idea of a bag less vacuum and yet he ignored their advice and now he has one of the most successful appliance companies in the world.
My point. Nobody knows your potential more than you. We all have plans and dreams and very often we let people dictate to us what we do. Why? Because very often our plans are so big that we are looking for someone to give us a reason not to do them. But life should be about taking risks, about following your plans, doing those things you know you love and those things that will make you happy.
Yes take advice, that's always wise, but in your life don't let people dictate who you should be. Each of us has our own talent, our own gifts. Gifts are great to have at a party but no good if they are never opened and used.
Your life is filled with talents and gifts ready to be used. It's just a question of when that gift will be unwrapped!
"The trouble with our time is that the future is not what it used to be."
Do you remember teacher training days from your school days? Those days when you got to have time off school because its seemed the teacher's didn't quite know enough about teaching so they had to have extra teaching. Or at least that's what I used to think until I became one. Yesterday and today were two such days.
As part of my job, there are regularly times when, as a teacher, I am required to train and develop my understanding of new concepts and strategies coming into the education system. Over the last two days in work I have had the opportunity to attend two very different types of training courses. One course was excellent with plenty of new skills developed, new technologies implemented and new ways of doing things highlighted. The other was a day that, if I am honest, didn't exactly change me. It didn't change my way of thinking, it didn't change my practice, quite frankly I left the course feeling that I was no different coming from the course than I was going in. But thinking back that wasn't entirely true. Some point in the future I'm sure I'll find some use for the course.
Truth is, even when we don't feel our we have particularly achieved anything great or changed at all from day to day, even when we think nothing within us has changed, the truth is we are changing all the time and helping change others.
You are a a different person today than you were yesterday. Whether you like it or not when you got up this morning you were not the same as you were yesterday. From the cells in your body that have multiplied and changed during the night, to the age that you are down to the hour, we are constantly changing, growing and transforming into new people all the time. Scientists have found that we have the equivalent of a new body every 7 years. So we're are always on the road of change.
And it's not just our bodies that are constantly changing. Each of us on a daily basis go through experiences and situations that add to our memory and knowledge, constantly chaining our ideas, opinions and understanding of things, forming who we are and the way we live our lives. We are always changing.
And so I end with this thought.
Everyday we learn something new. Whether we realise it or not, we are growing and changing, transforming into new people, and our experiences on a daily basis help to contribute to the sorts of people we become. Even when we think the things we are doing don't really play much of a part of our lives, everything we say, do and see has an impact on the people we become.
I love the song "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. It sums up today's blog perfectly. Your life is a book that every day is being written. You are a living, breathing novel, and how the story goes is up to you.
The only person who can truly dictate how your life will turn out is you. You are the writer of your own story, so don't let anyone else try to finish the chapter. Even when you go through things that you think have no impact on you, that haven't changed you or that you think are a waste of time...stop, pause and think! Those moments could be the very times that change you in some way in the future.
Yes, make choices and decisions that will help you become better than you were yesterday and make the most of every opportunity, every moment that you have. But also find time to make the most of those times and situations that seem to be a "waste of time". Time is never wasted when it's used to change us, it's simply recycled!
Remember, you'll never know when the minor things in life will become the major turning points of forming who you are!
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
- Martin Luther King
Have you ever had those moments in life where something catches you completely off guard? Where something happens or you see something that was the last thing you expected to? I'm sure everyone has had that point at some time in their life. For me there have been many times where things have caught me off guard, and last night was no different. In today's world, companies and businesses are forever filling our screens with adverts and offers trying to persuade us that our life is somewhat incomplete or empty without their product being in our life. Like there's some sort of missing piece in our lives which only they can fill. Whether its loans, household items, gadgets or holidays, companies plague our screens with clever and witty advertisements to entice us. Thankfully, more often than not, we find superhuman strength to resist their powers and only on the odd occasion do they manage to influence us to buy them. I know when the iPad was first advertised I gave in and got one, but usually my will power is pretty strong.
I don't know if you've noticed but more recently, it seems that the more risqué or controversial an advert can be the more successful the product seems to be. The sorts of adverts that are shown that get everyone talking, or the adverts that hit the press because of the number of complaints they've recieved. You probably don't have to think too hard before one pops to your mind that you can think of. And if you are stuck, YouTube has plenty on offer. We've sort of come to accept it for a lot of products, whether its for underwear or other similar products; where initially we were shocked, now it's the done thing.
Having said that, there are some things that, even now, you don't expect to see, and here's where I had my unexpected moment. Now when I ask you to think about butter, flora butter, what do you think of?
Maybe you pictured a big cow in a field with the farmers getting the milk ready to turn into butter? Maybe you think of a family sitting around a table having toast for breakfast? Maybe children in the school hall eating sandwiches? All good ideas, and ideas that I'm sure would make great adverts. However, whilst I was sat watching TV last night, unwinding after a day of work, I witnessed Flora's new advert. Needless to say, the advert was not quite what I expected for the noble butter that we all love and trust. I'm not even going to try and describe what happens, but let you watch for yourself. Here's the clip;
Ummm...speechless. Mummy and daddy wrestling? Ok, so you don't exactly see anything, and it is only a harmless cartoon, but still. Was I taken by surprise.... very much so! Needless to say it's not the first time Flora have made an advert that has been, umm, controversial.
But there's something about us that loves a bit of controversy. This incident is not the first time that something controversial has got us all talking. After all, 'no publicity is bad publicity', and it certainly has people talking about Flora. Job well done I think.
Even from a young age, we learn to know what is wrong and right. It's funny. No-one teaches us to be 'naughty', no one teaches us how to be 'bad', there's just a natural part of us that knows when something is happening that shouldn't be. And yet when we see it, we can't help but be interested in it. How many times have you driven past a broken down car and stopped to help? Truthfully... I never have, but it doesn't stop me from taking an interest in what's happening. Or those times you drive past a car crash. Bad though it may be we can't help but look.
Our TV screens are constantly filled with reality tv shows and documentaries that are always being judged controversial. But does it stop us watching? No way! If anything, it makes us want to watch more. Those times where you think, "This is a bit controversial, I should turn this over" but something inside us doesn't because there's a part in everyone that is intrigued by the controversial things in life.
I suppose one of the best examples is Big Brother. Day in day out, watching peoples lives through a camera, very often doing controversial things, but things that get us all talking. It's perfect TV because all of us want to watch the good and the bad!
The funny thing is, that's life. Life is controversial. The way we say things or do things can very often be controversial. Even for the people in the world who consider themselves "perfect", even they have times where they do things that upset or offend people. Truth is life is filled with controversial moments, but does that put us off? Does life make us simply want to hide under the covers and close our eyes? Do we simply take offence at everything and show our disapproval? Not at all! In fact, if anything, those controversial moments in life make us even more interested in people than we were in the first place.
And so I end with this thought.
Life is filled with moments and people who at times will do things that we accept, and sometimes things that offend. It may not be on purpose, it may not be malicious, it's just the way life is. People are all different. Different ideas. Different backgrounds. Different cultures. Because of that, there are bound to be moments in life where we come up against those controversial moments.
More often than not the people we come into contact with and spend time with regularly will do things that are not controversial to us at all. It's just the norm for us. But there are always times in life when people say or do things which come a little unexpected; things that are a little bit 'controversial'. And what do we do? Instead of embracing peoples differences, and expressing our dislikes at the controversy, we take offence and "turn them off". Cut off contact. Pretend those people aren't there.
Life is a journey. An exciting journey, filled with plenty of unexpected moments. It's also filled with controversial times when we really don't know what the right thing to do is, but that shouldn't put us off life. It shouldn't put us off people. Everyone is unique and bring something different into the world. The fact that there are those controversial moments in life should simply increase our interest in the human race and not cause us to drift apart.
Today in your life, challenge those controversial moments that happen in life. Don't simply take offence by everything and everyone that is different to you, but use these moments to take an interest and love in life. If every roller-coaster was a simple flat track then pretty soon everyone would want to get off. What makes a good roller-coaster are those unexpected drops, loops and turns. So too the same can be said of life.
Life is exciting because of the good things, the happy times, the time of laughter and surprises, but it's also exciting because of the lows, the shocks, the unexpected events and the controversial moments. It's one big roller-coaster of ups and downs. And I wouldn't want to change it for anyone!
So sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride. Controversy comes and very quickly goes. Life is just like a roller-coaster and no-ones getting off anytime soon!
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
I don't know about you but I love that moment when a great song is played on the radio that you haven't heard in ages. Maybe it's a classic, maybe it's a song that you can get your groove on with, whatever the track we all have those moments when we just have to start bopping along...especially when you're stuck in a car.
I love those moments in life when you drive past people who are listening to the same radio station as you and they are clearly singing along to every word - just like they are performing at the O2! For a brief moment you can't help but think that some strange voodoo magic is going on. You think to yourself "How on earth are they singing the same song I'm listening too?" Then you realise it's the radio! Ok, so usually I'm the one that's singing along and everyone is looking at me, but we all do it.
On the way home tonight I had the radio on, keeping me entertained. Recently I've started listening to Radio 2. For those of you who are reading this outside of the UK, Radio 2 is a radio station which plays the classic hits as well as the current ones. It must be a sign that I'm getting older!
Anyway, while I was listening to the radio show they began playing a track that I hadn't heard for ages. It's a track that used to be on a 90's mega mix tape that had somehow worked it's way into our music collection at home. Tapes? Remember those things?
I remember as a kid dancing around the living room with my sisters, thinking we were on some kind of arena stage. The song is a song called "Best things in life are free" by Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson. Here's a link if you don't know it.
What a classic to bop to on the way home! Pure cheese! But it's a classic. As the song blasted out through my speakers it got me thinking about the words of the song, "The best things in life are free".
In life, when we look at the rich and famous, we tend to think that because of their financial status they can always afford the best things. The best cars, the best houses, the best clothes, the best gadgets. Because they have money they can have all the best things in life right?
Well, from most of my research into the life of the rich and famous that's probably not the case. In fact, even those people who have won the lottery, with life changing amounts of money, often say how many problems it has brought them.
The thing is, although money can buy lots of the good things, there is always a limit to them. There's only so long the car will go before it needs work, there's only so long before the mansion needs some repairs, there's only so long before the designer suits need replacing. Although you can buy good things, they eventually run out. But the best things in life never fail or end. The best things always stay the same.
And so I end with this thought.
Life is filled with lots of things. Things which seem good but are not really the best. We have the clothes, the cars, the houses. All the things that on the outside seem to be the best things, which are fine to have, yet all to often its not too long before those good things start to go wrong, or need repairing.
Very often the best things in our lives aren't things that we can't buy, they're not things we can pick up in Tesco, nor are they things which can be made. Plus they are usually things that don't cost a penny. What are these things?
For everyone there will be different things in life that they consider to be the best. Things that bring them happiness and pleasure in life. Maybe for some of us it's family, maybe friends, maybe those relationships we have with people that even after a long time, stay strong until the end. They are the best things in life, and they don't cost a penny.
Even though we fill our lives with lots of 'stuff', what's important is that we fill our lives with the right kinds of 'stuff', the best stuff! Those things that will never rot, never break and never fail.
Today, think about those things you have in your life that are the best things to you, and remember, don't settle for good, strive for the best!
" Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus."
Have you ever found yourself in those situations where you simply loose track of what your supposed to be doing? Those times when you should be doing one thing and all to soon you find yourself doing another. It's the sort of thing that happens during school or college when you should be revising for an exam and yet, somehow, find everything else to do other than revise. We've all been there I'm sure.
Well I haven't been revising for exams today (thankfully those days are long gone!) but I did find myself in a position where I lost track of what I was supposed to be doing.
I've never really thought about it that much until today, but I think I have a really short attention span. I can't help it. I concentrate for a small amount of time and then, all too soon, I'm off in another place. I miss what's being talked about, miss the things I should be doing, and find myself thinking about rearranging rooms, or thinking about other things other than what I should be doing. It's terrible... must improve!!
Today, as part of my job, I had to do a load of paperwork and, although I got there in the end, I found myself constantly loosing track of the thing I should have been doing and ended up doing lots of other little things. Rather than focussing on just one thing and getting that finished, I ended up focussing on loads of other things and not finishing them all. Thankfully the most important tasks were finished eventually, but it took a long time to get there.
Ever been in that situation?
It may not always be in work. It can even be at home. Those times when you know there is a very specific task you have to get done (usually involving cleaning) and yet instead of just focusing on one thing and sorting it out you end up spreading your attention and focus around on loads of other things. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one like that. It's not even a question of multi-tasking (which, I know, men aren't always best at). It's a question of where you put your focus.
On the weekend, I managed to watch some clips of the Great North Run which was held on Sunday. There were loads of people there ready to run, all running for great causes. But what I enjoy watching is the professionals. Pacing and racing all the way round, finding the stamina to keep going, and of course who does that better than Mo Farah (well.. actually he came second ... but you get what I mean!)?
What's interesting to watch, during any race, is where the athletes place their focus. There are very few times during a race where runners look around them to see the competition. If they do, they usually run into things or loose speed or direction. How often do you see runners on a track running into each others' lanes? Not very often!
More often than not runners keep their eye, their focus, on one point and head straight for that. They focus on the finish and run to that point. There's definitely no problem with attention and focus here and eventually they reach the end.
All these thought got me thinking about life.
In life lots of things come at us. Whether its at home, with the family, in work, wherever. Very often we have lots going on and we try to juggle everything. Rather than simply focusing on one thing we try to sort out everything at the same time.
Ever thought about what happens to people when they try to juggle too many balls? Quite simply - they drop them.
Just like jugglers, when we take too much on we end up getting swamped; we loose sight of the finish. Rather than focusing on one point, like the runners, we end up focusing on other less important things and completely loose sight of where it is and what it is we are supposed to be doing.
I suppose it's all about our priorities. Sorting out those things that are important first and putting everything else to one side until it's sorted. It's about focusing on the finish and reaching the end. Sometimes you just have to look at some situations and simply say to yourself, "That's not really important right now!"
There's a famous saying used by people which says, "Jack of all trades, master of none". I suppose you can apply this saying to all aspects of life. When we try to sort out everything that comes our way in one go, spreading ourselves thin, we never really overcome the challenges that come our way. All to quickly, just like the jugglers, we try juggling everything and eventually we become swamped!
But when we put our focus on those things that should take priority in our life and sort those first, one by one, then we begin to get those sorted and we reach the finish line. We see clearly where it is we're going and we know that there's nothing that can take our focus away.
So, the next time you feel yourself getting swamped in life, when everything around you is piling up and you feel yourself trying to juggle lots of things remember, it's not about getting everything sorted at once, it's not about trying to solve everything in one go. Life's not about being a "Jack of all trades", but it's about being a "master of ONE!"
Focus on the finish, take life one step at a time, and you'll find yourself at the finish line in no time!
“How often it is that we set ourselves in the high seat, judging others, not having read their book but merely having glimpsed the cover.”
First I better start with an apology! For those of you who read my blogs you'll probably have seen that there was no blog on Saturday. Long story short, lack of internet for the day. But now back to it. Plus Friday's blog was long enough to cover 2 days.
Now it's back to today. Monday. A new week. New stresses. But the good news if you are reading this is... Monday is done. The only way is up now!
After a long day in work it's great to be home and back writing my blog, although I didn't think I would be getting home tonight! Have you ever noticed when you hit traffic on the way home rom work you seem to hit traffic everywhere? I literally thought it was never going to end. Every road seemed to have a crash, traffic was crazy everywhere! It's nice to just be sat here typing my blog and watching TV.
At the moment there's a program on that I've never seen before. It's a program called "The Millionaire Matchmaker". I know, I know, not exactly the most exciting thing in the world to watch, but after the traumatic traffic I have just been in for the last 45 minutes, it's nice to just come home, turn off the brain, and watch some car crash reality TV! We all do it right? At least I do anyway! So let me explain the concept of "The Millionaire Matchmaker".
Basically there's a lady in America who has a job simply setting up really rich men with different women. Imagine the X factor for women where the winner gets a date with a Millionaire and that's pretty much the concept. The catch; the women don't know which of the guys they are talking to is the millionaire....genius! Its fascinating to see how people react to each other and treat each other, and then to watch the change that takes place when they find out there's a millionaire in their midst. Brilliant.
The women start talking about all sorts, looking at the different men, trying to work out which one is the millionaire. Is it the one in the Armani suit? The one with the designer glasses? Or could it just be the scruffy tramp in the corner? Whoever it is, whatever they look like, no-one knows for sure who they are talking to or who is the millionaire. Very often its the person they least expected, the tramp!
For a show that sounds like it should be a disaster, the results make for very entertaining watching. I think its one of the very few times where, after the news of a millionaire being present is revealed, people are not judged by the way they look anymore. After all anyone of the men could be the millionaire.
That got me thinking.
Very often in life we come in to contact with people, bump into people, pass people who we know nothing about and yet, so quickly, we make a judgement about them. We make a judgement about their life, their background, their job, the sort of person they are. It's all to easy for us to simply write someone off just because of our first impressions of them.
How often have you had a first impression of someone, or made a judgement about someone only to find that after a short amount of time, you had that person all wrong. Very often what you think about a person is usually the complete opposite of what that person is really like. We are all guilty of jumping to conclusions, myself included.
Although "The Millionaire Matchmaker" is probably the worst program I've ever seen (it has now been replaced with X factor on Catch up!) the concept says a lot about us and the human nature. Very often we can be so judgemental and shallow about the people we meet, before we've even had chance to get to know them. Yet when we hear there's something we like about someone, we can change instantly.
And so I end with this thought.
People play a big part of our lives. Regardless of their backgrounds, lifestyle or looks, very often we come across people from all walks of life and usually have some sort of interaction with them. Whether it's relationships with work colleagues, dealing with staff in a shop, acknowledging someone serving you at a restaurant, wherever; our life is filled with people. And yet so often we can isolate ourselves from people because of our judgements.
It's a bit like "The Millionaire Matchmaker." We spend ages trying to write off those people we don't like the look of and go for the ones who we think look like us! But why? How much more exciting would life be if we filled our life with people different from us? Life would be boring if all I did was fill my life with people like me. I would probably drive myself mad!
I am proud to say that the majority of my friends are people who, on the outset, I would never have imagined building relationships with and yet, they are the people I get on with the best.
So the next time someone new comes into your life, don't simply write them off because they aren't in the Armani suit, or the designer glasses. Don't write them off because they don't look like you, but get to know them. Chances are you'll probably get on with scruffy tramp in the corner best anyway!
Have you ever been skiing? I know the weather outside isn't exactly snow and not exactly skiing weather, but it's certainly cold and wet!
As part of a training course I attended today, the trainer made a reference to a skiing holiday she had been on just a few months ago. All of her talk of skiing and the adventure and challenge of skiing got me thinking about my own experiences of skiing.
I don't know if you have been skiing before, but it really is a great experience. It's certainly a challenge but a challenge worth taking. I definitely recommended it. The feeling you get as you make your way down the slope is unlike anything else. The adrenaline is pumping, your heart is pumping, your whole body is brought to life as you slalom your way down the slope. But don't be fooled. If you are new to it and have never done it before, it's never looks as graceful and easy as on TV.
The endless falls, the times you loose a ski down the side of a mountain, the shriek of people loosing control. It's crazy. But thankfully there are plenty of slopes for everyone; nice slow slopes to the more steep and challenging slopes. I learnt this the hard way.
Growing up, skiing became something of an annual event. No matter where it was, as long as there was snow, we were off. I have managed to ski all around the world; Switzerland, France, Italy even the USA, each time improving my skills. I would never consider myself a pro but I can maintain a pretty good speed.
Now thankfully, ski slopes are nicely signposted and identified using different colours. It's a very easy system. The darker the colour, the harder the slope. So it starts at green, red, blue and then black A.K.A death slope! Easy. No matter where I went skiing, so long as I remembered this rule I would be fine. So I would happily go off exploring slopes, finding different ways down the mountain, on and off the chairlifts, busily anticipating the dash back down to the bottom. Brilliant!
As mentioned already, I had been lucky enough to go to the USA. During my trip to the US I spent the majority of my time sticking to red runs. Runs that I thought I knew best. After repeating the same slopes over and over I started to get a little bored of the usual trail, so I tried something new.
About half way through the holiday I felt a little more confident and had heard from one of the ski instructors standing by that there was a good run located at the top of the mountain. Loads of people had been doing it. It was a nice easy run that simply took you through forestry and past amazing sights of the mountain range. Sounded great. With my new found confidence this would be nothing to me. So I jumped up on the chairlift and made my way up to the top of the mountain.
As I reached the top, I got off the lift and followed the same direction that everyone else seemed to be going in. Surely this was towards the nice easy, scenic route right? NEVER ASSUME!
Now I don't know if they had disappeared, or if I had just missed them, but never once did I see a signpost anywhere. All of a sudden before I had chance to do anything I found myself at the top of a slope facing a black slope. PANIC! Now if you can imagine what skiing down the side of a skyscraper building might be like, that was pretty much the same place I found myself. The slope was the steepest I had ever seen, there was hardly any snow around and plenty of ice. Just below me I could see a man who was being taken down the slope by some ski first aiders with an ambulance waiting at the bottom for him. Needless to say this filled me with confidence...NOT!
What on earth was I supposed to do? I couldn't get back to the chair lift, I couldn't turn back round, there was only one way out of this...I had to go down. I started to point my skis across the mountain so that I wouldn't plummet to the bottom of the mountain like a human rocket. Slowly I made my way back and forth across the mountain, inching down the mountain a tiny step at a time. This was no good. It had taken me about 20 minutes to move down the mountain about a meter. My knees, like jelly, weren't holding me and I simply fell down onto my backside. AH! It hit me. As I fell down the answer was clear - to inch my way down the side of the mountain, on my backside, bit by bit until the mountain levelled back out. Perfect.
Bit by bit I slowly made my way down. It took ages but eventually I made my way to a point that was easier to ski on and eventually reached the bottom of the slope. What a nightmare!
Looking back it was a hilarious situation, but at the time what a disaster!
So I end with this thought.
In life we are often faced with times and situations which seem like a steep mountain in front of us. Completely impossible to beat, far to steep and far to hard to conquer. Just like the black slope I had found myself on, there doesn't seem to be a way out. And very often, there isn't. You can't go back, you can't hide, neither can you can't sit and do nothing. The only way of getting off the mountain is to get down it. Whether you like it or not you have to take it on!
It's the same in life. When we face those mountains that come across our paths, those challenges that stare us in the face, we can't just wait and hope that it will disappear and go away. You have to take it on.
Does it mean you have to jump in straight away with all you have? No. Does it mean you have to get through it as quickly as you can? No. All you can do is a bit at a time. Just like me getting down the slope; step by step, bit by bit you will get over the mountain and find yourself back at a point that you can deal with. And eventually when you do get off the mountain and look back at what it is you have overcome, you will look back and laugh.
Remember, tough times don't last; tough people do! So take on that mountain and show it who's boss! And if you fall who cares! You never know when falling down might just be your answer!
"You can't know where you're going, until you know where you've been"
One year.
It's a long time, yet it's also a very short time. When you think back over the past year it probably seems to have flown by. Another year older, another year of ups and downs, another year of growing and learning from life. It's amazing how much your life can change in a year.
Now why all the talk of a year? It's not a new year so why the sudden thought. Let me explain.
Today is a very prestigious day in the world of the music industry. It's the day that the nominations for the Mercury awards are released. This prestigious award recognises achievements in writing and performing music and is sought after by musicians from across the country. This year, alongside a number of giants from the music industry, one of the nominees are a group which could be called newcomers to the British music scene.
The group is called Rudimental. You might recognise them from this song;
Quite a good tune and just as worth a shot at the Mercury award as anyone else. So why the sudden interest in Rudimental?
Well, I don't consider myself to be a super fan, and maybe their music isn't the first song at the top of my playlist, but their story is a good one, and makes them seem all the more deserving of the award.
Just over a year ago, the guys from Rudimental were all everyday guys in everyday jobs. 3 of the band were working as Youth workers, working with young people on the street, while one of the band members was a youth behavioural mentor. All guys giving their time to do the usual day to day jobs.
After sharing their interests in music the 4 guys started the band and here they are today, a platinum selling album in hand and a nomination for a mercury award. I'm sure if you had spoken to these guys a year ago they would never have expected to be where they are today.What a difference a year can make. You can read more here:
As I heard this story and the difference that a year had made in the lives of these 4 musicians, it got me thinking about my life over the past year and the achievements I have achieved compared to one year ago.
There have been so many things that have happened in my life since a year ago, so many things that I never saw coming. I would love to go into them all but it would take ages to list them all. Just when you think you know the plan for your life, and have an idea where you would like to go, very often things come in and completely change the plan completely. And the best thing about it... the unexpected moments have been so much better than anything I could have planned for myself.
So I end with this thought.
A year, though it may seem a long time, is gone in no time. I wonder what things you have achieved now compared to a year ago. Maybe you've done things or been places you never imagined you would get to a year ago?
So often in life we get so caught up in the day to day issues that we forget to take time out and reflect on the journey we have been on. We forget to think about what we have achieved and how much we have grown whilst we've been on the journey.
Someone once said "You can't know where you are going until you know where you've been". What a true statement that is!
Today, try to find time to sit and reflect back over the past year. What have you done in the past year that you never expected? What things have you done that have brought you to where you are today? Rudimental never expected to be here a year ago, but now look at where they are.
Maybe you've been through something your never imagined happening to you? Maybe it's something that you didn't even realise you had done? Whether good or bad, in a year you will have accomplished a lot. Your experiences will have allowed you grow into the person you are today. What a difference a year makes!
Remember, in life, until you can appreciate where it is you have come from, you can never truly understand where you will go next, and who know's where that will be!
"Sometimes things could be right under your nose, the only problem is your eyes are above it!"
- Unknown
Well, it's that time of year again. Summer has packed his bags for another year and Autumn has moved in. What does that mean? Cold and Rain! It's only the start of September but already the rain has started falling. It's grim out there!
But on the positive, at least we have rain. Without it we would be in a mess. No rain means no water, and no water means big problems. You only need to look at images from the African deserts to see people who would do anything for a bit of rain for some water.
As I got home tonight I managed to catch the end of the evening news. Now usually the news is just full of politics and depressing stories about jobs. I tend to turn it over. Same thing, day in day out. Not exactly viewing that fills you with joy. But at the end of the news tonight they ended with a story that I thought was amazing.
As I have already mentioned, the African desert is often a place of great drought and famine. The images very often plague our screens as aid agencies try to get us to help. Scenes of starvation, of dead land, of malnourished animals. Its a sight that really does make us glad that we have September showers.
Anyway, back to the news. As I sat watching the news, watching scenes of the African desert, expecting some depressing story about people facing difficulties in Africa, I was pleasantly surprised!
It seems that, after all these years, the people living in the desserts of Africa, have never actually been very far away from huge supplies of water. Scientists have found today that under the plains of Africa there are huge reserves of water, more than 300 meters down underground. Here's the link if you want to read more.
WOW! Water in the middle of the desert! Who would have thought? All the years of famine, all the years of drought, all the years of problem and the answer to their needs, the very thing they needed has been under their feet all along. Frustrating, yes but now they can start to put things right. People will have water, crops can begin to be grown, animals can get the nutrients they need. The future, all of a sudden, has gone from being bleak and hopeless, to a bountiful oasis! Amazing!
That was a story that really got me thinking about life.
In life we go through so many different things. The good, the bad and the ugly. Situations that come and go, problems that seem to come at us. We are constantly on the roller coaster called life. So often we struggle through, or barely survive the journey. We try to get through things with our limited resources and on our own but why? How often is the answer to our need, right under our feet?
So I end with this thought.
Have you ever stopped to think that when you're in the depths of your situation, when the problems seem to be all around you, when you can't see a way out, the answer to your situation could be staring you in the face? The answer to your need could be right there under your feet. Ok, so it might not literally be 300 meters down but we all have friends, family, those around us who are all there waiting to help us. Those people who always have, and always will be there. The answer, just like the African water, is right under our noses. And yet, so often we miss it.
The people living in the deserts of Kenya, for so long, have seen and focussed on the problems around them and never realised they were living above the very thing that would be the answer to their need. But now they know the answer is there for them, their whole outlook on life has changed.
Today, whatever it is your facing, whether problems, situations, issues that you just can't see the end of, make sure you look first under your feet. The answer to your problem could be staring you in the face and it could be the very thing you need to change your whole outlook on life.
Spare time. It's something that everyone has at some point or another in life, even if it doesn't always feel like that. It's also something that we try to fill by doing things which we love to do. Maybe it's the gym? Maybe shopping? Whatever it is, the idea of us having time spare is something that we have come to try and avoid, and so we fill it with lots of different things. Personally, I love those times when you have time to yourself and you can just unwind and think about...well...nothing. But that's just me.
Since writing these blogs, it's funny how many people have asked me, "Where do you have the time to write those?", "Aren't you busy?" Well, the answer is... yes, I am busy and there's always plenty of work to do, always something I could be doing to fill my time. There's always something we could be doing. But I enjoy writing, I enjoy writing these blogs and so, to me, I will always find time to do it.
When I was in High school, one of the projects I headed up was running the annual school production. It was something I had always wanted to do and with a love for all things music based, it seemed like something I could really sink my teeth into. Pulling off this production was a huge task. Managing budgets, cast rehearsals, costumes, sets, tickets. This event took all of my time. I lost count of the number of nights that I ended up not sleeping simply thinking of what I needed to do, not to mention studying for A levels too!
People thought I was crazy, taking on this project at the same time as my A levels. The show would be over after a couple of nights, but my A levels, well they would be needed to get me into my career. They would affect me for the rest of my life. So how could I find time to do this production?
The answer... I just did!
I had plenty of time to do my A levels. Yes they were important, and yes I would spend time working on those too. But the production was something I loved, something I had always wanted to do. This was one time chance to do something with my life that others would enjoy too! How could I not find time to do this?
Well, needless to say the A levels came and went, studying took its time and I got onto the course that I needed. Great! The production, likewise, came and went and was a huge success.
So, what's the point of this story?
The point is this. Today, when I pass people who were at the school at that time, when I bump into old teachers or old class mates they don't ask me, "Remember how great your A levels were?" or "What were your A level results again?". They don't say, "Remember all that time you spent studying for your A levels". No, Not at all. What do they say?
It's usually something like, "Remember that show you put on? It was amazing. " or "We were showing your show to the new Year 7 pupils. It was a great success!" I love it when people say that to me, and I love that people still talk about it.
You see, the time I spent doing what I loved had a far greater impact on people than the time I had spent on things that were just work. Work comes and goes and we give that our time, but how often do we give up our time to do things we really love? Those things that really will last?
It's funny how often in life we can let our lives fill up with so many different things which, let's be honest about it, in the long run aren't really going to change peoples lives or have any real impact. How many times have you spent hours and hours of your time on something which really wasn't very important, or spent your time on something that in one quick move was replaced?
So I end with this thought.
In life we will always have things that come to take our time, things that demand we give up time to ourselves to get something done. Work is certainly one of those times, and that's ok. We all need to work, and spending time working is just part of all of our lives. But it is just that. A PARTof life. It's not all there is to life.
In life, find times to do those things you love. Maybe a hobby? An idea? A dream? There's a famous saying to describe the way people live their lives, a saying that recently I have come to appreciate;
"In life there are two types of people; those who live to work and those who work to live."
I wonder which one you are? All to often, I can fall into the first category, spending my time working. But more recently I've tried to change the way I live my life. Work is great and I enjoy the challenge, plus it brings money! But what's even better is working for money which means you can follow your dreams and do those things you love. I work to live. And I hope that more people can start to see life like that too.
Today, take some time to yourself. Life isn't something we have to simply spend working, but it's a gift for us to explore. So take some time, put your feet up, you never know where your life will take you!
"If you always do, what you've always done, You'll always get what you've always got!"
- Unknown
So it's Monday and the start of another week of blogging. I'm really getting into the blog and, what's even better is that from the responses I've had, so are you! It's great to think that there are people out there taking time to read the blog and are enjoying it. So thanks to all.
Now, there was no blog yesterday so I couldn't tell you about my adventure on Saturday. Don't panic! I didn't end up in hospital from the aftermath of the curry, and my mouth healed over perfectly after a couple of glasses of milk and a cornetto or three!
Saturday for me was a busy day as my youngest sister graduated from University (She's all grown up now - wipes away tear)! I love a good family occasion. Any excuse to get the suit out of the wardrobe and I'm there!
It was a great day for so many of the students there and, as those of you who have graduated know, it's a great experience; to be acknowledged for your hard work and celebrate your achievements. I don't know who it was exactly that decided we should acknowledge good work by making people wear a bat cape and square hat, but someone started it and it stuck. And to this day we still do it (I'm sure there is a perfectly good explanation somewhere!).
As I sat down watching hundreds of students (who could well have been extras in a Harry Potter film), pass by it got me thinking about this whole tradition of graduation. More precisely, the graduation outfit. If were to ask you or any one of those students what the symbolism or reason is behind the bizarre looking outfit they were wearing, I doubt many would know. What's the reason behind the hood? The cap? The bat cape? The meaning and reason, in all honesty, is not important. The gowns are worn because, ultimately, every university does it, tradition says to have it, so we keep doing it, because everyone else does. If someone says it's always been that way, then we have to do it. Right? I mean, can you really imagine graduates from Oxford university rocking up to their graduation wearing ripped jeans and a hoodie...I don't think so.
I wonder how many times in life we go through situations, and do things out of the sake of tradition? Not because it's our choice to do those things but because "that's the way it's always been" or "that's just how it is". It's always been done that way and who are you to change it? Well actually, you are someone to change it. The thing is, tradition is usually a bad thing. It holds us down, it hold us back, it stops us from seeing change. The world is full of people who have the potential to make a difference in life and yet so very often "tradition" gets in and holds us back.
But why? The reason...we get discouraged.
Very often there are times in life when we come across situations where we can see a better way of doing something, a way of improving something or doing something differently. I'm very lucky to work in an environment that favours those who take risks and try new things, yet even within my own career there have been times where people have responded to my ideas with, "well we don't do that because this is how it's always been done." Immediate feeling....discouraged. Give up. What's the point? If people are stuck in their ways then why even try? Ever felt like that?
I wonder how many world class athletes have fallen down at the first hurdle and given up. How many world class athletes have tripped over and just simply given up? The answer...None!
The truth is that change is a scary concept for a lot people. Taking risks means we don't know how things will turn out. But tradition? Well that's fine because we know the exact way everything will go.
The problem is if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.
But if you're willing to take risks and go against tradition, do the things that have never been done, then the outcome is totally different. Sure, there will be times where it doesn't work and you fall at the first hurdle but it's what you do after that that counts. Do you simply walk off the track or do you brush yourself off and get back in the race?
So I end with this thought.
Life is full of people who love tradition because it's safe. People who love to do things because that's just how it's done and life for these sorts of people is boring.
Life is more than just being stuck doing things over and over because that's just the way it is. It's about taking risks and doing something new. If you've been knocked down recently or experienced a set back in life, don't just accept it! Instead try and do something that's never been done before. Remember that which doesn't kill you can only make you stronger (really hard not to break off into Kanye West there!).
In life there will be times where life is like a graduation gown, just doing things because "it's always been done that way". But there will also be many times where taking risks will be the better option. You'll never know how exciting life can be until you start taking risks.
Today, don't just do things in life just "because that's how it's always been done" but take a risk, live life on the edge. After all, if you're not living life on the edge then you're probably taking up too much room anyway.
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