Where to start, you will have noticed I’ve been AWOL for a while again. Life is moving so fast that the only time I get to sit still is about as long as the ad breaks in Coronation Street! Not that I watch it or anything else on the telly box; is Hilda Ogden still in it? Normal service has resumed, I’ve completely confused you in only a couple of sentences!
On the subject of soap operas I wonder whose life they are meant to be a reflection of. Apparently they document everyday life; they need to walk in my shoes for a while. Every character has a dark cloud above their head and if they actually smiled you would hear the crack reverberate around the world! We all know that reality has far much more colour and happiness to it, as I certainly vouch for at the moment.
Rather than me being like any of the characters you can name from our much ‘loved’ soaps I feel far more akin to a Mister Man, Mr Happy to be precise. Even that is understating it, happy is one word for it; I don’t think there is a Mr Ecstatically Happy as yet (perhaps he is a distant cousin). We all have wish lists, they mainly remain private but we look at them regularly dreaming of them being fulfilled. I’ve had mine so long that I’d not even got it out of the drawer in a while as its contents were emblazoned on my brain.
I dusted it down a couple of weeks ago to make sure that my memory was accurate, I had a funny feeling that magically that the majority of it had been fulfilled but like Santa I couldn’t be sure without checking it twice! Somehow as I’d been going through each day the wish fairy (she sort of looks like Barbra Windsor but not as annoying) had been working overtime.
Not only had my list been brought to life but there was someone with an identical one, right down to the last letter. We go from the grey and dank streets of Weatherfield to a land of riotous rainbow of colour where birdsong is ever present. I have creaking bones and parts of me just don’t work that well yet each step I take has a spring of boundless energy to it. Red Bull gives you wings; I must be on much more powerful stuff than that as I’m in a permanent state of levitation.
As another ‘drama’ occurs in Walford and there is yet more screaming and bawling with general themes of depression throughout I wonder when a scriptwriter is going to follow my path, document the science of two positives colliding and the joyful repercussions of that.
I’ll leave you in peace now until the next time that the DFS sale needs publicity (it’s the final day didn’t you know?!) as I skip into my sunny world hand in hand with the owner of the matching list as you wait for the next time someone has yet another crisis. You could always switch channels and watch my world... it’s a thought anyway.
Have fun my friends.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
The Appreciation of Curly Cheese Sandwiches
About a year ago I was on an epic trip on the ‘wonderful’ British rail network that led to me having far too much time to think and in turn led to me starting this blog. Therefore it is probably quite apt that time has brought me full circle, another epic train journey and again far too much thinking time.
I wonder if you can collect train miles like you do air miles. I’d have a good amount if you could. Anyway I’m not going to turn this into a monologue about the state of the national train system, as ‘interesting’ as it would be.
I look at then and now, two different times and as much as the situation is the same I’m in a very different place personally. We all get time for reflection, balancing in our heads what we have, what we want and just which ‘station’ we will eventually pull in to.
Take a seat (not a reserved one though), this train analogy may become arduous!
I have meandered along the wonky tracks of my life in the last year and come to a completely new place; it is fair to say that life has improved. I say I have meandered when in fact over the last few months it has been more like travelling on a Tokyo Bullet Train such has been the speed of change. Perhaps that partly explains why when yesterday I had a lull I became so reflective.
Laying out everything I ‘have’ in front of me I have more than a few reasons to raise a satisfied smile but we are talking about the human race here and that is never enough. Each and every one of us is guilty of wanting to squeeze out more when we could possibly have the best hand that could ever be gifted to us.
As I looked at my three day old curled up cheese sandwich somewhere on the outskirts of Reading I pondered why do we always feel the need to change what already works? There is such thing as a step too far (it is around Watford Gap, heading south). and it is time to appreciate the fact.
When life feels like it is as good as it gets that is more than likely because it is, at that point we need to savour it rather than trying to test it further to breaking point. There is a great chance that when pushed to breaking point that the debris will hit you and others stood too close.
Enjoy the journey however wonky the tracks become, look out of the window and take in the changing scenery but get off the train when you feel like you have reached the right destination for you. Going that extra stop could easily leave you in the wilderness.
Take care my friends
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
I wonder if you can collect train miles like you do air miles. I’d have a good amount if you could. Anyway I’m not going to turn this into a monologue about the state of the national train system, as ‘interesting’ as it would be.
I look at then and now, two different times and as much as the situation is the same I’m in a very different place personally. We all get time for reflection, balancing in our heads what we have, what we want and just which ‘station’ we will eventually pull in to.
Take a seat (not a reserved one though), this train analogy may become arduous!
I have meandered along the wonky tracks of my life in the last year and come to a completely new place; it is fair to say that life has improved. I say I have meandered when in fact over the last few months it has been more like travelling on a Tokyo Bullet Train such has been the speed of change. Perhaps that partly explains why when yesterday I had a lull I became so reflective.
Laying out everything I ‘have’ in front of me I have more than a few reasons to raise a satisfied smile but we are talking about the human race here and that is never enough. Each and every one of us is guilty of wanting to squeeze out more when we could possibly have the best hand that could ever be gifted to us.
As I looked at my three day old curled up cheese sandwich somewhere on the outskirts of Reading I pondered why do we always feel the need to change what already works? There is such thing as a step too far (it is around Watford Gap, heading south). and it is time to appreciate the fact.
When life feels like it is as good as it gets that is more than likely because it is, at that point we need to savour it rather than trying to test it further to breaking point. There is a great chance that when pushed to breaking point that the debris will hit you and others stood too close.
Enjoy the journey however wonky the tracks become, look out of the window and take in the changing scenery but get off the train when you feel like you have reached the right destination for you. Going that extra stop could easily leave you in the wilderness.
Take care my friends
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Finishing The Puzzle
Here we go again, I’m back after lurking in the shadows, did anyone see me? I was the one looking all too pleased with myself. I may even been singing a little but the less said about that the better. Its summertime and a glorious one at that, there is almost permanent sunshine which may partly explain my own sunny way.
Life is a jigsaw and I feel I have dug down the back of the sofa finding those pieces that have been missing and leaving the picture incomplete. I don’t have a problem with having an incomplete picture, I know what I think it will look when the missing pieces appear and for the most part that has always kept me satisfied.
Before I continue I know those that know me will say I personally have a few pieces missing and they would be right, but those pieces are my marbles, less said about that the better!
The direction of this post isn’t clear in my head, but isn’t that the case with life in general? We never know what direction we will go in until we are halfway down the path. Back to the jigsaw analogy, too much time is spent staring at the picture on the box and thinking that is the only way the picture can look, it isn’t the case at all. If there is a cloud in the left hand corner it can be removed, it only takes someone else with a different piece that could slot nicely into your picture.
Working together with someone with a similar picture in their mind can turn your half complete jigsaw into something quite exciting, and very different to how it started. It is true that two heads are better than one, so when it comes to something as difficult as completing your jigsaw of life having someone else helping you makes it so much easier, and more enjoyable.
Throw away the box with the ‘perfect’ picture on it, put the pieces in your pocket and carry them with you. You may carry them for a long time before you can start forming a picture that makes you sparkly but remember you can always exchange the pieces with someone else.
It takes patience to complete a difficult puzzle, along the way some of the pieces may not be in the right place but one day they will fit, one sunny day.
Back to skipping in the sunshine for me.
Take care everyone.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
Life is a jigsaw and I feel I have dug down the back of the sofa finding those pieces that have been missing and leaving the picture incomplete. I don’t have a problem with having an incomplete picture, I know what I think it will look when the missing pieces appear and for the most part that has always kept me satisfied.
Before I continue I know those that know me will say I personally have a few pieces missing and they would be right, but those pieces are my marbles, less said about that the better!
The direction of this post isn’t clear in my head, but isn’t that the case with life in general? We never know what direction we will go in until we are halfway down the path. Back to the jigsaw analogy, too much time is spent staring at the picture on the box and thinking that is the only way the picture can look, it isn’t the case at all. If there is a cloud in the left hand corner it can be removed, it only takes someone else with a different piece that could slot nicely into your picture.
Working together with someone with a similar picture in their mind can turn your half complete jigsaw into something quite exciting, and very different to how it started. It is true that two heads are better than one, so when it comes to something as difficult as completing your jigsaw of life having someone else helping you makes it so much easier, and more enjoyable.
Throw away the box with the ‘perfect’ picture on it, put the pieces in your pocket and carry them with you. You may carry them for a long time before you can start forming a picture that makes you sparkly but remember you can always exchange the pieces with someone else.
It takes patience to complete a difficult puzzle, along the way some of the pieces may not be in the right place but one day they will fit, one sunny day.
Back to skipping in the sunshine for me.
Take care everyone.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
The Playground of Life
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so the saying goes, in which case I must but greeted with a lot of fondness on my return to writing this blog. I can’t really recall the last entry I made or when it was (without looking), all I do know is it was quite some time ago. I hope that none of you felt that I’d abandoned you without giving a second thought to the void I’d leave (he says with an air of self importance). If anything my change of lifestyle since the last entry has made me appreciate this blog even more.
Once more I shall explain myself.
I’ve used this medium over the last year to vent my spleen, ramble about anything and everything that is on my mind. It has been the ultimate form of expression. During the good and bad times I’ve had the ability to let go, let my thoughts go out into cyberspace and let you, the reader soak them up and put your unique spin on them.
My life has changed beyond all recognition in the last few months; I have spread my wings and begun to discover all that I can achieve. The reason for this is a simple chain of events – my focus has been moved from myself, the wallowing in my own self pity, limitations and failings and been firmly shifted to see how others gather all the strength they have to make the most of life. During this ‘rebalancing’ I’ve seen my role, my purpose as a facilitator enabling others to take an extra step. It is quite amazing seeing someone hesitantly move forward but nonetheless forward gives you more belief.
Life isn’t about the tools you have; it is about how you use them.
We are all guilty of knocking our abilities, of not seeing that the only limitation that most of us have is the limitation of our self belief. Look around you, see each person that battles on each day come rain or shine and does so with a smile. There is very little reason why that can’t be me or you. Where do we want to go? What do we want to achieve? A lot of us don’t get as far as the second question as we ‘know’ it is out of reach. I can tell you from my perspective that is utter tripe, the only thing in life that is out of reach are the thing we don’t want to make the effort to stretch towards.
Life is a seesaw, if you can find a way to be the fulcrum you will keep the majority of the control. The fulcrum is that voice in your head that doubts you, with effort and determination that voice can be muted.
Strive on towards your next goal my friends.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
Once more I shall explain myself.
I’ve used this medium over the last year to vent my spleen, ramble about anything and everything that is on my mind. It has been the ultimate form of expression. During the good and bad times I’ve had the ability to let go, let my thoughts go out into cyberspace and let you, the reader soak them up and put your unique spin on them.
My life has changed beyond all recognition in the last few months; I have spread my wings and begun to discover all that I can achieve. The reason for this is a simple chain of events – my focus has been moved from myself, the wallowing in my own self pity, limitations and failings and been firmly shifted to see how others gather all the strength they have to make the most of life. During this ‘rebalancing’ I’ve seen my role, my purpose as a facilitator enabling others to take an extra step. It is quite amazing seeing someone hesitantly move forward but nonetheless forward gives you more belief.
Life isn’t about the tools you have; it is about how you use them.
We are all guilty of knocking our abilities, of not seeing that the only limitation that most of us have is the limitation of our self belief. Look around you, see each person that battles on each day come rain or shine and does so with a smile. There is very little reason why that can’t be me or you. Where do we want to go? What do we want to achieve? A lot of us don’t get as far as the second question as we ‘know’ it is out of reach. I can tell you from my perspective that is utter tripe, the only thing in life that is out of reach are the thing we don’t want to make the effort to stretch towards.
Life is a seesaw, if you can find a way to be the fulcrum you will keep the majority of the control. The fulcrum is that voice in your head that doubts you, with effort and determination that voice can be muted.
Strive on towards your next goal my friends.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Still Standing
I didn't expect to be writing again so soon but here I am, good evening everyone. I'm feeling a little like a punch drunk boxer having gone 12 rounds with someone well out of my league and that is where today's ramble comes from. Life at times is very much akin to being a prizefighter – take on the fight, win or lose pick yourself up and continue to face the next opponent.
I really should have been made from rubber making it much easier to bounce back when knocked down, but I wasn't, I was made from skin, bones and was given a whole array of emotions like you. Take a good look at yourself, notice each and every scar that you carry – physical or metaphorical, what do they prove? To me what they prove is that we face a challenge each day, we don't always win but our hearts still beat and the blood still pumps throughout our bodies.
It is human nature to fight for survival. It is human nature to withdraw and get emotional when facing a personal defeat. The questions are, how many times can one person repair themselves? Is a failure a negative or can it be used to improve ourselves? When I'm in my usual positive state I'd look at my 'scars' and draw strength from them as they show me what I have come through before and how I became stronger as a result.
I am a nightmare as I bring myself back to my feet, as people that know me will testify to, but I do stagger back to them and build myself again. We all know that it feels harder with each setback but as we step back and review the path we have trodden it is evident that a light can be just around the corner. I'm not going to say that feeling dejected is wrong, I honestly believe we need to hit the bottom so we can look back at it to stop ourselves getting there again.
Look at your environment, we all are surrounded by those that wish us well, those that will kick us when we aren't capable of kicking ourselves. The metaphorical kick is one of the most powerful things we can ever receive, it isn't a knock out punch it is an incentive and to remember who we are and just what we can achieve.
The scar will fade, the experience of it will spur us on. Remember each person goes through the same as much as in that moment you feel like the loneliest person on the planet. In the words of one of my favourite bands “Everybody gets knocked down, how quick are you gonna' get up?”.
Take care my friends.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
I really should have been made from rubber making it much easier to bounce back when knocked down, but I wasn't, I was made from skin, bones and was given a whole array of emotions like you. Take a good look at yourself, notice each and every scar that you carry – physical or metaphorical, what do they prove? To me what they prove is that we face a challenge each day, we don't always win but our hearts still beat and the blood still pumps throughout our bodies.
It is human nature to fight for survival. It is human nature to withdraw and get emotional when facing a personal defeat. The questions are, how many times can one person repair themselves? Is a failure a negative or can it be used to improve ourselves? When I'm in my usual positive state I'd look at my 'scars' and draw strength from them as they show me what I have come through before and how I became stronger as a result.
I am a nightmare as I bring myself back to my feet, as people that know me will testify to, but I do stagger back to them and build myself again. We all know that it feels harder with each setback but as we step back and review the path we have trodden it is evident that a light can be just around the corner. I'm not going to say that feeling dejected is wrong, I honestly believe we need to hit the bottom so we can look back at it to stop ourselves getting there again.
Look at your environment, we all are surrounded by those that wish us well, those that will kick us when we aren't capable of kicking ourselves. The metaphorical kick is one of the most powerful things we can ever receive, it isn't a knock out punch it is an incentive and to remember who we are and just what we can achieve.
The scar will fade, the experience of it will spur us on. Remember each person goes through the same as much as in that moment you feel like the loneliest person on the planet. In the words of one of my favourite bands “Everybody gets knocked down, how quick are you gonna' get up?”.
Take care my friends.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
Monday, 8 March 2010
Breaking The 'Rules'
There are a few great taboos in life, subjects that apparently are best not broached in case of offence being caused to another, that to me is absolute tripe, if a subject is approached taking others feelings into consideration nothing should be 'off limits'.Today I'm going to mention one of those subjects, I'll endeavour to do it justice and be inclusive of all, if I don't succeed let me know and I'll correct any misunderstandings.
Anyway onwards we go, I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow, a day that will surely test me and my belief in myself. Whenever I'm in this position I find myself looking for guidance, looking for a sign that I will come through the day better than I started it. I am sure you all can see what I'm referring to now – beliefs, spiritual or religious. Don't panic I'm not going to turn this into a sermon but hopefully I'll open a few eyes and minds.
Each day people are misunderstood because of something they believe in, something that gives them a strength that isn't fully appreciated by another. In the modern world we have opinions flooding in from each direction, far too many at points and they swamp our mind making it near impossible for us to see the woods for the trees.
Ours senses don't work independently, they rely on each other. No-one can see the full picture without firstly opening theirs ears and listening, too often we are dismissive and merrily continue with a partial picture. The partial picture serves us no harm for the most part but then comes a time when we miss something because we have our eyes half closed. By only taking in what you see and never looking behind it you will only have a 'surface understanding', is that enough to go through life with?.
Of course there is another viewpoint, by seeing a fuller picture we allow ourselves a greater choice and quite possibly the chance to welcome something new into our life that we will find comfort and strength in at difficult times. Taking the time to listen (a lost art form) your horizons are broadened, part of what you hear may strike a chord with you and enrich your life further, of course you will never know unless you take the time to soak up the opinion of another without any prejudice or preconceptions.
No-one has to agree with another on what they believe but we should all work towards understanding that we all benefit from different sources, different concepts. I shall paraphrase Gary Lightbody 'If it looks like it works and feels like it works. It works'. The individual makes the choice that works for them, we need to decide what works for us.
I shall leave you to consider my words and just maybe we will take a step towards ending another taboo.
Take care everyone.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
Anyway onwards we go, I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow, a day that will surely test me and my belief in myself. Whenever I'm in this position I find myself looking for guidance, looking for a sign that I will come through the day better than I started it. I am sure you all can see what I'm referring to now – beliefs, spiritual or religious. Don't panic I'm not going to turn this into a sermon but hopefully I'll open a few eyes and minds.
Each day people are misunderstood because of something they believe in, something that gives them a strength that isn't fully appreciated by another. In the modern world we have opinions flooding in from each direction, far too many at points and they swamp our mind making it near impossible for us to see the woods for the trees.
Ours senses don't work independently, they rely on each other. No-one can see the full picture without firstly opening theirs ears and listening, too often we are dismissive and merrily continue with a partial picture. The partial picture serves us no harm for the most part but then comes a time when we miss something because we have our eyes half closed. By only taking in what you see and never looking behind it you will only have a 'surface understanding', is that enough to go through life with?.
Of course there is another viewpoint, by seeing a fuller picture we allow ourselves a greater choice and quite possibly the chance to welcome something new into our life that we will find comfort and strength in at difficult times. Taking the time to listen (a lost art form) your horizons are broadened, part of what you hear may strike a chord with you and enrich your life further, of course you will never know unless you take the time to soak up the opinion of another without any prejudice or preconceptions.
No-one has to agree with another on what they believe but we should all work towards understanding that we all benefit from different sources, different concepts. I shall paraphrase Gary Lightbody 'If it looks like it works and feels like it works. It works'. The individual makes the choice that works for them, we need to decide what works for us.
I shall leave you to consider my words and just maybe we will take a step towards ending another taboo.
Take care everyone.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
Monday, 1 March 2010
Time to Fly
It's Monday and the first day of March, so that must mean that spring is here! That is cause for celebration if nothing else is. Actually as I look out of the window I see a suspicious yellow thing glowing in the sky, having studied that phenomenon extensively I conclude it is the sun, with a bit of luck it will be making a few appearances over the coming months. Anyway enough of the small talk, I have a question for you all – can we fly?
I hear the collective scratching of heads as you read that question, so let me break it down for ease of understanding. Icarus flew, too close to the sun yet he flew, he had a goal to achieve and took his chance to fly to complete that goal. Do we challenge ourselves to soar above the clouds and risk our feathers melting in the heat of the sun or are we happy to be grounded and safe?
We are pretty unique in the great scheme of life, we have a choice to take that chance or not whereas nearly every other creation has to tentatively flap their wings, pop their paws onto unstable ground and face the unknown. We create our own environment, if we choose to stay in comfort zone there is nothing that forces to go beyond it, there is no-one pushing us out of the nest and telling us we have to go and hunt for ourselves or discover what is beyond our natural habitat.
The relative easiness of our environment is a comfort but at the same time it can create a fear – the fear of breaking free of our natural habitat. Knowing that nothing has to change without us making the decision, with no law of nature dictating that we will take that flight in my opinion holds us back.
I'm as guilty as the next person when it comes to not trying to set flight into the clouds, home comforts are far more appealing, there is a much reduced chance of anything going wrong in the surroundings you know. By the same token there is a much reduced chance of finding out what your full potential is, until one is open to risk you can't explore your full character.
Icarus may not of been successful but that doesn't mean we can't be, I'm prepared to flap my wings, it has taken a long time to get there but there is plenty time to come and making the most of it is all we can do. Remember we may have our feathers burnt but we repair much better than melted wax.
Take care my friends.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
I hear the collective scratching of heads as you read that question, so let me break it down for ease of understanding. Icarus flew, too close to the sun yet he flew, he had a goal to achieve and took his chance to fly to complete that goal. Do we challenge ourselves to soar above the clouds and risk our feathers melting in the heat of the sun or are we happy to be grounded and safe?
We are pretty unique in the great scheme of life, we have a choice to take that chance or not whereas nearly every other creation has to tentatively flap their wings, pop their paws onto unstable ground and face the unknown. We create our own environment, if we choose to stay in comfort zone there is nothing that forces to go beyond it, there is no-one pushing us out of the nest and telling us we have to go and hunt for ourselves or discover what is beyond our natural habitat.
The relative easiness of our environment is a comfort but at the same time it can create a fear – the fear of breaking free of our natural habitat. Knowing that nothing has to change without us making the decision, with no law of nature dictating that we will take that flight in my opinion holds us back.
I'm as guilty as the next person when it comes to not trying to set flight into the clouds, home comforts are far more appealing, there is a much reduced chance of anything going wrong in the surroundings you know. By the same token there is a much reduced chance of finding out what your full potential is, until one is open to risk you can't explore your full character.
Icarus may not of been successful but that doesn't mean we can't be, I'm prepared to flap my wings, it has taken a long time to get there but there is plenty time to come and making the most of it is all we can do. Remember we may have our feathers burnt but we repair much better than melted wax.
Take care my friends.
Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow.
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