As I walked to my office from the car earlier I noticed the russet and golden colour of the falling leaves, the slight chill in the air, the smell of early fireworks in the air and it suddenly occurred to me that it's November.
So basically, I have been so busy this year, I've managed to miss whole months of it without really noticing!
I said that sentence in my head, and for a brief moment, I believed it! But it's not true - I have noticed the passing of time and never once did I decide to stop and pay any attention to it. I have been busy, but not so busy that I couldn't reflect on the day, week or month that I've lived in.
When I think now about the year that has almost passed, I can pick out many memorable occasions, things done, films seen, meals eaten, stories read and so on - so it has hardly rushed by in a blur!
It's funny how we "blame" being busy for not paying attention - and that's essentially what I've done this year - I have allowed myself to be lazy, to not pay attention. In Buddhist terminology I have not lived in the moment. I have not been mindful, and as a result of this, I am approaching Christmas thinking I've lost a lot of the year - but this is my own misconception - so rather than blame being busy, I think I'll blame not paying attention - something I know my long suffering wife will agree with!
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Sunday, 1 June 2014
An Unlikely Meeting of Souls.
So, there I was, chatting to my friend in the States on Facebook. Unremarkable in itself I suppose?
I first met my friend in a virtual farmer's market, looking for work. I cannot remember now whether I hired her first or she hired me, but whatever happened, we said Hi, like you do, and swapped polite pleasantries.
We each rehired the other on an almost daily basis, and from there became "friends" on Facebook.
I know more about this new friend whom I have never met than some of my "real" friends. We keep in touch, and I like that we've met through these odd circumstances.
I have another friend in the States that I met exactly the same way.
Once upon a time we would have met on a cruise, or a holiday somewhere. Rarely do these holiday friendships last though. You are forced together by your circumstances, often you share a dining table, or a spot at the beach. But this Facebook game was somehow very different. To this day, Debbie and I have never met, and never physically spoken to each other. Nor have Aprille and I - and yet our friendships have endured despite this limitation!
Friendship is an amazing thing. I have worked with people for years, but would not count them as my friends. I have known some of my "friends" for years, but know next to nothing about them, and always forget their birthdays. There are some people I would go out of my way to help and support, but they are not my friends. There are people that I thought were my friends, but obviously they are not. (See blog entry Friendship? That Ship Has Sailed)
So, how can total strangers meet in a virtual farm on a social network site, and in less that 10 minutes, decide they want to meet up again? How can they then form a friendship that lasts years with only occasional, sporadic contact? What is it about the way our minds work that allow us to make such amazing judgements in such a short time? When I ask Debbie why she re-hired me that day, she said "Because you were a gentleman". Something about our first meeting impressed her enough to chance another.
So, be careful what first impression you make - whether it is at a party, in a crisis, or at an interview. That first impression will count. And a lot of people out there think "oh well, if I fluff my first impression, I can always redeem my reputation next time!" Sadly, if you fluff your first impression, you'll be lucky if there is a next time!
So I'm grateful that my first impression with Debbie and Aprille meant there was a second!
Our lives are bound together by these amazing, complicated connections - these unlikely meetings of souls!
I first met my friend in a virtual farmer's market, looking for work. I cannot remember now whether I hired her first or she hired me, but whatever happened, we said Hi, like you do, and swapped polite pleasantries.
We each rehired the other on an almost daily basis, and from there became "friends" on Facebook.
I know more about this new friend whom I have never met than some of my "real" friends. We keep in touch, and I like that we've met through these odd circumstances.
I have another friend in the States that I met exactly the same way.
Once upon a time we would have met on a cruise, or a holiday somewhere. Rarely do these holiday friendships last though. You are forced together by your circumstances, often you share a dining table, or a spot at the beach. But this Facebook game was somehow very different. To this day, Debbie and I have never met, and never physically spoken to each other. Nor have Aprille and I - and yet our friendships have endured despite this limitation!
Friendship is an amazing thing. I have worked with people for years, but would not count them as my friends. I have known some of my "friends" for years, but know next to nothing about them, and always forget their birthdays. There are some people I would go out of my way to help and support, but they are not my friends. There are people that I thought were my friends, but obviously they are not. (See blog entry Friendship? That Ship Has Sailed)
So, how can total strangers meet in a virtual farm on a social network site, and in less that 10 minutes, decide they want to meet up again? How can they then form a friendship that lasts years with only occasional, sporadic contact? What is it about the way our minds work that allow us to make such amazing judgements in such a short time? When I ask Debbie why she re-hired me that day, she said "Because you were a gentleman". Something about our first meeting impressed her enough to chance another.
So, be careful what first impression you make - whether it is at a party, in a crisis, or at an interview. That first impression will count. And a lot of people out there think "oh well, if I fluff my first impression, I can always redeem my reputation next time!" Sadly, if you fluff your first impression, you'll be lucky if there is a next time!
So I'm grateful that my first impression with Debbie and Aprille meant there was a second!
Our lives are bound together by these amazing, complicated connections - these unlikely meetings of souls!
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Spring
Well, today it's definitely spring!
The sun is shining, the birds are singing. I saw a butterfly flit by on a gentle breeze.
I went for a walk in my shirt sleeves and didn't feel the chill.
Spring has definitely sprung now.
And with it comes the need for sloughing off the winter encumbrances - those few extra pounds in weight, the lack of exercise, the over-dependence on alcohol (to lift those winter blues), and the under-dependence on fresh fruit and veg.
Spring brings with it a need to abandon the lethargy and find some new life. To turf out the old ways and look for something dynamic and driven. No more hiding under the duvet, listening to the howling wind and driving rain - now the country lane beckons - "Walk down me with your dog!", or "Cycle down me and admire those stunning views!"
The beach transforms from rugged endurance course to leisurely strolling place.
The woodland walks from sucking mud pit to bluebell carpeted enchantment.
The spirits are lifted, the blood is stirred, and thoughts of inactivity are replaced with picnics, exploring and a desire to "get outside for some fresh air".
I like spring!
The sun is shining, the birds are singing. I saw a butterfly flit by on a gentle breeze.
I went for a walk in my shirt sleeves and didn't feel the chill.
Spring has definitely sprung now.
And with it comes the need for sloughing off the winter encumbrances - those few extra pounds in weight, the lack of exercise, the over-dependence on alcohol (to lift those winter blues), and the under-dependence on fresh fruit and veg.
Spring brings with it a need to abandon the lethargy and find some new life. To turf out the old ways and look for something dynamic and driven. No more hiding under the duvet, listening to the howling wind and driving rain - now the country lane beckons - "Walk down me with your dog!", or "Cycle down me and admire those stunning views!"
The beach transforms from rugged endurance course to leisurely strolling place.
The woodland walks from sucking mud pit to bluebell carpeted enchantment.
The spirits are lifted, the blood is stirred, and thoughts of inactivity are replaced with picnics, exploring and a desire to "get outside for some fresh air".
I like spring!
Sunday, 20 April 2014
Time Management
Well, here I am again - and a long time has passed since my last blog entry.
Now, it's not because I've not wanted to post anything, and it's not because I've been too busy - it's mainly down to time management.
I have often lamented that there are not enough hours in the day, if only I had more time etc etc., but if I'm going to be totally honest, it's most likely just poor planning on my part. I could easily fit all the things in that I need to do, or want to do, if I just organised my time better.
I will spend time playing Tower Madness on my smartphone when I could be texting or emailing a friend. I dither about in StumbleUpon rather than spending time in my shed. I browse Listverse when I could be making muffins.
My trouble is, I like these distractions. I like to laze in the bath for an hour. I like to watch a film, make model kits in my shed, and I also like writing - writing this blog, or my sibling blog on Military Modelling, owr writing the journal I have kept for my daughter since the day she was born. (She is 8 now). But I find I need to be in the right mood to write - whereas I can muddle through the other activities. Writing, to me, demands a much greater attention and so cannot just be squeezed in between other jobs.
What I think I need to do is list all the things I like to do, and work my way through the list until I cover them all - including scheduling time to write.
Now, it's not because I've not wanted to post anything, and it's not because I've been too busy - it's mainly down to time management.
I have often lamented that there are not enough hours in the day, if only I had more time etc etc., but if I'm going to be totally honest, it's most likely just poor planning on my part. I could easily fit all the things in that I need to do, or want to do, if I just organised my time better.
I will spend time playing Tower Madness on my smartphone when I could be texting or emailing a friend. I dither about in StumbleUpon rather than spending time in my shed. I browse Listverse when I could be making muffins.
My trouble is, I like these distractions. I like to laze in the bath for an hour. I like to watch a film, make model kits in my shed, and I also like writing - writing this blog, or my sibling blog on Military Modelling, owr writing the journal I have kept for my daughter since the day she was born. (She is 8 now). But I find I need to be in the right mood to write - whereas I can muddle through the other activities. Writing, to me, demands a much greater attention and so cannot just be squeezed in between other jobs.
What I think I need to do is list all the things I like to do, and work my way through the list until I cover them all - including scheduling time to write.
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