Sometimes the bright sun can blind you to the real climate

Imagine a bright sunny day.  You stand outside basking in the glory of the rays and enjoy the warm conditions of the day.

However, you can become so engrossed in the suns warmth that you miss the microclimate around you which is cooling down and becoming colder.

I found this this week when the newly warm conditions of my environment due to the move of a difficulty was dampened by the ‘cold’ opinion of someone I didnt expect to be that way.

So my advice is dont bask in the glory of your triumphs too long as you never know who will be raised up to replace the problem you have just dispelled.

Self indulgent?…..Absolutely!

After a couple of years of disappointment from my football team and then the raised and ultimately shattered hopes of last season FINALLY I have something to get excited about.

Now anyone outside Southampton FC fans wont understand this – but I dont care…..JASON DODD IS BACK!!!!

 As a player I met him on a few occasions.  He always had time to talk to you and always would pose for a photo or sign an autograph.  He is Saints through and through and to have him back at the club is fantastic!

 Welcome back Doddsy – c’mon you Saints!

    

Stand up and move forward

Over the past few months I have become increasingly more and more frustrated with areas of my life.  Its often the case that we focus strongly on the negative areas and lose sight of the positives.  Refocusing on positives will always help us to feel better – so will a good laugh – but in the end the negatives are still there.  Its about having a plan – and this is where I fall down.

In my job I can plan well yet in life away from the workface it all seems to fall apart. We all talk a good talk about what we will do and when and how and where but how much do we do.

Those people I know who have acheived great things and turned their lives around have a plan and do it…not just talk about it.  In fact some dont talk about it at all!

So a solid and SMART plan is required something measureable, achievable and realistic is required. This many of us seem quite good at.  We get it down on paper and then…..nothing.

Its time to move off the paper and into the ‘world’ with our ideas and our plans.  Why should only the few gain the prize?

Because they are focused and determined to succeed.  Its time to make sure we finish what we start and not give up or drift to a halt…an area I need to improve on!

A big congratulations..

In case you hadnt heard Ian Botham will now be Sir Ian Botham!

Congratulations are due to a real hero of sport in this country.

Good job we arent toasting Sir David Beckham…..hmmm there are many MANY more deserving cases than his.

     

Sometimes you cant make it on your own…

…to quote Bono from U2.

Take a moment today to look for someone in your school, college or workplace who seems not to be their usual self.  Say ‘HI’, smile and chat, grab a coffee and get them one etc… but put yourself in a position where they can chat or just feel someone cares.

There may be a time when you need the same and they will notice and remember the time you stepped out just to say Hi.

Lest we forget…

Today, 63 years ago 150,000 men made their way acroos the English channel to bring to an end World War II and nearly 5 years of fighting.

The journey was supported by over 5,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft and saw a massive gamble put into action by the Allied commanders.  If the Germans new they were coming then they would strengthen their defences on the Normandy coastline and it could be a disaster.

The attack swept into 5 beaches on the northern coast of France. The US forces swept into 2 beaches codenamed Omaha and Utah.  The British and other Allied troops hit 3 beaches codenamed Sword, Gold and Juno.

Stage one would be to secure the beaches which would allow the bringing in of men, vehicles and supplies.  From these beaches the troops would fan out into France and then across the other occupied countries heading for Berlin.

The bravery and sacrifice of these men cannot be underestimated or undervalued.  4,000 Allied troops died that day and another 10,000 were injured.  With the beaches taken though the pushing back of the German army had begun and the Allies were ready to breakout and retake Europe.

It was a gamble – all battles in war are.  It relied on the men having complete faith in their commanders and the cause they were fighting for.  Through adversity they triumphed and the war turned decisively. 

Many families have people who were involved in that day in some capacity – I do and I know we still are proud of what they did even though they are no longer with us.

Lest we forget?  Never forget…

  

Take time out to enjoy the view

We live in a world where the only way is forwards.  We bolt through the day focused on what we are going to do in the evening… then spend the evening thinking about what we will be doing tomorrow!

What we dont do well is stop, take a look around and take in whats going on around us.  One of my favourite films is ‘Ferris Buellers Day Off’ in which Ferris (played by Matthew Broderick) says:

“Life moves pretty fast. If you dont stop and look around once in a while you might miss it!”

How many times do we miss it because we are too focused on things that may happen? Well if they may happen then it stands to reason they may not happen as well.  Tomorrow has worries of its own so hy carry them into today?

We need to experience every minute as if its our last – how do we know it wont be (not meaning to be morbid). 

How much have we missed so far?

How often do we sit down and wish if only?

So today stop.  Take time out for a minute and think about all you have been given thats good.  Appreciate that thought and then move on.

You will never get today again – make the most of it.

Same old stories

For once could the back pages of the newspapers today have focused on Bristol Rovers winning promotion or Englands cricket team?  Why did we have to wake up to Beckham could play for England…but it may only be for one game..well he’s in the squad.

 Please lets have some new news.

Things eventually change

In the fast moving world we live in things are constantly changing around us.  Technology moves on at a pace and what was hot to have one day is frowned upon the next, fashion drives people to throw out their last year wardrobe and replace it with whats now in, holiday destinations move in and out of popularity and mobile phones…well dont get me started!

Whilst we are surrounded by these tidal waves of change that can influence and impact us in many ways the things we often want to change appear to be stuck.  Quite often we can watch the world go by at pace and yet the issues in our lives that we wish to change make us feel like we live split lives. 

Life one – the fast lane – the hare. 

Keeping up with those around us, getting the new stuff, keeping pace with developments in areas of fashion and technology. To all around us we appear to have our finger on the button and up to speed with all that is new and bright and shiny.

Life two – the slow lane – the tortoise.

Away from the ‘crowd’ those things we really want to change are stuck.  Those things that we often cover up and compensate for by buying the best or improving or outward image are still there when we go home, when we go to sleep or wake up, when we think to much.

However, the tortoise does beat the hare! In order to do this we need to become real with ourselves.  We need to face those fears we have hidden away and attack the areas that need changing.  Too many of us ‘limp’ through life hindered by thorns in our sides we never face up to – image, self-worth, finances, progression, our past etc… – and think that the latest car will make it all go away.

False Evidence Appearing Real – FEAR.  Why dont we face up to it?  Because the thought of having to address things scares us.  The fear of the unknown – how people will respond, what other might think, what might happen, how will I cope – drives us to ignore the very thing which may allow us to progress.

Alongside this the fear of losing the ‘crutch’ we have leaned on for so long scares us.  We have become accustomed to the ‘limp’.  Its part of us.  It makes us what we are.  Anyone who has had an injury of some kind knows well that the ‘limp’ causes pain elsewhere in the body to occur as we arent walking right and as a result putting pressure on other places resulting in pain.

So how to deal with this?  Fear has another acronym.  One to help us get past our worries.

Face Every Apparent Reality.  If you are anything like me facing up to certain things isnt easy and the words of Monty Python (“Run away”) are the first response we have.

Look your issues square in the eyes and tell them who’s boss.  Face up to the issues and accept they exist.  By tackling the issues that make us limp the tortoise speeds up and the hare doesnt stand a chance!

So it begins…….

So after years of reading and commenting on others sites I thought I would have a go!  Its day one of the blog and the sun is shining and birds are singing in the trees.

The week so far has been fairly uneventful as we move towards Spring Bank holiday Monday.  So what will you be doing to mark this occasion????

 

The south coast of England has some great delights like Durdle Door.  Oly a few miles from Weymouth or a steep hill walk from Lulworth cove.  Breathe taking scenery and a great place to kick back and relax after….

 …..THIS!!!!

My tip – stay at home for the bank holiday.  You have everything you need….good food…drink…entertainment…comfortable and familiar surroundings.  This Spring Bank keep the traffic worries at bay and stay home.