Should You Write Down Your Life Goals?
“Writing down an intention puts a nugget in your subconscious, which sets you on a path to achieving it.”
Kennon Sheldon.
Found in the article: Do You Need a Five-Year Plan?
The Magic Moment & The Gift of New Beginnings
The Magic Moment is that in which a simple “yes” or “no” may change the whole of our existence – Paulo Cohelo
At the point of crisis – that moment when your entire world suddenly changes and you have a split second to register that life as you knew it the split second before no longer exists – it is in THAT moment that you hit the core of who you and what you’re about. You learn that you are stronger than you realised; stronger than others realised and you are given the most wonderful gift to re-evaulate who you are, what you want and what you can be.
TELL THEM
If you think someone looks good – tell them.
If someone has done a good job – tell them.
If someone has taught you something that made a difference to you – tell them.
If someone has helped you and doesn’t realise the impact of their actions – tell them.
If you love someone – TELL THEM.
Life is short and we don’t know how much time we will be given here so tell the people who changed your life – they need to know.Amy Murray (13.03.2013)
After my encounter with and old teacher and the orange-eating monks, I wrote this as my Facebook status because I felt it was important to share with my friends what I had learnt.
What matters NOW and how to eat an orange…
A funny thing happened this week. I saw a teacher who never directly taught me (so he would have no clue who I am) but I distinctly remember him doing an assembly once where he told this story of two Buddhist monks. The older monk was teaching the younger monk how to eat an orange. The young monk was certain he knew how to eat an orange and was pretty annoyed his elder was telling him something he already knew. Anyway, turns out he didn’t know how to eat an orange; the proper way to eat an orange is to take one piece at a time and only concentrate on the piece you are eating at that moment, not miss what you could be enjoying now by racing on ahead thinking about the next orange segment and the next and the next.
This story stayed with me for what must be 18 years or so now. So much so that I thought I should tell the teacher that appeared before me that I still remembered the orange-eating monks and thank him for imparting his wisdom. By the time I decided I’d thank him, he had walked on far ahead so I let it go but decided if I ever saw him again, I’d tell him.
I stopped in my car for a few minutes and when I looked up, this teacher was already walking back across the car park. This was my chance to tell him he’d made a difference. I called out to him and caught up, then said what I wanted to say. He is an old man now and said he didn’t actually remember the story I was referring to. I told him what I’d taken from it and then he told me to hang on for a minute. He clambered into the back of his car to retrieve a blue book, telling me, “I’d really like you to take this with my compliments.” It was a book about Victor Hugo (that in itself was weird because Victor Hugo keeps cropping up everywhere in my life at the moment!) – anyway, I thanked him and walked back to my car. When I looked down at the book again, I realised the author was actually this teacher.
This whole incident reminded me again that nothing happens by chance, everything comes together at the right time but that you need to enjoy the now because you don’t know how much time you will be lucky enough to have here. I have decided to just tell people straight how it is from now on and not worry about what they think of me. Whether it is thanking a complete stranger for good customer service, complimenting a friend on a new haircut or telling someone I love them – just got to live in the moment and enjoy the now.
Has it really been a YEAR?!
Ok. 356 days have passed since my last post – very nearly a whole year. Is that right?!
Aside from an angry poem in April that I later decided to remove, a WHOLE year has passed and I haven’t blogged?!
Definitely time to pick this up again and start getting back into writing more regularly. So much has happened since November 2011 that it is probably best to just wipe the slate clean and start over.
I think the first place to start is to bring out that fateful list again and see how things have progressed so here goes…
- To have one of my books published and sold in book stores.
Well, I still want to make this happen and this is probably most important to me out of everything on here.
- To perform songs I have written myself in public.
This was actually looking possible. I set up a new band with Luis earlier in the year and we were close to being ready to perform. Unfortunately, Luis then decided he would like to leave this little rock and travel the world indefinitely so a new guitarist is required in order to achieve this goal.
- To create a successful business of my own.
This was kind of achieved then put on the back burner for a loooong time. When I’ve finished studying and a few creative projects I have underway, I’d like to revisit this. I’ve learnt that making wedding invitations is a very long, labour intensive process and not profitable in the way I was doing it. Bespoke artwork and specific graphic design pieces are probably the best way forward.
To work in a wonderful creative role where I am truly happy.
Hooray – we have ONE ticked off! 
On 1st December 2011 I started a new job as a Digital Media Specialist (which incorporates graphic design, copywriting and communication work). A year on, I can honestly say it is the best job I have ever had – I love the work, my team and the new challenges it presents daily. Best decision I ever made was to take this job and I’m very much looking forward to seeing how my role evolves in the future.
- To start running again and to do it well, with a smile.
Oh boy! Well aside from a few beach runs and dressing up in a fleece pink rabbit onesie costume for two charity runs this year, I certainly can’t say I’ve started running again! Definitely something that needs attention but not a good idea to start this at the coldest time of year. I will have to substitute running with swimming and indoor exercise until the weather improves.
- To meet Steve Jobs and the Creative Team at PIXAR and spend time learning from them.
Since last reviewing this goal, Steve Jobs is still dead so I need to reword this goal so that it is something that is at least possible! Out of all of the goals on here, meeting the PIXAR team is the most ambitious but that doesn’t mean it is unattainable.
- To have a dialogue with Richard Branson.
This was really important to me when I was heavily focused on wanting to have my own business or finding a job that was right for me. Now that I have my dream job, this doesn’t seem so important anymore. While I admire Mr Branson very much and would love to engage in some form of dialogue with him, this is not something that I feel needs to be a goal anymore.
- To have an article published in Wired UK.
Yep – this is up there with the stories being published. I still want to strive for this.
- To swim with sea turtles in Hawaii.
Definitely still want to do this. Not going to happen any time soon but this is staying on the list.
- To let myself be the person I know I can be.
Well, this one probably goes without saying and doesn’t actually need to be on this list. All of us folks muddling through life are no doubt trying be the best we are able to be and it is a constant process of evolution. Currently, I know I am not reaching my full potential so although this goal will not appear on the revised list, it is not forgotten and stands as a ‘given’.
As of today, I’ve decided to refine this list, as follows:
- To have one of my books published and sold in book stores.
- To have an article published in Wired UK.
- To exercise regularly (min 3x a week).
- To create a successful business of my own.
- To perform songs I have written myself in public.
- To swim with sea turtles in Hawaii.
- To meet the Creative Team at PIXAR and learn from them.
Wish me luck!
As a side note, I’ve been up since 3am, unable to sleep due to torrential rain pounding on my bedroom window and worrying about having to move house again. Although I look and feel like death, I am actually pleased this happened as it has given me the opportunity to write today so thanks universe for the rude awakening!
Fairy Lights & Fireworks
While November and December typically bring with them a heap of bad weather, bad moods and bad music ( I HATE Christmas music with a passion; Christmas compilation albums even more so!), these bitter winter months also bring two of my favourite things: fairy lights and fireworks. As I have been in a ridiculously foul mood for the last 48 hours, I thought a tribute to some of these favourites was in order.
Photos by:
Jason Morley – Flickr
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/2008/12/017708.html
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-fireworks
http://addisonrealestate.co/addisons-4th-of-july-celebration-kaboom-town/
Beautiful Skylines
Saw this today and it reminded me of some wonderful times spent walking round Toronto. Miss Toronto’s skyline very much indeed and all the incredible friends I have back in Canada.
There’s something really beautiful about skylines that I find refreshing and inspiring. They always make me want to travel and help me remember that Guernsey is just a tiny little bubble, beyond which lies some truly incredible people and places.
