Looking forward with hope

Whilst I am eating my breakfast a few miles away, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people are waiting for a moment, no several moments to take place.   Many have come hundreds of miles, grabbed a front row position and slept on hard pavements.  For the sake of an episode of history scores have been in physical discomfort, determined in their hearts to be present when it happens.  They have sacrificed their time, money and effort to be in the crowd at someone else’s happy event, where a brick had been laid in the building that constitutes their life vision for themselves.  They have counted the cost and thought it worthy of the price.  There are individuals who have physical collections related to the event and other aspects of royal life, and want to add the atmosphere of the day to these.  Somehow today for a portion, is an important moment in their existence; they believe it will help them because of the faith and hope it carries within its passing.

As you reflect on the day’s event, think about the moments in your history that have been important to your development.  Some of those times may not bring back pleasant memories, but somehow they have helped shape you for better or for worse.  Only you know. 

In considering your development, what haves are you holding on to that don’t make you a better person?  What price are you prepared to pay to see your vision become a reality, to see your worse become better, your poorer become richer, to see the unhealthy things in your life become well?  It will cost you something as anything of value does, but it’s worth it.  As it becomes a part of your personal history the whole world may not know about this, but that does not matter.  What does is what you do with its content.

Comfort zones....

... Are situations, thoughts and behaviours which though familiar, restrict us from discovering the more of us that there is to find; they exist in all aspects of our lives.  A zone can be described as an area in which certain activities are contained and their repeated outcome becomes familiar, comforting, and generally a reassurance that our world has remained the same.   Staying in a particular comfort zone may mean acceptance by others who are in the same place, giving a sense of community, and we all like the sense of belonging.  Venturing out demands we change our thinking, influencing our action, possibly impacting those in our range of influence.   Stepping out of a comfort zone may mean that our companions are challenged to see and accept a new aspect of us that has up to now been hidden.  They may be challenged to discover more of their selves.  Many times we remain in our comfort zones until encouraged or even forced to move out. When the unfamiliar presents itself, so will the temptation to return to what is familiar, but by resisting you could be altered for the better.

Thinking and doing things differently is always a challenge because we don’t know what will happen following our change of approach.  However, taking the step causes us to discover something we never realised we had, recognition of what needs to be strengthened, or understanding of what we need to acquire and develop, leading to personal growth.  Staying in the comfort zone handicaps, whilst stepping out equips for greater things.

Be committed, give hope

The Royal Wedding is in most people’s consciousness now, whether or not they want this.  Thoughts abound about how big the event will be, what the bridal gown will look like, who has/has not been invited, the world-wide audience it will attract, what its organisation says about this country,  the significance of marriage in the 21^st century to the wider society, and our personal world.  One word I’m thinking about is ‘commitment’.  It’s a key element in a couple’s decision to marry; it’s also important is the wider context of our lives.  It’s what keeps us going when we want to give up.  It’s what makes you want to greet a new day of the project you're doing.  It’s the pledge you make to your vision.  It’s how we show faithfulness to other people’s ideals and goals.  Your commitment to seeing something through is what makes people trust you, your word and your actions.   To some people commitment seems a crazy notion, after all, they say, what do you get out it, who thanks you, who remembers what you’ve done, what’s the cost in terms of your personal freedom?  Commitment is what many people are looking for in their relationships at all levels and if you have and offer it, you give them hope.  In making a commitment we exercise personal freedom, as the choice of whether or not to give ourselves, our time and our efforts, to people, to a cause, to a belief is implicit. 

What are you committing to?  What impact does your commitment have in the world you inhabit?

Success breeds

Celebrating someone else’s success is a motivator to gaining your own.  The saying goes ‘success breeds success’.  We usually think this refers to the individual who has already achieved doing so again and again, but let’s think about the ripple effect.  Developers at the height of the property boom, recognised that when one area became established as a hot place to live it would attract buyers could not afford the prices demanded.  They would then look to a neighbouring area, thus sparking desirability, and demand would increase as new buyers saw its potential.  Success!

When your family, friends. neighbours and colleagues do well, celebrate with them, hear their story as it might just give you an idea, ignite a spark, seed a vision, that you can pursue and be successful at yourself, and continue the breeding of success. 

Walking to an unknown destination

One Saturday a few weeks ago, I had nothing planned to do.  I told my son about my free day which he described as a ‘lazy day’.  In discussing this I defined  ‘lazy day’ as  being a day where you choose to do nothing, even though you know you have activities which must be completed, and will cause delay of some sort if not done.  A 'free-day' is a day where you have nothing planned, and choose to allow it to remain uncluttered, so you can explore, be surprised, make discoveries, be rested or just still.   

I decided to allow whatever to develop.  However, I still found myself thinking about making some of the time be productive for me in some way, and decided to go for a walk as it was a nice weather.  I like walking because it allows me to be get exercise whilst thinking about issues, releasing what I don’t need, reviving what has lain dormant and redirecting what needs to have outcome – I call it ‘Me Time’.  Should I walk in my local area? No, that was  was too familiar; I needed to go to walk in a not too familiar place.  I called my sister who also likes walking, and we decided to meet up; once I arrived I discovered a couple of relatives wanted to accompany us.  

We set off to a local wood and as we walked, we talked, we listened, we laughed, we teased, we supported in creative ways, we did what we had never done before.  It was one of the most enjoyable walks I have had.  I got to catch up with, and know more about my family, their vision, and what is important to them.  It was invigorating and energising.

And those things I thought I might want to think about?  Their importance dissipated and I felt refreshed.  I had not filled my day with things to do, but was able in the day to be, to connect, which was exactly what I needed, and where I didn't know I would arrive when I started out. 

Happy Event vs Contented Living

Happiness relies on you being present at or aware of a happening and being emotionally pleased by it, eg receiving a gift.  Being happy to an extent is reliant on other people bringing pleasure to your situation.  Contentment happens when you become alert to and thankful for the goodness in your life.   When you are content you are mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are, and have peace of mind.  You can be content yet see and take advantage of opportunities for improvement.  You may not necessarily have everything you desire, but this does not get in the way of you living your life.  Contentment shouldn’t be confused with complacency which causes us to live in a false sense of security.  Many of us are running as fast as we can to grab happiness which is fleeting, rather than pacing ourselves with contentment.  Which would you rather be, happy or content? 

Cynicism or Naivety? Which side are you on?

Often when we critique others, we judge them - without realising this - using our own moral compass.  People who habitually do wrong will assume most people are the same as themselves and be called cynical, whilst those who strive to do right will assume the same for others and be regarded as naive.  I wonder which one is better?  If we follow the cynics then we can’t trust anyone – not even ourselves.  If we follow the naive we could become victims.  A healthy balance is called for.   Accept that people (ourselves included) do make mistakes. If we repeat them for long enough they can become habits, so we need to monitor ourselves.  Resist the temptation to go looking for or anticipating faults in others.  Expect and accept that  people to do the best they can with what they have.  It’s all they’ve got for now until they’re given the tools to do better.

I Have Treasure!

Your heart and your treasure are in the same place.  What does that mean? 

The activities you perform best, that excite you, that you spend hours doing without feeling time is being wasted, that are productive giving you and others satisfaction, that you do naturally and make every effort to excel at, without having to exert too much energy, but which produce great things indicate the identity of your treasure.  Your treasure is encapsulated in your talents, skills and abilities.  Take some time today to identify your treasures, consider how you can and will use them, and value them.

Working Relationshps

So you have a boss who seems to have turned against you (for no apparent reason), or you didn’t get on with them once you got the job.  What to do?  A number of options: 1. Find a moment when they are amenable and suggest having a discussion about your concerns.  2. Do nothing and suffer in silence.  3. Talk to someone who you know gets on with them and can be trusted to be objective.  4. Take your time, look for another job and resign, leaving with your dignity intact. 

Option 1.  Your boss could have such dislike of you that they do their best to avoid any meeting where you might express your concerns.  They could meet with you and be totally surprised at your perception of their interactions with you.  You might find they think conflict is a good tool to use in the workplace, and have failed to realise that you (and maybe other staff) are in fact demotivated by this tactic.  However you could find that this person is manipulative and has no intention of changing their ways. 

Option 2.  If you choose to say nothing, you could find yourself performing poorly – dissatisfaction has to manifest somewhere, somehow.  This could result in you being placed on disciplinary measures.   Talk to Human Resources and have recorded (noted) evidence that proves you are being mistreated.  Maybe your situation is such that you need a job,; yes, but not a job at any price, including your sanity.  Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, value yourself, and try to find work elsewhere. 

Option 3.  Talking to someone else could help you see ways to get along with the boss.  However, you need to be sure that this person will listen carefully, and be able to give advice that is not based on their emotions, but on what might be most helpful to/right for you. 

Option 4.  You may love the job, but find the circumstances around it intolerable.  Looking for another job, means that you recognise you have other alternatives to staying.  However, if you are the one with the issue, then you will take it with you to the next workplace and may encounter a similar situation. 

Before doing any of the above, might it be best to reflect on your approach and see if you put anything negative into the situation?

Wha other options can you suggest (which are legal)?

What is there to do?

‘ Do whatever your hand finds to do.’  To be able to carry this out one has to actively look for and consider the opportunities available.  Finding is not a passive activity.  The act brings awareness of a possibility, perception and recognition of the chance to do something about it, identification of our own skills and abilities, the capacity to measure these against what is needed, and realisation of what and how we can contribute.  Doing is the act of performing what is required.  It involves understanding the outcome that will make the doing successful, planning how to approach the opportunity,  making a start, checking that you are on the right track, remaining committed to the task, completing it and checking that you have achieved what was required.

How often have you and I sat feeling bored, unfulfilled, and low?  In those times we could have actively searched for things to do - helping ourselves and/or others.   The trouble is when one is in that state it's difficult to get out of it.  Why?  Because the feeling creeps up on you and hours later when we become aware of what’s happening it’s too late – time and our energy levels are lost.  To counter this we need to become aware of what is happening internally and externally, take control over ourselves in terms of our thinking, the power inside of us, and our desire to do, and seize the day empowering ourselves to become fulfilled.

Opportunity Knocks?

People who are willing to learn create opportunities for themselves. 

Many Happy Returns

There is a saying ‘Give and it will come back to you, good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over.’.  Lots of times we think this refers to us giving to charity etc.  Think about this.  Gifts come in all shapes and sizes.  Sometimes they are welcome, and sometimes they are not.  Some gifts have conditions attached to them.  Some gifts are given ‘just because’ without expectation of return, whilst others are treated like a barter.  Some gifts are tangible, whilst others are subtle, cannot be physically seen, but are experienced.

There is one type of present that we all can give and that is ‘trouble and strife’.  It’s certainly the type of gift that no one wants, yet some people think it OK to present.  Is giving heartache to someone else and then expecting, even demanding that good things happen to you realistic or reasonable? 

Lets give good in our relationships.  The returns (if that is the right word) not necessarily in the same form, will be greater than the initial giving.

The Prosperous Community

  

A few years ago, I was working with someone who had nothing good to say about the people he saw daily - his community - he felt that they and the wider population were not supportive of him.  This memory has stuck with me over the years.  I've seen that if you want to be effective and have impact, love (have affectionate concern for the well-being of ) the community where you reside.  Viewing and treating your community as worthless, is an indictment of you, someone who is part of it.   Do what you can to bring peace (life without worry or fear) to your neighbourhood.  

Money is not the only measure of a community's prosperity.  Look at the talents possessed by the people within it.  Seek the best for the community, for its welfare affects and has impact on your life.   

Our lives have meaning; have purpose.  That purpose involves doing and bringing good, resulting in peace.  A life lived without purpose is a disaster, with future and hope removed from it – lacking prosperity.

Why work for peace and prosperity? Because as our communities prosper so will we.