Hello again!
Every once in a while you get an idea. You know the sort that pops into your head and wont leave you alone until you deal with it? So it is with this blog entry. Yesterday I received some pretty good news on the progress of a project that had been frustrated for almost a year and has finally gotten to a point it needs to be so it can progress.
24 months this process has taken and in the contemplation of that today whilst I plan "the next move", (see what I did there?) It occurred to me that I wouldn't be here were it not for the efforts and belief of a whole host of others that have helped me along the way...
Sure, belief in ones self comes from a place within, however if one continues to act on that belief even when its really really stretched, then others see it. They begin to believe in you, and with that, well, results will start to occur that you could not possibly achieve by strength of solitary resolve alone.
Just one more reason to stay #stubbornlyoptimistic even when things look pretty challenging.
I lost my belief in others, after they took my ability to believe in myself, and pretty much broke it. Oddly, by virtue of regaining that belief In my own potential, the process has become a stepping stone to regaining belief in others around me.
So, believe in yourself, trust in your potential, act on your dreams and the good in people will seek you out.
oh, and don't forget to put your clocks back!
Sarah!
Sunday 30 October 2016
Friday 28 October 2016
Sometimes it ain't gotta be clever to be smart...
Hey Internet.
I'm ok. Two simple words. Currently theres quite a bit happening in the box marked "change" for me. Some positive, some more of a challenge, and some pretty negative, with a few of each requiring some creative thinking to gain perspective and productive internal narrative.
I'm three stone heavier than I was 12 weeks ago...damn you lethargy and habitual eating/ease of fridge access.
I'm getting a few leads together for a variety of interesting projects I have simmering on the back burner..
Learning stuff is going well with College....opening possible avenues of progression.
The billionaire lifestyle still eludes me.
But thus far at the end of each day when I shut the front door and sit down with cuppa in front of the current fave you tube show .. or in this case twitch stream content ..#criticalrole ... (check it out D&D peeps!) ... I can say at least for the moment in question that "I'm ok" and that is quite the encouraging thought...
As I make my way through each day I've come to realise more and more that my own mental comfort and to perhaps coin a phrase "philosophical armour" comes from within me. At its core is a belief. Which is as all beliefs are, borne of a thought which has been given authority in my own mind, subconscious or otherwise.
What is that belief? Hard to pin down into one word or phrase thats what. The best analogy would be a calm still blue ocean pool after the past winds of a mental and emotional hurricane.
I'm ok. Two simple words. Currently theres quite a bit happening in the box marked "change" for me. Some positive, some more of a challenge, and some pretty negative, with a few of each requiring some creative thinking to gain perspective and productive internal narrative.
I'm three stone heavier than I was 12 weeks ago...damn you lethargy and habitual eating/ease of fridge access.
I'm getting a few leads together for a variety of interesting projects I have simmering on the back burner..
Learning stuff is going well with College....opening possible avenues of progression.
The billionaire lifestyle still eludes me.
But thus far at the end of each day when I shut the front door and sit down with cuppa in front of the current fave you tube show .. or in this case twitch stream content ..#criticalrole ... (check it out D&D peeps!) ... I can say at least for the moment in question that "I'm ok" and that is quite the encouraging thought...
As I make my way through each day I've come to realise more and more that my own mental comfort and to perhaps coin a phrase "philosophical armour" comes from within me. At its core is a belief. Which is as all beliefs are, borne of a thought which has been given authority in my own mind, subconscious or otherwise.
What is that belief? Hard to pin down into one word or phrase thats what. The best analogy would be a calm still blue ocean pool after the past winds of a mental and emotional hurricane.
It is simply an idea that has taken root, in the fertile soil of an enquiring psyche, sprouting into a young tree, with branches of hope, perseverance and will. In time it may blossom into a mature tree of achievement, success blowing through its branches like a far off Narnian wind.
The belief comes from the thought that even when current circumstances would lead me to a very pragmatic view of daily priorities, I still dare to dream, focusing on the good and the positive thus acting on and planing for the day I achieve those dreams.
As long as you can still do that as you shut the door each day after doing what needs to be done, enduring whatever slings and arrows are hurled at you for whatever purpose or reason, then you too will be "ok" ... for now. And thats all the time we ever have, so thats ok then.
Keep it #stubbornlyoptimistic and every once in a while just pause & remember it's where you're going not where you are that defines your purpose and direction. You may not have reached the top step yet, but be grateful you're halfway, those legs of yours done good thus far. You're ok.
I believe that I can. So can you.
Sarah
x
Saturday 15 October 2016
Wealthy? Can't buy happiness, so what is "money" after all?
Hi all.
It's Saturday afternoon, a little after 4pm. A cold October weekend's sunshine streaming in through my windows, which are streaked with office cat's paw prints as I sit at the desk and ponder over stuff. My mug of freshly made coffee is gently steaming on the desktop as I type.
I'm pretty much middle aged. Given the average "3 score and ten" my Dad used to frequently reference as a life span, its fair to say I'm more or less half way through my particular path of life. I am once more out of work, as in paid employment, after 20months at local bike shop ended with that familiar taste of disappointment and broken albeit false promises one often gets at such times.
I read on the web of Brexit, of a potential 5, 10 or even 20%drop in living standards, whilst watching the politicians ride the wave of public opinion be it informed or no. Propelling society onward. I look at my bank balance. Its not all that healthy and at this point a bag of crisps is very much a major financial decision, going over a tenth of my total available.
In a little over 9 days my rent is due. Another £400. A few days after that I have my Daughter to stay for a week in the holidays. There is genuine concern here for direction, decision and destination as to where all these circumstances may ultimately lead.
But I sit and write this to you on an iMac. Dual screened, 4 years old but still pretty nifty. I have a fridge full of stuff and even though my clothes recently came from a charity shop haul I actually have clothes... I own a number of bikes, a vehicle, and, as of this moment now, this instant have a comfortable life. No one is bombing me, or shooting at me. No one is invading my space except at my own invitation.
It lead me to a question. But firstly to a memory. Years ago I read a book. It was a Tom Clancy novel. Executive orders. Its a big thick political intrigue plot, and features a cyber attack on the stock market, hitting all the back ups of the days trading so that when everything goes off, the hero, Jack Ryan, has to figure this stuff out in a short space of time since the business of business has ground to a halt. The solution was very very clever, and yet simple and profound. (If you want to know what it was go read the book I implore you.. ) but its underlaying principle stayed with me...
The money system, be it dollar, euro, pound or dinars, is based in psychology. The accepted wisdom and view of collective wealth. A £5 note in GBP has no physical value. It's paper. Its pretty much useless except as a token to pass on to another who believes in its value. If you have one take it out and read it. Printed on it are the words " I promise to pay the bearer the sum of" so in that sense a fiver is promise note, an IOU, and nothing more. That it, a physical object is ascribed value far beyond its practical physical worth is an act of collective belief. No more, no less.
Consider a billionaire. He has a mansion and on Monday is worth 20 Billion dollars, in property, business etc. On Tuesday he wakes to find that due to a political change his 20 billion dollars is now suddenly worth 20% less at 16 billion, because of overseas trading etc etc.. However nothing else has changed physically, as he has exactly the same infrastructure he did on Monday, but suddenly he has seemingly "lost" more wealth that many acquire in a single life time.
So. This collective act of belief in a banking system leads us all to chase that which has no value, save that we can acquire that which HAS value through the disposal of that which does not, simply by swapping a fiver for a bag of apples and and something to drink for example.
However, paradoxically, the less we have of that which has no intrinsic value the more it acquires that value since we have to choose what we acquire with it, thus we become aware of what we can't have and thus start to thirst for more of that which has no value until we acquire enough of it whereupon we reach a point at which it almost becomes valueless once more because we have so much of it we can have anything of real value that we wish. .. (ala the billionaire)
Head hurting yet?
So pondering this I asked a question. What is wealth? what are riches? How does one define as a wealthy person. I looked at the car park a few days ago in tescos in my local town, the first ten cars were worth well in excess of 150 thousand GBP combined, yet none were "ultra wealthy" cars. I doubt their owners would call themselves rich. But if one pauses and looks at what we need verses what we have, all those people are rich beyond the wildest dreams of others. In some places simply walking into a room, flicking a little plastic button on the wall and having light burst forth is a wondrous thing. From a certain POV that is billionaire level.
I may not have many fivers at present, but I have other things. Access to knowledge. The ability to learn. Awareness of self. Resources and freedom of movement, and broadly speaking freedom from threats to my person so I can go about my daily living unhindered save for the.shortage of IOU's in my pockets. Pockets kindly made available to me through the local charity shops.
There are undoubted uncertainties ahead for me and some may be difficult, even unpleasant, but I finish my cup of coffee and smile as the sun sets over the Derwent valley darkening my room so that I'll soon have to put some lights on...probably candles since thats cheaper, warmer and waaaaay more atmospheric...
I have lived periods where the IOU's in my bank were stacking up nicely, and thousands passed through my hands on a monthly basis, but at the time I always wanted more. Feeling behind the curve, never quite there, always playing catch up....all the while missing the knowledge that the very thing that I was chasing was right there in my hands. I'd be lying if I said there wasn't regret at recollection of my foolhardiness, frustration at having been on "team have", whilst all the while labouring under a "have not" culture. never the less the lesson that followed was very much needed, for it brought me to this point in time and for that I am grateful.
I would submit that true wealth is knowing your worth, and having the awareness to know when you are wealthy, with the humility to be thankful for it. That is worth more than the largest pay check in the land.
keep safe, be #stubbornlyoptimistic and don't let life, or any else, get you down.
The Metaphorical billionaire.
It's Saturday afternoon, a little after 4pm. A cold October weekend's sunshine streaming in through my windows, which are streaked with office cat's paw prints as I sit at the desk and ponder over stuff. My mug of freshly made coffee is gently steaming on the desktop as I type.
I'm pretty much middle aged. Given the average "3 score and ten" my Dad used to frequently reference as a life span, its fair to say I'm more or less half way through my particular path of life. I am once more out of work, as in paid employment, after 20months at local bike shop ended with that familiar taste of disappointment and broken albeit false promises one often gets at such times.
I read on the web of Brexit, of a potential 5, 10 or even 20%drop in living standards, whilst watching the politicians ride the wave of public opinion be it informed or no. Propelling society onward. I look at my bank balance. Its not all that healthy and at this point a bag of crisps is very much a major financial decision, going over a tenth of my total available.
In a little over 9 days my rent is due. Another £400. A few days after that I have my Daughter to stay for a week in the holidays. There is genuine concern here for direction, decision and destination as to where all these circumstances may ultimately lead.
But I sit and write this to you on an iMac. Dual screened, 4 years old but still pretty nifty. I have a fridge full of stuff and even though my clothes recently came from a charity shop haul I actually have clothes... I own a number of bikes, a vehicle, and, as of this moment now, this instant have a comfortable life. No one is bombing me, or shooting at me. No one is invading my space except at my own invitation.
It lead me to a question. But firstly to a memory. Years ago I read a book. It was a Tom Clancy novel. Executive orders. Its a big thick political intrigue plot, and features a cyber attack on the stock market, hitting all the back ups of the days trading so that when everything goes off, the hero, Jack Ryan, has to figure this stuff out in a short space of time since the business of business has ground to a halt. The solution was very very clever, and yet simple and profound. (If you want to know what it was go read the book I implore you.. ) but its underlaying principle stayed with me...
The money system, be it dollar, euro, pound or dinars, is based in psychology. The accepted wisdom and view of collective wealth. A £5 note in GBP has no physical value. It's paper. Its pretty much useless except as a token to pass on to another who believes in its value. If you have one take it out and read it. Printed on it are the words " I promise to pay the bearer the sum of" so in that sense a fiver is promise note, an IOU, and nothing more. That it, a physical object is ascribed value far beyond its practical physical worth is an act of collective belief. No more, no less.
Consider a billionaire. He has a mansion and on Monday is worth 20 Billion dollars, in property, business etc. On Tuesday he wakes to find that due to a political change his 20 billion dollars is now suddenly worth 20% less at 16 billion, because of overseas trading etc etc.. However nothing else has changed physically, as he has exactly the same infrastructure he did on Monday, but suddenly he has seemingly "lost" more wealth that many acquire in a single life time.
So. This collective act of belief in a banking system leads us all to chase that which has no value, save that we can acquire that which HAS value through the disposal of that which does not, simply by swapping a fiver for a bag of apples and and something to drink for example.
However, paradoxically, the less we have of that which has no intrinsic value the more it acquires that value since we have to choose what we acquire with it, thus we become aware of what we can't have and thus start to thirst for more of that which has no value until we acquire enough of it whereupon we reach a point at which it almost becomes valueless once more because we have so much of it we can have anything of real value that we wish. .. (ala the billionaire)
Head hurting yet?
So pondering this I asked a question. What is wealth? what are riches? How does one define as a wealthy person. I looked at the car park a few days ago in tescos in my local town, the first ten cars were worth well in excess of 150 thousand GBP combined, yet none were "ultra wealthy" cars. I doubt their owners would call themselves rich. But if one pauses and looks at what we need verses what we have, all those people are rich beyond the wildest dreams of others. In some places simply walking into a room, flicking a little plastic button on the wall and having light burst forth is a wondrous thing. From a certain POV that is billionaire level.
I may not have many fivers at present, but I have other things. Access to knowledge. The ability to learn. Awareness of self. Resources and freedom of movement, and broadly speaking freedom from threats to my person so I can go about my daily living unhindered save for the.shortage of IOU's in my pockets. Pockets kindly made available to me through the local charity shops.
There are undoubted uncertainties ahead for me and some may be difficult, even unpleasant, but I finish my cup of coffee and smile as the sun sets over the Derwent valley darkening my room so that I'll soon have to put some lights on...probably candles since thats cheaper, warmer and waaaaay more atmospheric...
I have lived periods where the IOU's in my bank were stacking up nicely, and thousands passed through my hands on a monthly basis, but at the time I always wanted more. Feeling behind the curve, never quite there, always playing catch up....all the while missing the knowledge that the very thing that I was chasing was right there in my hands. I'd be lying if I said there wasn't regret at recollection of my foolhardiness, frustration at having been on "team have", whilst all the while labouring under a "have not" culture. never the less the lesson that followed was very much needed, for it brought me to this point in time and for that I am grateful.
I would submit that true wealth is knowing your worth, and having the awareness to know when you are wealthy, with the humility to be thankful for it. That is worth more than the largest pay check in the land.
keep safe, be #stubbornlyoptimistic and don't let life, or any else, get you down.
The Metaphorical billionaire.
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