The ice has claimed another victim!

11/01/2011

 
I slipped on the ice on Sunday - vicious nasty black stuff formed from the layer of sleet the previous night. A comic book fall - my legs went out from under me and I landed on my back. On the steps. Really rather painful and I probably should have gone to A&E rather than getting on a plane to Germany, but work beckoned. Thankfully this week I am only running outdoor team building sessions which doesn't need a huge physical input from me otherwise I would be in a spot of bother owing to my enforced movement impairment.

It has made me think though, particularly following a conversation I had with some older ladies about their inability to do crafts now that the arthritis has taken hold. What will we do if and when we lose the ability to do the things we love?

Have you stopped to consider it or are you, like me, guilty of thinking that you will simply be as able as you are now until suddenly you get hit by a bus? I don't want to think of my faculties failing - who does - but in the back of my mind there has always been the thought that one day I will not be able to do outdoor activities at my current level. As for planning round that, I seem to have done nothing.

When is the right time to start planning for that moment, given that the timescale is completely unknown? When I'm 40 or 50 or 60? Or now, whilst it has impinged on my conscious and has become much more of a possible reality? I know that if I wait until I am better again, I will lose the impetus and that probable picture will fade from memory.

Change is never easy and the first step in managing it is to accept it as a reality and let go of the former things. Only after that can we reprogramme and move into the new beginnings. What stage have you got to in your future thinking?
 

Are we past it?

09/04/2010

 
Picture
There was talk yesterday of how the Augusta National golf course has long holes and is more suited to the younger golfers. And now we find Fred Couples (age 50) at the top of the first day leaderboard, just one stroke ahead of Tom Watson (age 60) and even Sandy Lyle (52) up amongst the third group on 3 under par, 3 shots off the lead.
Tom Watson showed us all last year at the Open at Turnberry that he is still up amongst the greatest golfers of our era and some people rate him as the greatest player of all time. Certainly the 5Live commentators were waxing lyrical about his excellent swing.
Now, despite my father's best efforts, I actually know nothing about golf. But even I can recognise that these guys are masters of their craft. Whilst they may have lost some youthful vigour they have gained skill and experience that carries them to the top still.
What are the skills that you are a master at? It might be something simple but it still marks you out as a specialist. David Wood in his new book "Get Paid For Who You Are" posits that we all have things unique to us, based on our skills and life experiences. Skills tend to be gained over time and experience is always building which would suggest that the older we are the more of an expert we become.
David reckons that this is something that you can sell since the flip side of the argument is that there are people out there who don't have what you do. (If you are interested to know more then go to his site to download the book for FREE. Or for a donation to the Rainforest Foundation).
So what are you the world's top expert in? Maybe you won't win a green jacket but what pinnacle could you reach instead? Who could you pass this knowledge on to? Could you earn money doing it or just build social capital?
 

The Departure Lounge

12/03/2010

1 Comment

 
Picture
the departure lounge
I'm sat in the departure lounge at Glasgow Airport - not somewhere I have been  often so far this year. Its quite quiet but everyone here seems to be in the same state of bored anticipation that I am. We're not going anywhere exciting - its a flight to London Luton - and certainly for me the reason for flying is interesting but not thrilling (sorry Bitternes)!

It has made me think back to starting my first proper job for British Rail, as it was called in those days. I entered an office full of people who seemed to be a little bored, resigned to being there and certainly not excited by the prospect, looking forward with mild interest to the point when they would retire and life would become more fun.

Ever since coming into contact with xpand's Creative Life Planning concept, I have realised how unwise it is to neglect playing and enjoying life until I am old(er) and grey(er). Lets spend time NOW doing things we enjoy.

Every time I think back to that first job, I wonder why people would endure a job that they tolerate at best and continually moan about. Some folks I knew had commitments to family support that scared them into not moving but for the majority, they seemed to be under the impression that life had dealt them this hand and they just had to put up with it.

Yes, there are obstacles but mostly they can be overcome - lets do it.
1 Comment
 

Avoid Growing Old!

23/02/2010

2 Comments

 
Nobody grows old living a number of years; people grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, distrust, fear and despair...these are the long, long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust. Whether seventy or sixteen, there is in every being's heart the love of wonder, the sweet amazement of the stars and star-like things and thoughts, the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing child-like appetite for what is next, and the joy and game of life.

My friend wrote this inside my birthday card and I needed to share it. I don't know where it comes from but I feel it is so true. It doesn't matter how old we are, it is our take on life that really shows our age. I suppose it relates back to the half-full/half-empty idea that I have talked about before. Do we have a real enthusiasm for the good things that are possible or do we only look at the problems that are in our way? Do we struggle to set goals for ourselves because we see so many barriers to achievement or is our problem more focussing on only a few of the many things we still want to experience and enjoy?

Inevitably there will be things in life that knock us but how do we get back on top to avoid growing old prematurely. I think this writing says it all:
1. Go back to your ideals - maybe they were things born of youthful zeal and idealism but has our cynicism jettisoned too much? What ideals do you want to return to?
2.Get really enthused and excited about something - what do you feel passionate about; how can you be more excited about it?
3. Share it - who can you share your enthusiasm with, hopefully getting them excited in the process? As you talk, it will confirm the excitement inside you.
4. Deal with the things that trouble you - don't ignore them; talk to a friend or a coach, work through them to come out the other side. Don't let them permanently bow your head.
5. Remember something wonderful - whatever it might be, think of something today that amazes you; maybe about people or nature or science. Then tomorrow, think of something different. Be permanently amazed at the good that is still present in the world.

Go out and enjoy this game of life!
2 Comments