My lovely Mum has recently turned 82 years, and I must say, she is as fit as a fiddle and mentally very strong. Such a blessing, I know.
I found it very sad though, when she told me, the little Village where she lives, stopped putting up an outdoor Christmas tree and festive street lights, a few years back. Unfortunately, spending by the local Council has to be reduced, which I do completely understand, and these little extra special niceties are let go first.
I know my Mum used to love looking out her window and see her little Village in full festive flair – I guess, it really brightened her day.
I had no idea, how special it meant to my Mum and I am sure, other Village residents. I can tell my Mum misses that little piece of Carfin Christmas magic!
Don’t get me wrong, my Mum does have her own Christmas tree to sparkle and enjoy in her own living room. But….I don’t want the story to end there….
I will make it my mission, to one day, self-fund an annual Christmas tree and lights for Carfin Village to enjoy again and again and again!
And if the Council does not allow it, that’s okay, my Mum’s front garden, will be its new home, for all to see and celebrate around.
Maybe I’ve watched too many Hallmark movies haha….but this just feels good and right to me.
It’s a little mission filled with a lot of love.
Christmas love is the greatest gift you can share.
Watch this space….I’ll keep you posted.
Stay special and continue to spread kindness to others.
I didn’t know or believe I had that much power, until I took myself on a dreamlike journey to faraway lands.
Wonderful places of inspiration, hope, nurture and nature.
Self-challenge has taught me a lot about life – mainly, that the magic you seek “out there” is actually not there, but the real miracle lives within you.
A beautiful life therefore, is an inside job.
Too often we search for the meaning of life in all the wrong places.
We never have to travel very far to experience the “magical“. Your inner light and very being, holds that specialness.
In pain, passion and purpose we become invincible – please read that one again!
Our strength is not always obvious at first; usually we become aware of it, as we look back on life; when we recognise the difficult barriers we have overcome.
Sometimes you have to reach “rock bottom” to ignite your super powers – for that’s where the heart of true resilience and the real spirit of determination beats.
An achieved life is usually treasured more greatly, after a significant fall. I call this “peace of mind“.
If you’ve never fallen, you’ll never really know how AMAZING you are.
I remember, many years ago, I cried for help…..”out there”. It took me, for what felt like a lifetime, to realise it was ON ME to truly help myself.
My choices, my decisions, my actions, my thinking, my feeling….ALL OF ME.
When you take accountability and responsibility for where you’re currently at – you can make HUGE progress from there.
If however, you are playing the “blame game”, you’ll never really be able to self-actualize your unique power.
There is one quote by Christopher Gardner that ignites a fire in me like no other…
“The cavalry ain’t coming”
There is just something about this quote that always motivates me into immediate action.
If you want to change something in your life for the better – it’s ON YOU my friend.
If you want to blame anyone for your current unwanted situation – blame yourself.
That’s just how I have always responded to challenges in my life. I need and want to take accountability, then I go about changing it, like there’s no tomorrow.
That’s my drive – the power to know I can change things for the better.
I often think, “if they can do it, so can I”.
So take a look at your life – what’s stopping you from achieving self-greatness?
I’m a lover of perseverance – to keep going when the storms roar and thunder – that kind of resilience will get you everywhere in life.
Perseverance is an attribute that I am proud to wear day in, day out. I guess it comes quite naturally to me; it feels like part of my DNA, but you can build on it, and make it stronger in order to serve you better.
So how do you get more perseverance in your life?
Just do the hard stuff.
Commit yourself to “keep going” when the tough days come around.
Don’t sit back and wait for change – get in on it and create positive change in your life.
When you “can’t be bothered”…. be bothered – do that thing!
Focus on keeping the momentum going.
Look forward to challenges, to help you build and grow.
Keep your mindset strong and powerful.
Keep your body healthy and energised.
Don’t be afraid of setbacks – learn from them.
Aim high and set ambitious goals.
Believe in yourself and trust the process.
Put in the work – 100% daily effort will make you feel proud of yourself.
Put yourself in encouraging environments and be around other empowering individuals.
See yourself achieving your dreams and goals – know you can do this.
The more you persevere, the stronger your perseverance becomes.
Stay consistent and hold yourself accountable towards the actions you need to take.
Self-discipline goes a long way – know what you need to do and do it.
Perseverance is POWER….self-power!
Go beyond what is possible and shake hands with a better you.
You’ve got to do the work – there’s no short cuts, but a whole lot of happiness awaits for you.
Don’t be afraid to start something again, even after a long or short break from it. Do what your body, mind and soul is yearning for.
I started running outdoors again after a one year break. This may not seem like anything special, but to a four times marathoner – it is a big deal!
I run the New York, USA marathon in 2007;
The London, England marathon in 2010;
The Loch Ness, Inverness, Scotland marathon in 2013;
The Edinburgh, Scotland marathon in 2015.
I don’t envisage doing any more marathons but never say never!
It’s so much harder on the ego, when you’ve done very well in something, stopped the whole momentum and then had the courage to start from the very beginning again. In your mind you’ve been at the top of your game, you know what that feels like and the confidence it gives you. Well, starting at the bottom again, is the complete opposite of that – it’s a very tough pill to take.
Many times in life I’ve been humbled with these situations. In my earlier career, I was at the top of my game – I was a confident leader, with unshakeable work commitment and super ambitious drive. I am still that person within, but because of trying out various new career paths, I had to start at the very bottom again and again. This was at times, extremely soul destroying and really painful on my ego…..ouch! Regardless, I always took full responsibility for my choices and decisions and I honestly have no regrets.
My ego has been repeatedly battered and bruised over the last 16 years – but I’m still standing strong with solid self-belief.
For some reason, I like to constantly challenge this ego – sometimes I love it and other times I fight it. It’s quite bizzare – like I see my ego as another person. Ultimately though, I would say that when me and my ego “work together” that’s where the magic happens.
Staying friends with my ego is the best way forward. We can help each other achieve the impossible through that “never give up” attitude it instils in me.
My ego helps me to be brave and carry on. It moves me forward in life and wants me to succeed. It listens to my worries but tells me to focus on solutions. It pushes me to grow, thrive and help others.
Today, I shake hands with my ego and I thank it for making me resilient, resourceful and adventurous. It took me on the wonderful “scenic route” of life and I learned so much about myself.
My ego got me “out of the box” and into the muddy trenches of life. When I look back, oh what a super adventure I had. I guess my ego freed me from societal pressures of assumed “normality”. I love you my ego, you are part of me – the great part that wants me to do well in life.
Allow your beautiful ego to nudge you forward in life. Have a happy dance with it and let it help you explore this wondrous world.
I’m all for giving anything and everything a go. I have a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, mixed with self-belief and it’s a winning combination to get anywhere in life.
I however, have enough life experience and insightfulness to know when I need a project strategy review.
I’ve been six months into a new project and I’m first to admit when progress is slow – too slow for my liking.
So, I did a full review of what’s working, what’s not and what new adaptations I need to make. It takes honest and brutal self-criticism, but I’m okay with that because it’s my dreams I’m going for, not someone else’s.
When I share my slow progress with my family, they basically tell me to “throw in the towel“. I know they are just trying to protect me and it comes from love – but that’s never an option for me.
You see, I’m not a quitter, never have been, never will be, especially when it comes to achieving my own dreams and goals in life.
I’ve run four marathons and that takes pure guts and determination – I’ll never quit the good path.
I am delighted to share that a few weeks ago I started to apply the new strategy and it’s all going my way. Hard to believe at times, but it just goes to show, anything is possible, if you make a strong commitment to “making it happen“.
If things aren’t going your way right now, take a break, re-evaluate and step up your game – there’s no better way!
Remember, and this is an important one – stay on the path that feels right for you – not what anyone else wants you to do.
You will gain real inner power and self-confidence when you stand up for your dreams.
I believe in YOU – I really do!
Don’t stop – make a temporary pause and come back stronger than ever.
I had a bad fall a few weeks ago and it made me think about how precious life really is. Thankfully, I wasn’t too seriously injured, just some very unsightly bruising to the face and body for a few weeks
The shock of the fall made me think about how life can change in a heartbeat – good or bad. One minute you’re laughing and joking, and the next minute….bang…your face is smashed into the hard pavement – and in that moment, everything changes. This fall was mild in comparison to two life-threatening car crashes I was in as a teenager – the emergency services had no clue how me and my friends got out of the mangled cars alive – on both ocassions!
The Trigger
As you know, on this blog, I prefer to focus on positivity, lightness and future dreams – that thinking energises me and hopefully you. So when unexpected accidents happen, I see them as a ‘trigger‘ to do something positive.
So after my fall, I shifted my focus to health, body and mindset. I went to the optician, dentist, doctor, physio – making my health top priority. I introduced new daily exercises and daily walks. I booked the dream holiday and went on a spa break. I now write in my gratitude book everyday, three things I am grateful for. I introduced intermittent fasting into my diet. I planned a long overdue trip to visit my family in Scotland. I am much more mindful and treasure the love I receive in my life – I also give more love. You see, I used the ‘fall’ as a positive move forward for my life.
I want to truly live and be healthy for as long as I can – I am grateful for my life. It doesn’t always go to plan and gives me tough challenges to overcome but I LOVE MY LIFE – I LOVE LIVING!
Appreciate what you’ve got and more of that will appreciate.
Give yourself the GIFT OF LIVING.
I think you were meant to read this today. My dearest friend, please look after yourself.
My way, always seems to be the scenic route – many years of ups and downs but many magical moments on the journey.
It’s the magic moments that shape and inspire me – the downs are ‘key’ learning opportunities and you must see it that way – if you want to KEEP GOING!
Stay on your desired path, no matter how hard it gets and the RIGHT people WILL come your way – like a beautiful surprise blessing.
We are all super blessed to experience the beauty of life – treat it as a fun and joyous game that you always WIN.
Sometimes you have to be brave and stand up to your negative self-talk – don’t believe everything you think!
I challenge all my thoughts and doubts that are not serving me well – doubt your doubts!
My focus aims to be on positivity most of the time – yes, self-sabotage may creep in every now and again, but that’s okay, because that’s just life and I don’t beat myself up about it.
Many years ago, I attended with a great team of work colleagues, a 12-week “Lean Manufacturing” Course, run by Scottish Enterprise in Glasgow, where I learned about the Pareto 80/20 principle. I often apply that principle to what’s going on in my life today, and where my focus is at – I find it very useful. Apply Pareto 80/20 to your thinking and doing to achieve efficient results.
Think of one thing you can do today to turn your grey skies blue.
Be your own light of hope.
No one can save you but YOU – please read that one again.
Life can knock you down a thousand times, and it probably will. But the most important thing is for you to never accept that failure is forever.
Failure is not a word that I like to ever use, because I choose not to believe in it. I much prefer to put a positive spin on things not going your way.
Where you tried, celebrate your efforts for giving it a go. I am sure there are many valuable lessons that you took away from the experience. You might have gained a better perspective on life or achieved clarity.
If you went for it and then decided it wasn’t for you – I salute you!
If you really want to change your current status, you have to channel all your energies into making that happen.
You have to go ALL IN , in order to get ALL OUT, of any unwanted situation.
It seriously is up to you and you’ve got to have real clarity on what you’re going to do everyday, in order to make that positive change.
Do the work and stay totally focussed on the goal in hand. It may also help to have an emotional trigger that will keep you on track.
Work, work, work on your plan, as much as you can, and in time, your efforts WILL pay off.
If it means, getting up at 4am every morning to fit the work in, then do it.
Your energy is so mighty and powerful, it can help you achieve so much more than you think.
Are you ready? If you are, you will feel a different person from within. You will switch into ‘gladiator’ mode and nothing will stop you until you get there.
Self-mastery is a neverending challenge but when you make that your goal, everything else becomes so much easier.
Temptation to do or not to do surrounds us daily and that’s what makes self-mastery the ultimate challenge.
The mountain climber, the marathon runner, the world class swimmer, the champion cyclist etc.. are all on the path of self-mastery and it is often AFTER the great win that the real challenge begins.
If winning was the only end goal, life would lose true meaning – read that one again.
Remain in alignment with your core values and gain some real inner peace and quality of life.
Your goal on this journey of life is whatever you want it to be and I guarantee you that you’ll get there so much faster if you focus your mind on mastering thyself.
The greatest version of you is waiting to be unleashed and only you my friend have the key.
Keep on keeping on and flourish in your own magnificence.
It is in the depths of darkness we find our magical light.
Take yourself home – not to a place or to familiar people – I mean, take yourself home to you.
Remember what makes you tick and what makes you feel alive. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd and do what everyone else is doing but what if that’s not really you?
Maybe it’s time to take your foot off the gas and stop to think about you, what you’re doing and where you’re going?
Being true to yourself is much more difficult to achieve on the hamster wheel of life – that’s why you must break out of that cycle and take a breath for you.
It’s time to come home to you and it’s time to make the time for it.
The midnight sky, is vast and black, yet stars appear and light comes back.
Keep on dancing your way through life and don’t let anyone dim your beautiful light.
Remember, you are the magic and it’s time to release your power.
There is challenge, there is change but most of all there is choice. May you choose to adopt the right daily habits that will serve you well and lead you to your dreams.
It’s easy to say these words, so easy but to truly live these words, well that indeed is another story.
If you’re currently not living your best life, think about what living your best life would look like for you.
Remember, the power is in you and if you really want it enough, then make a plan and do the work everyday that needs done to enable you to get there.
So, know where “there” is and hold that purposeful vision so strong, because when you hit some tough spots along the way, you’ll have full reason to keep charging forward.
So, wonderful you, what are you waiting for, get to work now and by this time next year, you’ll be so much closer to your desired results, or, better still, you’ll be there already.
I see you there, living the life of your dreams and I know you see it too.
Life can bring with it, some tough days, tougher days, rough days, rougher days and the most beautiful glory days.
We all know, in life, sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t, but the key is to stay focussed on the job in hand and progressly move forward, inch by inch towards your desired goals.
Expect the unexpected and never be surprised when the tough days get tougher or a happy day gets happier – and we all love the latter!
Show the world what you’ve got and ignite your inner strength into something so powerful, that no matter what comes your way, you are ready to fight back, every single time.
Deliver your best you every day and remember, impactful changes take a whole lot of time, energy and real effort – then you can look forward to the fruits of those wonderful glory days and believe me, I know they are coming for you.
Cheers to resilient you with the strength of a hundred soldiers.