In this coming year I’m hoping to purchase a home and I’m feeling a strong urge to borrow to the very limit. On the one hand it makes financial sense given a few, seemingly reasonable, assumptions. Over the Christmas period I caught up with a couple who have really stretched themselves for the dream home, while juggling two very well paid jobs and some challenging … Continue reading Precarious purchasing
To my surprise, I’d never heard this phrase before a friend used it earlier this year. Since hearing it, it’s been a great reminder to focus on achievable goals. Also, to acknowledge that some things are simply out of reach right now. While you can’t boil the ocean, you can make a difference. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading Boiling the ocean
This seems a good time of year to be re-reading ‘Enough’ by Patrick Rhone. That is all. Feels like enough to say. :^) Continue reading Non-stop festive munch-o-rama
I hadn’t thought it at the time, but listening to the Non-Violent Communication audiobook was great preparation for Christmas day with family. Another big help has been learning to acknowledge stories without getting hooked by them. Unexpected benefits of therapy and work on improving my emotional regulation. Both great investments. Gifts that will keep on giving. Merry Christmas, and peace be upon you. :^) Continue reading Crimbo communication challenges
“Piss off early, tomorrow’s Saturday.” A phrase I remember fondly from my time in the Armed Forces. Also, Wednesday sports afternoons were a thing, which in hindsight was a real blessing. I recognise now that the Army, at least in my day, invested heavily in developing its people and facilitating their self-development. Not on top of the day job, but as part of it. Time … Continue reading Poet’s days and growth
It’s inevitable in life – some things will happen that you’d really rather hadn’t. It might be loss of a loved one, an accident with lasting consequences, an opportunity missed, theft of a heirloom, or merely a train missed. There are so many things that can go wrong. And so many things that can go right. When you made the train by inches and were … Continue reading When unfortunate things happen
As I thought about short messages to send to each of the folks on the teams I lead, I reflected on what I’m most proud of this year. Lots of thoughts came and went, though what remained was simple. “I didn’t give in.” To unhelpful thoughts and feelings; to petulance and heartache. An accomplishment need not be glamorous. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading What I’m most proud of
I love posting books to friends. The hardest part is fighting the urge to re-read a book before sending it, because I’d only send a book I feel there’s a lot of value in reading. And yet, it’s not that often that I do actually re-read a book – the urge is strongest right when I’m about to send one somewhere. Every time I’ve re-read … Continue reading Posting and re-reading of books
With the New Year approaching and resolutions on the horizon, a reminder to be realistic: “The reality is, changing ‘bad habits’ takes time, and effort and energy, and it’s rarely a smooth process.” – Russ Harris, author of The Reality Slap It’s not 21 days, or 7 steps, or newfound willpower. It’s a commitment and a journey that you can’t fail, only abandon. Kindly, keep … Continue reading 21 days to better habits – nah
Once I got the MacBook I was going to learn video editing. I haven’t yet. Once I got my office space I was going to plan my own business launch. Those plans haven’t materialised yet. Once I… You get the picture. Meanwhile, there are so many things you can do lying untouched. Going nowhere while you think wistfully about what you’ll do when… Kindly, get … Continue reading So much more done, when…
Sometimes You Learn 