Life is sweet February 11, 2009

I don’t know what I want to write.  There were bushfires back home.  There were towns wiped out.  There were people trapped in their cars, driving to escape who got encapsulated by a fireball and reduced to cinders.  There was one town (Marysville) with a population of 500… where 100 people died.  I’m talking about my home state of Victoria, Australia.

It makes you feel sad, mad, and helpless.  And (the stupid Pollyanna in me) makes you remember that life is sweet.  Without going into too much detail, my mum died when I was 14, my dad died when I was 31, both through terminal illnesses.  In between these dates, my cousin died when he was 14 through a tragic accidental accident; and several other members from my family died.  

Enya is the usual music played at our family funerals, so I am not keen on her out of the funeral context.  We always cremate.  I’ve scattered a few ashes.  Whew.  So being a “silver lining person,” what do you do with this?

Life is sweet.  We have to plan for the future.  We have to live in the present.  We have to find a balance between these.  We should always tell people that we love them (family and friends) or that we appreciate what they do and their talents (co-workers).  

Living for the present (in case tomorrow doesn’t come) doesn’t mean we should quit our jobs and spend our savings.  But it does mean we should think about our lives and make sure we are living to our values.  I have worked through the insane crunch at the expense of other parts of my life.  And I have chosen not to crunch; increasing the enrichment of my life and relationships.  The book “The Dip” by Seth Godin is a good one to read.  I requested it at the library and when I picked it up… it was so short and I was not working at the time… that I read it in a couple of hours sitting at the library and returned it right away.  Only stick it out if the crunch supports your principals and personal goals. If not, walk away.  I’ve done both.  Both are worthwhile.  

This post doesn’t fit into any of my art/photography/gaming categories… ok, maybe gaming.  Thank you for letting me vent.

Amber’s collection of mantras to live by February 3, 2009

These phrases are not mine – most of them were created by someone else.  But the collection is mine.   This is how I try to live my life.

It’s easy to be nice
[It really is easy.  And it is so rewarding to be nice to people and send out good energy.  It is so much more effort to be aggressive, obnoxious and rude to people and you release bad energy that bounces around infecting others.] 

What comes around goes around
[Duh.  But seriously, sometimes it is the person you help that you least expect something from... who sends back great opportunities in your direction.  Don't judge when you have the opportunity to help someone, just selflessly help.] 

Don’t ask, don’t get
[This is huge for me.  A lot of people don't even try for the crazy, biggest thing they could ask for, because they think it can't be done.  I always ask in the nicest possible way... and don't take the first or second or even third no.  There's always more than one way to achieve your goal.  Keep plugging away at the options.  I've been told this makes me a good negotiator.  I figure people want to help me, if I can only present it in a way that makes sense to them.]

If you can’t change your situation, change the way you think about it
[This is huge.  I have done this, when I have been in an ongoing situation that I have had little control over many major elements.  Should I sit and stew and let it all depress me and drag me down?  Or should I accept what I can't change and refocus on other smaller parts of the situation where I can do good, or where I can find something positive that will brighten the situation?]

What you surround yourself with, you will become
[The influences that are around you (TV, radio, books, people, physical environment) all feed into your subconscious, whether you want them to or not.  So surround yourself with what you want to become, and remove the influences that are holding you back.  Change your reading materials, what you watch on TV, who you hang out with in order to embrace the "you" that you'd like to be... or do more of it if you are already on the right track.] 

It’s often not about you
[Seriously, when someone is annoyed at you, it may be provoked by something you just said... but they may have been on edge for the last day due to something else and you happened to get into their firing line.  Give someone the benefit of the doubt and don't take it too personally.] 

Everyone is doing their very best, at any one point in time.  Each person’s “best” may vary on a day to day basis
[This one can be challenging.  You're annoyed with someone who you think is performing at a substandard level.  But truly, on that day... they really are doing their best.  The next day may be better.  It may not.  Let it go.]

If someone suggests something that sounds crazy… don’t ask why, ask why not?
[This is my optimistic character.  Let's quit our jobs and go live in Paris for a couple of months... Why?  You have secure jobs, a mortgage to pay for, and this will use up your immediate nest egg.  That's the negative approach.  Or... why not?  Can we address all the challenges and still reach for our dream?  Yes we can!]

Dream your life, create your vision
[I've been lucky enough to do lots of cool things, like live in multiple countries,create art,  travel, work in cool jobs etc.  I know that I am fortunate to come from a stable background and have supportive family and friends... but I also attribute each step in my journey with the ability to envision cool and exciting things in my future, and to work towards achieving them.]

What are your mantras to live by?