Assessments

As it's a month since I made my goals for theyear, I thought it best to check in on how they are going.

•     Live in a Safe House and Garden, free of clutter

Currently there is a mass of junk, even if it is hiding in storage.  The Garden is full of uncut lumber, and the fences badly need attention.

• ·      Have the financial resources to cover any surprises.

I have at this stage not had to use any debt to cover expenses, so far so good

• ·      Have enacted a financial plan to guarantee financial abundance

I have looked at my assets, and observed how they are performing. Now it is time to see how they can perform better.

• ·      Add maximum value to every gig I do.

I have only had a few gigs, but have remained sober, and prepared the best I could.

• ·      Have full sensory acuity.

My hearing and Sight are still compromised - tinitis and far sightedness.

• ·      Weigh under 78kg

I weigh around 83kg, thanks to a long holiday, but look forward to losing the weight

• ·      Have a strong, flexible, energetic, freely moving body.

My body is strong, but not as flexible as I would like.  Still recovering with my Achilles, but many of my ills have seemed to have gone away! Energy could be better - probably goes along with a diet that helps me lose weight.

• ·      Am an elite athlete.

I seem to manage to come last or second last in every event in which I compete!  Howeve, I wanted to compete so that I could see where I stand with other athletes of my age, and can now prepare for this.

• ·      Live in a 3 dimensional, level three marriage.

I am very happy, but would like to improve the physical side, and be more aware of Lizzie's needs in all things.

• ·      Am guiding my daughter to a wonderful adulthood.

My darling daughter is 12, and growing up so quickly.  It is easy for me to overreact when she acts out emotionally, owing to hormones or other reasons.  She has started High School this year, very successfully

• ·      Use my time to maximum effect, for play and work.

I have planned my week, using RPM.  Look forward to seeing the rewards!

• ·      Am present.

Still let my mind wander - but now I am more aware of it, and am aiming to reduce distractions.

• ·      Am an agent of change in my workplace.

I am making sure that I am doing my job as well as I can, and being positive with other people.

• ·      Contribute to the society around me both financially and practically.

I have already started to become more involved in my daughter's school band program as a volunteer.  Looking to make large financial contributions in general.

• ·      Have effective promotional material for my band.

I want to have a package that explains the band in a matter of moments

• ·      Have found the resources to finance the things I love, whilst growing my capital.

I always seem to use capital to pay for major things, instead of using the income from the capital.

• ·      Have completed my Masters of Music

One thesis to go! Work begins tomorrow, with March 31 as my deadline.

• ·      Am planning an overseas trip for the family.

Keep putting this to the bottom of the list.  Will look at my options this week.

Recovery

After 5 weeks off work, my first day was spent at the dentist's.  Whilst being grateful for the technology that will fix the abscess that has plagued me, I have also been keenly aware of the lack of balance in my life with regards to consumption.

I will never judge another person for their habits, whether they smoke, eat junk, couch sit all day - WHATEVER.  It all just takes away from our journey.  The best thing I can do for anyone is to be healthy, be happy, be wealthy, be helpful.  We have all heard the phrase "Be The change you want to see in the world".  It always made sense, but now it makes sense on a cellular level.

It's funny though how opportunities come our way.  As a result of staggering around being unable to run, my achilles has healed 90%.  Unbelievable.

Also, my face aches whenever I think about unhealthy food (processed, sugar etc.)

Nature is taking care of itself!

How to Achieve 10 out of 10 for Health

Without a doubt, the biggest challenge is health.  If you are unwell, and especially if you are in pain, it is extremely hard to concentrate on anything else.

Since Friday night I have had a tooth abscess, which became excruciating on Saturday.  This coincided with having to pack and drive for 3 1/2 hours back to Sydney.  By the time I got home it was straight off to a doctor for antibiotics and pain relief.  The pain was reduced to a dull roar, and I managed to sleep with a few wakeful periods.  Today the swelling is reduced and I am almost sane again.

How did it happen?

Quite simply, things got out of balance.  Holiday food, holiday drinking have taken their toll.  Despite exercising quite a bit, the ratio of good foods to bad was not good.

Lesson Learnt? This has been a lesson that I have needed to learn for quite some time.  Instead of waiting until I'm sick to adjust my behaviour, it would be better to keep my balance of good food and good habits in the black.

Otherwise its like you're a husband who neglects his wife until she thinks of leaving, or a businessman who lets his concern almost go bankrupt before taking action.

Prevention is far better than cure.

Every Moment Precious

Today we went to pick up our daughter, who had been staying with dear friends of ours.  They showed us around Lake Conjola, we had lunch, and all too soon we parted, as they had to get back to Sydney.

The things that I walked away with is that every moment with loved ones is precious.  There is no point in inwardly bemoaning the lack of time we sometimes have - Every Moment is Precious.  Every smile, laugh, touch, is precious.  Our lives are moments, so we might as well enjoy each and every one.  As we know things are considered precious when they are in demand, especially when it outstrips supply.  So now, every time I think of peoples of whom I would like to see more, I just need to remember:

Every Moment Precious

First Steps

So I've been really wanting to improve my heath and fitness.  Today I went for a 45 minute run, and did 45 minutes of Yoga.

Bottom line was that the idea of doing them excited me, but the reality of starting each of them did not thrill me. Having said that, within 10 minutes of starting each of these activities, I was enjoying them.  The more present or in the moment I was, the more I enjoyed them.  I love the saying that to achieve happiness, you must happily achieve.  Being present really helped make that happen.

I've also been working on finding out more about what is important to my wife.  What I am discovering is that it''s the way in which things are done that is just as important as what it is that is being done.  Lizzie has certain ways of working, and if I take the time to do things in a way in which she feels comfortable, then it has a much higher chance of pleasing her.

Only took 17 years to work that one out!

Acclimatizing

One of the habits (or, as Tony says, rituals) that I have been doing has been to shower with cold water. At first you freeze, shudder, and leap around, and then finally you get used to it, and it feels to all intents and purposes like a warm shower.

It occurs to me so often that when we go out of our comfort zone, it's the initial shock that gets us.  But here's the the thing: once we're out there, we get used to it, and wonder what the fuss is about.  It's the thought of being outside your comfort zone i.e. when you're about to hop into the cold shower, and the initial period.  Afterwards we feel invigorated.

So when was the last time you were out of your comfort zone?

What's Important

I had a telephone call with a dear friend with whom I did Life Mastery.  After rattling off all of my outcomes for 2014, I listened to her tell me her much simpler, yet meaningful list.  Looking at my list of outcomes, I know that most of these won't make me happy (even if I think they will!).  The main one is to be present.

As is so often the case, the Universe has provided me with a book on mindfulness - I seem to have an aunt who buys me the perfect book for me every Christmas.  I reckon that if I can be Here and Now today, then all will be well.

BTW I have started training again, and tonight I ave my first gig for the year, playing at a wedding.  I hope to add maximum value as promised.