Time to Stop

How nice is it to take a break from our busy life, to stop and smell the roses, so to speak?
It seems to be a common theme these days that people are taking less time off and spending more time at work or working at home. I know of a number of friends who have accumulated large amounts of owed leave that they will never take, or will have to be forced to take under threat of losing the entitlement altogether. I even know of a few people who are proud to say that they have accumulated a hundred days of leave, but with no intention of taking it. WHY NOT?
We are entitled to, and receive paid leave from work, so that we can recharge our batteries, regain the love and friendship of our family members, and maybe do something else besides work. It's good for us and good our employers to take a a break. We are nicer people as a result, surely!
Last week I lost a few days to work but still got four stunning days at the coast with my wife and one of my boys, and some of his mates. Internet there is something of a novelty, as is broadband, so there was a blissful pause from the laptop and this blog. Did you notice the silence?
Implicit in our time at the beach is fish and chips, long walks, mountain biking, paddling the kayak, BBQs, open fires and red wine. In summer, add surfing. I think we achieved these objectives and a few more. The weather was quite fierce initially with a deep low pressure system off the coast firing in strong winds and swells from the Southern Ocean. This gradually eased to a wonderful clear and warm Sunday, our last at the cottage. The sunrises were superb too.
I have come away from the trip vowing to take more time off, to make a better connection with myself and my family, and to ENJOY! I hope you can too. It's worth much more than a hundred days of accrued leave. Yuck...
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

Just Say No!

I really need to practice what I preach. One of the major risks I take in doing this blog is I stand to be accused of being sanctimonious, of preaching in a righteous kind of way and, worst of all, not heeding my own advice.
Today I stand before you (or at least in your screen) a hypocrite. One of the things I always tell my wife when she is snowed under with work and commitments is simply to say "no" to requests for her service. She isn't a soft touch when asked for help but she gives too readily of her time even when she is flat out. She SHOULD just say no when things get busy. I keep telling her this but...to no avail. She is simply too generous but that's why I love her. Or at least part of the reason.
So how does this relate to me and my hypocracy? For the past month of so, we have zealously guarded a week of holiday time at the beach which starts this weekend. We have been deflecting requests for our participation in events, activities, work etc... to make sure that we get this time away. But today, at the last minute, I failed to say no to a client who wants my help next week! Why now, why didn't I just say no??? Arghhh...! I guess I am a soft touch too, for a client who needs my help.
So, despite my appalling lack of judgment today, my strong suggestion is that, when you need to, you simply say "no" to requests that are unreasonable, or take you away from things that are important to you. Make space in your life for your important priorities. I hope you are better at this than me! I don't want to sound like a negative person either, as its important to take on important tasks when asked, but make sure these make sense to you and are IMPORTANT to you before you break you vow and say yes.
So have a GREAT weekend, say no to those unnecessary tasks and enjoy!
Lucky Phil

The Benefits of Trying

One of my simple pleasures is running the tracks and trails of the mountain line that our house nestles into. It is on these pathways that I often lose myself in thought, or listen to podcasts on my iPod that cause me to think about what who I am, what I am doing in my life...and crazy stuff like that. Without trying to sound too fluffy about it, it gives me time to think and reflect. Like most people, I don't get too much spare time these days.
Yesterday, I really struggled with my run. Sore legs and a tired, sleep deprived body don't result in a nice jog. I wanted to stop trying, to walk home. But I persisted and got through my 30 minutes in one piece. It got me thinking about how easy it is not to try, to allow the little voice in our head to compel us to stop because things are too difficult.
As easy as it would be to stop in any difficult pursuit, the outcome is seldom desirable. In stopping, we often fail to do what may have been a fantastic achievement. We can all recall amazing stories of peoples persistence in the face of overwhelming odds. Their achievements were all the more amazing as a result of their ability to resist the temptation to stop.
So how does this relate to my world, or yours for that matter? Maybe the simple point is that some of the best things in life are a little bit harder to get and that they require a determination and resilience to achieve, to not stop when the going gets tough.
I want to succeed in the things that I do, to leave a mark for me and my family. So I am prepared to hang in there, to push hard, to try as best I can and, when I get knocked down in life, to get up again and again and continue to push. As I tell my boys, often the best things in life are a little bit harder to get but they are usually worth the effort.
So, please don't stop at the first hurdle in your life's "race", whatever that may be. Stumble maybe, stagger a little, but push on and do your best. As the old saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!
Those old philosophers really knew how to say it in simple terms, eh!
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

A Single Lemon!

In our backyard, we have an old terra cotta pot with a lemon tree that we have had for several years. Now, our climate is particularly harsh for what is traditionally known as a hot, dry continent. In fact, our area suffers from cold weather, frosts, storms and heavy rains in winter.
So the poor old lemon tree struggles, to say the very least. My wife encourages me and the boys to wee on them, as it is supposed to help them to grow.
This season, the poor old tree has suffered through a move and an ongoing drought of significant proportions. That it survived is a miracle but, more importantly, it has borne fruit. More accurately, one fruit! The single lemon steadily grew through the summer and autumn, enjoying having the whole tree to itself, reaching impressive proportions. Last weekend, my youngest son and his best mate cooked a lovely breakfast of pancakes and, yes, it was time to sacrifice our pride and joy. And so it was that the single lemon was enjoyed, squeezed over pancakes on a cold, rainy winters morning. What better fate could befall such a wonderful thing?
Enjoy the fruits of your labors, savour their sweetness. No matter how small or insignificant they may seem, they are wonderful representations of your efforts.
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

A Fork in the Road

During my jog yesterday, I came across a fork in the running track, a choice to go left or right, up or down. The setting sun lit up the trees and surrounding countryside, making a beautiful scene and an irresistible photo opportunity.
One thing I ponder often is how many forks in the road we come to in our lives. Key decision points in our life, where we make a decision to figuratively go "left or right". It is possible to recall many such decision points that we have encountered along the way. And to reflect on whether we made the right decision or not.
For me, I often think about those small decisions that made a big difference to my life. Good case in point, I decided to go with some friends to a pub one night, as they were bringing along some girls (young ladies) who were new to the town and keen to make some friends. 30 years later, I am still with one of those young ladies, who became my wife and "life partner". A simple decision to go out turned my life around in a profound and amazing way. What would have happened if I had opted to stay at home? Who would I be with now? Would I be as happy or content as I have been? Would I have had the chance to raise three beautiful, bustling boys?
Some years later, I got word that a job was on offer in the US, in Philadelphia. We decided to apply for the position and ultimately got the job. A simple application resulted in an amazing time living in a far away land, enjoying that unique experience and raising a young family over there. A life changing experience, no doubt.
Let's not dwell on every decision we make, but also let's make good decisions in our every day circumstances. These decisions CAN AND DO make a profound impact on how we live our lives, the people we meet and the things we do. So decide well, my friends!
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

Sunday Night and All's Right...

Yes, it's late in the weekend and a few too many days since I last posted on the blog. High time, no doubt.
A weekend spent chasing kids around sporting events, digging and planting in the garden, jogging, eating and sleeping. Quite nice really. So, what gem did I find as my "take away" this time.
A great couple of days, simple, busy and enjoyable. Perhaps we have heard it all before but there is wonderful value in taking each day as it comes, making the most out of it, enjoying the day to the greatest extent possible, and reflecting in its perfectness. With so much news of terrorism, drought and flood, crime and misery, I feel a strong desire to simply rejoice in the passage of a few good days.
A late afternoon jog through the hill tops and ridges, foggy and cold with a misty rain falling down was a wonderful way to conclude the day. How lovely it was to return down from the hills, tired and wet with heart pounding, to see a gentle plume of smoke coming from our chimney and to smell the delicious odor of a pot of soup on the stove.
Yes, I do feel lucky and I must remind myself this constantly as I tend to forget...I think we all forget our good fortune and focus on the small, negative things.
Yes, we are lucky.
Have a GREAT day,
Lucky Phil

And the rain came down!

Yes, they say that we are in drought but its hard to reconcile that with the continuous down pouring of rain over the past few days. As mentioned previously, we are experiencing our 4th winter storm in recent weeks, with snow and driving rain greeting many communities down along our south east coast and inland from there.
It's easy to remain planted firmly in front of the heater, staring out at the rain and wish we were in Queensland. But what about getting out there and enjoying a little inclemency in your life? Isn't that what a rain jacket is for? We might think about how wonderful it is to feel the fresh weather in our face, to take in the smell of damp earth and almost hear the trees and grass rejoicing in the moisture and nutrients that they can now take in ... to survive!
For us mere mortals, water is the core of life! We are 98% water, or something close to that. Therefore, don't despair at the weather, see it as the essence of LIFE pouring from the sky! Wow, that would be wonderful to contemplate.
So, maybe, its time to dust off the jacket and gloves, pull on the wellies, and venture into the rain. Smell, listen, look and enjoy the experience of rain!
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil