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

Community Service

One of the best experiences I have is when I get a chance to assist the community in times of emergency. To that end, I joined the ACT State Emergency Services (SES for short) 8 years ago and have been active with them ever since, in a variety of roles and ways. Our usual activities are repairing houses damaged in storms, cutting up fallen trees or getting trees of houses, sand bagging against floods, pumping out flooded houses, etc...
At the moment, our city is in the midst of its 4th big winter storm in as many weeks, with lots of rain and wind, even though we are apparently in a drought! Could have fooled me. This afternoon, we got a call to assist an elderly couple with flooding in their house. We attended the house and secured it as best we could with the limited material we had (long story for another day!) Anyway, it was tremendously satisfying to be able to assist these lovely old people in their time of need, and to be able to set up some form of protection for them whilst the storms rage.
Well, the job may have been a bit dodgy but I think they will be dry tonight.
So, perhaps there is value in community assistance and a spirit of sharing and helping people in our city, especially in times of difficulty. It isn't too hard and makes a world of difference to them. I always go to bed feeling happy when I work with the SES. It's a GOOD thing to do.
Sleep tight and dry, and have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

Late, Late, Late....

As they say, better late than never! It's been a few days since I have posted, MOSTLY through my own doing but also as a result of a PC crash at a most inopportune moment - 95% into a post and LATE at night. So, rather than re-post, I just went to bed. Yawn...!
And so to today. First day of the working week and, blissfully, a day in the home office. How refreshing to attack the paperwork from the comfort of your own home. Interruptions of dogs, rain on the washing and the occasional chat with the boys were a pleasant distraction from the usual paper shuffle.
In a busy work life, a break in the routine, no matter how insignificant, can be a wonderful and energising thing. We get easily stuck in our usual rut and almost forget that we need to stop once and a while. Today, I stopped, breathed and enjoyed a rest, of sorts.
Nice to feel rested and ready for another day at the office tomorrow!
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

Lucky in Life?

I have a few investments, shares really, that I am managing to help support us when I retire. When it comes to the stock market, I am a rank beginner, so I use my stock brokers to help me make "wise" market decisions, well, most of the time!
Tonight, we were fortunate enough to spend some time with our brokers, talking about the market over drinks. It was great to meet them out of work and to share some social time, chatting about our lives, families etc... Now, these guys are all self-made, wealthy, and enjoying the advantages of working in this kind of business. But it wasn't until this evening that I learnt how HARD they all work. Their day starts at 5 am, checking the international markets, understanding the latest advice and intelligence, listening to briefs and forming their own opinions on investments, LONG before I rise for the day ahead. Their days are long and they often do not finish business until late in the evening.
So my point is, while we may think that they live a blessed, lucky life, with all the trapping that success brings, their hard work is what has been the key to their success, wealth and happiness.
Too often, we look at the slick young man in the convertible Porsche and think, "how LUCKY is he?" I suggest that we should stop for a minute and wonder whether that person works hard to be so "lucky" - my bet is that he probably does! Luck doesn't usually generate success - hard work does.
So I tip my hat to these hard working, "lucky" men and women. They have earned their day in the sun, through their tireless efforts.
Wanna be lucky...work hard!
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

Navigating Life!

I must remember, or make a special rule for myself, never blog late at night. It is HARD and all I want to do is retreat to a nice warm bed. But no, this is worth doing, and worth doing well!
Today I raced, as I often do on Wednesdays, in an orienteering race in the bush around Canberra. The weather was cool and fine and the countryside beautiful, as usual. My running and navigation definitely left something to be desired as I estimated that I gave up ten minutes in total to being lost at one point or another. But I LOVED the experience and the chance to find my way through the course the best way I could.
Later, I thought that such a race like this is a good representation of life...our lives. We are faced with a huge and seemingly daunting task, called living a good life, and we have to tackle it with skills and cunning. We can run fast and thoughtlessly at life and make silly mistakes, or use strategy and plot a path that should provide a better result. We might make some mistakes along the way but if we take care, readjust and persist, we will achieve a satisfying result.
Yes, it is hard but that's the way life should be too. I sometimes fall and scratch myself, or twist an ankle, but try and push on. And so with life...it's not always smooth sailing, but we can and should push on and look for a good life.
So plan your race of life, look for effective ways to address the challenges, stop and take stock, plot and run, enjoy the ride and celebrate the finish!
Have a GREAT day.
Lucky Phil

Too Busy!!!

Ah, its late and I am on my way to bed for a WELL EARNED sleep.
Sadly, I missed my post yesterday and barely made this evening. My clients are rather demanding at present and my time is not my own - morning, noon or night! Such is the life of a consultant.
But I shouldn't complain. I can only imagine the worry that must descend upon you when the jobs don't come in, when the bills can't be paid because there's no work in the offering. So perhaps I should simply appreciate my busy times and see them as an opportunity to be well remunerated.
OK, now I am feeling much better...but still exhausted!
There's a small cyclone off the coast and the risk of high winds and storms tonight. So I had best go to bed and rest in case we are called out for storm damage work later this evening. The weather radar looks kind of intimidating at present... I think we are going to get VERY wet!
So good night and sleep tight!
Have a GREAT night!
Lucky Phil

Rights of Passage

My two eldest boys are 18 and 20 years of age. Like me at their age, they enjoy the freedom and benefits that it brings. What a time to be young and free!
My wife and I are still coming to grips with their independence, the risks that they take, the places they go and the things that they do. They are good boys and we trust them a lot but its hard to let go. I remember VERY WELL what I did at their age and the thought of them doing the same kind of things worries me. I know this makes me a hypocrite but I can't help it - I care VERY much for them.
My Mum recently shared her experiences of raising me and the worries she had with my running about at all hours, drinking etc... Her comment - and my thought for the day was - "keep your mouth shut and your arms open!" It is simple, easy to remember and VERY hard to do. Love you kids, don't be too critical, but love them unconditionally!
It's Sunday night and they are home, safe and sound, sitting around the lounge room floor, swapping stories and laughing. There's not much better than having the family close by, happy and safe.
Today was spent tending the garden, planting some trees and shrubs, going for a long run through the hills and meeting with an old friend to plan a community event. Even Molly, our trusty old golden retriever, got interested in the garden.
So a busy week awaits but not before an early morning rise (3am) to watch the US Grand Prix.
So give your kids a hug, tell them you love them and be there for them.
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

I Like Weekends

Oh yes, it is Saturday and that means time around the house and with the family. Gone are the urgent client priorities and meetings - replaced by things to do around the house, cups of tea with the wife and boys, soccer games and guitar playing.
We had ten crimson rosellas on our lawn this afternoon, busily eating at the lawn seed that my wife threw down last week. Hopefully they didn't get it all.
Soccer was great. My son is goal keeper in his schools U14 Div 1 team and today they played the local champions. Despite being very much outgunned they played well and were gracious in the moderate defeat that they suffered. My son played bravely and parried away many shots and thrusts on goal. In a moment of doubt, he elected let a cross go, only to see it curve into the far corner of the goal. Afterwards, he got so down on himself and claimed that he had let the team down. He doesn't understand (yet) that the challenge of being a goalie is your mistakes are usually seen by everyone and often lead to a goal - very much different to a field player who may make many mistakes throughout a game, but none directly attributable to a goal. Ah, its a big responsibility and he takes it so seriously, but he is doing FANTASTICALLY!
Enough of me. Friends are coming to dinner, the fire needs tending and wine bottles opening.
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

End of the Week!

Ah, the release and the relief!

Friday night in the household. A pasta on the stove and red wine in hand. My body still pulses from a relaxing half hour jog I just took through the forest beind our house. I am warm and the wine courses through my veins, aided by my still evelated heart rate. The glass is definitely HALF FULL, my friend!

Its raining and cold outside, and dark as well. But the jog was theraputic, uplifting and much needed. Trails of breath-created fog lit up in my head lamp as I meandered the curves through the towering pine trees, with sleety rain drifting down through the beam of light.

And so to the weekend, a time to take stock, recharge some seriously flat body batteries and play a little too! My family get a little neglected by me through the Monday to Friday grind so its great to spend some time with them too. Soccer with #3 on Saturday afternoons, go listen to #1 perform his music at Sunday lunch, and hang with and support #2 as he prepares for his Year 12 finals in the coming weeks.

Yes, life is hectic. Yes it can take you away from your own pursuits. And YES, it is worth every minute spent with the family. I once heard someone say that the best thing you can do to keep your family together and happy is to spend time with them. Is it really that simple, I don't know, but I think it works. And hey, it's also good for me! OK, so maybe the garden isn't all it could be and the lawn is a little long, but I think we are happy and we ARE together.

And so, to dinner and a restful night. It's the weekend, so enjoy!

Have a GREAT day!

Lucky Phil

An Amazing Day

Wow, what a way to wake up!
Last night, our city was hit by a cold and wet southerly storm. So we woke to the sound of a screeching squall through the pine trees behind our house, rain on the roof and the notion of snow on the mountains! It is a wonderful change from the autumn weather we have been having and definitely signals that winter has arrived. The radio was full of stories of snow in the country-side and people staying at home or being stranded on the road by the wet and icy conditions. It reminds me of "snow days" that we used to experience when we lived in Philadelphia in the mid 1980s.
This just goes to show how much we are at the mercy of nature and the amazing forces behind it. But isn't it great to just wonder at the magic of our world and the conditions it can throw at us. I just couldn't wait to get outside this morning, to experience the way that the bracing cold tingles your skin and magnifies your senses.

Despite the weather here, we were still greeted by our little family of magpies just after dawn, looking for some bread and crumbs for breakfast. Now THEY are a hardy bunch, and yet so gentle and delicate that they will eat out of your hand without touching your skin at all.

So what's my "take away' for today... let's enjoy and rejoice in the variables that nature throws at us, the storms, the heat waves, the rains and snow. Get out into it, marvel in what nature can do and how it makes you feel. Oh, and put on a jacket! Listen to the roar of a storm from the warmth of your bed or in front of the fireplace. The world is an amazing and facinating place!
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

The Dalai Lama

Yesterday, my wife and I went to see the Dalai Lama talk, along with 5,000 other like-minded souls. I must say that I was not expecting to see such a crowd but soon realised how well regarded this man is. As the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is something akin to the Pope for Buddhists! Now I understand...
He was among 4 religious leaders presenting but clearly the key speaker...clearly! The topic of the day was whether religion could be held accountable for wars, terrorism and other acts of violence. Of course, all speakers took the view that the answer was "no"!
But my "take away" from listening to this great man was this; when we act with kindness and warmth, we build trust and compassion in the people around us. He used a number of amusing examples, like a doctor who had been tending to him at some stage. The doctor was very efficient but not warm or welcoming - he was blunt and cold. This attitude didn't promote trust in the Dalai Lama, rather the opposite.
So, my observation of the day - and my intent for the future - is to display and feel warmth and compassion to the people I meet and deal with every day. By so doing, I hope I encourage trust and friendship.
In reflection, this has been a fantastic experience and I consider myself to be truly blessed to have seen the great man in the flesh. It inspires me to read some of his writings and to understand his position on life, politics, China etc... I think he is a good man and a wonderful guide to getting through this life in a good way, leading a good and useful life.
Have a GREAT day!
Lucky Phil

My First Post - Lucky Phil

This is the first of what I hope are many posts. My intention is to encourage discussion and comments on the concept that life is what you make of it...that good luck is often the result of hard work....that the cup should be considered half full, rather than half empty.

My proposition is that most of what lies ahead for us, our fate and our life, is determined by what we do.

As you might be able to tell, I believe that we should take action for ourselves, make the most of our lives through trying to do the best that we can, rather than sitting back and complaining. I will attempt to obtain articles, comments, sayings and opinions that explore this. Hopefully, the blog will be a balanced view and not just a one-sided rant.

So welcome, please comment and be honest.

Have a GREAT day!

Lucky Phil