Get Out There & “Fail”!!

Remember when you learned how to ride a bicycle?

You probably began with training wheels. Eventually, when these were removed, things became more difficult. You struggled to stay upright, maybe even falling a few times and scraping yourself. As you practiced, it’s likely that one of your parents walked beside you shouting instructions, encouraging you and catching you as you lost balance. You were scared … but excited! You looked forward to the time when you would succeed, when you would at last ride free on your own. So, you kept at it every day, and eventually mastered the skill of riding a bike.

Let’s examine how you now approach the development of new skills. Do you move forward with excitement, willing to perform unsuccessfully until you master the challenge? Do you jump at the chance to try something new or to “prove yourself” in the face of unforeseen obstacles? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably “No”.

So what’s changed between our bike riding days and today?

Live in the Present Moment

In keeping with the idea of POM-POM, which refers to Peace-of-Mind and Plenty-of-Money – a concept that I have dreamed of for a long time – here is a post inspired by a couple of pages in Richard Carlson’s book titled “Don’t sweat the small stuff… and it’s all small stuff”.

To a large degree, the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment. Isn’t that true? Irrespective of what happened yesterday or last year, and what may or may not happen tomorrow, the present moment is where we are – always!

Many of us have mastered the neurotic art of spending too much of our priceless lives worrying about a variety of things – all at once… all at the same time. We allow past problems and future concerns to dominate our present moments, so much so that we end up anxious, frustrated, depressed and hopeless. We postpone our gratification, our stated priorities and our happiness saying to ourselves that “someday” will be better than today.

Her birthday again

It’s that time of the year again … and it’s her birthday. How do I say it? How do I do justice to the truth in my feelings and convey the genuineness of my friendship. I could just call her and wish her the best year of her life. Can’t do that … she has changed her number. “Then e-mail her!” I hear someone yell at me. How could I email someone who deleted that entire email account specifically so I could not reach her?

Friendship gone sour … but in a very troublesome way. If given a second chance, there are certain things I would do differently … oh yes! definitely – but that’s IF given a second chance. You and I are intelligent enough to understand that life doesn’t give second chances. It only gives a chance to make things better. (Do I hear an ‘Amen’ out there?) So after 2 days of searching and looking and scraping the smallest corners of my hard-drive (interspersed with hours of nostalgic content – may I add!) I found her mailing address. A birthday card should do it right? Maybe a letter? Naah… just a consise, sincere, heartfelt birthday wish needs to be the focus today. Not me, or my apology.

Alright then, card sent. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday! May this coming year be your best and may you achieve all that you have strived for!

Would she get it? Has she moved in the time we last had contact? Wonder if she will open it knowing it’s from me. Think she would reply? … … Well, how does it matter. Goal was to wish her the very best. And that is done.

Rest is upto the power upstairs!

Here we are again

Alright folks, it’s been a seriously long time since I wrote. Some dear friends are wondering how I’ve been. Well, I’ll tell you this: Life is wonderful. And it’s exciting to live it – One challenge at a time!

Year 2006 is coming to a close. And during this time, when the clocks are ticking steadily towards midnight, our hearts cannot help but look back. Look back at the events that shaped our lives this year. Events that define the 365 days that just passed. The memory of some of these events brings tears of joy and a mystic smile to our face; an event of victory, an event of achievement, accomplishment and overcoming. Some others, bring tears and heart-wrenching pain; such as the loss of a loved one.

A Good Friend

In kindergarden, your idea of a good friend was the person who let you have the red crayon when all that was left was the ugly black one.

In 2nd grade, your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you stand up to the class bully.

In 3rd grade, your idea of a good friend was the person who shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus.

In 5th grade, your idea of a good friend was the person who saved a seat on the back of the bus for you.

In 7th grade, your idea of a good friend was the person who let you copy the social studies homework from the night before.

In 12th grade, your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pick out a college, assured you that you would get into that college, helped you deal with your parents who were having a hard time adjusting to the idea of letting you go.

At graduation, your idea of a good friend was the person who was crying on the inside but managed the biggest smile one could give as they congratulate you.

The summer after 12th grade, your idea of a good friend was the person who assured you that you could make it through anything, helped you pack up for college and just silently hugged you as you looked through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories you were leaving behind, and finally on those last days of childhood, went out of their way to give you reassurance that you would make it in college as well as you had these past 18 years, and most importantly sent you off to college knowing you were loved.

Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who gives you the better of the two choices, holds your hand when you are scared, helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you, thinks of you at times when you are not there, reminds you of what you have forgotten, helps you put the past behind you but understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with you so that you have confidence, goes out of their way for you, smiles for you when they are sad, helps you become a better person and most importantly loves you!

No matter where we go or who we become, never forget who helped us get there…

Keep Track

Has anyone ever wondered how much stuff you own? Or how much the stuff in a particular room in your home is worth? How much of it is electronics and how much of it is jewelry; oh and how much of it is collectibles and antiques? If there is a burglary or some other loss, how do you know for sure what is gone and how much it was worth when the police and the insurance guys ask you?

The number of electronics I own is slowly beginning to get out of hand. Not to mention the crazy amount of money I spend on books every month! So I was thinking of using a household inventory system that kind of keeps track of stuff like price paid, warranty information, current worth, etc. I came across a few very promising inventory software but the one that stands out is by a company called Frostbow (http://frostbow.com/products/home_inventory.html).

The only issue is that it is a 30-day trial after which it costs to register and keep using it. It is an issue ‘coz I don’t wish to do that. Has anyone ever thought of  using anything like this or is anyone already using something similar? If so do leave a comment with any ideas, information, opinions and thoughts. I’m all ears (or in this case I’m all ‘eyes’!).

Krakoosh?!

Yes.

Krakoosh! … It’s the sound of freedom. It’s the sound of adventure.

It’s the sound of that snowboard sliding down the mountain side. It’s that crunch of the sand beneath your feet when you walk on the beaches of the world. It’s the sound when you turn the pages on your Robb Report … dreaming of the luxurious lifestyle that you’ve always wanted and you will someday enjoy!

KraKoosh!

It’s the sound of that private jet that you know you will have some day that will take you to destinations around the globe to meet your loved ones… without the stresses of lost luggage! It’s the sound of wind in your hair when you are with your friends sky-diving 10000 feet high without the tiniest of worries. It’s the splash of water you create when you bungee into the river as your friends cheer for you from up above!

KraKOOSH!! …

It’s the sound of freedom….

What does “krakoosh” remind you of?