You Don't Know What It Feels Like Until You Experience It

On the courtyards of an antiquated majestic Catholic Church I sat and pondered. I drew my mind back to recent news I came across about a pastor I had respect for covering up a lie he lived. It was only then it struck me about the seriousness of the sexual abuse cases committed by clergy members. In that moment, I suddenly realised, to a small extent, the hurt the victims suffered.

After walking a short distance from the church I saw a contrast of scenes. In one corner was a man covered in worn out blankets sleeping in the bench of a hut. In the other, were a laughing couple driving by in a Mercedes convertible.

There are many cases where we as humans cannot empathise with one another. We may think we can and do, but the truth is, until you experience what the other person is going through, it is difficult to fully comprenhend each other's victories, trials, and tribulations.

The Big Picture

Small things are important; big things are important, if not more so. That is why it is important to have a 'Big Picture' focus.

The Big Picture is a simple concise overview of you. An overview of where you have been, where you are, where you are going. It includes what matters to you - your mission, your goals, your achievements, your concerns.

1. Decide who you are, your purpose and mission, your core beliefs and values.
2. Write down your goals and ideal future. Where do you want to be 5 years from now? Analyse your SWOT, concerns, challenges, conflicts, negative emotions, limiting decisions and costs and benefits for the main areas of your life you want to focus on.
3. Identify the actions you take to make your ideal future a reality (as well as the actions you have to avoid). Focus on the actions you need to take by applying the (Steps to Success). Create a supportive environment to help you including habits, tools, and advice.

The Big Picture serves as a reference point for any time, any moment - it can be referred to when you are feeling elevated, static, disillusioned. It is a motivational tool. It is an encouragement tool. It is a map for my life.

At present my Big Picture is:

• Just do 'Likable Communication'
• Useless not living confidently
• Why let little things or anything ever interfere with happiness?
• Serve God

Growth

Another day. Another realisation.

I am obsessed with growth.

I have always been.

That is why I love my economics, investments, statistics, and sport. I like observing how companies grow. I like forecasting the growth of a country’s GDP. I like understanding the growth of medical science.

Without growth you are essentially stuck. You don't learn anything. You are stuck in a comfort zone where you don't develop.

Growth is progress.


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The Olympic Games provide excellent examples of people growing. I heard one commentator say how he has seen this one athlete grow a lifetime over two days. It is incredible to watch not just the growth in physical ability of an athlete, but also the growth in mind and character. The Games provides these opportunities for athletes to step up and become the better person whilst in the process realising their dreams.

Growth is progress.

Lessons and Education

I have learnt a lot about myself, social groups, and people in general over the past few months. Through it all I have come to better understand myself and accept myself for who I am.

What I have learnt does not come through the conventional schooling system, but through other 'classes' of education. These can come in many forms and can include personal understanding, emotional intelligence, creativity, entrepreneurship, and religous studies. Despite the lack of teaching, these classes of education are as important, if not more so, than the standard intrinsic model of education.


Even though I have learnt many lessons, I am still susceptible to tough times. This is a human characteristic - we all are susceptible whether we like it or not.

In times like these, voicing our concerns and situation is emotionally beneficial. It clarifies who we are, what the situation is, and where we are going. We hear our raw emotions. We sense our real feelings. We see the clear difference there is between heart and mind.

I did just that two days ago and penned them down.

"Am I getting too obsessed with such small matters?
Is my heart that weak?
All I feel is this lingering sadness.
I push it to one side and it comes back."

It takes time. It takes resolve. To deal with these matters. Knowing yourself, voicing the problems, and developing solutions in due course helps.

The World Is Not Enough

The World Is Not Enough, the title of a classic James Bond film, epitomises a deep interest inside me to go beyond society's boundaries. The way I see it we all only have one life, so why limit it?

Many individuals of valour, courage, and strength have had this same vision, gone the distance, pushed it, and succeeded. Without them, the world as we know it would be a different place.

“At the age of seven, a young boy and his family were forced out of their home. The boy had to work to support his family. At the age of nine, his mother passed away. When he grew up, the young man was keen to go to law school, but had no education.

At 22, he lost his job as a store clerk. At 23, he ran for state legislature and lost. The same year, he went into business. It failed, leaving him with a debt that took him 17 years to repay. At 27, he had a nervous breakdown.

Two years later, he tried for the post of speaker in his state legislature. He lost. At 31, he was defeated in his attempt to become an elector. By 35, he had been defeated twice while running for Congress. Finally, he did manage to secure a brief term in Congress, but at 39 he lost his re-election bid.

At 41, his four-year-old son died. At 42, he was rejected as a prospective land officer. At 45, he ran for the Senate and lost. Two years later, he lost the vice presidential nomination. At 49, he ran for Senate and lost again.At 51, he was elected the President of the United States of America.

The man in question: Abraham Lincoln.”

Goals

Setting goals in life gives us direction and rejuvenates ourselves.

I aspire to spend my whole life travelling with wonderful people whilst being connected with intellectual and spiritual material. Although not documented here, I have goals for my career and I have a burning desire to achieve something big.

For a goal to be effective it should be specific, measurable, achievable, and hurt a bit. Setting time frames around goals is also useful.

There is nothing wrong with having goals or no goals. It is good to have an idea where I see myself 1 year from now and perhaps 10 years from now, but things change.

The Journey is the Success

Life is a journey. A beautiful journey.

I love to travel. The journey of travelling.

Success is not just the end game, but it is the journey itself.