One of my most important guiding principles...

I suppose there are some people who travel the roads of life without any guiding principles but I don't know any of them — these are the "rules and character" that regulate our thoughts and actions in everything that we do. I know many of us may not have them well defined or articulated but we know there is something that guides us. These principles are at the core of who we are, and although they evolve, rarely change in my opinion (except maybe because of dramatic events).

This is what I think about just after Christmas and before the New Year presents itself — it's always an important seven days for me. I don't necessarily reflect on all of my guiding principles (although I might), but I definitely focus in on one. This line of thinking actually has me wondering if I've ever articulated my guiding principles (even to myself) — an oversight I will correct here and now:

• "Be Curious"
• "Be loyal and generous to my friends and family"
• "Work hard"
• "If you are knocked down seven times, you get up eight"
• And the fifth, the one that started these 400 words, is "Reflect and Plan".

This time of the year (after all the Christmas presents are opened) is a natural time to reflect on the past year, review how it measured up to what you wanted to accomplish, and contemplate the "good and bad" of it all — it is figuratively the time to prepare for the next step of your journey.

This is the time to plan what you will do next, what you want to accomplish over the next 365 days, and what the next step of your journey will be.

I'm a big advocate of getting it down on paper because it just seems more tangible and carries the weight of something that is important to get done; in a small way this blog is the start of that process for me. By many measures this has been a successful year, and as I reflect on my guiding principles, they have served me well — and as I say farewell to 2017, I will say I am very excited about the year to come. I plan to make it a great one.

As you prepare to ring in 2018, I wish you a very Happy New Year. 

With great appreciation,

iamgpe

PS: Don't forget to write something down.

Moments — what made today great(?)

I am still not sure if "what made today great" should be followed by a question mark.

Why do I even bring this up?

Well... mostly it's because I am part of a book club where the membership is younger than me, most definitely smarter, and I've taken on the role of "token old guy"* — now I find myself half way through the book The Beauty of Discomfort by Amanda Lang. 

As you may have gleaned from the title, this book offers a perspective on how discomfort can be a benefit for personal and professional growth. One of the points that has come out of the book thus far is that people are happier when they are grateful — it is pointed out that by actively recognizing what made your day great, you will better understand why you should be grateful (and from there be happier).

And this is where the "questionable" question mark comes into play. The author suggests you should ask —

What made today great?

It is a fine question to be sure; it is a nice reflection and does force you to search for even the smallest event to be grateful for.

I will have to say though, it just doesn't seem right. It just comes across as more consideration than action — something to ponder passively instead of identifying your actions for the day "straight up" (which hopefully align with the grand goals of your life). I believe the issue I'm dealing with is that it should be a statement and not a question.

What made today great was...

This is more deliberate, more conscious, and reflects mindfulness by design — there is a greater sense of action and movement. By no means do I believe using a statement compromises the concept of being grateful and the benefits that come from it. I actually think it makes everything much more concrete — a tangibly that offers up the day by day progress of moving forward. I'd like to offer up an example to celebrate the season if I may:

"What made the weekend great was..."

• I worked out, and flipped a truck tire 300 times
• I helped decorate the family Christmas tree with my father and daughter
• I kissed a beautiful woman in the snow
• I had dinner with my oldest friends to celebrate the season and our friendship
• I watched the latest Star Wars movie with my daughter 

I am very grateful, and I am very happy.

Why wouldn't I be — it was a great weekend (full stop).

iamgpe

* Every club or team needs a token old guy — we are sage, opinionated, and if you ask nicely we'll probably buy drinks.

Moments — people are strange...

This has come about simply because I watched a documentary on The Doors last night and I really like their music — the melodic poetry that captured a generation and echoes still to this day.

I have always been mesmerized by the song People are Strange; getting lost in the rhythm but never actually listening the words until now. It strikes me that this song is a haunting anthem for acceptance, inclusion and progress by simply identifying why it is to be strange — 

People are strange when you're a stranger
Faces look ugly when you're alone
Women seem wicked when you're unwanted
Streets are uneven when you're down

When you're strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you're strange
No one remembers your name
When you're strange
When you're strange
When you're strange

                          — Morrison / Krieger

People are strange when you're a stranger speaks to the problem and perceptions of being a stranger, and although I'm exercising some artistic licence here, I feel it reinforces the need to stay connected, put yourself out there, embrace what is new, and what is different — get to know people and let them get to know you. No one seems strange when there is acceptance, inclusion, and understanding. It is in the haunting melody that this song is a warning of what to expect when you stay a stranger.

And with that, I will say my name is Graham Paul Edwards, I'm almost fifty-eight years old (with the heart of a thirty something), I continue to search for my place in the universe, I work hard, and will forever be true to my family and friends — oh, and I'm a Capricorn. And although I'm really not into astrology I can't help but think of this...

And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

— Shakespeare

iamgpe