When I am abroad, I always make it a rule to never criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home.
Winston Churchill said that. Smart guy. I keep it in mind & do in general extend it to include the internet. There are some topics, however, that get exemptions. The prorogue is one.
Given that this governments’ suspension of government for 2 months is comically ridiculous, its fitting then that instead of a lengthy & detailed reply of my own, I simply promote the wisdom & views of a Canadian comedian.
because, honestly: who better to point out ridiculous political behaviour than a political satirist?
Bravery is not the lack of fear. Bravery is acting in spite of fear.
Four Canadian soldiers returned home from Afghanistan this past weekend, albeit earlier than they had planned. Or, at least, their bodies did.
Each will be missed by someone.
Each leaves behind someone…
….a someone who will eventually have to smile and make small talk and pay bills and go to work while carrying a burden of pointless emptiness while they mark time after the one they loved moved on.
I never met those soldiers; nor will I ever forget them.
‘Tis the season regular folks are thinking about body composition & athletic folks are thinking about building their fitness for the spring _insert sport here_ season.
So many of us focus on the goal rather than the process. Beware: though you may find motivation in attending to the goal… you’ll find success in attending to the process.
Consider:
“I’m going to lose 10 pounds by spring break!”
while along the way:
“well, i’ll just make it up next week… time to treat myself / sleep in / etc etc”
How do you stay on point? In a way similar to that mentioned HERE, simply create frequent deadlines for yourself.
If 10 pounds by spring break to look good in your bikini is the goal: take pictures of yourself once each week… and here’s the critical part… and share them with somebody. Email them to your best friend. Post them on flickr. Whatever – what you’re doing is tying your intentions into reality.
In my own case – less interested in body comp & more interested in aerobic endurance – i simply test weekly. In the years I was rowing competitively I had both reverence and FEAR of the fitness tests used by coaches to pick their crews. By testing weekly I smashed those fears & stayed in touch with the reality of my fitness… which in turn helped me stay focused on the details of executing each days’ training while staying motivated.
Creative acts require a decision to complete; otherwise they can go on forever. That is: that novel you’re working on won’t ever be finished. Even if you see it in print you’ll still have edits & additions you’d make if you could.
The difference between ‘published’ and ‘not’ is your decision to call it done.
Here’s a trick: whatever you’re working on, break it into pieces. However, be sure that those pieces have definite ends based outside of your head. Sticking with the example of a novel – try writing like the serial novelists of the 1800′s. Dickens published a chapter at a time. He had a monthly deadline to meet; one that he chose but, once chosen, had to be met every month lest his publisher and readers take serious issue with him!
Whatever your creative endeavour… remember the wisdom of Glengarry Glenross:
