A thought worth pondering:

Nothing has meaning but the meaning we give to it!

This implies that if we have un-resourceful thoughts around a particular situation, it is because we have given meaning to it that does not serve us. To move forward and to find a more positive resolution we must 'simply' give the situation a new and more powerful meaning that will serve us better.

Music this morning - Going up the Country, Canned Heat, from the Woodstock soundtrack - echoes of a simpler time!

Carpe Diem

Just been on Skype chatting to my friend D who lives in Cornwall - an old friend someone I miss quite a lot. Mental note - something there about male friends!! Anyway he was talking about how a recent Vision Quest he attended brought up a number of issues for him - made him see quite clearly that his MO is not to look very positively at things so that he will never be too disappointed. Made me start to think about how I have been in a bit of a hole recently - preferring to see the doom and gloom rather than the opportunities around me. Makes me more determined to get off my butt and start ... doing things again. Be the person who really does say YES! I have started a "backpack" list of attitudes and values and so on - things that are necessary or preferable to take on life's journey. Positive attitude, belief in one's self, friends, good music ... there will be more.

I have also decided to start this journal - to try and write something every day. Content to include -

• Why do I get up in the morning?
• Achievements for the day - and reasons why (or why not!)
• Reflections on the day

So what about today then ... a 2 hour ride, exploring a little more of the city. Arranged an interview with a casting agency for extras work, moved the shelf project forward a peg or two, arranged to meet Vicky from The Coaching Institute and reconnected with D. All n all a good day!

Today's quote: Carpe diem - seize the day!

Meyers Briggs 2009

INFP

(Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, Perception)

You are idealistic, loyal to your values and to people who are important to you. You want an external life that is congruent with your values. You are curious, quick to see possibilities, and can be a catalyst for implementing ideas. You seek to understand people and to help them fulfill their potential. You are adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened. Famous people with your same INFP personality include: Mary the Blessed Virgin, Hellen Keller, William Shakespeare, John F. Kennedy Jr., Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Julia Roberts.

Two roads diverged in a wood

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

What I Cannot Change (Leann Rimes)

What I Cannot Change

Leann Rimes

I know what makes me comfortable
I know what makes me tick
And when I need to get my way I know how to pour it on thick
Cream and sugar in my coffee
Right away when I awake
I face the day and pray to God I won't make the same mistakes
Oh the rest is out of my hands

I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

I don't know my Father
Or my Mother well enough
Seems like every time we talk we can't get past the little stuff
The pain is self inflicted
I know it's not good for my health
But it's easier to please the world than it is to please myself
Oh the rest is out of my hands

I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

Right now I can't care about how everyone else will feel
I have enough hurt of my own to heal

I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

Starting to work through it all!

Sunday evening - spent most of the day either working through the TCI workbook or thinking about it. What are my limiting beliefs? What are the things that hold me back? What are the stories that define my life? And I must say it is hard! Mostly I think I am a pretty positive and capable person - tend to procrastinate a little perhaps, can lack confidence in some situations - but generally OK. Can I be better - without a doubt! And this is partly why I am doing this work - I want that - to figure myself out, to be happier ... I am afraid of ... what - being lonely, having to show the world I can do it, taking a stand for myself. All of those things actually - I need to start living the things I talk about, walking the talk. As Obama says, "YES, I can"

Music for today - didn't listen to anything really but let's go with Into the Dojo, The Black Seeds - good Kiwi dub!

And a quote - the future is a big place - anything can happen!

Life is just an Impression ...

Feeling a bit sore today - spent two days working with AK as a labourer - prepping and pouring concrete. Hard work but I really enjoyed the hard physical labour. Today I went to the American Impressionist exhibition - several outstanding pieces - made me think about the way we see the world, we each see it so differently - what is so obvious to me is so different to another!! As a new coach I need to always remember this - the world is only as it appears to us. The only reality is what we decide it is to be .. and we can decide ... this is a lot of opportunity in this. This is an idea I need to develop - impressionism!

Music for today - Streetlife, The Crusaders

Music for today

Double Vision by Bob James & David Sanborn - I had forgotten just how good it is!

Greyhair Alchemy - Executive Half-Dozen

from Greyhair Alchemy - Executive Half-Dozen (July 2009)

Mark has a hands on management and leadership style that actively promotes teamwork as the path to success. He also has a strong belief in partnering suppliers and customers to achieve mutual efficiencies to meet or exceed business goals along with excellent communication and analytical skills. Solid planning and organising abilities compliment his other skills to bring a well rounded management approach to any company. A proactive, zero tolerance approach with regard to unsafe work practices underpins any business activity.

Nice to see what the clients have to say!

Active New Zealand

Lead Guide

What our clients have said:

"Mark was knowledgeable, friendly, easy-going, patient, accommodating, and a very diligent and efficient worker. I felt very safe in his hands. He molded in very well with our group."

-- MSS (New York, USA) November 2008 Tui

"Mark did very well in judging the group's mood and ability to complete the activities. I was particularly impressed how he managed to ensure that everybody in the group completed the Angelus hut hike. He had a lot of patience for the questions he was asked and nothing was too much."  
-- Maria Rodrigues (London, England) November 2008 Rimu

"Outstanding - really made sure everyone's expectations were set and cared about our well being and enjoyment. Very safety focused."

-- Ian Decone (New Jersey, USA) November 2008 Rimu

"Mark was great. He was always so calm and accommodating."

-- Katherine, Caroline & Christopher Miller (USA) December 2008 Rimu

"Excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and went above and beyond, even taking us on additional hikes that were not on the itinerary. We definitely lucked out with having Mark as our guide!"

-- Kalan Chung (Ontario, Canada) February 2009 Rimu

"Mark should write the book on active travel tour guiding. He is kind, funny, considerate and the consummate worker...I was amazed when he carried my luggage (didn't think door to door service was provided!). His commitment to customer service is quite apparent. Mark works very, very hard, and he did everything in his power to ensure a phenomenal trip. Mark is also the consummate guide because I think he loves what he does, and loves the outdoors and wants others to share his enthusiasm. Moreover, he was always kind to me, encouraging me, yet not pushing when I opted out. Mark never made me feel like I was the slowpoke. I hope that Active understands the "market-value" of this particular guide--Mark is beyond excellent."

-- Shari Munch (USA) February 2009 Rimu