Month: January 2016

The Problem With The Rat Race ……

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A few days ago, I came across this quote on Instagram by Lily Tomlin; allegedly I should add.

The problem with the rat race is that even if you win you’re still a rat.

I remember reading it and thinking, what an odd quote.

Yesterday I was presented with an opportunity that I had been waiting on for a VERY long time. However it would be at the expense of relationship that is dear to me. Even if the person wasn’t important to me, what I was being asked to do would have compromised my standards.

There are times when you weigh your options and you are genuinely confused as to what to do. This was not one of those times. The choices were clear. Say no thank you or be a rat. I chose not to be a rat. And hope I will always have the integrity required not be a rat.

For me, there is no value in success if it’s an ill-gotten gain. I want to succeed with my integrity intact.

Today, that quote makes a whole lot of sense. I will not be a rat!

Do Something New

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My children are avid readers. Sports seems to be getting in the way for my son but generally they immerse themselves in books which I love – it keeps them quiet. LOL

Two Christmases ago, I watched the movie Esio Trot which is an adaptation of the book written by Roald Dahl and also Tortoise written backwards my children informed me. And I realised that I’d never read a Roald Dahl book in my life. Can you believe that? It’s like what planet have I been on?

I wonder why I never came across him as I child? I was an Enid Blyton fan, up to my teens actually. I’m not ashamed to admit it but for some reason I don’t recall being introduced to Roald Dahl. Then again, I had very little interest in reading so maybe I just ignored it. Can’t remember but I digress.

My children inherited a collection of Roald Dahl books which my kids love from my nephew so I’ve constantly coming into contact with them. My son really loves his books, particularly The  BFG  which he has read like ten times and still counting and which for some reason I keep calling The Notorious BIG but that’s totally lost on him.

So this Christmas just gone by, Esio Trot was on TV again and I thought, “why live in constant regret about this when you can do something about it. Get one of them and start reading”. And so I did. One of my favourite quotes is

No one can go back and change a bad beginning, but anyone can start now and create a successful ending.

-Maria Robinson

Truth be told, sometimes, it’s too late to do some things, but reading, learning a new skill, re training, going back to school – that we can do. Who cares that a 40 year old is reading a book for children? It’s a classic.

I started with Matilda and unashamedly, I took it everywhere; on the bus, train and car. It gripped me from the opening page and held my gaze till the very end. Loved it. (Could I say love any more times ????)

Now I’m on Willy Wonker and the Chocolate Factory which I am loving too.

I’m looking forward to reading the whole lot – at least the collection we have. What a wonderfully amazing writer and such a great legacy to leave to the world.

What new thing are you going to do this year?

 

-RWW

Lessons from 2015

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Last year I shared what I’d learnt in 2014 and I’m doing this again with what I learned in 2015.

  1. A life without a vision is like an untethered goat – aimless
  2. Thinking time is as important as doing time
  3. Commitment to one’s dreams is essential to achievement
  4. Successful people aren’t those who don’t fail but those who push on in spite of failure
  5. Don’t compare your early days to someone else’s finished work
  6. The life you want is determined by the actions and risks you are willing to take
  7. You already know what you want to do.
  8. Fear is toothless bulldog. The minute you start advancing towards what was scary, you find an innate boldness and fear is distant
  9. The support of family and friends is invaluable
  10. Faith is the glue that sticks it all together.

What ten things did you learn?