Honesty paved with good intentions

My aim in writing this blog is to be honest. I find change challenging as the next person. The truth is I have not done what I said I would. My favourite aunt used to quote that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" I have often thought that maybe I have surfaced a super highway. Maybe that is too harsh but I certainly have felt guilty.
Guilt is one of those barriers that stop people perservering with change. It builds a brick wall of self doubt, excuses and siphons our energy. Things happen, people often don't do what they say they will.  I am not going to waste time in self crticism because I know this doesn't lead anywhere useful.
When I googled this quote it said that Perfectionist are especially prone to have their intentions backfire in this way. Interesting! I know I have a perfectionist streak ....
Rather than reflecting on the problem (worthwhile) I need to work out a solution to keep me on track. 8 am I will set challenge for the day & before I go to bed I will reflect, review  and write.

Being a good friend

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

How easy it is to take things for granted !

As I walked Baci this morning I had time to reflect on my good fortune. Believe me I don't always feel this way!

I guess I had set the foundations for a positive day. I had meditated and set the time aside to take Baci for a walk in her favourite park.
I had the space to think about what would be my change challenge today. It is so easy to get caught up in the clutter of  our lives rather than focusing on what is important. 
For the last week or so I have been wasting my energy and time angsting over tax & avoiding what I knew I should be doing. With this mindset life has not been much fun.
Connection and friendships are very important to me and yet it is amazing how easily I let other things get in the way.

Over the next 70 days I am going to explore what things I need to change to insure that I support and nurture my friendships and focus on being a " better" friend. 

Today I made time to make those important calls to 4 friends.

I have started to organised a MAD (Making A Difference) dinner and will donate the funds raised to the Peter Mac foundation.  It is a small way of showing support for my friend who is currently being treated for cancer. Every little bit helps.

Overcoming Avoidance

Today I am going to set a structure in place to tackle a pattern of avoidance. It is one I inherited from my father and it is not something I want to pass on to my children. On a conscious level I know that this pattern does not support me. In fact it causes me uneccessary angst and creates stress. My new strategy is to put in place a structure. Avoidance allows us to stop thinking about things that are difficult.


"There is no right and there is no wrong, there is what works and what doesn't. We can always change what doesn't work."JR

The inevitable dance of Change & Resistance

For

Finding 5 meaningful Goals

I belong to a Goals Group and tomorrow we will meet to discuss the 5 goals we will set for this year. They are a great group of people. Supportive, talented and challenging enough to give added impetus to doing what we say we will.
Yesterday I went to a Christening and today, the funeral of someone who died too young. It has made me think about what I really value and what goals can I set that could really make a difference. Meaningful relationships with family and friends are high on my list. Contributing to my community is important to me. 

Saturday Day 17

Sometimes change is thrust upon us. Yesterday I spent sometime with a very special friend who has once again had change thrust upon her. At the moment I have choice as to what challenges I take on. I can prevaricate, I can choose to make the small decisions or no decisions at all. How fortunate am I and how easy is it to take this good fortune for granted because it can change in the blink of any eye.

Some people bring out the very best in you. My friend is one of those people. She makes me feel good about myself. She is always interested in what I am doing and asks questions that encourage me to share more. My challenge today is to explore ways that I can bring out the very best in myself and others.

Best Laid Plans

http://www.speigel.theartscentre.com.au/

Tonight I have organised to take my family to the Speigeltent to see a show. My Christmas gift was to give my children, partners, sister, nephew etc a fun experience together. My challenge today is flexibility. Things haven't quite worked out the way I expected. Nothing dramatic. My son planned a trip to Sydney on this date so won't be going (his girlfriend is). Dinner before the show became too difficult so 3 of us might make it. My daughter & her boyfriend are both lawyers ( they may not make it if they are asked to stay back). My intention was to have fun. I love my family and I like spending time with them. None of this will change. What is the point of spoiling the fun by expectations. What will be will be. I may have a few tickets to give away.