Do we always land back on our feet?

I have been questioning this headline a lot lately...

When you see someone around you struggling - especially someone you care about - is it better to let them fall and find their own inner strength to get back onto their feet when the time is right, or is the preference to be there to help them so they never have to fall in the first place?

We learn from our mistakes, but do we always have to take that path initially in order to improve?

I guess everyone is different and every situation is different, so as the Organisational Behaviour lecturer at AGSM is known for saying, I guess "it all depends".

I have had a very interesting week. I don't mind spontaneity and 'winging' things but do appreciate when some structure is in place... especially when it involves having foreign experiences.

In two days time, I will be jetsetting to the other side of the world... but have had no time to research anything about where I am going as my original plans had to change last minute.

So I ask, am I going to have a good time and will my circumstances ensure that I will land back on my feet no matter what hardships I may face whilst away?

I like being positive but the lead up to this holiday has been such a rush, that I wonder when my luck may change?
Hopefully it won't be this time.

I also hope that for those people who have been struggling with lifestyle changes, inner conflicts and employment challenges in recent times, that they are back on their feet when I get back - or at least, on the path to getting there - such as having maybe one foot on the ground...

"Anything is possible when you believe in yourself"... and when we believe in the people around us.

Hopefully more often than not, we will be landing back on our feet and achieving all that we hope to.

The Value of Relationships, past and present

Relationships are interesting connections that you have with people - particularly ones where you are physically involved.
Is there a right or wrong answer as to whether it's okay to stay friends with someone you once dated?

Even if you broke up with someone over 10 years ago you can still have a close affiliation or admiration for them.... so too, someone you may have broken up with less than a year ago.
Is it possible to genuinely have a friendship afterwards (and no thoughts at all of ever wanting to get back with them)?

Depending on how you split, these post-relationship friendships can be harder than others.
When one party has another partner it can be a lot easier or even a lot harder...
Another factor is how much time has passed since the split.

It's vital that both people no longer have the same feelings for each other and that any break-up grudges have subsided.

Yet, it's okay to admire them and recognise that you do have a history with this person.

Out of my past relationships there are only two men that I am still in contact with and call my friends.
Is this wrong that I value their friendship and want them to still be in my life?
I know it's purely plutonic but is it not okay to see them if I am dating someone else?
How would I feel if my partner was friends with his exes?

Relationships involve trust... and if you can't trust your partner then you are with the wrong person!
I value the friendships I share with my exes, but is it not right for us to be friends?
I know nothing would ever happen between us again but does my partner truly know that too? And do I genuinely believe the reverse?

It's an interesting conversation I have had with many girlfriends previously... I know people from the dark ages (ie our parents) disagree, but how do people from my generation see it?

Comments welcome...

Assumptions, Presumptions, Prejudices and Expectations

What can I say with a headline like that?!

We all make assumptions in our lives... judging people and situations based on what we think is correct. Whether the facts are subjective and haven't been absorbed accurately or that our vision has become blinded by another factor, we don't always know of, or can't even see it.

We meet someone who is wearing glasses and we already think particular things, such as whether he/she is as intellectual as the spectacles make them out to be!

Or, we hear someone got full marks in a test, so clearly they must be a genius!

Or, we become friends with someone and learn so much about them that we just assume we know their every move and opinion on issues, and are blinded by occasions where their actions may differ to the presumed status quo.

We form expectations of these people based on our judgements/prejudices whether we wish to recognise it or not.

Sometimes we end up so close-minded that it blocks us from truly learning more from the world and the reality that is before us.

I know this is a weakness of mine and can only hope that through my safe learning environment that I am exposed to in my MBA cohort, I will be able to improve on these attributes.

There is one particular person out there who is regularly keeping a close eye on my movements... alluding me to opportunities where I can improve and where my assumptions are failing my capacity to make objective judgements and decisions.

I only hope that he doesn't lose faith in my learning process, as he too is experiencing this self-development curve, even if the focus is not necessarily on the same attributes as mine. I am hoping we are both in this together... along with our other 60 classmates.

We all have strengths and weaknesses; only if we can see the difference between them can we open ourself up to improvement.

I know that I make thousands of judgements everyday and based on these presumptions I form expectations, which may or may not be met.

Being surprised and having someone behave differently to what you expect can be great - eg Barack Obama hosting a passover seder in the White House... who'd have thought?!

I look forward to being on a journey of self-discovery and improvement this year. Many have inspired me including Mr JB, and I only hope I don't let anyone down...