Life is a journey. We are always growing as a person. It's not a rush even if various timelines and goals may have preferred dates assigned to them. Sometimes it's good to reflect, do an audit of oneself, really look at what's important - values, friendships, goals, career aspirations, lifestyle - and to not just fill up one's life with 'stuff'; else you'll be too busy to really appreciate the world and people around you, and miss out on the good things along the way, rather than simply achieving your dreams.
I've learnt a lot this summer - I've met people far less well off than me. I've met people smarter than me whether you judge them based on emotional intelligence, academic intelligence, street smart, and more. Everyone has something to offer this world, no matter what their "world" is, and everyone can learn from one another - whether it be a skill, a behaviour, a topic of interest, an emotion, a perspective. Keeping an open mind and believing you are better off with that person interacting with you, no matter what they have to share, or how they touch your life is key. Whether it be for a minute or a second, always give people a chance and treat them as though they're a king until they do wrong by you. And if they do happen to do wrong by you, maybe even give them a second or third or fourth chance to make things right, especially if they didn't realise they were doing something wrong.
Sometimes I forget to appreciate the world I live in, the people around me, the people who invest in me, the people who inspire me and more - as I seem to always be focused on wanting to make a difference in other people's lives, and being the best I can be. Taking a step back, and actually acknowledging what people offer me, and give to me, and do for me can be really healthy too. It may be companionship, it may be a smile, it may be a hug, it may be a conversation, it may be friendship, it may be a service such as a bank teller, musician, waiter, or flight attendant. These people all contribute to life, and whether or not we have a good or bad day, or have something to smile about, or something to talk so fondly of. They do their jobs for the love of it (usually, not just for money). My family and friends do it because they like you and want you to be happy or feel appreciated or fulfilled or simply because there is a connection they enjoy sharing. Don't ever forget that.
I am a school teacher and a health coach because I want to give back. I may also be a perfectionist and have too high an expectation of people. I'm working on shifting this mentality so that people who find me inspiring can also feel appreciated and that giving their best is good enough, even if there are more goals which can be achieved, or there is more energy in the tank, or there is a way of striving higher or getting better grades, or making more money or whatever that "stretch" factor may be. We all have dreams and it's good to dream. Reminding people of reality is good too, but not if it makes other people feel worse for it. If anything, I always try to help those close to me to get to their goals if I have an ability, skill or knowledge, that will assist them and my sharing is of benefit to them, and wanted by them. Sometimes people want to do something for themselves, and just because I can already do it or have the know-how, people need to feel fulfilled by realising their own sense of achievement. It's hard being patient and not getting frustrated; but learning how to give people a chance and observe their growth and development can be even more rewarding for everyone, which at the end of the day, the team collective is more important.
In conclusion, never forget to love life and appreciate anything and everything around you; as one day it could be too late. You may no longer be in good health, someone may no longer be alive, you may no longer get to have that one last experience. Slow down, and remember to be grateful. When I see strangers on the street, I like to smile at them as I walk by, and they often smile back - or just think I'm weird, one of the two. But the key factor is to do these things when I'm stressed, or sad, or frustrated, or tired, and simply uncomfortable, not just when I'm happy, relaxed, awake and alive, inspired and in my comfort zone. We all do things differently depending on how we are feeling at the time. My goal for personal development right now is to learn how to do those inspiring acts and be grateful for anything and everything around me no matter how I'm feeling inside. And if something is causing me to be down or frustrated, try to investigate what's causing that emotion rather than ignoring it and unknowingly impacting on others. I know I will be better off for it; and hopefully those around me - whether they are strangers or loved ones - will be too.
I've learnt a lot this summer - I've met people far less well off than me. I've met people smarter than me whether you judge them based on emotional intelligence, academic intelligence, street smart, and more. Everyone has something to offer this world, no matter what their "world" is, and everyone can learn from one another - whether it be a skill, a behaviour, a topic of interest, an emotion, a perspective. Keeping an open mind and believing you are better off with that person interacting with you, no matter what they have to share, or how they touch your life is key. Whether it be for a minute or a second, always give people a chance and treat them as though they're a king until they do wrong by you. And if they do happen to do wrong by you, maybe even give them a second or third or fourth chance to make things right, especially if they didn't realise they were doing something wrong.
Sometimes I forget to appreciate the world I live in, the people around me, the people who invest in me, the people who inspire me and more - as I seem to always be focused on wanting to make a difference in other people's lives, and being the best I can be. Taking a step back, and actually acknowledging what people offer me, and give to me, and do for me can be really healthy too. It may be companionship, it may be a smile, it may be a hug, it may be a conversation, it may be friendship, it may be a service such as a bank teller, musician, waiter, or flight attendant. These people all contribute to life, and whether or not we have a good or bad day, or have something to smile about, or something to talk so fondly of. They do their jobs for the love of it (usually, not just for money). My family and friends do it because they like you and want you to be happy or feel appreciated or fulfilled or simply because there is a connection they enjoy sharing. Don't ever forget that.
I am a school teacher and a health coach because I want to give back. I may also be a perfectionist and have too high an expectation of people. I'm working on shifting this mentality so that people who find me inspiring can also feel appreciated and that giving their best is good enough, even if there are more goals which can be achieved, or there is more energy in the tank, or there is a way of striving higher or getting better grades, or making more money or whatever that "stretch" factor may be. We all have dreams and it's good to dream. Reminding people of reality is good too, but not if it makes other people feel worse for it. If anything, I always try to help those close to me to get to their goals if I have an ability, skill or knowledge, that will assist them and my sharing is of benefit to them, and wanted by them. Sometimes people want to do something for themselves, and just because I can already do it or have the know-how, people need to feel fulfilled by realising their own sense of achievement. It's hard being patient and not getting frustrated; but learning how to give people a chance and observe their growth and development can be even more rewarding for everyone, which at the end of the day, the team collective is more important.
In conclusion, never forget to love life and appreciate anything and everything around you; as one day it could be too late. You may no longer be in good health, someone may no longer be alive, you may no longer get to have that one last experience. Slow down, and remember to be grateful. When I see strangers on the street, I like to smile at them as I walk by, and they often smile back - or just think I'm weird, one of the two. But the key factor is to do these things when I'm stressed, or sad, or frustrated, or tired, and simply uncomfortable, not just when I'm happy, relaxed, awake and alive, inspired and in my comfort zone. We all do things differently depending on how we are feeling at the time. My goal for personal development right now is to learn how to do those inspiring acts and be grateful for anything and everything around me no matter how I'm feeling inside. And if something is causing me to be down or frustrated, try to investigate what's causing that emotion rather than ignoring it and unknowingly impacting on others. I know I will be better off for it; and hopefully those around me - whether they are strangers or loved ones - will be too.
