Sun 18 Dec

Today, I begin blogging again. It's been a while. Now it's 16:30 and my goal is to write for 15 minutes today and every day from now on. So here goes...

I can see clearly now the rain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me had me blind
It's going to be a bright, bright sun shiny day

It's going to be a bright, bright sun shiny day

I think I can make it now, the pain has gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's going to be a bright, bright sun shiny day

It's going to be a bright, bright sun shiny day

Look all around, there is nothing but blue skies

Look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies

Let's discuss...
"The rain has gone"
refers to me getting out of Huddersfield and the school teaching game!

"I can see all obstacles in my way"
refers to the fact that now that I am shooting to be a published author, the obstacles that I face are finding a job that, unlike teaching, gives me time an opportunity to practice my writing at work, and also gives the time to do creative writing after work.

"Gone are the dark clouds that had me had me blind" 
refers to the air pollution of China. And my love for Kathy that was blinding the love of others for me.

"I think I can make it now, the pain has gone"
refers to the emotional pain of a broken heart, and the physical pain in the centre of my chest.

"All of the bad feelings have disappeared"
refers to the negative feelings that made me think that all I could do was be a teacher between now and retirement.

"Here is that rainbow I've been praying for"
refers to an opportunity that is about to arrive in my life. No need to force it, just relax and go with the flow. It will appear at just the moment it is supposed to. The trick is to be present, not running away to think about the future. If you are present, you will see it and accept it.

Rhinestone Cowboy

"But I'm going to be where the lights are shining on me

Like a Rhinestone Cowboy"

refers to the fact that I will be famous one day soon!

"Getting cards and letters from people I don't even know

And offers coming over the phone"

refers to the fact that my talents will be in big demand soon!

"But you're down when you're riding the train that's taking the long way"

refers to the fact that I don't need to take the long way to success - it is painful!

"And I dream of the things I'll do

With a subway token and a dollar tucked inside my shoe"

reminds me not to worry if I am low on money because plenty is coming!

Listen to the music

"Listen to the music"

refers to listening to my voice within.

Day 6 - Sat 25 Feb 2012

The highlight of my day was meeting some of the people who will be on my cruise.

I am grateful for the advice I got about renting cold weather clothing from the clothing store.

I would like to be acknowledged for:
1) Walking up to strangers in the pub and starting a conversation that lasted several hours.
2) Not making it mean anything that the vegetarian food I ordered on both flights didn't appear.
3)

Day 1 - Mon 1 Jul 2012

1. Today, I am grateful:
1. for ...
2. to Danielle for the coaching she gave me for my meeting with Jeannene.
3. for ...
2. Today, I sent an email to Danielle to thank her for the coaching she gave me re: Jeannene
3. I meditated at my desk for ... minutes today.
4. Today, I rode my bike ...
5. The most meaningful experience of the last 24 hours was ...

A new beginning!

Starting tomorrow (Sunday 1st July 2012), I am going to answer the following five questions every day on this blog for the whole month of July:

1. What am I grateful for, or who am I grateful to today? (Give at least three examples.)
2. Who did I send an email to in my social support network thanking them or praising them for their efforts. (At least one per day.)
3. Did I take time to meditate at my desk for at least two minutes today?
4. What exercise did I do today? (This could be by playing sport, visiting the gym, doing yoga, riding my bike to work, or walking up and down three flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator.)
5. What was the most meaningful experience of the last 24 hours? (Write at least a couple of paragraphs.)

Day 24 - Wed 14 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was chatting to my boys on Skype this evening.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to travel to exotic locations.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:
1) Exercising in the swimming pool twice today.
2) Walking back to my hotel alone through the dark streets after dinner.
3) Waiting up to chat to the boys tonight when I was really tired.

Day 23 - Tue 13 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was chatting in Spanish with a girl at the airport for about 20 mins.

I am grateful to the Copa airline staff for getting me a vegetarian meal out of business class.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:
1) Going for a swim. It was the first bit of aerobic exercise I have had since kayaking.
2) Chatting with the bus driver in Spanish all the way from the airport to the city.
3) Working out a time that I can chat to the boys on Skype tonight.

Day 22 - Mon 12 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was dining at a Peruvian restaurant in Santiago.

I am grateful for receiving a wake-up call this morning, as my alarm did not go off.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:
1) Getting out of the hotel and into a taxi on time this morning.
2) Working out how to post a box home rather than paying for an over-priced locker.
3) Taking the Metro rather than a taxi to the hostel.

Day 21 - Sun 11 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was also the highlight of my holiday so far: attending the amazing football match between Boca Juniors and Independiente.

I am grateful to the receptionist at my hotel for getting me a ticket to the game.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Taking a room in this hotel and not staying at the awful backpackers.

2) Walking all the way back into town from the football match.

3) Eating healthy food and not drinking beer after the game.

Day 20 - Sat 10 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was re-acquainting myself with the back streets of Buenos Aires.

I am grateful for the good Internet connection at my hostel.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Asking the Dutchies if I could share a cab with them to the airport.

2) Demanding a vegetarian meal at the airport when I found out my order for one had failed again.

3) Booking my Buenos Aires accommodation in advance, and not leaving until the last minute.

Day 19 - Fri 9 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was watching a game of football on the TV in the Dublin pub while eating one of their pizzas.

I am grateful for the good Internet connection at my hostel.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Speaking to the customs guy at the post office rather than joining the long queue.

2) Paying the extra for a single room when I really need to catch up on sleep.

3) Inviting girl in reception to join me for dinner.

Day 18 - Thu 8 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was the drinking session in the Dublin pub.

I am grateful for the hot water in the sauna shower this morning.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Getting up early to view Cape Horn as we approached it.

2) Going out for the evening without any of the other passengers.

3) Speaking in Spanish to lots of people at the pub.

Day 17 - Wed 7 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was reading the Guardian sports pages.

I am grateful for the calm crossing of the Drake Passage.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Skipping breakfast.

2) Eating only a small lunch.

3) Spending most of the day resting in bed rather than socialising.

Day 16 - Tue 6 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was swimming in the Antarctic Ocean.

I am grateful to the guy who took a photo of me swimming.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Having a rest instead of kayaking again after lunch.

2) Skipping dinner after eating a big breakfast and lunch.

3) Remembering to do this journal everyday.

Day 15 - Mon 5 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was speaking with Leanne and the boys.

I am grateful to the chef for making such great food.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Putting my hand up for kayaking despite the bad weather.

2) Eating a moderate amount of food at the buffet.

3) Going to the ship's bar to socialize after dinner.

Day 14 - Sun 4 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was the afternoon zodiac trip to land.

I am grateful to the purser for helping me to use the satellite phone every day.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Not going out on the zodiac ride in the wind and rain this morning.

2) Trying to call home every day.

3) Self-reflection regarding my interaction with others on the boat.

Day 13 - Sat 3 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was visiting the bridge at night, seeing the spotlights checking for icebergs.

I am grateful for having the opportunity to sleep and rest in bed during the day, while I have been ill.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Getting dressed out in the corridor, so as not to wake my roommate.

2) Trying to phone home again even though I could not get through.

3) Answering emails even though I haven't felt like going online.

Day 12 - Fri 2 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was the sauna and hot shower before breakfast.

I am grateful to the ship's doctor for taking the time to see me.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Letting my roommate have a lie-in by showering downstairs.

2) Staying in bed when I really wanted to socialise upstairs.

3) Not taking zodiac trip because I was feeling dizzy.

Day 11 - Thu 1 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was kayaking with the whales.

I am grateful to Phil for helping me to improve my kayaking stroke.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Getting up early to go to the gym before breakfast.

2) Taking coaching from Phil without making it mean anything.

3) Skipping dinner tonight after eating a really big lunch.

Day 11 - Thu 1 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was kayaking with the whales.

I am grateful to Phil for helping me to improve my kayaking stroke.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Getting up early to go to the gym before breakfast.

2) Taking coaching from Phil without making it mean anything.

3) Skipping dinner tonight after eating a really big lunch.

Day 10 - Wed 29 Feb 2012

The highlight of my day was sliding down the snow slope like a penguin.

I am grateful for the friendship shown by my fellow passengers.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Being the first to slide down the snow slope.

2) Offering to take photos for others.

3) Having an early night and not going to the bar.