Life's A Marathon, Not A Race |
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Life's A Marathon, Not A Race |
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Mar 6 2015, 11:56 AM |
My life is financially unstable. My plans are uncertain. I don't necessarily know what I'm going to do. When I was much younger I thought I had it all planned out but life teaches you different. However, I still wouldn't trade my life for theirs. I recently turned 30. Society would have me believe that I somehow haven't achieved the success I 'should have by now'. What a crock of horsesh*t. There's no guide book or map to follow. Life isn't like drawing 'dot to dot'. It's trial and error. You try things, they don't work so you try another thing. On and on it goes but at some point you've actually got to stand to one side and remember to actually enjoy yourself as well. That is me right there. In the eyes of others, most would make me feel like I've done nothing and gotten no where. To me I see it way differently. I'm turning 32 this year. I work enough hours to meet my needs and have a little bit extra for fun here and there. If something would break that's a whole other story. I did the whole society thing and went to college, I dropped out after a semester as it wasn't for me. Worked 2 jobs to pay that loan off, then got my current job. I've been there for almost 11 full years, I've worked up a few spots so I make better money. With that I cut out a bit earlier if I'm allowed to have more me time. So it worked out great on my end. Tho other would see that I lost 8-10 hours a pay as a bad thing. But I'm not greedy in the least, just take what I need. I mean, for those that are shamed or guilted into spending all of their waking time working and striving, when they do actually start enjoying themselves ? Is it only when they reach a certain goal ? Is it once a week, for 30 minutes ? Is it always on a promise that never comes ? If achievement is that important to you, remind yourself that achievements don't have to be determined by when you do them. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, often referred to as the world's 'Greatest Living Explorer' will, at the age of 71, be running in the Marathon Des Sables later this year, a 156 mile ultramarathon taking place in the Moroccan Sahara. Sure, he's got a list of achievements dating back decades but even if you were to take them away, would this latest venture be any less worthy ? If there's a hobby you wished you'd taken up, there's still time. There is no race. There is no magic age number that says 'No' to you. I'm interested in what sort of attitudes you experienced or still encounter now. Was there always a massive pressure to succeed in your life or those around you ? Is it right ? Does it make people feel they're not allowed to just enjoy their life because they're not striving enough ? As a society are we too obsessed with success ? I don't think anyone should be shamed or guilted into a single thing. Unless as state they enjoy it, because what would be the sense. How can one do something they take no pride in or enjoy? The goals issue could be a thing such as. Out doing yourself, proving to yourself that you can accomplish anything that you out your mind to. That is actually how I work. I try and push myself everyday, I will actually slack a bit to give myself a challenge to complete my tasks. Then again I will just do more overall to help others jobs become easier for that day and be a team player. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, no matter what it has always sounded like he did it for himself. So it might be worth less to his surroundings but in his mind and soul he is still on top of "his" game. Hobbies, I kinda dabble here and there. Like I enjoy practicing the guitar. I have a sketchbook for drawing, not great but I do enjoy doodling at times. I use to be huge into video games and lately that's died off and it's been more towards the guitar spending. SMH stupid GAS. I think society is obsessed with success of money and power. When we really need to worry about what "we" enjoy in our lives the most. We live once, enjoy it to the fullest doing what we do the best. Most of all have fun. -------------------- Guitars:
Ibanez S770PB (Natural Flat) , Ibanez XPT700 (Chameleon) , Sterling J Richardson Signature , Squire IV Jazz Bass (Sunburst) Gear: Neural DSP Plugins My YouTube Page. |
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Mar 15 2015, 10:08 PM |
Brilliant post Ben. Can't add to it. My life was pretty much mapped out as my Dad had his own business which I now run with him and two other partners. If you're interested the company history is here >> Company history In a way I wish he'd told me to go out into the world until I was 30 and then come into the business if I so wished. I was working there at 14 on Saturdays then full time straight out of school. I cleaned the toilets, made the tea and got more bollockings than anyone as he didn't want me to be seen a a typical "boss's son" and so made an example out of me on an hourly basis .
At 49 there's not much I can do now, I enjoy life and love my wife, and am now enjoying the journey of guitar no mater how long the lessons take me to complete. Cheers Ben, you're a top bloke Phil -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Mar 16 2015, 03:02 AM
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Found this in my fortune cookie a couple of weeks ago - Greatest fool of all is man who fools himself
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Mar 16 2015, 10:09 AM |
Brilliant post Ben. Can't add to it. My life was pretty much mapped out as my Dad had his own business which I now run with him and two other partners. If you're interested the company history is here >> Company history In a way I wish he'd told me to go out into the world until I was 30 and then come into the business if I so wished. I was working there at 14 on Saturdays then full time straight out of school. I cleaned the toilets, made the tea and got more bollockings than anyone as he didn't want me to be seen a a typical "boss's son" and so made an example out of me on an hourly basis . At 49 there's not much I can do now, I enjoy life and love my wife, and am now enjoying the journey of guitar no mater how long the lessons take me to complete. Cheers Ben, you're a top bloke Phil You make racing pistons ? That's badass ! But a little disconcerting to know that your life was kind of pre arranged.. but I hope you've grown to enjoy it at least ? Only 49, Phil.. only 49. There's a few decades yet.. more hobbies to discover, more places to visit ! Found this in my fortune cookie a couple of weeks ago - Greatest fool of all is man who fools himself That's very true and a great quote ! One of the toughest things in life to attain is self awareness. Can we be honest with ourselves, no matter how uncomfortable the truth ? |
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Mar 17 2015, 08:48 PM |
Ben, when I said "At 49 there's not much I can do now" I meant, not much I can do about changing my life job wise as I am comitted. I do a fair bit of travelling, quite a few "microholidays" a year, we will drive out to somewhere nice like the Cotswolds on a Saturday morning, have lunch in a village, check into a hotel Premier Inn, Travel Lodge that kind of thing, have a walk, go for a meal with a nice bottle of wine and a few nightcaps in the bar, hic then on the following day find a nice village for a walk around and a coffee then a nice twisty drive home via the lanes
Cheers Phil -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Mar 18 2015, 10:06 PM |
Last micro holiday was one of the best/most successful I've ever had.
Last Friday I finished work at midday. Went home and got showered etc. Drove into the city of Birmingham with my good wife, checked into hotel just off the main entertainment area, went to a brilliant restaurant where I had one of the best steaks I've had anywhere, couple of beers and bottle of wine then went on the one of the best gigs I've ever been to. I saw Black Stone Cherry twice last year, first time in a very small venue then in the LG Arena which is huge and I really thought the band we were seeing on Friday night would struggle to top the brilliant BSC. The band, Thunder were IMMENSE, 25 years of gigging shone through and the crowd were electric. They were supported by Reef and Tax The Heat. Then back to the hotel, more beers and a bottle of wine and a good old chat with people that went to the gig. Following day late breakfast, full English of course followed by a visit to the HUGE library of Birmingham HERE, went onto the 7th floor "secret" garden which is outside and gives amazing views of the city. Then coffees in the banking quarter (Brindley Place). Back home late afternoon and chilling. Sunday was Mother's Day so had my mom round for a roast dinner Todd, in case you don't know of Thunder and Reef some videos are below, I'm sure Ben knows of them. Sorry for hijacking your thread Ben The tempo changes in this one so give it a full listen Great video Enjoy Phil This post has been edited by Phil66: Mar 19 2015, 04:32 PM -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Mar 19 2015, 03:52 PM |
This is certainly related to the OP but really more of a personal reason/anecdote as to why [my] life isn't a race ...
I didn't enter into the societally defined 'normal life' until my mid 40s. Normal life (subjective of course) being the whole married/kid/house thing. Before that I can honestly say that as much as it truly could be - my life was wholly mine. I definitely did not think I'd ever want to do any of the 'normal' stuff and believe me, if it wasn't for the particular players and fortuitous circumstances in my personal game of conformity - I would not be doing it. It all just sort of 'happened'. Organically. There is a bit of Siddhartha in the whole thing. Even if it's what you want - don't worry about it. Bide your time, go about your business, do other stuff. But be willing to to jump at an opportunity when you know it's right. Most of us have a better ability to survey the landscape when we're not racing towards things. Anyway ... 'Live long and prosper'. This post has been edited by klasaine: Mar 19 2015, 03:54 PM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Mar 19 2015, 09:29 PM |
Todd, you said "my type of band" there are actually two bandS in the videos. The last two are Reef
-------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Mar 21 2015, 12:56 AM |
My bad! Meant my type of BANDS
Todd, you said "my type of band" there are actually two bandS in the videos. The last two are Reef |
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Mar 21 2015, 08:36 AM |
Glad you like them. I wasn't picking you up on your grammar though, I just wanted to be sure you had seen both bands and not just viewed the first two or three
Phil -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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