Musical Memories

RAPPERS DELIGHT

Playing the role of DJ this weekend at my mum's 70th birthday, has highlighted again the importance of music for bringing everyone together at a party. 

The joy felt dancing to great music can transcend across all generations, no matter the era the sounds originated from. All forms of musical expression, ranging from 50's bebop, through to 60's pop, 70's disco, 80's New Romantics, 90's Indie, Rap, Rock, House & electronic contemporary tunes, can be mixed together to form the soundtrack of a memorably fun party. 

Understanding and appreciating the music from our older generations should be something passed down from our parents and grandparents. It's important for realising how we have all been youthful, carefree, vital beings and remind us that we are still those same people at heart, when the nostalgic tunes are played on a celebratory day. 

It needn't be just a party when the music lifts us. The inspiration is now available through so many channels that we can create playlists for all occasions. The greats of the past can be knitted together with the new, present and future generations to transport the music into the lives of our future generations. 

Positivity Indicators

ALL FOR GOOD MEASURE

Everything we do and say will have an impact on those around us. We need to bare this fact in mind as we all have a moral duty to do our best passing on positive impressions to others. Not only will this benefit how we feel, spreading good will, can have a knock on effect to improve everyone's day who we come in contact with. 

Positivity Footprint 

Just as we have measures for our carbon output, we should all have a daily check to see if our output on the world about us is making a positive footprint. 

Children are very impressionable and will pick up on both a positive or negative, so it pays to make sure we give out the best we can when around youngsters to ensure they learn how to treat others. But it's not only kids, family and loved ones who should benefit, we should also try to put out more good vibes in the workplace and even inspire complete strangers throughout our daily lives too. 

At the end of the day, it will all be to our greater benefit if we can put out more positive intentions. And if we aim to retain our positive levels in the 60%+ range, we'll see a marked improvement in our overall happiness over time. So, before sleeping each night, take a moment to reflect on the day and note down a tally of any positives deeds, interactions and actions made throughout the course of the day. See how they measure up against any negative aspects. Feel the satisfaction of knowing your actions are impacting others for the greater good, witness how easy sleep comes and then rise early the next day - feeling fresh and light in the soul, ready for another day full of positivity. 

Confidence Trick

RULES OF ATTRACTION

Having a strong presence will distinguish us from the others in a group. Be it for getting the desired table in a restaurant, winning the dream job or being successful in finding a life partner. Confidence reigns over all. 

Looking someone in the eye, having a firm handshake and speaking to everyone the same way - no matter their perceived social standing or supposed prominence of power - this is how we get noticed and win people over. 

Attraction is so much more than just a pretty/handsome face. Attraction oozes from the pores of those who have self respect, assured mind and no insecurity issues. 

So this weekend, rocking a Pink Panther face paint - I found my confidence. People gravitated towards me. I generated a lot of laughter. It was effortless fun and today I stand tall. Remember - it is of paramount importance how people remember their experience with you. So make yourself memorable for the right reasons. Confidence is not to be confused with arrogance. Self confidence needs a measure of humility thrown in the mix if we are to be liked. 

Anxiety Antics

WEEK WILLED

A week ago today, I was out with friends drinking copious amounts of alcohol on my birthday, which was the follow on session from the previous night's drinking and partying that didn't come to an end until late Tuesday night. 

The week that followed was a tough one. I've trodden these same boards before many times over and so I know what kind of challenges will be faced. But even with the knowledge, it's still hard living in these moments following a heavy session of late nights and over indulgence. The sleep quality is often very poor which makes matters even worse as the week goes on. Thoughts of self loathing, regret and anxiety will surface. Why do we do this to ourselves - what were we thinking staying out so late and partying so hard? We tell ourselves that we should know better at 44. Tsk tsk. 

In moments like these, we have to remember the laughter with friends, the dancing and carefree life experiences so recently enjoyed from the weekend. We need to be less hard on ourselves. We always knew this tough bit was coming up but still we struggle to be present in these drawn-out moments of tiredness alone with our naggy self-berating thoughts! Ultimately though, the tough bit will pass and we can be ready to do it all again pretty soon. 

Push Through

The key learning point here is to always push through with the yoga, exercise and hard work. Because, it's at challenging times like these that we grow stronger in mind, body and spirit. Getting the heart rate up, will help the liver and kidneys to flush the body and brain of spent sugars, plus the focus on exercise will distract the mind away from negative thoughts. If we stay occupied with our work, this often tricky period will come to pass a lot quicker. 

So, the mistake was that it took until Friday for me to take my first bit of exercise. I reluctantly booked a yoga class at the last minute. I was literally at my wits end when I dragged myself along. I sat in the class at the beginning feeling feeble, anxious and very self conscious about my inferior performance. I was so lacking compared to just a week before, because I'd allowed myself to get this way. It was a struggle - but mostly just in my mind. I'm so glad to have invested that 1.5hrs when I would sooner have gone home and crawled into bed, because the road to recovery has now started. I just wish I'd taken action sooner. I will not let this happen in the future!

Climbing The Impossible

We are all capable of so much more. The mind fools us into believing we are at our limit when there's so much more in our reach. Watching Meru this weekend, a film about climbing an impossible peak in the Himalayas, I'm shown how the mind plays tricks and where the strength of will can get us to accomplish seemingly impossible feats. If a man can climb a mountain merely months after a serious life-threatening accident, then push through to the top after suffering a stroke half way up the mountain - then I can surely achieve my meagre goals with a couple of small ailments. It's the will to succeed that gets us to try. Having the determination to push through and never giving up when the mind tells us we have reached our limit, is what brings the results.