C is for Change (A-Z Challenge)

"If you always do what you've always done,

you're always gonna get what you've always got!"

(Anon)

I have this quotation scribbled on a piece of paper, pinned to my study notice board. It reminds me that change is not something that comes easily. If there is something in our life that we want to be different we might tend to agonize over it, wish for something different, think long and hard about what it might be like once change has happened and sometimes dream of a better future. But in doing this we also tend to carry on the same way that we always have; visit the same places, see the same people, listen to the same radio station, react in the same way to events in our lives.

Imagine you are walking down the street and a neighbour is coming in the opposite direction. You get that embarrassed 'what am I going to say' feeling and maybe, as usual, you say a quick hello and walk on. Your neighbour does the same. You agonize over not talking more to your neighbour and you think of how it could be different next time. But next time you do exactly the same thing - nothing changes. Then maybe one day, instead of walking on you look your neighbour in the eye, stop and say 'hello, how are you?' Ten minutes later you are still there chatting, even if only about the weather. What a  difference a day makes.

Yes, we can dream, think, worry, agonize and hope. But unless we do something different the chances are that nothing will really change. Is there something in your life that you want to change?

B is for Beauty (A-Z Challenge)

"Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself." Henry Miller (1891 - 1980)

 

 

Have you ever seen the film American Beauty? I have, many times, for its sheer depth and skill in depicting characters. The main character says something like '...it's hard to be mad when there's so much beauty in the world' right at the end of the film.

 

I know, from experience, that it's very easy to be blind to what's good in life when you are in a low mood. I'm sure those suffering depression will know this all too well. Sometimes we turn inward when we are unhappy and get tied up in our own little world of gloom and everything seems so much worse. But then, have you noticed how much better the world seems when your mood is good? What's changed, the world or just the way you look at the world? Trust me - in most cases the world is exactly as it was yesterday and it's only the way you perceive the world that has changed and that's the reason you feel bad.

 

Sometimes we need to forget ourselves and look with a different eye at the world around us; a person, place, picture, book, a sunrise, a mountain, the sky. You get the picture! In recent days I've been walking a lot and visiting a special place I love, high up overlooking the sea. And each time I have stood and allowed the cold wind to bite my face and listened to the crashing of the surf against the rocks - a simple pleasure bringing big rewards.

A is for Andy (A-Z Challenge)

So here we go for the first blog of the A to Z Challenge...

A is for Andy - that's me! To ease me into this challenge I thought I would say a few words about myself as a way of introduction. This challenge got me thinking about the origin and meaning of my name. Andrew (but call me Andy), it turns out, is of Greek origin (Andreas). I already know it means Man or Warrior, which I kind of like, and another meaning I came across was Manly, which has given my wife and kids hours of fun at my expense! Andrew was also the first chosen of the twelve apostles, which makes me feel very important and Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and Russia - it just gets better!

My intention is to take the A to Z Challenge's advice and keep my April blog posts short and to the point and am hoping that getting up an hour earlier every day to blog will help get me into a routine that will help me write consistently every day along the way to becoming a published writer. I'm looking forward to 'B' already.

2013 A to Z Challenge

Well, I've been shamed into taking up the 2013 A to Z Challenge. I resisted for as long as I could, but when I saw the very long list of participants I just had to join these good people. It really is quite a challenge: to blog every day of April following the alphabet - A on April 1, B on April 2 etc...

Out of the 1782 participants I am number 1514 and one ruleis to follow the blogger next in line. That means I will be following:

Byzantium Shores

I've already made contact and intend to offer some words of encouragement during the challenge. Thanks to Jak of Cryton Chronicles for his commitment to do the same for me.

Liebster Award Review

Many thanks to the following nominees who have responded to my Liebster Award nominations so far:

Culture Cocktails
A dairy farm born strawberry lover who loves the sea

A Smile a Day
A music lover who wants a tattoo, preferably not on a bus!

You have both inspired me more than you know. Great to see you have sent out your own nominations. I look forward to seeing what comes back.

By the way, I've signed up for the 2013 A to Z Challenge. I wonder if you are interested?

All the best. Keep blogging!