Breathe in deeply, hold for four seconds and breathe out slowly for seven seconds - it works, my heart rate slows, my eyes close momentarily and I'm living in the present; serene, calm and ready to reflect, regroup and review the journey and dream of opening a book cafe.
But first I will sit and watch the waves a little longer and wait for my daughter to join me for a coffee, one we won't be making for ourselves today.
Two years ago almost to the day I started writing or rather rewriting my life and 'dared to keep my dream alive'. I wrote down the top 10 areas of my life based on guidance from books and the action I would take to satisfy or achieve my goals and realise my dream.
Today I give myself a score of 6/10...what were these areas of my life?
Number 1: needing time out ✔️
I took 12 months off as a gap year from what was essentially full-time work, study and parenting from the age of 17 to 55. Well the parenting continues even though my children are of course young adults (I love them to the moon and back).
Number 2: to take short holidays ✔️
I went to Kangaroo Island, Quorn, Goolwa, Melbourne, Mintaro Muse and Claire.
Number 3: promote my book interstate - well it found its way to Darwin ;-)
Number 4: an overseas trip ✔️ We went to Singapore, Malaysia and Abu Dhabi.
Number 5: work from home as professional development consultant ✔️ I combined this with the gap year and casual employment.
Number 6: open my book cafe ✔️
..that was the BHAG 'big hairy audacious goal' I set 15 years ago!
So why stop here at number six? Why didn't I achieve 10 out of 10?
Number 7 was aiming for financial security - this one could be argued both as a success and as a failure but I am deciding to opt in my favour. I am living as if I have financial security - I am not entirely beholden to the bank; I still have capital growth; I have super and insurance; I am breaking even as we speak (although I'm sure a true financial calculation would oppose that view!).
Number 8 was to eat well, get fit and lose weight ... once again I could argue in my favour, so as a glass half full approach let's say I did achieve this. How? I have lost 3 kg which I could attribute to some stress and less time to eat. I go to hydrotherapy each week. I bought a bike and ride to my mums, a whole 3 km return trip, after a sherry. I eat breakfast and healthy dinners; but no time for lunch and have at least one piece of fruit and three veg daily. I know not quite the recommended!
I can honestly sight improvement in what was leading to a hip replacement. Why? I put this down to less sitting at a desk and time in the car - mobility is the key!
My problem now is needing physio each week for shoulder pain, most likely due to new repetitive strain of using coffee machine and lifting milk crates 😝
The solution here is to build my core and upper body strength says my physio... aha a new goal!
Number 9 was to incorporate fun and frivolity and I'm not sure I manage this particularly well but once again...I planned to have coffee catch ups with friends and I did this well last year with more time and flexibility. Now I have opportunity every day except I rely more on friends visiting the cafe and making new friends.
Not a day goes by when I don't laugh with my partner and the rare occasions I go out at night for parties, events, dinner or movies, I always have an element of fun - the level of frivolity has changed in the last decade, but that is just as well and okay by me.
So perhaps I will make a conscious effort to get out and have more fun and frivolity - this could be as simple as taking my daughters' dog for a walk, helping my other daughter with her 'nanny babies' and watching the sunset with my mum. All a new level of fun and I am grateful for each one.
Number 10 was to read a book a month. Well I have read 3 in 6 months. I have three unfinished next to my bed and I have a bookcase full of books at the cafe I may have read once, but would like to read again😉
So I am now going to score myself a 10 out of 10. I may have lost some flexibility with my work and short holidays will be 'really' short; overseas trips are on hold but not out of the question...I'm working on my second book and I have my mojo back!
I am meeting new people and showing kindness to others in my community. I may be shop bound but in a lovely ambience with much more happening and it has been my dream for so long that I am grateful for each and every day.
Perhaps it is time to set new goals and work towards a new dream...but today I am happy living my dream, living in the moment ready to brave and embrace the next stage of life. I love the books I read and the social (people and technological) networks that inspire me but 'once again' I am at peace with myself as I continue to progress on this journey we call life.
In future blogs I will share some stories and strategies that help (and sometimes hinder) my progress...I think it is called 'reality'!
Please comment, share your own stories and strategies or ask questions. I am by no means providing advice on how to live your life however hope you might gain some inspiration or insight into achieving your own goals and dreams.
