Pride? and Science and stuff

Do you know what I did today dear readers? I gave up a sixth of my salary to keep a children's science fair running - yeah, I know, I don't even like kids! but I do like science, and the 'Bath Taps into Science fair' means a lot, to a lot of people, and I'll be damned if it goes under on my watch.

I remember when the founder of these fairs told me that if he could make 'one child smile' with science, it would all be worth it. I rolled my eyes! and told everyone what a crazy hippy he was - except now, when people are trying to turn this thing into a corporate advertising project. Suddenly I find myself fighting with the hippies - this is supposed to be about inspiring people, delighting them, showing them what wonders there are in the world of science.

So our budgets got unceremoniously cut, and all that was left was what I'm getting paid. Which makes me laugh, because I spend a huge amount of time whinging about how I get paid less than the office cleaners. But I continue to help on these crazy projects, because there is no one else to do it, so I suppose thats why I gave up the money, because there's no one else it seems. Damn pesky kids......they better learn something!

 

XXX

Fear & Goals

I've come a long way since this whole running thing started, but training for Bath Half is really kicking my ass this week. Its getting close and I'm getting scared, which I admit is somewhat illogical, after all I could walk the course if it came down to it, I have no expectations of time, so all I actually need to achieve on the day is to continue to be alive!

Do you have goals that scare you?

 

XXX

On Goals

This article came out a few months ago but has some very interesting insights on goals via some UK based research of 2,000 men and women and their top 10 life ambitions.

So let’s see, I've already lived abroad, and done various selfless volunteer work (It’s kind of weird that that one needed to be on there with an age deadline, could people not get round to helping a charity any sooner?! it’s not particularly hard)

I have no intention of waiting till I'm 42 to travel the world, but I suppose by that age I would have seen a fair chunk of it, so maybe that's what it means. The order of some of the goals seems kind of odd to me; you'd rather get married than travel the world?! Jeez, and you'd rather have a family and own a dream home than do something selfless? (On the other hand, who am I to say what dreams people should have, happiness is after all very personal)

 

 

Overall these goals seem incredibly generic - I've no doubt this 'research' came in a tick box form hence the lack of any more exciting life goals (where's lose $100 in Vegas? learn to surf? swim with sharks? climb a volcano? - I'd take any of those over learning another language for example)

Inspired by this article, I pondered what my top 10 life goals would be if I had to refine my list, to the very quintessence of what I want to my life to be. My top 10:

1) Travel the world (a huge amount of my goals can be wrapped up within this one)

2) Find my calling/dream job (whatever that may be....)

3) Own a dog

4) Own a home

5) Live abroad (again)

6) Teach

7) Be an expert (in something... this is kinda similar to 2+6 tho)

8....) Now, for someone who has a blog about achieving goals, I got a bit stumped here - I like have fun and silly goals, but if it came down to the crunch and I had to pick just a few - I think Travel, Own, Teach - that would do me just fine. Maybe it’s just the mood I'm in today.

I suppose continuing some things woulde ncapsulate many of my goals: continue to seek new challenges, continue to value my friends and family, continue to learn, continue to make mistakes, and continue to try

Oh but for 10 I'll have this one, although perhaps this should be number 1...

10) Be Kind, be relentlessly and unequivocally kind, as often as humanly possible.

So friends, if you could have just ten life goals, what would they be? :)

xxx

Masquerade

I am off to the Venetian Masked Ball at the Assembly rooms tomorrow! Its been far too long since I've put on a ball gown, and this is for a good cause, so all the better. I will take photos!

XX

Tuesday

Good afternoon dearest ones,

Well, how quickly things can change! I was, I admit a right Monday grumpus yesterday, the sky was falling. But I got my butt in gear and went for a run and to crossfit, helped a newbie get settled in (the box can be very intimating when you're new) and suddenly - oh yeah, I'm capable of plenty thankyouverymuch!

And today a lovely lady from the Holburn Museum Bath has asked for my help organise a science fair inspired by the age of enlightenment, how fun! and how nice that my name was mentioned - I must be getting quite the reputation for organising haphazard but heartfelt science fairs :P (or something like that....)

 

XXX

Monday Calling

After a pleasant night of cocktails on Saturday night I had a bit of a talking to from a colleague of mine - she said that I need to try harder to get out of my job that's drained all my energy and enthusiasm before I turn completely bitter. {note: telling people what they 'really need to do' in life, hate it}

I don't have huge enthusiasm for my job, so she is kinda right - but at the same time just made me feel utterly crap - probably more so now its Monday - I'm not working hard enough to get another job, I'm not working hard enough in my current job, I'm not fit enough, I'm not thin enough, I'm not learning enough about yoga, I don't have a CALLING. Jeez, I'm note quite good enough at anything right now and it makes me feel rubbish.

Now I have a bit of a pet peeve of people that complain about things but then aren't willing to change something to improve the situation, so I better not get too mopey about this whole thing.

So how do you do it? how do you find this mythical unicorn that is a fulfilling worthwhile career/Life?

Forbes offer an interesting list on How to find your calling
So things I can take from this right now?

• “What is next today?” OK so I'll run, go to crossfit, learn a little more about yoga, and tidy the bathroom - that's not really career based at all....OK I will apply for a job today as well, one that intrigues me. Which  brings us to ...
• Say yes to the things that intrigue you. I kinda feel like I do this quite a bit anyway, but a solid mantra all the same.
• Change course if you find yourself coasting. Well suffice to say - I coast in my job alot, I am trying to change course. It just seems to be taking a long time....

Someone said to me recently you should make a list of all the things you've done in the last 6 months that you really enjoyed and then ask yourself why you're not doing more of these things.

My last 6 months, what I loved:

• Travelling and seeing loads of cool wildlife in the Amazon
• planning new adventures
• Trail running+TM
• Signing up for Yoga TT

So what do I like doing - challenging myself and learning new things. Right, no wonder I don't like my job! It really is time to jump ship!

Oh and finally...

So remembering to do the things that make me happy seems like a good idea too so thats; travel, reading, shows/films, friends, parties, not to be overlooked!

XXX

Guilt

I am very excited that I have a 7 day pass to the Bath Spa hotel spa+gym starting today.

But am already feeling panicky and guilty for not working more on my yoga studies at the weekend. I started essay 9 of 10 on friday but my practical workshop in March is not far off and I'll have to actually teach, actual people arrgh! and I have to sit an exam which is news to me! = panic, my memory of all the bones and muscle groups is not great, and then there's the poses and the specific muscles they work.

I always have this nagging feeling that I'm not doing enough, not learning enough, not working hard enough....its tough! anyways to resolve this problem at least for today - I've got a to do list to finish in the office, a yoga class to attend at lunch time, then I'll run 4 miles in the hotel gym (a treadmill, what luxurious novelty!), relax in the spa and then there is a lovely chillout space with tea and comfy chairs - I'm going to print off some yoga articles to study whilst I'm there. Phew I always feel better with a plan - even if its just for today :) *

 

XXX

 

*Is this a completely 'first world problems'? I should probably pull it together....