I’m a sucker for a good view. I love a vista me. Give me a landscape of rolling hills, jagged mountain tops, or an unbroken horizon and I’m struck dumb – sometimes for several minutes. A bit of scenery is good for the soul. And I have discovered something; you don’t need to go to the other side of the world for some very special views.
On my morning commute I often see beautiful cloud formations, for it is in the morning light that the flatness of the Essex marshes really comes to life. As the sun peeks over the horizon we early commuters are treated to a fantastic show, each day different to the one before. The endless sky stretched out over the fields to the north sea provides the perfect canvas upon which nature can create works of art to make even the grumpiest early bird appreciate the sky; sweeping swathes of pink, delicate brush strokes of white on a deep blue background, ethereal haze and an almost limitless colour palette means that no two skies are ever the same.
So although I gripe and moan about catching the 07.30 train into London, each day I am rewarded with a fresh view to placate me. But not today… today the Essex skies are a blanket of pure white. It is November and already we have a thick blanket of snow on the ground. It doesn’t bode well for the months ahead. Luckily I can comfort myself with the thought of my upcoming visit to Tanzania, and equatorial temperatures. If I close my eyes I can feel the sun already…
Welcome
Well, here we are. I don't know where 'here' is exactly, but I hope you will join me on the journey to find out... Let me start at the beginning. I'm 26 (actually now 28... so the world turns...), female, and British. That's the first few things you will notice about me if we were to ever meet. But there's a lot going on in this here noggin' of mine (that means head in olde english speak by the way). I am writing this blog for myself really, but you are very welcome to pop in to visit every now and then. I can't promise anything mind-blowing or life changing for you, but it may well make you think, laugh or even explore your own mind. I love to write. I also love to travel, meet people, have adventures and generally get the most out of what life has to offer.
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Monday 8 November 2010
The art of believing in yourself (extract from article written for Tiny Buddah website)
From an early age I was always top of the class at school and it was assumed that I would go and have a high flying business career. I didn't ever stop to think in what field, I just had a vague vision of my future self sitting in an office. I even won the 'most likely to make a million pounds' award at school! But it hasn't worked out that way. Perhaps because I’m so stubborn and don't like to do what's expected of me - I like to surprise people.
When I see people younger than me doing seemingly brilliant jobs my first reaction is ‘wow, look how successful they are, why can’t that be me?’ But then I remind myself that they would probably be jealous of my life in other ways, for things that I don’t even think are note-worthy. For example, travelling alone was not a problem for me, but some people I’ve spoken to are amazed that I could do so and see it as brave. Whether you have travelled, got a degree, climbed a mountain, or bought a house, had children, learnt mandarin etc… we have all done things that seem amazing to others. Whatever you have done, you can be proud of your achievements.
After a few years of adult life and working in jobs that weren’t going anywhere, I’ve discovered that what really makes me happy is helping other people. I'm not being sanctimonious, it's just the truth. Some people want a Mercedes, or a mansion, but I know that those things wouldn't make me happy. I am now planning on training as a primary school teacher so I can make a difference in my own small way, and allow me time to continue volunteering. We all have to figure out what's going to make us happy and find a way to do it. It’s that simple!
When I see people younger than me doing seemingly brilliant jobs my first reaction is ‘wow, look how successful they are, why can’t that be me?’ But then I remind myself that they would probably be jealous of my life in other ways, for things that I don’t even think are note-worthy. For example, travelling alone was not a problem for me, but some people I’ve spoken to are amazed that I could do so and see it as brave. Whether you have travelled, got a degree, climbed a mountain, or bought a house, had children, learnt mandarin etc… we have all done things that seem amazing to others. Whatever you have done, you can be proud of your achievements.
After a few years of adult life and working in jobs that weren’t going anywhere, I’ve discovered that what really makes me happy is helping other people. I'm not being sanctimonious, it's just the truth. Some people want a Mercedes, or a mansion, but I know that those things wouldn't make me happy. I am now planning on training as a primary school teacher so I can make a difference in my own small way, and allow me time to continue volunteering. We all have to figure out what's going to make us happy and find a way to do it. It’s that simple!
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