What I would tell a 20 year old jim

After chasing many things in my life I found that simplicity seems to make the most sense to me.  Live in the moment and enjoy what you are doing at that moment no matter what it is.  Try everyday to become a better than you were yesterday.  Don't spend time comparing yourself with others.  You only need to become a better you.

Spend more time in the mountains hiking.  Spend more time sitting around a fire with your family and friends. Work less and travel more.  Watch more tropical sunrises.


I think that is about it.

Oh and listen to what Ali says:

What to write about

Well what to write about.

I could write about the sunshine we had after Christmas and how the fields were an awesome white and the sky was an incredible color of blue.  Snowshoeing in the fields with no wind and only the winter birds chirping.  But I don't want to write about that.

I could write about having my family at home for a few days over the holidays and enjoying this time of year.  Having my boys play hockey and hang outside in the snow all the time beaking off at each other.  That is always cool to see.  But I don't want to write about that.

I could write about my up coming holiday and being able to go diving and fishing in the tropics.  A couple of my favorite things. But I don't want to write about that.

I could write about the relationships that I have in my life and how important they are too me.  Being able to be around the people I like and being able to help and empathize with some of the struggles they are having.  But I don't want to write about that.

I could write about all the things bouncing around in my head.  The thought both positive and negative and how both make me stronger mentally when I deal with them head on.  But I don't want to write about that.

I think I will just write about what a great future I see in front of me,

Solstice

I think I blog about this every year but I can't help myself.  I am a true Albertan.  I grew up in this amazing place and love being outside.  Love being in the mountains, on the lakes and on the prairies.

However and this is a big however, I really don't like the cold and dark much any more.  That is why Dec 21 is a great day in this cold dark winter.  It is the the day where our days begin to get longer again.  The promise of spring, warm weather and new growth.  The winter solstice.

Even in the cold spells of January and February I know the days are getting longer.  It makes it much more bearable.

Anyway enough complaining of the cold.  We maybe not because it is really cold today, but tomorrow?  We will see.

pursuing mastery

I was doing some research the other day and something struck me. Most people who are at the top of their field or their craft never perfect what they are pursuing. They look like they are perfect to those looking at them but to them. they are still pushing to get to perfection.

This is what mastery is about, we are pursing mastery, knowing we will never achieve mastery.  I think those who truly want mastery embrace this knowing they will never get there.  Those that don't embrace this either quite or agree to live in mediocrity.

Knowing this then is the pursuit of mastery a de-motivating pursuit.  Working for something that if you are honest with yourself you will never achieve.  I guess that is one way of assessing what is going on, but for myself that thought of even getting close to mastery is motivating. The achievement is in the pursuit of the goal and not in attaining the goal.

This may be confusing but to me it does make sense.  The important thing is to keep straight in my head that as long as there is some improvement day to day, I am achieving what I set out to do.

cold and empathy

If you ever thought you might need help with empathy and showing empathy for other living things; spend some time around horses when you get the first cold spell of the year.  Now horses  are built to be able to handle the hot summer days and the cold winter months.  But getting out in the morning and tossing them hay and dropping some oats for them, you still see the cold all around you and I know I can feel the wind driving through my body.

I can't help but give them more oats and a firm brisk brush (as I know they like both).  You can see it in their eyes that they appreciate the though.  And we all like treats and to horses those oats is good.

Anyway it was cold this morning