There are times when you find yourself pondering and questioning the meaning and purpose of this thing called LIFE. Very often it is when we are faced with decisions and challenges and we then get to thinking about the reasons why we are here, why we experience what we do and what lessons we are supposed to learn to make us better and wiser beings.

So in my ponderings here's what I came up with - that Life is about...

1. CHANGE

So often we resist change because we don't want to move out of our comfort zone/s. Comfort zones contain so much that are familiar and comfortable to us and we become attached to them. Simple and even silly examples like 'your' parking spot at work, 'your' favourite chair, 'your' bicycle at gym. However also and more importantly the way we do and see things, certain relationships in which we exist - not thrive, a job we are not happy with but are too scared to change or leave, a move we know we should make but the hassle factor overwhelms us and so the list can go on and on. Just think of the amount of energy you spend and have spent trying to stay in your comfort zone and resisting change. When we hold onto people and situations that we should move away from, we end up ignoring the possibilities for transformation for the better… for ourselves.

2. FAILURE/FAIRNESS

The world is not evil - we just need to manage it. Benjamin Franklin said that those things that hurt, instruct…powerful words. We need to accept that life is not fair and at times can be hard. However when there is this acceptance from us we grow, because we realise that every experience creates an opportunity. Coping and dealing with the unfairness of life and adversity, with resilience and humility gives us strength, confidence, courage and inner peace.

In a nutshell a really interesting book that helps one to understand what makes other generations tick and as a result shrink the generation gap. One identifies one's generation from the list presented and it also enables one to gain insight into the other generations. Some valuable food for thought!

For those impatient individuals out there! Ryan shares how by practising the patience in all aspects of our lives we can put things into perspective; see the value in working at something (patiently) to achieve excellence and discover that there is often more than one right way to do things. Practical and inspiring

A very interesting book which shows us how to spot hidden opportunities. Wiseman tells us that when the brain is stressed we don't focus on the bigger picture but on a tiny area and that is why we very often miss opportunities. He shows us that by asking more questions, thinking more laterally and learning to 'play' we can enable the brain to see the world in fresh ways and spot what we may have previously missed.

3. PEOPLE/FRIENDS

When we look at the people in our lives - our friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances - we can learn something from every one of them. The Celts had a wonderful notion of friendship. In the early Celtic church, a person who acted as a friend, leader, guide or companion was referred to as an anam cara - the Gaelic word for 'soul friend'. Over the years I have made friends and connected with wonderful people (and some who have hurt me) however I have realised that everyone who has crossed my path is entitled to my kindness, caring and non-judgement. To selflessly give..we shall in return receive.

4. CHOICE

It is not only the choices we make about our friends, our lifestyle, our job and all the other choices we are faced with. It is also about the choices we make about ourselves that are so important.. such as:

•    Our values
  
•    Our goals and purpose
  
•    Our attitude
  
•    Our solitude
  
•    The way we treat others (and let others treat us)
  
•    What we really want versus what is expected of us
  
•    The way we handle adversity

Probably the most important thing I've learned about choices….is that you always have another one.

SOME INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE:

These have been around for some time - just a reminder!

•    Don't believe everything you hear or spend all you have.
  
•    Trust in God but lock your car.
  
•    Don't judge people by their relatives.
•    Don't judge people.
  
•    Dance like no-one's watching.
  
•    Silence really is sometimes the best answer.
  
•    Mind your own business.
  
•    Learn the rules properly so that you know how to break them properly!
  
•    Be kind - it doesn't cost much.
  
•    When you lose…don't lose the lesson.
  
•    Never laugh at someone else's dreams - one day they may be yours.
  
•    Laugh at yourself.
  
•    Phone your mother/father/sister/brother…it may have been a long time.
  
•    Have a toast to yourself and what you've achieved…you deserve to.
  
•    Have fun and don't justify.
•    Listen - you may hear something.