join the (least) resistance

Okay... okay... you've got me cornered :-)
So before starting my next post: please do not remind me of the irony. In my previous post I lectured about not making too much pictures. And behold: it had my picture on it of a person taking a picture of another one taking a picture. Guilty as charged. Well it does prove the point that you won't have to take me too serious. But you already knew that didn't you.

Anyway, on with the show. This is something I need to tell you, before my bad memory claims another victim. A few months ago, seemed like a lifetime already, I had a confersation with someone who could easily qualify as 'smarter than me'. Shocking isn't it? Naah you're right, you won't have to to much to win such a title. But as the saying goes. If you're the smartest one in the room, you are in the wrong room.
She shared an interesting way of viewing life.
"You have to take the way with the least resistance."
Sounds like a lazy way?
No. Wait. Noooh: don't leave just yet... I wasn't finished.
You have to take the way with the least resistance BUT which leads to an optimal result.
So not the fastest way, not the easiest way... the way in which you get what you want (or the closed thing to it, without taking too much of your effort.
Again, I never said that it won't take any effort. Just that it shouldn't take more effort than needed.
Perfection is an illusion. Things will never be perfect, they aren't made to be perfect.
Just chase the thing you want to achieve and make sure it's worth it. But don't go over enourmous lengths to achieve it. If it's fine it's fine. There are many more things that require our already devided attention.

To prove this, I won't proof read this text. Just type in and send. Up to you to decide if it all makes sense. If not, you know where you can find me.

It's too bad that I can't contact the one who gave me the idea. It would be nice to check if  my interpretation is correct. So if you ever read this, oh wise one, feel free to let me know if I'm on the right track. I'm ready for your hatemail :-D  

see you next time

You are here

Hello there, it has been a while hasn’t it?

To be honest I haven’t been feeling myself lately, so instead of writing advice on this blog, I have been following my own. When I felt bad, I allowed myself to cocoon a bit. When I felt better I tried to make most of it with friends, events and writing.  The only problem is of course that when you have limited energy, you can’t use as much as you want to.   Bit still we’re trying. And that takes us to the next post.

You are here

We’ve seen it a lot on maps. And yes, even on the map of life: here you are and here I am.  No matter what happened, what you’ve done or what is going to wait for you in the future: here you are. You made it this far, being on this location, with no doubt: already great accomplishments. For you they might seem insignificant, but that is because you are too close to those projects. Tell anybody else of the things that drive you, the things you have already done. They will be amazed, I’ll guarantee it. Mind you not all accomplishments are falling in the same category: family, friends, money, status… usually we focus too much on the obvious means of success. Nevertheless, here you are. You made it this far and that couldn’t be done without all the effort you’ve put in your life. You might not be on the right place… yet. But the road is still long and you have many great things to encounter. Some paths may be blocked due to your past. But remember that there are still plenty of routes to take, no matter where your destination might be. So every once and a while, when you feel lost: go outside. Go to those city maps and see the message: you are here. Now please take a bow and wave at the camera.

the final journey

Hey, this is a personal message. It has nothing to do with your wellbeing,
nor with mine. But I thought it would make an interesting story. Believe what you will about it.

Recently my grandfather died. As far as I know, he went peacefully.
But I don't put this story up to prey on your condolences. He had a good age, and I guess for him it will be a final journey into the unknown.

What happened a few weeks ago, that is interesting.

Some time ago, my grandfather asked my father to hide his passport.
He said that people were trying to steal it, and he needed his passport to get to heaven/the afterlife.

A week ago he adressed my father again and asked back his passport. Het told my father that they  wouldn't come to take him. If he could he would walk to heaven himself, but it was beyond reach for the moment.
A few days ago he passed away, I guess they finally came for him.

Again, I have no idea why I share this with you, other than to tell you an interesting story.
Think from it what you will. I'd like to think that he is in a beter place now and that the customs didn't gave him a hard time with his passport.

take care

and untill next week.

M

accomplishments

It is better to regret a choice of life, while following your passions, than to look back and always wonder why you didn't take your chances.

About a week ago  I've talked to my uncle. He's an independant worker and someone i'm starting to apreciate more as I grow older. I guess some wisdom can only be taught in time, and through experience... be it good or bad.

My uncle is a man with a clear vision.
he knew what he wanted to do.
As he said:

"When I got married, the combined capital of both me and my wife was 20 euros.
The day I told people I was going to become an independant plumber, I got a shitstorm of critique. But I knew it was something I had to do. And so I got things started.
The day my son was born, I told myself: 
whenever he gets married, I'll drive him to church in a genuine oldtimer.
So I worked hard. I made my mistakes, but I learned from them. I took my time off when needed, but I always had the endgame in mind. When opportunity knocked I let it in, no matte if friends and family had better things to do."

Personal note: keep my previous post in mind: it is a good thing to have goals, passions, and purpose. But do not work yourself to death. Having priorities is one thing, letting the whole world pass you by is another. My uncle also enjoyed life when he had the chance.
And you know what?
a few years ago he did it.
He fuckin' drove his son to the wedding chapel with his very own oldtimer.

Of course for every succes story there is another tale of someone who crashed and burned.
But if you really have your mind set on something. If you do the things you are passionate about, then there is no failure, only opportunities to learn

good luck out there

- writer out,
I have some more stories to create -

M

family ties

“Family. Religion. Friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business.” – Monty Burns

Sorry, I couldn’t resist putting this up here. Although this quote is so horribly wrong, it is still funny.

…

But as always, there is some truth in it, depending how you look at it. Although friends and family are the life force you need to keep on living, some might hold you back. Don’t worry, I’m not a crazy cult leader that tells you to leave everything behind (although I find it quite tempting to take on that job ;-)

I just want to express that most  friends and family will often suggest you to follow the safe path. They like you to succeed in something solid, something that will offer a good future. And, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. It might even say that they care about you. 

But that easy path might limit your potential. Of course what good is living life on the wild side if you don’t have the means to support yourself, burning every euro you have on crazy projects? So I guess the route to follow lies somewhere in between. Just flip a coin every once and a while. But no matter which way you chose to go, remember that the roads less traveled might be a thousand times more interesting. How would you know if you won’t try it?  

This requires guts. But you do have it in you: you’ve got a stomach, intestines… all the nice gooey bits. So use it every once and a while. Go for gut, go for glory. And don’t forget to tell me a nice juicy story about it.   

crossroads

I like to share a thought of mine, I hope you can squirm into the mindset for just this one post.

There are some speculations going on about destiny. Are our movements already written in the book of life, or do we just perform random acts that seem to fall in place in the end as we try to make a pattern out of it? There is no easy answer on this one, although many would like to prove me wrong.
Anyhow, I once had my fortune told in a rather unique situation (No further comment; let’s just say nothing good happens after 3 AM ;-). Strangely enough, most of the predictions came to pass.  So in a way I believe that  we are predestined to do great things. But that doesn’t mean those things will happen automatically. I see life more as a journey over a scenic route. There’s always something to see if you take your time to stop and breathe in the atmosphere. For a certain time your route is fixed. You may anticipate things that will cross your path as you carry on. But more than occasionally you will stand before a crossroad. At that point you have to make a choice. Left, right, straight on…  It is then, that we are in control of our route. What do you want to see, who will you meet. Sometimes you might get lost or encounter a detour. After we pick the direction, we head on straightforward until we end up at the next crossroad. And in the end it doesn’t matter how quick you wind up at your final destination. It’s more about how you enjoyed it, and what kind of stories you have to tell. So if you ever get there, feel free to bring me a little souvenir. Happy trails.