CategoriesActionGratitudeObserve

Cheering

Posted on April 4, 2022

We all cheer a little differently. It’s quite a personal thing. It depends if you are watching a local match, your children play, your favourite sports team or even which sport it is. You may be a little more boisterous during a football match than during a Wimbledon final. Especially on the serve.

Some people like to clap. Others prefer watching quietly. Still others enjoying launching full steam into their cheer with plenty of passion.

I can get quite involved with lots of passionate vocals. Although I always aim to encourage or direct and am not interested in denouncing, denigrating or booing – I’d rather just stay quiet. Silence can be deafening.

With Ryker’s match, as I noted in yesterday’s post, I watched while verbally cheering and encouraging. Not just him but his whole team. It was very exciting and a lot of fun. I don’t know if it made any difference, but it felt great being a part of it.

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CategoriesActionGratitudeHealth & FitnessThink About It

The Thrill And Pride Of Being English Champion

Posted on April 3, 2022

My son, Ryker, won his England Hockey T2 Cup final on Sunday 3rd April. In a thrilling match in Reading, they played against a challenging side from Alderley Edge, based south of Manchester.

It was exciting to watch. There was constant pressure and some end to end break outs which threatened to adjust the nil nil score line. A fortunate short corner goal later in the first half put our Teddington boys up 1-0 going into half time.

A couple of quicker goals after the half put the score to 3-0 but the lads from Alderley Edge answered with one of their own which really energised them. It was very tense from that moment with many chances at both ends.

The final whistle brought relief as the score remained 3-1 and the thrill of winning the final enveloped the team. That thrill of winning is so palpable. A mix of excitement, relief, pride and exhilaration are a heady brew.

Whether it is for a country level final or a pick up game with friends, winning is a nice feeling. As a parent, I am delighted for him and proud of how hard he has worked to be a worthy member of the team. I was also proud of the whole team, and their coaches, for their teamwork and sportsmanship.

The thrill and pride that come with winning are very personal. How we display these can elicit some strong opinions. Enjoy the moment though for it may be a long time coming again, if ever. Enjoy.

For more on this match and other age group national finals in England, head to https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/24-winners-crowned-in-england-hockey-junior-club-championships-finals

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CategoriesActionPropertyReframe your thoughtsTime

Property Can Make You Wealthy

Posted on April 2, 2022

Prices can make your mind make funny justifications. It’s not prices on their own though. It requires your bias and your emotion. And without thinking, you can end up on the wrong end of the stick.

There are many reasons not to own an investment property. People will share these with you whether you ask or not.

But a property in an area that is reasonably desirable, or is likely to continue to grow, can be an excellent investment.

For example, in the UK, property tends to double in value, on average, every 10 years. So, if you buy a £600,000 property with a £450,000 mortgage (75% loan to value), it should be worth about £1.2 million in 10 years and £2.4 million in 20 years.

Imagine that. One property that you put £150,000 down on as a deposit, could be worth about 4 times it’s current price in 20 years. That would leave you with nearly £2 million in equity.

That’s more than 10x on your money. You may also have received some rent in that time period too. Add that into the mix.

Now imagine that one property helped you buy two more at £800,000 on the 10th anniversary. And they went up similarly. And their mortgages stayed static. You could have about £4 million in total equity after the 20 years. Just three properties could change your life and whole financial circumstance.

Think it through. Or ask. But make it work for you. Because property can make you wealthy.

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CategoriesActionGratitudeObserveReframe your thoughtsTime

This Should Not Be Happening In 2022

Posted on April 1, 2022

I find this an odd statement, regardless of the topic. You may like something and wish it wasn’t happening, but why should it not be happening?

It’s a complex world. You live 1/8 billionth of it. Just because you think something should or shouldn’t be happening doesn’t mean everyone else is on the same page yet, or anymore.

Things shift. Life can be complicated. People might think we are so modern. I would imagine that people in 1,217 also thought they were super modern at the time. Also in 1812. Heck, there was even an overture named after that year. Impressive.

Remember, everyone here was born and had to be trained or they followed a role model. For every, single, little thing. And each one might have been different.

You may want a different world. But this is what we have. Work with it.

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CategoriesObserveThink About It

People Need Structure

Posted on March 31, 2022

It helps to have structure in your life. Sometimes it is nice to go with the flow for a short time, like when you are on a relaxed holiday. However, if you are flowing to long, you can easily be swept down river.

Having a bedtime, a get up time, daily rituals and immovable items in your diary are all good to have.

On the farm, there was the milking of the cows at 5am and 5pm. Everything else worked around that. Those were the 2 big rocks in our goal jar.

If you don’t have some clear structure, life can pass you by. You’ll get caught up on distractions. Get some structure in your life, if you are lacking some.

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CategoriesActionObserveReframe your thoughtsTime

Allow Extra Time

Posted on March 30, 2022

This is some great advice. Whether you’re renovating a property, heading to the airport, going to an exam or interview or even just driving to a friends, you should allow some extra time for unexpected moments.

We won’t always know in advance when traffic gets heavy, someone becomes ill, or someone bumps into us on our way. Just to be sure to be early, and no later than on time, allow extra time than you think is necessary.

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CategoriesActionReframe your thoughts

Keep Your Cool

Posted on March 28, 2022

Angry outbursts are rarely a good look. Especially on adults. Get some help from books, videos or therapists. You can improve if you give it some effort. It will be worth it.

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CategoriesActionHealth & FitnessThink About ItTime

Make Hay While The Sun Shines

Posted on March 27, 2022

Growing up on a farm, this made a lot of sense. You had to work on sunny days. Now that I am no longer on a farm, this means something a little different to me.

It means work while you can. Work while you have the health and ability. While conditions are good, make the most of them.

Because on actual sunny days, I like to watch my kids play, stroll with my wife, go for a run, or have a siesta under a shady tree. Sometimes even drink a cold beverage.

Words and phrases can mean different things to different people or even the same people but in different circumstances.

Do the work, or go and play, while you can.

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CategoriesGratitudeReframe your thoughtsTime

Appreciate Your Mother

Posted on March 26, 2022

Mom, Mum, Mother, or whatever you call that special woman who gave birth to you or raised you.

Sunday, in the UK, is Mother’s Day. A good time to give thanks for all that your Mom has done for you. From being a wee little thing, pushing on a swing and pushing you in a pram, to helping you learn to walk and maybe read.

She’s been there trying to make your life better in any way she can. Sometimes, or rather quite often, we don’t fully understand all that our Moms do.

So call her today, visit her, write her a letter or remember her and her place in your life.

Appreciate your mother.

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