Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE
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Planning some high points
Looking back over the year I ponder my activities and modest achievements and wonder if I had the time over again, would I make a difference. Somehow 'life' can seem to happen by default as though we don't have much say in the matter; days come and go; our weekends are no sooner happening than they are behind us; our get-togethers with friends and family, holidays, sojourns in the country; the exhibitions, concerts, films and theatre visits have come and gone, and the major part of our lives which is normally our work has occupied us fully for most of the year. Has it been good?
Well, I'm smiling, are you? For some reason I do not get enough time to do all that I want and I wrote a few weeks ago about the proportion of time we devote to different activities and concluded that a little more opportunity for photography would be preferable as that has been pushed to one side by my enthusiasm for violin playing. In some ways I'm very fortunate to have time for hobby activities as I know so many of us barely get any chance for such pleasurable activities and almost self-indulgence. But I see it as crucial to my life and a major priority. Getting up in the morning at 5.00am is one way I've created space in my day, so I even get 40 minutes of violin practice done before my first clients in the morning. (Yes, I know you think I'm mad.)
But looking back at the year I see occasional highlights amongst long periods of lengthy project work in photography and studying music and regular weekly trips to the country. To call them project work sounds boring, but I am at loss to call long term activities anything else.
I think it's time to set a few new goals as these usually help me focus on some things specifically which will be enjoyable at the time and lead to completion of the specific task and fulfilment. Do you set yourself goals? I've decided to buy a place in the country so that will be a focus (and a financial challenge) for next year. I shall also start writing my next book although I presently do not see where the time will come from, and I also wish to get a book of photography underway; the actual photography is done. Along with making more progress with the violin, setting up National Siesta Day 2008, running a full-time Alexander Technique practice, social activities with my partner and friends, it will not be a dull year!
It's so good to have something to look forward to; it helps our spirits, it helps our posture (seriously), it helps our health and zest for life. Is it time to start planning next spring and summer holidays? Absolutely, definitely. Is it a good idea to fix some dates in the diary to visit friends and family who we do not see so often? I wonder what concerts are scheduled for the spring season, and I'm sure my partner will want to go to the theatre a little more often. I can see it's time to get Googling and get some dates in the diary. When they're scheduled in, there is no way time will slip by without those all important 'special' occasions finding their proper place in our lives. :-)
