Lessons from the Book of Cat

Today is cold, wet and dreary, I observe my cats.  They gaze out windows for hours on end. What are they waiting for? Fully present opportunists they clearly communicate their needs with patience and persistence that has no limits.  They spend their day napping, bathing, stretching and occasional sun baths.  Although cautious at first, cats are forever friends and readily express affection with gifts (alive or dead), through conversation and touch.  To err is human, to purr is feline. Robert Byrne,

Who doesn’t smile when a cat purrs? (by the way the frequency of purring helps stimulate bone growth) Cats have a clear sense of personal space and entitlement yet their curiosity and playfulness keeps them forever young. We can all take a leaf from the book of cat. - Remembering to live in the present, to take care of ourselves and to face forward to the future knowing that this too shall pass.  

When I am feeling low all I have to do is watch my cats and my courage returns. Charles Bukowski

Stop reflect

Never say never.
Scott Lindgren’s jaw dropping legacy of pushing boundaries embodies passion, overcoming obstacles and befriending Self. His dream to be the first to run the four rivers draining from Mount Kailash in Tibet came to a crashing halt when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour with one river remaining. Months of recovery provided the opportunity for self-reflection and revelation.

I have surrendered to the universe of life. I no longer try to control the outcome of life. I have transitioned into embracing what life has to offer. I have turned off the voices in my head and lead with my heart. It is such a gift to be free of my darkest fears. I have so much compassion for people that struggle! I know I am not the only one. What makes me sad is I didn’t know how to ask for help. It was tearing me apart. I perceived being vulnerable as being weak.

He befriended Aniol Serrasolses, a next gen world class kayaker who re-ignited his passion to relearn his craft with a beginners mind and body and to fulfil his dream as a team member rather than leader.  The inspiring journey is beautifully documented in the award winning netflix movie The Riverman

Scott passed recently leaving a personal legacy reflecting trust, vulnerability and determination delivered humbly and with thanks.  May we all find that place of inner peace and strength.
It is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill

Commitment is an act not a word. Jean Paul Sarte

 Motivation births an idea, Commitment transforms it into reality. Abraham Lincoln
 
Free Solo documents Alex Honnold’s climb of El Capitan in 2017. For years he planned and prepared with unwavering dedication to achieve the Holy Grail of climbing while many thought he needed to be committed for daring to attempt it. You watch in awe as his Commitment unlocks doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives him the right stuff to turn his dream into reality. James Womack
 
Tony Robbins says stay committed to your decisions, be flexible in your approach. For Alex, Success was a matter of hanging on when others would have let go. Anon And When challenged, the committed heart will search for a solution, the undecided seeks an escape. Andy Andrews
 
The movie is not for the faint of heart. It does exemplify that The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence regardless of their chosen field of endeavour. Vince Lombardi. No one said it would be easy, for The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. Vince Lombardi  Remember, it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill

I have committed my life to my family and to Red Doors, what are you committed to?

Pivotal Moments

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Neale Donald Walsch

As I was about to be led down the aisle the minister whispered in my ear ‘are you ready?’. Inside I screamed ‘You’re asking that…. now?’. Every step led me away from an old life and towards the unknown.

 There comes a moment in one’s life when you stop and think. What am I doing? That is the point where life changing decisions are made. AbhiShek Ranjan

This weekend eight gong CATalysts completed level 1 training. Congratulations for having the curiosity, courage and commitment to embrace change, to dive into the world of gongs where personal fulfilment, satisfaction and harmonic resonance lies. Go forth and play!

Our lives are a product of choices. Dr. Kathleen Hall  And for these students their lives will never be the same.

Uncharted waters

Uncharted Waters
 

In the middle ages they believed the world was flat and if you sailed far enough in one direction you would fall off the edge.  Columbus and other adventurers  'going boldly where no man has gone before' - Star Trek  proved them wrong.

Humanity on mothership earth is in uncharted territory.  Normally we refer to the lessons of the past. There are none. Earth is our ship.  Survival our destination.  We have no map and limited resources. Yet like a crew on a ship in peril we have each other. Our resourcefulness, our ability to adapt, to support each other with resilience, grace and even humour.  It is not a question of 'me' but of 'we'.  Albert Einstein said In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity and Lincoln said the best way to predict your future is to create it.  Our future may not be clear, however this too shall pass.  And we shall walk together into a brave new world. Our resolution will determine the survival of us all. Adlai Stevenson.