by Barbara | Mar 25, 2015 | Celebrating Life, Great Movies, Inspiration, Travel
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Have you ever met someone unexpectedly? We were on holiday in New York and making our way to the top of the Empire State Building when we met Bob in the elevator.
Bob was dressed in his uniform and worked at the Empire State Building. He overheard us talking and immediately posed the question in his fabulous New York accent, “Melbourne or Sydney?” Very surprised we replied, “Perth.”
This lead to an interesting conversation about Australia. Bob told us that his favourite movie was The Castle and gave us an impromptu rendition of classic oneliners from the film:[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”https://happinessofpursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/The-Castle.jpg” image_width=”250″ image_height=”350″ crop=”true” svg=”false” lightbox=”false” group=”_general” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”right” margin_bottom=”10″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”center” margin_bottom=”0″]
spacespacespacespace
“that’s going straight to the pool room,”
“tell him he’s dreaming,”
“why would you wanna go out?”
“It’s the serenity.”
[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”https://happinessofpursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/BobEmpireStateBuilding.jpg” image_width=”600″ image_height=”350″ crop=”true” svg=”false” lightbox=”false” group=”_general” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” desc=”Me with Bob at the top of the Empire State Building” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”center” margin_bottom=”10″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]What a fantastic surprise! Somehow, here we were, riding in an elevator, sharing something in common with a New Yorker in the most unexpected place. It’s amazing how warm and fuzzy it made us feel. Bob told us how he had been given the film years ago as a gift from a friend and that he just loved the Aussie humour and expressions. He also told us that he was a New Yorker, born and bred, and had never travelled overseas.
It was such a surreal experience to meet someone in New York who was so familiar with an Aussie Classic. If you haven’t seen the film, I totally recommend it for a great laugh!
If you’re going to the Empire State Building anytime soon, please say hi to Bob for us!
What unexpected encounters have you had?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
by Barbara | Nov 14, 2014 | Fitness, The Arts, Travel
Djidi Djidi is the Aboriginal name for the Willy Wagtail bird. The pronunciation of Djidi Djidi is Geedee Geedee. (I just love that name, it rhymes with Giddy Giddy and everytime I say Djidi Djidi it seems to feed a fountain of giggles in me).
Have you ever seen how determined and persistent a Djidi Djidi can be? Take a look at the short video clip I’ve attached. It shows exactly what I mean in a matter of seconds. A very brave Djidi Djidi takes on a big black Crow that’s probably ten times his size.
Djidi Djidi’s are pretty small in size but big in heart. In fact, I don’t think they realize that they are so small. Instead they take on whatever challenge confronts them with energy and strategy. They have absolute confidence in their ability to persist until they achieve their goal. Size and power might not be a Djidi Djidi’s strengths but perseverance certainly is.
Watching this little bird in action is inspirational. We all have “big black crows” in our lives: challenges that come in all different shapes and sizes, looming larger than our perceived ability to prevail. I think you know what I mean.
Despite being well prepared for the challenge, there is always that little bit of self-doubt that might creep in. “What if’s” and “unknowns” start running rampant through your mind. Suddenly, you’re unsure about whether you’ve done enough, whether you’re fit enough, whether you’ve over estimated your ability, whether you can handle the situation. Suddenly you think you’re not good enough – everyone else seems better than you. The opportunities to get in your own way and erode your self-confidence are plentiful. (It’s that infernal internal Resident Critic again).
If this sounds vaguely familiar to you, I’ve some advice: be the Djidi Djidi! Take on your “big black crows” with perseverance, you don’t need power and size.
Be the Djidi Djidi and say to yourself: “You Can Do It!”
(Add a Mexican accent like Ramon’s from Happy Feet and you’re made!)
Watch this video to see what I mean! ( Many thanks to Chris for the video).
by Barbara | Oct 18, 2014 | Fitness, Health, The Arts, Travel
The fable of The Chicken and the Pig is about the difference between involvement and commitment:
The pig and chicken were great friends. One day the chicken approached the pig and suggested that they start a restaurant together. The pig said, “I’m not so sure about this idea. What would we call it?” The chicken replied, “I think ‘Ham and Eggs’ would be a good name.” The pig responded, “Definitely not! I would be committed but you would only be involved.”
The chicken would be involved by laying the eggs, but the pig would be totally committed by giving up all there is to give.
What does achieving your goals and pursuit list items require of you? Involvement or commitment? I’ve decided to try and be fully committed to my goals, but I’m sure there will be some pursuits where I’ll only be involved. After all, there is a time to be fully committed and a time to be involved. The trick is knowing which one to be at the appropriate time.
by Barbara | Sep 24, 2014 | Fitness, Health, Quotes, The Arts, Travel
And in the end,
it’s not the years in your life that count.
It’s the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln
