New year with new challenges

Sorry it's been a while since my last post. The New Year has brought a lot of new challenges with the world financial crisis, the Victorian bushfires and the North Queensland floods. Israel and Palestine have been fighting again. People have lost homes, property, livelihoods and some have even lost their lives. I extend my condolences to all the families affected by all these events.

I must admit I have felt fearful with all this going on. Was the world going to fall apart completely? I didn't know if I'd have enough work to pay the bills. I didn't know if I'd be able to keep all the staff on at work. I didn't know if I'll be able to pay my mortgage. I didn't know if we'd be able to afford it when Kerryn gets pregnant and we have a baby. I didn't know if I'll be able to sell my second book when I finish it. What was the point in even trying?

And then I remembered - I'm still breathing, I've got my health and I've got the support of my partner in life and love. There are many aspects of life that I don't have control over, but why let that stop me? I'm not going to get out of this life alive , so let's give it my best shot.

Since thinking that, I stopped focusing on my problems and thought about what I could do for others. My colleagues and I have found enough work to pay our bills and our staff. Our company has donated money to the bushfire and flood relief charities. We've also introduced a new sustainability policies at work to use electricity from 100% renewable sources, recycle paper, and reduce petrol/diesel consumption (I believe strongly that we shouldn't waste our natural resources). I've also managed to write almost five chapters of my new book.

I guess the lesson I learnt over the last two months is this: life is always going to throw events at me that I will find fearful or upsetting. I can either get depressed and sit tight waiting for someone else to sort out the world; or I can accept the problems and do my best to help my own little corner of the world, and keep chasing my dreams.

I suppose none of us can control all the circumstances of life, but we all get to choose how we react. There is a old proverb that says risk and opportunity are the opposite sides of the same coin. If the coin represents life's events, it must take a lot of practice to see both sides at the same time, but I thinks it will be worth it.

Have a thoughtful week
Chris

Comments

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Chris Dowding - writer

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