TALK WECOMEONE

Back from a day in the office. Feeling like a caveman, my mind is circling around food. Not in the mood for enlightenment, all I want to do is eat and then relax.

I switch on the music, not the best of bands…. so I think, but let the music do the walking. Probably one of my more peaceful moments of the day. Not thinking about money, banter….damn, whats that noise? I knew I forgot something. It must be those chores.   

Its small words that can make the difference. Whether we are motivated, empowered, or even relaxed, one word can usually do the trick. As shown below, it doesn’t need to be complicated to portray the message.

“Did” is a word of achievement.
“Can’t” is a word of defeat.
“Should” is a word of duty.
“Will” is a word of beauty.
“Can” is a word of power.
   

Its spend spend spend. Sales, offers, bargains, we’re all heading out to the shops to buy and yet ’save’. ok…well probably the majority of us.

However, is our core shopping culture changing? Are we actively looking for a bargin, or is our spending still based on quality clothing? Its hard to judge. The plastic doesn’t help. Neither does the fact that whilst I’m shopping in the supermarket, I see low priced clothing. Does that mean that the designer boutiques are losing out? High prices, time and even tax could well be factors why we are heading towards the bargains.

Where the cheaper high street stores and supermarkets are profitting, someone is making a loss. Always look to see where your new pair of trousers were born and in what condition. Sometimes its astonishing how far our clothes have come from.

Where the UK and USA have failed, Nigeria and many of the Latin American countries have prospered. No its not the World Cup… Its generally how happy we are.

Nigeria, followed by Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador and Puerto Rico led the way. Despite disorganisation, violence and corruption, its good news for an African Country. The African spirit is said to be shown through its music. I’m sure is the same in Latin America.

I guess the weather shows why the UK came in at 16th, not too sure about USA’s 24th ranking.

I’d love to see the happiness rub off on to other areas of these leading countries from the survey.

A lot of negative factors are around us. Global warming, wars, attacks etc. Even smaller personal issues. I feel the following quote puts things into perspective. We should think positively not only about the future but also about the present. Not forgetting to learn from the past.

“Our task is not to fix the blame for the past, but to fix the course for the future”

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

It varies how we consider the number 13, let alone Friday 13th. Some see it as unlucky, others see it as just another normal number and another day.

Its odd. Apparently, the risk of hospital admission due to an accident increases by up to 52%. I found that strange but this one definately got me thinking. I can’t remember the last time there were 13 of us sitting at a dinner table dining. It seems harmless at first but the myth about all 13 dying in a year is freaky.

It’s not a modern western superstition. Ancient Egyptians spiritual area of life was based on 12 stages, all occuring in life, and the 13th symbolising death. Superstitious how that number has been passed on from generation to generation.

Well… the number 13 does not do it for some. In Japan its not 13 but 4 which is considered as unlucky. 4 or ’shi’ in Japanese shi has the same pronounciation as death. As a result one should not give presents in sets of fours and sometimes in hotels, room 4 is usually missed out.

Friday 13th seems like a normal day to me. It’s interesting when witnessing the reactions when the number 13 is called out.

The following poem has a message. The long yet gritty road to success. A little like life. We have our failures, we have our successes. The rest simply describes itself.  

If there are a hundred steps
In thy path to success
And ye have not reached it
In ninety-nine of them
Do not conclude
That the journey is a failure

Press on and up…
the prizes are generally at the end of an effort,
not at its beginning…
and not to go on is to miss them.
Be valiant… have faith in yourself.
Success belongs to him who dares to win it.

I love this quote. Portrays so many ideas that shape us. If not us then other things. Its like selling a certain lifestyle that suits the public. Whether the brand promotes ‘achievement and personal growth through sport’, or a trendy coffee house which grows and grows, it really appeals to us.

I first came across the quote whilst studying but saw it in a shopping centre. “How odd?” I thought…How can they put it right infront of our eyes? I was surprised. Then again, would any of us bother noticing it if we were happily shopping?

I have to admire how branding works. Its not only a product companies are sellinganymore… It’s a lifestyle.

I don’t think the weathers been helping at all lately. The news seems to be as negative as ever. Not too sure why I chose this poem but I thought I’d share it with you:

A smile costs nothing, but gives much-
It takes but a moment, but the memory of it usually lasts forever.
None are so rich that can get along without it-
And none are so poor but that can be made rich by it.

It enriches those who receive, without making poor those who give-
It creates sunshine in the home,
Fosters good will in business,
And is the best antidote for trouble-
And yet it cannot be begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is of no value
Unless it is given away.

Some people are too busy to give you a smile-
Give them one of yours-
For the good Lord knows that no one needs a smile so badly
As he or she who has no more smiles left to give.