Goals

At times we all need to align our lives in such a way as to acheive a certain goal. Sometimes though, that goal doesn't seem as though it is clear. How do we rectify this?
When times like this happens, it is good to step back from the larger goal and aim at acheiving a smaller goal which will help to fulfill the larger one. Often this is the only way to achieve the larger goal. Still we need to look at what we want the final outcome is to be.
Times are always changing though and sometimes the goals that we have in mind need to be altered a little. Yet when this happens, should we give up on our larger goal? In some situations this may seem like a good thing to do. However if we do give up, then what we have already done can seem like wasted time and energy. Instead we should look at realigning the larger goal that we have in mind. In particular the time span in which we want to acheive the goal.
In all of this though, we have to keep focussing on the goal. If we lose sight of the goals that we have for whatever reason, then we lose sight of our purpose. The only way to acheive goals is to keep our eyes on them.

Daring

Victor Hugo once wrote these words:
"The onward march of the human race requires that the heights around it should be ablaze with noble and enduring lessons of courage. Deeds of daring dazzle history, and form one of the guiding lights of man. The dawn dares when it rises. To strive, to brave all risks, to persist, to persevere, to be faithful to yourself, to grapple hand in hand with destiny, to surprise defeat by the little terror it inspires, at one time to confront unrighteous power, at another to defy intoxicated triumph, to hold fast, to hold hard - such is the example which the nations need, and the light that electrifies them."
How often do we simply sit back and allow history to pass us by? Each of us can make a difference in the world, if we would only dare to stand up and be counted. Just think what a different place the world could be if we did dare to do what Hugo was thinking - to confront unrighteous power for example. We all know of things that should be done differently and wonder if there is anything that we would be able to achieve if we acted on our thoughts. Much can be said of hindsight and saying in the future that we should have done this or this. Yet if we only do that, then the opportunity to do things has already passed us by.
The time to dare is now.

Sport

Sport. It really can be an amazing thing.

I am always amazed that some people get so caught up in a sporting event that they seem to forget what goes on around them. After all, not everything revolves around sport. Whether it be a team, a player or a competition, none of these matter in the long run.

Recently we have seen the finals in the various football codes here in Australia (Australian Rules and Rugby League). In both of the grand finals much was said in the lead up to them about players that were to be leaving the respective clubs and how the teams would survive without them. Not only that, but other events also seemed to become more important than the simple enjoyment of the games.

I agree that it is always a good thing to see a player leave a team as a winner, but in the long run, most players would be happy to know that they have been playing their best at the highest possible level for a number of years. Everything else should be less significant to the players.

Likewise fans should go to games simply to enjoy the contest that may unfold before them. Ridiculing players or officials really isn't an enjoyable pasttime for anyone, so why do they do it? It makes no difference to the outcome of the game. Yet you have to ask the question, how many of those same fans who complain about refereeing decisions or the actions of some players, have ever tried to play the game themselves. If they had then the comments that are made might not be heard.

Still sport is something that should be enjoyed. Not only to watch though. People should get out and play some sort of sport (even something like croquet or lawn bowls for the older folk). Learning to enjoy life through the socialization and companionship that sport can bring happiness to people's lives.

Sunshine where you are

In looking at some writing I came across this quote which is applicable for everyone, and at any time.
"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine" - Anthony J. D'Angelo

This statement can be true no matter where we are. Sunshine in our lives is merely an echo of the happiness that we have in our life. When we are happy, then there will be sunshine in our lives. Even on the darkest, rainiest, most miserable of days. It is merely a state of mind that we all have, that determines what the sunshine will be.

Cheer up and smile and you will find that no matter what the weather or day holds for you, it will seem better.

Change

There is a time for all people when things need to be renewed or something different tried. No-one is exempt from that happening. What's more none of us should try to be.
Sometimes things get renewed in a way that people don't like, even though for the most part they are altered to make things work better.
One such example is the new Facebook layout. It seems as though thousands of people are unhappy with it. My question for them is this - have they actually looked at the changes closely?
The Facebook developer wanted to make the profile or home pages for everyone easier to follow. In such regard he achieved that. There is less clutter on people's profile pages as the different boxes to their "applications" are no longer on the front. Does this mean that some things are no longer there? Not at all. None of the previously available information has been deleted. It is still there, only moved to a different tab. An extra click and people can see what was at the front.
Other changes were to the way that applications are first accessed. While there isn't the same ability initially to adjust settings, that can still be done. It almost makes you wonder why people can't take the extra few seconds to make some more clicks to do so.
It goes to show how people don't like change in their lives. Sometimes they can choose to have the changes made, at other times the changes are forced upon them whether they want (or indeed like) it or not. How people react to change is what is important. Rather than see change as something to be feared or something bad, if people viewed change as an opportunity then they should welcome it. If everyone did that, who knows what may occur in the world.