The New Year Escape Plan: A Different Kind of Resolution

One good thing about a recession is that it gets people thinking.  The sea of uncertainty separates the rodents who can jump, from those who prefer to go round in a wheel. A recession builds as much as it breaks, demanding initiative and independent determination from the individual who sees opportunity.

Unfortunately such an individual may go unprovoked for the majority of the year, distracted by the monotony of the yearly cycle, justified by the supposed worthiness of their contribution to the wheel of society. Yes, they silence that nagging voice that urges there could be more by plodding away in the system, allowing the years materialistic and artificial milestones to allow the illusion of progress. Yet ever so often something wonderful happens, circumstances align to awaken the individual to hope...a hope for more. And I mean a real more, not a more as in more things, more money, more clothes. More as in make more of a difference, more as in more happiness, more as in more success. This awakening is perhaps never more widespread as The New Year.

The New Year is an opportunity to pause and review, to look back at what one has been doing and evaluate if it is working. Typical New Years Resolution’s tend to favour a todo list of self improvements such as loosing weight or being nicer. Such resolutions are fine for the person who is more or less happy with their position on the rat wheel of society. However I would argue that for those individuals who know in their heart there is more, such resolutions are a cheap temporary filler for a permanent gaping hole.

Let me break it down some more, if you hate your job, if you are under appreciated and under paid, if you have a dream or a vision for contributing more to the world, if you have a business idea- if you have any of these, and your New Years Resolution is along the lines of ‘be nicer to Sally’ or ‘drop 10 pounds’  you’re selling your self short.

Let your resolution be to sort your life out. I know thats daunting. I know thats a lot. I know that it is certainly more of a challenge then a neatly packaged pre suggested generic resolution, but it is what actually needs resolving. Each time you sit in that job you hate, with no plan of escape, or put off your traveling or charity work, or shelf your big idea you are abusing your spirit. Now let me be clear, I am not saying quit, sell up thy things and follow my teachings. I am simply saying make the resolution to water the seed of potential in you.

What does that look like you ask? Picture your mind is in a prison. When you first got into this prison, you had dreams of escape, dreams of more than the existence thrust upon you, but as time moved on reality took over the dream, and like a broken horse, you accustomed yourself to your surroundings and accepted your lot.  I am trying to help you escape.

The first step of escape is to realise that one is trapped. I think we have established that. The second step to escape is to visualise life on the other side, feed your dreams and acknowledge their realness. The third step is to plan escape, and the forth is to actually escape.

This year put into place a plan to get closer to your dream. That may take the form of sacrificing your ‘free time’ to research, plan and build. That may sound like a bummer but let me say this- it’s not free time until you are actually free, and doing what you were born to do.  

So, if you feel that New Year Itch, scratch it. Work hard, Act fast. Set goals and work towards them now. January is like a rapidly closing window of awakening. If you don’t establish a plan now, pretty soon the monotony of the wheel will have entrapped you into its superficial routine. Time is precious, and so are you. If you know you are not living to your full potential, resolve to rectify this in 2016 . I know times are tough and uncertain and blah blah blah- but these are the times you were dealt. And news flash the world has never been easy. You owe it to yourself. Escape.

This article was originally written and posted by me on 06 Jan 2014. To see original post click here

The secret to being happy in 2016

This New Year's Day  I find myself on the Beach in Barbados, allowing the sound of the soft waves gently sooth my mind, each wave allowing for some much needed mental repair. Every Londoner knows that by the time January rolls around even with the rejuvenation of the holidays - London has a way of ruthlessly transforming the positive new resolute you to the familiar grouchy city dweller, no doubt shoving tourists our the way by mid Jan.

Luckily for me, angry Londoner Lois is on pause and my holiday tranquility has been extended, here in paradise. 

Barbados is a beautiful country vibrant people. Although the population isn't rich, they are extremely content. This is initially an odd thing for the hustling Londoner that I am to understand. Initially I suspected it's due to living in paradise- after all , if i lived here- I would be happy too... Right?! However one encounter had me questioning that. I soon realised that happiness isn't where you are but who you are.  

His name was Andrew, around 6 ft, rich cocoa completion, with a white peppered beard and  slim build he called to us as we were walking by and then we sat to chat- buying him a beer in exchange for some good conversation, we learned that he made and sold his own jewellery, had 3 adult daughters and had lived in Barbados his whole life- never leaving the island, about this he said, I live in paradise. For me, this is it, why would I ever leave? I meet the worlds most interesting people here, I have the sun, the sea, my family  it is all I need." His list of what made him happy was so short- so simple. It was a list that many of us already have. Many Americans live in idyllic beach side paradise too, yet seen to remain defiantly unhappy and the furthest thing from content. Considering this I deducted that the key to this mans happiness is that he had learned the art of being grateful for the basics of what he had. His gratitude was not contingent on things he wanted more than what he had, and so neither was his happiness. If you put your gratitude on hold until you have more, you are actually putting your happiness and life on hold. 

To unlock the happiness in your life look closely at the simple things you already have and often overlook- like family, friends, Shelter - then take time every morning this year to be truly grateful.

Write out what they are , recite why you are grateful for them. Before you know it happiness won't be an 8 hour flight away- it will be with you always. 

Happy New Year X I hope this keeps you on a positive path. Please share with friends and family ! 

Life by Lois