Real Life

So it is the year 2012 and technology has soared leaps and bounds. We can virtually do anything at home that once required the act of doing in “Real Life”. I am not bashing technology, as I am the first to want to try out any of Apple’s latest products or search for new and exciting virtual experiences, from the convenience of my home.

Socially I have met so many people online, from all over the United States, all the way up the North East Coast to Massachusetts and all the way west to California.
Since I normally don’t travel past the border of South Carolina, that is huge for me.

I am not downing the powers of the Internet or technology, but I am concerned about there being a balance in my life with the “Real World”. I read that there are resort vacation spots that people are paying extra for since they have no satellite or Wi-Fi and are completely remote from connections. It is sad when it consumes us so much that we have to run from it.

I think the key for me, is to let technology supplement my life and not overtake it. I am sure that striking a balance is different for all of us, but if texting is causing you to run over someone with your car, that is not acceptable behavior. It just doesn’t seem relevant to skip your daily workout time because you need to level up your online character. If there are things, projects, goals, experiences that should be in your life that are now replaced by virtual means, then I think it’s time to find your balance.

I challenge you to strike your own balance between virtual life and real life. What are the ways that you can control it? What balance will allow you to soar through this year, and make your own personal leaps and bounds?
“Find it, do it, good!” ~Catlas

I like to connect to people in the virtual world, exchanging thoughts and ideas, when in the physical world we might never have the opportunity to cross paths.
Demi Moore

I think you could make a completely Virtual Centre, though I have a general feeling, and maybe because I am getting very old, that you still need face to face.
Richard Rogers

(image source unknown)

The Chords of Your Life

Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus

It has been 2 weeks since I have entered a post. I thought January was typically a slow month but that has not been the case this year. I started off blogging October 2011 and was faithfully posting up until a few weeks ago. I feel like life is cramping me with all kinds of activities, although not bad things, but you can only do so much in a day.

I recently used my Christmas money to purchase a Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus. That was quite an investment for me but I am serious about furthering my guitar techniques. I have always loved music and the rhythm that guitar strings make, touches the core of my soul. But this post is not about music or guitars, it is about following our passions and being in control of them.

We all have different needs in our lives and the activities we follow meet those desires for us. These needs can change from one year to the next or from month to month. For me, those changes depend on how I control that activity. When the activity starts controlling me then I burn myself out. I am searching for a balance in my life. I want to incorporate new activities such as more time with my music but I also don’t want to forsake things such as this blog. Right now I do not see how I can post daily or even a certain amount each week. I don’t want to commit to a certain amount and then fail either. I will be posting as thoughts arise and let that be based on a day by day basis. Just know that if I do not post a blog for the day that I am working on other projects as well.

Socialization is very important to me and I like having time to spend with my family and friends on a daily basis. Sometimes that ranges from going out shopping with my Mom to raiding or running heroics with my guild family.

My relationship with God is also very important to me and I am trying to follow a plan with a friend that involves reading through the Bible in a year.

And you guessed it, I will be working on my music. I am following a program on a new PS3 game that should improve my skills greatly.

My encouragement for you today is, to find your balance, follow your dreams and desires, but don’t let them control you. You control them!
And if I could add a corny guitar play on words…. Don’t fret, control the chords of your life.

“This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy.”
Susan Polis Schutz

Resolutification!

Yes, that is not a “real” word but it is my word for resolving to
make resolutions that really stick!

As this comic amplifies, most of the time New Year’s resolutions turn out
to be a to-do list.
How can we stop this from happening?  I am certainly not a resolutions
expert, whatever that means, but here are some tips that I find
effective and may work for you as well.

Distinguish between your long-term and short-term goals.  You should
have both, but it is important to not overwhelm yourself into thinking that your
long term ones need to be completed in a short amount of time.  That
is where burnout comes in and fizzles us out.
Make separate lists of those in your head or on paper.

Make a daily check-list.  Whether it be on the refrigerator, the
bathroom mirror, or an application on your cell phone or computer,
lists will help you stay focused and tangibly see completed
accomplishments.

Don’t let missed days stop you forever!  When you miss a day or two,
pick yourself up and get right back to it the next day.  Once you do
something for at least 3 weeks consistently it becomes a habit.  We
all know habits are hard to break, which can be a very awesome thing,
if they are good habits.

I hope this helps as you seek to improve and clean up your new year!
Best of wishes to you as you attempt to be a better you!

“There is no achievement without goals.”
Robert J. McKaine

“This one step – choosing a goal and sticking to it – changes everything.”
Scott Reed

“People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going.”
Earl Nightingale

“You must have long term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short term failures.”
Charles C. Noble

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”
Zig Ziglar