When I feel it's all getting a tad too much, I like to watch this video

Bearderhood

This could be the story of what it takes to grow and maintain a beard in the hood. But it’s more to do with the joys of having a beard while being father.

My 15 month old daughter has developed a habit of fondling, gently tugging and running a little chubby hand through my beard. This she only does when falling asleep snuggled up against me, bottle of milk being devoured. As I look down, l smile as l notice her losing the fight to the ever increasing weight of her eyelids. A sudden switch to a full twisting grip full in her chubby hand has me on edge. l brace myself for the pain about to shoot through my chin. but when she's sleepy the beard is never yanked, never aggressive in nature towards the bead when she's in sleep mode. The grip firmly pulls a chubby fistful of my beard and the wiry strands of my face mane slip (with just the right amount of friction) through her fingers. I focus on the minute knuckle dimples on her delicate yet perfectly formed hand.

My thoughts drift off to all the potential that this little hand has. One day the same will grasp a pen and write numbers and letters, then words, sentences, then complete written works from letters to school assignments. Times have changed we live in the digital era now. So the same hands will type or use a touch screen. She already does when her mother is using a tablet. Her little fingers poking at the screen, then rapidly toddling away before my wife gives her a telling off. She also mistakenly believes the monitor screen is also touch responsive. As her little hand prints will testify to her multiple attempts to interact with the on screen images. What she has in dexterity at just 15 months amazes me. The ability to pinch just one single hair on my forearm and much to my discomfort almost yanks that one single strand out. She now stacks toys and places lids on boxes, hand covered in spaghetti sauce gently feeds me single strands of pasta. As I snap back to the present moment I noticed the beard affection has stopped. The little one has lost her battle and succumbed to the might of sleep.

Gumption, Now go get some.

Simple things in life

There is a beauty that comes from simple living. Somthing I relish when I come to my mothers family home in India. The strive that is brought about by the relentless Mosquitoes. My solution is a simple pop up mini tent made of fine mesh. In this myself, wife and child find respite.Now the trick is to make sure everything you need during night is inside the tent with you. Water, flash light, alarm clock, nappies and anything you will need. In our case this includes some toys for baby. She often wakes and yanks on my beard to play at
05:00

Testing

Blog post test

Personal Mission Statement

What did you do this bank holiday?

Me, I sat down and redrafted my Personal Mission Statement.

Why? because this document helps me have an central core set of values to which I look to for assistance in making decisions.

Example: I have the opportunity to take up a new job. But should I take it?

So I turn to my personal mission statement and see if what this new job offers is in line with what I have declared in my Personal Mission Statement. If i find aspects of the job which conflict with my Personal Mission Statement I can seek clarity from the employer, and if they still remain in conflict I can reject the job.

But be content in knowing I have stayed true to my personal values and the direction I wish my life to head towards.

I found this web tool very helpful - http://www.franklincovey.co.uk/msb/

My Thoughts on Mentoring / Life Coaching

Personal Thank You to Leila from Dockside who without even knowing gave me push to do this video.