So think happy.

So think happy.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Background

So, I think to start with I should tell you a little about my background. I was born into a very normal, average sized, working class family, who lived in a very normal, small to middle sized town in a very normal house. I went to the local school and also all the other expected things - cubs, scouts, tennis, soccer, athletics. I was good at them all - but great at none. I had a few very good friends (with whom I still keep in touch) but I was not the popular kid. I was a very normal, average, person.  Now this is probably exactly how many other people grow up, I'm not sure I haven't asked too many - maybe I should!

I often tell people when we are discussing our lives that I feel like I wasn't really alive back then, I kind of, started to become alive as I reached my mid 20s and still it took about 10 years for this process to reach completion. Now I'm not saying here is that I'm complete - simply now aware that I am alive. That is probably, again, what happens to most other people. Maybe at the age of about 35 (or mid life) is when people 'wake up', become 'alive' and suddenly think, WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH MY LIFE? WHERE HAVE I BEEN ALL THIS TIME?

But at about 35 I think I was only partially alive. Oh sure I was breathing and my heart was doing what it was supposed to. However, I was really only going through the motions. (Maybe as a child I was living in the moment as I do remember being very happy most of the time, but I don't think I was mindful or cognisant of that fact; but that is another story altogether and one I will explore later.) Now I did have a few ideas of my own when I was growing up, I'm not saying I was just doing what ever others told me to, but nonetheless, I really didn't push against the status quo; I was a good boy - if you know what I mean? I thought at one point in time that I would like to be a Vet or a Pilot, but decided that maybe a Carpenter was more 'possible'. I knew I wasn't all that smart - or was that just what others had been telling me? If you hear something for long enough, you start to believe it.

I always found school a little difficult and had a rough time learning, but still this didn't really bother me at the time (or so I thought) - that I was aware of; as in, I don't remember sitting about thinking, "I'm so dumb, I'll never do anything!" But I do know now that it was a big part of my makeup.

So that's about it for background story. I finished high school and not really knowing exactly what I wanted to do I applied for uni. Got into and Bachelor of Arts degree and off I went. Finished three years of that with still no real or solid idea of what I wanted to do, so I did what I think a lot of people who don't know what they want to do - I did a degree in teaching.

I'm glad I went to uni at all as this is where I made some great friends, had some great times and most importantly; met my wife.

Once I completed my teaching studies I got a job in my home state and started working. It was OK but not totally fulfilling.

Thanks for reading.

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