F**k money.

Two days ago, I came across a delightful piece of writing. Delightful not solely because of the language used, but because of its message. The meaning and mantra it hummed in your ear as you read it. But I digress; I should begin at the beginning.

The author is a friend of a friend - well actually the sister of a very good friend indeed. The writing was a bit of a personal retrospective. A reflection-cum-self-evaluation on life at 30. She compared today's reality with how an earlier her thought it would be 10 years ago. When you're done reading this you should check it out. And think on it. It's fantastic!

In her words, Sam delves into detail looking at how despite the fact she's not where she thought she would be, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter because she's happy.

First of all; kudos to Sam. Kudos on having the courage to even contemplate undergoing an honest reflection of adult life.

Secondly; 'thank you' to Sam. Thank you for reminding - or even showing - us the beauty of adaptability and, more importantly, reason. The reason that allows us to reflect on life from an informed perspective. Informed but not biased. This is exactly what Sam did. And I applaud her for it.

She looked past preconceptions of youth and labels of what 'success' should be. She saw her own successes and realised that success is what you want it to be. And what do we all want to be? That's right; happy!

It stands to reason then, that if you're happy - if only for the moment, then you must be successful. And I have to say; it sounds like Sam's in a swell place right now - both geographically and emotionally!

In the words of the great Bob Dylan; "What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do." Amen, brother. Amen.

As for me? I revel in reflection probably too much than is recommended. And i shouldn't really reveal in retrospect too much for fear of reprisal or recriminations. But for every "if only I would have..." over the passed few years, I've made sure there have been an equal amount of "But then I would've missed out on..." moments for me to counter.

As my good buddy Frank so eloquently said; "Regrets? I've had a few...but then again, too few to mention."

Case in point; I still wonder (now more than ever, as it happens) what life would be like and what I'd be doing if I'd followed the great plan of 2008 and moved to Manchester after uni. No doubt I'd have had and would still be having good times galore! But then I would've missed out on all these crazy guys who make London life so liveable and - most of the time - loveable!

And what if I would've stuck it out at Bite instead of going travelling in 2010? I could be on double the money now, renting a swanky flat in Notting Hill and holidaying in the Hamptons! But i didn't. And I did go travelling. And as it goes I've got a million marvellous memories from 2010 with people I wouldn't swap, trade or exchange for anything!

So let's reflect on what I've just said and what you've just read.  What's the point of it? Well, I’m not totally sure there is a point, or for that matter that there needs to be one. But looking back (on these past few minutes), I've realised something. Reflection is healthy. We need to reflect on where we are to understand where we want to go. But does the fact that it's necessary mean it's any easier to look at ourselves in total, naked honesty? No it doesn't. It's still by far and away the bitch of the bunch, and I'm not gonna tell you any different - that would be lying.

But that's how you know it's worth doing. The harder something is - in this case truly honest self-evaluation - the more you stand to grow from it.

So go on - give Sam's reflection a read and then give it a go yourself...

Just a thought...

  

[notes on the image of a successful life]

http://www.shepardsgrove.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/notes-on-image-of-successful-life.html