Week 174: News.

So I've got some news. An opportunity has cropped up that could potentially change my life for the better. It's something to do with my career but I don't want to speak to soon. This week is just a filler whilst I think and whilst I make some decisions. You will find out more in the next few weeks.

D.

This is a photograph I found from an old shoot. I only found it this week and it made me sit and think about my choices and what to do next. It made me think about sharing my thoughts and also sharing my aspirations with others.

Song listening to right now: Another Sad Song - Lower Than Atlantis

Week 173: Changing.

So things are changing. Change is inevitable but it is also something that can be altered. I know it may sound stupid "you can change, change" but it is possible. For example you are sailing out at sea, you are going in the correct direction and suddenly the wind changes. Your course has now changed, therefore your destination has changed. You can alter them change of destination by amending the sails so that your course will return to what it was before and then your destination shall reset also.

If something in your life is changing and you don't want it to, you can't really do much about it apart from amend the situation so the change turns out to be positive instead of negative. So you actually alter the resulting effect of it.

Keep a good grip on the reins, because by my experience if you let go, you will get lost.

Daniel.

I went to go see Rob again. He tells me he has a job now, that he's starting to get happy again. He told me that he had a lot of qualifications back in the day. He just got into a routine of not wanting to do anything with them. He also tells me that I am the closest thing he's had to a friend in a long time.

That really effected me. It made me feel something I have not felt in a long time. I don't want to say it made me feel "appreciated" because I get that feeling a lot, there are a few people out there that really appreciate me. This was different, it was almost as though I had changed someone's life a little bit. Giving someone the time of day, some lunch and money for a haircut actually changed someone's life. It restored Rob's faith in humanity and has given him the positivity and motivation to pick himself up. I am proud of myself, even if I do sound big headed, I think I deserve to sound like that. Just by a few small gestures of kindness I taught someone not to give up.

Song listening to right now: This is The Six - While She Sleeps

Week 172: Rewarding.

Sometimes being nice to people is rewarding. On my lunch break every other day I go down to Hackney Road Tesco to get some food. The man from last week's post is called Robert, he sits outside that Tesco asking for money. He is genuinely homeless and it isn't his fault. I always buy him lunch and this time I decided to give him a little bit of money to go to the barbers because he kept telling me how much he hates his beard and he constantly gets treated badly because of the appearance it gives him.

Dan.

Small gestures make people really happy some times. Some times being generous pays off and sometimes it doesn't. I suggest that you try it every now and again. Without any thought of reward, just give. 

Song listening to right now: Slip Sliding Away - Paul Simon

Week 171: Detrimental.

So if kindness kills, then what is the point with having good intentions in the first place? If your intentions are to forgive, to offer support, to apologise and to be a friend, yet all of these things get thrown back in your face, then why bother in the first place?

I tell myself all the time to be kind to everyone I meet, everyone I have a past with and everyone that I work with. I do my best to bridge gaps and I try my best to keep most people happy. However, I've found that this just tends to hinder any progress with showing that you're being geniune. Wishing people happiness is a hard thing to do, it takes a lot of courage and when that person does not accept those wishes then it seems like a big waste of time.

If I was to ignore someone and tell them to leave me alone, I'd probably get more gratitude. It's a stupid social concept that has seemed to grow in our society. The phrase "nice guys finish last" is now the basis of friendship. I will continue to be how I was brought up to be.

D.

You know when you give a homeless person money or food and they don't seem to appreciate it? Just sit and talk to them for a while. It shows you a true perspective on true colours. I'm compiling a book at the moment. Have a look at my website for more information.

Song listening to right now: Miss May I - Hey Mister

Week 170: Goals.

I find people with ambitions really attractive. This week I've been thinking about my closest friends a lot, and how much I enjoy being around them. I think I am drawn to them because they have goals and targets, they are passionate about their future and will do anything to reach it. I am less attracted to people who are set in a way of life and do not desire any sense of achievement. Even if you eventually do not reach your goal, it would still be more honourable to say you tried. If a man put all his money and effort into an idea, into his passion, into his ambition and then one day it all went wrong, meaning he lost everything; then I would still have much more respect for him than somebody who gave it all up for everyday routine. Even if prividing for your family is your goal, make sure you try your best to reach it. My father is one of my biggest inspirations, he worked hard so he could travel the world and get paid for it, he worked hard so I could have have a life with oppurtunity. I won't let his effort go to waste. Push yourself to your limits and do what you want to do, do something you are passionate about, carry on with something that you are good at even if it means going through a gruelling journey to get to your goal.

Dan.

This is Lenny. I don't know his real name, but he is always hanging out outside St. Leonard's Church in Shoreditch with his dog. Lenny has a long story, a really heart felt and interesting one. I won't dispense this upon you because it is going into my book and I don't want to spoil the suprise. Just bear in mind what I said in the paragraph above. The man is a true inspiration.

Song listening to right now: Disengage the Simulator - CKY