My journey of life - part 3 *NEW*

In 2017 I wrote about the impact on my life of big changes. Family and friends were at the heart of my open views and feelings.?

4 years on and it’s time to put pen to paper - ah, now that’s more a case of finger to touchscreen! So much has changed since those earlier reflections. Change has cut across all the aspects of my life - work, family ( yes it’s bigger now despite the losses) experiences and some of the new things I’ve learned.?

Smooth headed but grizzly bearded nowadays I’ve learned to enjoy life in north London, to see my immediate family grow to 10 and to spend more time with someone so very special - thank you Covid!?

During these four years I’ve learned to podcast to our industry, to move across industries to the retail sector (not so hot news - SMES have the same issues wherever they do their business), and to virtually chat with fantastic dear friends.?

I’ve become involved in a campaigning tech start-up and learned to speak a whole new language as milestones, deliverables, dependencies and the world of platforms, content creation factories and decisions made in seconds or the middle of the night. Speed, pace and risk are key in this new world.?

On a personal front we’re getting to that age where losing people is becoming a regular occurrence and my family and friends haven’t been excluded from those sad tidings. Like many Covid has taken it’s toll of good people - no thank you Covid!?

Age brings experience and a differing view but I’ve found the passion, enthusiasm and sense of fun haven’t disappeared just yet.?

Lucky to have travelled to many places the world prior to 2017, following my father’s death in 2018 and pre pandemic, I took the chance to extend my travels even further and to open my mind wider still. The Far East, europe and Africa all played host to weary feet but joyful discoveries.?

People are the key to everything and I’m so lucky to have met so many new folk as well as enjoy time with existing friends.?

However, the last two years has been enhanced greatly by meeting with my birth father for the first time since, well, my birth!?

Lazlo & his son Karl have entered my life and with tremendous warmth and sharing. How lucky am I to have such wonderful connections.?

But, it’s not the only family I have either. My partner, Kate has an amazing family who have welcomed me with open arms and made me feel positive whenever I am/was down.?

So, what different lessons have I learned since I last wrote about this journey??

Emotion isn’t a weakness it’s a strength - I’ve learned to cry or simply shed a tear or two and it helps so much.?

Positivity will see you through life in a much healthier way. It certainly can aid recovery.?

Family is all encompassing, it’s the very joy of life despite the occasional upsets.?

Children bring joy, they give you the essence of life - they give you smiles & hugs - two of life’s truly amazing gestures?

The world is smaller than I thought and we all share the same problems but selfishness and self interest are difficult to eradicate.?

I’m proud to be a snowflake. I believe in people and I don’t feel I’m better than anyone else. Yes, I get angry like most people, but we’re all flesh and blood & emotions and I absolutely enjoy diversity & difference.?

So for me it’s a case of Bouncebackability. Goodbye to a posse (dad would have been leading that!) of terrific people I’ve been lucky to know and hello to a different cohort (it’s the new techie in me!) of young children, new friends and colleagues. I’m at that next stage now and in-spite of every challenge life throws out I’m good as I Swerve around those obstacles.?

Of course we’re all on these journeys of life and I’m happy to share so I’m always keen to know what You think.?

Cheers and thanks for listening?

Steve