Talent: You are Here!

After an extended hiatus, I finally decided to put fingers to keyboard and record a few unusual experiences of recent. Living these experiences has been unreal but it finally dawned on me these were the same lessons I learnt from a turning point back in 2009. Since then I had over the years delved into living life lessons from every imaginable teacher that slowly molded my beliefs; like water on rock the lessons were creating grooves of new tracks to move forward to help me discover purpose and meaning.

"The way I look at it, life is meaningless…the meaningfulness is what you impart into it.” – Jason Everman   

I've heard it said that at some point in life, you simply have to dust yourself off and start all over again. That point you refer to a map and a red arrow blinks effortlessly, "You Are Here!" You see, nineteen years prior I had made a pledge. A commitment that I would focus on my career after I had my family and on that day, Melbourne was cold and unforgiving. The last icy talons, remnants of a freezing winter stubbornly clung to the streets and that Melbournian air. I had finished a call to my wife and children in Fiji and they approvingly supported that this, on this day was that day to change focus.

To celebrate, I walked along Melbourne’s Flinders Street hoping that a leg stretch and a hot coffee could mark a definitive milestone nineteen years on. I happened to pass a little bookshop and a tarnished golden framework inside the darkness beckoned me to return the very next morning. Passing the owner at the door with his half-moon spectacles at the tip of his nose, I strode confidently to a brass ladder hinged to brass supports. I tapped the ladder ever so slightly and it slid, smoothly and silently; this was an image from a well-worn bucket list so my joy was thoroughly evident though short-lived.

The owner probably thinking I planned a book-jacking interrupted my moment to ask if I planned to buy anything as he had to close shop for an engagement whatever that meant. Taking this as an opportunity, I effortlessly climbed the rungs – while the owner held his breath – to pick a light green hardcover book at the very top shelf. The book titled, ‘Your Internet Cash Machine’ co-authored by Joe Vitale and Jillian Coleman Wheeler was a beacon into a relatively new world of positivity and abundance. I didn't hold back, I wasn’t tentatively testing the water. Thank you but no thanks. I was jumping straight in!  

“No matter what happens…or how difficult the learning curve, keep your dreams on the front burner. Focus not on what you think life is giving you. Focus only on how you want your life to be.” – Tom Pauley and Penelope Pauley                       

Nine years later now, those moments are etched forever as a turning point in my life. There have been fears, circumstances and obstacles since but all surpassed by the many vulnerable moments along the way. That good eventually triumphs over bad. Light always over darkness. Abundance over lack. I learnt on that day that we can change our life story whenever we want. That many of life’s lessons have already been achieved, you pick a book and re-learn from other’s to avoid re-inventing the wheel. Most of all, nothing really changes in life until you do.

Brené Brown said it best, “When we deny the story. It defines us. When we own the story. We can write a brave new ending.”          

Would this positive reinforcement help you as talent? Share your thoughts with me in the comment section below and if you've read this far, I'd like to connect with you here on LinkedIn. Vinaka (Thank You!)