Am I as graceful as a swan!?

Things are never how they seem, what appears to be ticking along nicely is not always the case. Just like the metaphor about the swan, above the waterline it looks so graceful and still, but below the waterline, the swan’s legs are paddling furiously with its actions being very different, hidden out of view. We as people are doing this all the time, the difference is that our bodies might not be reflecting the words that we convey. To hide how we are feeling or thinking, we may consider giving off false signals to disguise what is really going on inside. It seems that many of us are fully aware of this and will use it as and when the need arises.

As a race we don’t really stick together other than to ensure the survival of our race. Our individuality and uniqueness keeps us from wanting to be the same, we all want to be different, but it means we are still all doing the same thing, so are we really behaving any differently? But at the same time, we can also feel alone, we protect and hide our vulnerabilities.

We can only really rely on ourselves to deal with many different situations and challenges in life, what we say and how we act is a very big part of that. We depend on ourselves entirely, we receive positive words from friends and family but ultimately the actions and decisions come from within. We are brave and robust, we’re also adaptable, which is the reason our lives are like one long roller coaster. Just make the right decisions and ensure there are a lot more ups than downs. It’s the things we do and experiences that influence us, grows us and shapes us. But whilst we ride that roller coaster of life, from the outside, I wonder whether I am as graceful as that swan. I’d like to think so, but I'm probably not.

‘Say my name’ - Playing about with letters on a wall! © Mark Ovens

‘Say my name’ - Playing about with large magnetic letters on a wall! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

A methodical change cycle, is there such a term?

As I sit here, I reflect on life and wonder if we go through a methodical change cycle, they say our bodies change on average every 7 years (the cells in our bodies), so do our mental thoughts and processes do the same? Do we let go of things that we’ve enjoyed for so long until we’re ready to do something different and go through that cycle again, that’s the question I ask.

So then, some of society can suffer from boredom, does that mean their methodical change cycle could be less? Those who hate change and are content with everything could have a longer methodical change cycle. What about those who only consider change due to a particular catalyst in their life, they need the old fashioned kick-start to get them excited and consider something new, they must fit in there somewhere? We certainly can’t exclude them.

Also, when I say methodical change cycle, I mean not ‘spare of the moment’ decision making or the ‘off the cuff’ choices, I mean strictly change, in the ‘it’s time’ or ‘it’s the right thing to do’ type of mentality. I can certainly see a lot of patterns in my life and signs of it in others. I definitely think there is something to it.

I’m probably not even using the correct terminology, but then who am I to say, I’m not a Neurologist. This is all purely my thinking. I know, sometimes I can talk a load of drivel.

Mountain Biking is such fun! Thetford Forest, High Lodge © Mark Ovens

Mountain Biking is such fun! Thetford Forest, High Lodge © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

A fab Saturday of activities on the day of the Lord Mayor’s Procession (4th July) © Mark Ovens

A fab Saturday of activities on the day of the Lord Mayor’s Procession (4th July) © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

Digital connections and footprints in the world of pixels

How the world is changing; our connections are now mostly through the internet, our presence is seen by the digital footprints we leave behind. Those online channels allow us to communicate and are a platform for us to express ourselves. We use the applications and various system integrations to date and transfer money, the various ways of doing this is growing; social media, apps, online digital currencies. We scan, store barcodes, vouchers and docs we file away in the cloud for easy reach. Its uses are advancing rapidly, music, air con, heating, controlling the different devices in the home and car. What don’t we do with those digital connections in the world of pixels, scripts and program code?

It does save us time and increases our efficiency but does it really enrich our lives, human contact will still always be an important factor. Virtual reality could be a world where we could easily get lost. They say, that the technology will one day take over. Will it really be like a scene from Terminator? Nevertheless, it’s interesting to see how it plays out, I’m curious to know what it will be like in another 20 years' time.

The endgame, where to now?

Does everybody have a plan, what are you striving for, what is it you want in life? To keep it short and within the defines of this paragraph, can I explain the insights of my mind and thoughts!? Patience is required for many life goals. Planning, dedication and avoiding distractions can be a challenge whilst we venture through life experiences and eventualities. In actuality, changes in circumstances can be a curve ball in life influencing our decisions, good or bad, making us steer life in a completely new direction, hindering the successes we seek to support our outlook. We must enjoy the ride, but can’t lose sight of our goals. But sure, these goals can evolve or change too. Don’t lose visibility of what’s important and ensure they’re factored into our decision-making. We all need the motivation to keep us energised and focussed to promote vigour and well-being, the all-important matter. Ok, that wasn’t such a short paragraph.

Pic of me with kiddo! :) © Mark Ovens

Pic of me with kiddo! :) © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

Social Media and where's it going?

Interesting points from a programme last night about how social media affects the younger generation and their mental wellbeing.

For most of us, we have learned to incorporate Social Media into our lives, but only as a tool to establish communication with friends' and old connections, keeping up to date with friends activities and sharing photographs, it’s not taken over our lives. It hasn’t distracted us from what is really important.

For the younger generation who doesn’t know what life is like without social media is another matter, they’re born into the world where it has become a big part of their daily routine, spending hours on it each day. I’m trying not to make myself sound old here, but there is a difference of what is seen to be a fair or reasonable usage of these applications in each of our lives, before it starts to take over and affect us mentally, especially for the young.

The documentary I saw last night reported the concern that young people strive to be liked and feel popular, they use it as a platform to boost their popularity, but it can also cause the opposite to happen, bullying has been an issue on this type of media for some time. The way they look is important to them, the poses they use in their selfies, the competitiveness of being unique and standing out above everybody else, this can have a negative effect and not help their self-esteem, it’s important that they learn to like themselves and not let others influence them or change them into somebody they’re not. The other topic is when individuals post personal information to their followers/connections not realising the impact it might have, some things should stay private, but that’s a whole different topic affecting all ages.

Technology is great, but just like many media devices and applications, a fair usage policy should apply to all. However much it can be addictive with the new developments and gimmicks on the web, it shouldn’t take over our lives. We should remember what is really important in our daily and weekly activities. Although we’re leading into a world of virtual reality which will create a host of other challenges (now that’s a whole different story), we do have the opportunity to control and discipline ourselves now.

I still like social media, it’s a great way for individuals and companies to reach out to friends, connections and customers, but let’s just keep an eye on our usage. Let’s just avoid it ruling our lives.

We’re the ultimate partners in crime; clearly I’m the one in red and blue. Kapow! © Mark Ovens

We’re the ultimate partners in crime; clearly I’m the one in red and blue. Kapow! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

Anniversary celebrations!

The time has just flown by…and may we have many many more! Did I believe it would happen? Well I did start to lose faith in relationships, but after meeting this person, my view and perception had changed, after a very long stretch my positivity had been restored. This person has a very similar outlook in life to me, has an adventurous spirit and actually is the ying to my yang, it could only go one way. She’s beautiful inside and out.

What a treat; the shades have been out again! © Mark Ovens

What a treat; the shades have been out again! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!