Weight: 30/09/2011
 No, not that kind of weight! I mean weight of responsibility. Sometimes I find lifes responsibilities quite heavy. I do love most things about life but sometimes I reflect that what I carry and conclude it's quite a lot. Believe me, I'm not claiming to be any hero or carry more than others. Maybe I just reflect on it more? These thoughts came to the fore today fwith an away day I had at work. My Exec Director (boss) and colleague (another Director) and I spent the day looking at where our part of the business is going over the next 5-10 years. We have responsibility for the biggest part of our business, together leading hundreds of staff so setting that future direction is a weight in and of itself. Things go wrong and we are the ones they come and talk to! With my role as Director of Strategy then I feel like I should 'step up' in discussions like this. That's a weight of responsibility! On the way home (I seem to spend most of my life on the M5 these days!) I thought about this and other responsibilities I have and got quite overwhelmed. It's Friday night and I'm in a reflective mood!: Father, husband, employee, employer, line manager, leader/Director of a part of a business, driver (for numerous kids clubs), worshipper, life coach, friend, protector, income provider, house cleaner, blogger, supporter of football players, ironer, DIY worker, foster carer, budget holder, runner, hirer, firer, PR fodder (!), student, speaker, financial manager and analyst (home), driver, cook, cleaner, shoe 'putter on'r', 'zipper up'r' (for Sarah) are just some of the day by day roles that I undertake. There's a lot to be doing eh? When all these 'plates' are spinning, then things are good. They are spinning OK now. Doesn't take much for them to start to wobble though! Increasingly I find that what I carry in life is too much to carry alone. Don't thunk we were built to do that. I find I rely more and more on two sources of support: Sarah who is, beyond any doubt, a stunning listener and supporter and God who, day after day, never ceases to amaze me with answers to prayers that only the 2 of us know about. So, what do you carry and and who are your helpers? | About the blogger:
Dave started blogging when, as a family, we went to live in India for 3.5 months in '08. You'll find out all about that story by going to our old blog here.
Dave overdid it a bit on the old blog in India with posts going up most days, so since returning to the UK, he has taken a bit of a break but feels now it's time to blog again! (July '09). Blogging is a weird thing and a bit voyeristic at times (!) so why do it? Surely life blogging in the UK will never be as exciting for people as it was in India? Well, the main reason for beginning to blog again is that we are pretty naff at the normal kind of communication! We have a number of good friends that do not live in the UK too and this is just one way we feel we can touch base with them. Feedback is that they are happy (ish) with that too! The final good reason for starting again is that the one person who has hassled me back to blogging is my older brother in China who runs a great blog about his bizzare life in China which you can view here. I guess if I am honest it's him I have in my mind when I blog so, for his sake (as I know he will read it!), if for no one elses...here goes.... Dave ;-) Categories:All ArchivesJanuary 2012 Life mantra:
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away." One of the last notes left behind by Gandhi in 1948, expressing his deepest social thought. |
RSS Feed