From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
Passion
uI was having lunch with that wonderful lady Kerryn Phelps today and am just about to jump out of my skin with excitement! She is one of those people with a passion for what she does and that enthusiasm poursup out of her and 'infects' anyone talking with her.
Which started me thinking about the sort of people with which we 'hang out'. Do they drain your energy? Or do you always feel recharged at the end of your conversations? Kerryn is one of those people who recharges me. Noel Whittaker is another 'energiser'! Ten minutes with him and I'm bursting with new ideas and energy and vitality. Both of them are passionate about their work and ideas and committment to make a difference.
It seems to me that there are people who recharge different aspects of soul/spirit. Think about it yourselves. Think of the people who make you feel calm; or happy; or excited; or renewed; or motivated. Or drained; depressed; down; or my What do they have in common? What quality or qualities do they have that generates that feeling in you?
When I mention 'spirit' , I didn't mean some way out new age 'woo woo' thing! I'm referring to that kind of 'battery part of us; the source of energy and vitality and enthusiasm.
/ recharge your batteriesKerryn is one of th And more importantly, they are genuine in their desire to help people. different And different activities we do. And different aspects of nature.
What activities do you become involved in that make you feel good about yourself; or energized? Dancing? Laughing? Singing? Swimming? Walking? Exercise? Time by yourself? Quiet contemplation? Daydreaming? Gardening? Achieving something?
Or do you find some locations that make you feel recharged? The ocean? Rivers or streams? Forests? Jungles? Beaches? Parks? Trees? The country? Rural scenes? ' The part of us that we often ignore in our society because we are so busy pursuing material things; that is, until we think there has to be more in life; or until some major life crisis hits us and we rethink our lifestyle. Or we have a midlife crisis because we realized how miserable we have been for the last 15 years and something has to change!Sometimes there are people, places or things that make us feel drained; depressed; down. What are the common characteristics of these clusters of experiences that drain your energy?
Now, think about yourself. What sort of person are you? Do you send out energy and enthusiasm, or are you a sponge! Are you the energy 'vacuum cleaner'? Are you the one that walks into a room and it brightens? Or do you make it a duller room? I know we can't all be the life and soul of the party, but we project a certain energy that others always pick up - we can choose to make it a positive energy or a negative one.
To try and work out what sort of energy you might project, ask yourself 'do I always see the negative side of events or people? Or do I look for the negative aspects? For the down side? If you meet someone, do you immediately observe/comment on something other than a positive quality?
Mela, a great friend of mine and one of the most popular, interesting and attractive people I know has always had swarms of admirers. One of the key qualities that attracts people to her is her wonderful ability to see the better aspects of anyone she meets. If you want to meet friends and influence people - this is an essential aspect of your character to develop!nderful lady Kerri - and see the best in others Do you have the same qualities? Do you think you energize people you meet?Do you do them often enough? Would you like to make more time for this sort of activity? How can you make more time available? Is energizing time for you a priority in your life? Or will you wait to have a heart attack before you make yourself a priority?!
Do you spend enough time in places like this? How can you make more time if you need to? , I doDo you have an energiser battery that keeps on keeping on - or is yours flat?
his is t or just dealing with the myriad of family and life pressures. We ignore it notice an emptyness, a lack of fulfillment, a sense of being on an unrewarding treadmill, andare forced to because we only have a few more years to live And how can you avoid these people? Or how can you respectfully let them know you are not interested in discussing negative things with them or gossiping? If they choose not to change the way they are around you then be too busy to see them for a couple of years! If you are the negative type - stop it! Listen to what you say to yourself and if you hear other than pleasant words running around in your head, change them! Turn phrases around to reflect the positive rather than negative. For example, being 'over the top' may be intepreted as dynamic and enthusiastic! - this characteristic fast
I think it reflects an ability to accept others for what they are. And to be passionate about life and what you believe in, And to want to help others.
And accept yourself (- a minor point! ho, ho , ho). and what you do. And spend time doing things that recharge your own batteries. Then you can recharge others batteries! And have more fun! And really be alive! €É€þ
