Welcome to Sunday Morn Musings. This is my weekly free fall – writing about whatever it is that occupies the mind on a Sunday Morn. The idea of a “no topic” posting is the stepchild to a blog I used to write: Four O’Clock Thursdays which is still up there if you want to check it out – more likely, I will repurpose and republish some of those posts here over time. On Sunday Morn Musings the topic may be about blogging but just as likely it may not.
I am a toastmaster. Recently I gave a speech and the opening line was “Screw It, Let’s Do It”. If you know anything about Toastmasters this would ordinarily be one of those out of bounds moments and I would have been cited for this sort of unacceptable language. But the club I belong to is not your ordinary run of the mill club, noooooo… we are an irreverent bunch, we call our club Politically Speaking and pride ourselves on banishing political correctness into the doldrums where it belongs – well you get the idea, so they thought that I was merely swearing!
Actually “Screw It, Let’s Do It” is a book. The author is Richard Branson my favorite billionaire. Sir Richard lives life writ large and in this autobiographical book he does not disappoint as he treats us to an insider’s view to his many obstacles, his adventures, and to his ultimate success. His life is a magic brew worthy of Harry Potter and his cohorts. What keeps this brew from turning rancid is Branson’s innate desire to make something worthwhile happen, that is to look for a way to make the seemingly impossible, possible.
Fourteen chapters in all. Each chapter a life lesson. I loved each one but if I had to pick a favorite then it would be chapter 2: Have fun for Life is too short to be unhappy. That got me thinking. How is it or why is it that so many are content to live a life below the greatness of this gift that we were given? People complain. They complain about the lousy job they have, the rotten boss they work for, the crooked politicians they never vote for; the weather is too hot, too cold, too dry, too wet. They had an unhappy childhood and their adult life isn’t any better, wouldn’t you know it but then what else can one expect when the universe conspires against everything they do!
STOP IT! Life is too short and no one said it was going to be fair.
No matter what your disposition is make a point of having some fun – every day, little bits of fun type of fun. Indulge in a little bit of decadence. Go have an ice cream cone, double scoop it – oh hey! make that a triple scoop and in a waffle cone, please. Visit your city. Huh! Yes. Play tourist, I mean really play tourist. Go to all the tourist attractions and find out what it is about them that makes them an attraction – why is the park famous, why was that statue erected, watch the martial arts students practice on the green and if there is a horse drawn carriage where you live, take a spin around the block or two and tip the horse driver handsomely. You’ll feel good.
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do and just never got off your keester? Fencing? Rowing? Dancing? Get a bunch of your friends together … not the moaners and groaners, but the ones who always seem to have a smile on their face, speak with energy in their voice, have a sense of curiosity, yeah, get together with them and go do something that will make you laugh, something silly. Isn’t that what you did when you were kids? And if you don’t have these types of friends go out and make some.
Sure the problems will still be there, maybe even some new ones, its life get over it. But having fun lifts your spirits and builds your inner strength muscles and soon – and this is a guarantee – soon you’ll be able to meet those problems head on, you’ll find a way to tackle them, you’ll go through them, around them or over them. This you will do for sure – you will live through it, come out stronger, and the world will look like a much better place than you thought it was. When you were born you were given the greatest gift of all – LIFE. Live it, love it – screw it, just do it!


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#1 by Trece on April 26, 2010 - 09:12
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You write a fabulous essay, ma’am!! Made me want to read Branson’s book AND get off my keister. Good job!!
I love that you’re a woman near my age to whom I can relate. I would love to sit down for an hour of coffee with you. Thanks!
.-= Trece´s last blog ..Minimalism? Um, not so much =-.
#2 by Valentina on April 26, 2010 - 10:27
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Hi Trece and Welcome to Blog Income.
Now what was it that pegged my age? I am so curious.
Hopped on over to yours … not a mean writer yourself
Twitter:@goldenkoi[goldenkoi]
#3 by Mars Dorian on April 26, 2010 - 11:22
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Exactamente !
I have this book too, and I love his simplistic childlike writing style and his almost carefree outlook on life.
I have also big plans for my blog, and I’m having fun and an endless hunger for growth. Lots of obstacles are in the way, but hey, let’s screw it and do it
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Do This and set yourself apart ! (video) =-.
#4 by Valentina on April 26, 2010 - 17:47
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Hi Mars,
Thank you so much for stopping by … I was by your blog earlier and all I can say is that you have definitely raised the bar obstacles and all!
Keep it up.
Twitter:@goldenkoi[goldenkoi]
#5 by Lara on May 30, 2011 - 20:53
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Hello! But what really is a toastmaster? Sorry for the ignorance
#6 by Valentina on June 10, 2011 - 07:12
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Hi Lara … lol…
Toastmasters is an international organization – in a nutshell, members learn how to be better speakers. Typically there are weekly meetings with filled with speeches, jokes, what is known as table topics when people are given a topic on which to speak – unprepared. There are other things as well. It’s good fun and one develops good communication skills.
Twitter:@goldenkoi[goldenkoi]