Last Year's Illness » The Blind Caterpillar Syndrome

Today is my first day of work for 2011, and I’m still on the self-introspection mode. I woke up early and set a goal to finish all my pending tasks – which I did. However, something seems wrong today. It’s my usual toxic Monday and I survived it. Although I finish all to-dos, it doesn’t seem to bring me anywhere. I browse the net and came across this article which answered my dilemma: 
      

The Processionary Caterpillars

John Henry Fabre, the great French naturalist, conducted a most unusual experiment with some processionary caterpillars. These caterpillars blindly follow the one in front of them, hence, the name.  Fabre arranged them in a circle in a flowerpot so that the lead caterpillar actually was behind the last one forming a circle. In the center of the flowerpot he put pine needles, which is their food. The caterpillars started walking around this circular flowerpot. The caterpillars kept going in a circle in the pot. Eventually, after a week of circling around, they dropped dead of exhaustion and starvation with food only inches away from them.

I realized that, like the blind caterpillars, I made the same mistake and, as a result, I had repeated failures despite the fact that opportunities lie within reach. I acquired very little because my own limiting beliefs and the inability to see the solutions blinds me. I follow the crowd of conformity in a circle to nowhere, I refuse to leave the sick cycle carousel because “It’s always been done that way.”

I need to learn a lesson from those caterpillars. Just because I am doing something, doesn't mean I am getting anywhere. There is a big difference between activity and accomplishment. I must evaluate my activities in order to have accomplishment.

Yodz Note: If we confuse activity with accomplishment, we could be making great time but we won't get anywhere. Being busy is our way of feeling in control of our lives… until our busywork spirals out of control and eventually robs us of life itself.

Whew! this must be the effect of exposing myself to too much firecracker smoke. 

How about you? How’s your first Monday of 2011? 

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2010 Year End Note » Looking Back and Ending the Year Right

I got three pending blog posts in my to-do list mostly about Christmas, but holiday rush and excitement temporarily pulled me out from blogging. I’m thinking about posting it, but it’s already old-news because Christmas is over. So today I thought about posting a year-end recap instead. Also, I think it is the best time to write my thank-you notes.

This year has been a very good one at the least, and although I put aside some of my major plans, I intend to really pursue it next year.

On Blogging

Last September, I was inspired by other bloggers who are earning through their blog so I decided to have my own domain name and learn some basic SEO. I applied for an adsense account and earn $20.00 in four months. It’s not much, but at least I’m earning while having fun writing and sharing stuff. Writing more blog posts and taking SEO seriously will be on my goals for next year – it’s a must.

I want to thank my regular readers, thank you for reading my posts. Also I want to thank other bloggers for sharing their SEO expertise and experiences, you guys really inspire me. Thank you also for those who shared their comments, appreciation, suggestions and opinions on my posts, that makes this blog alive.

Ending the Year Right

I want to use my year-end as a time to reflect, learn and grow - this will prepare me for a positive New Year ahead. But in order to embrace the new I must release the old. An important part of preparing for a New Year is to review the past year--to release it--and to learn from it.

To get me started thinking over the past year, I listed 10 questions which I also want to share here: {My answers deleted}

1. What did I learn?
2. What did I accomplish?
3. What would I have done differently? Why?
4. What did I complete or release? What still feels incomplete to me?
5. What were the most significant events of the year past? List the top three.
6. What did I do right? What do I feel especially good about? What was my greatest contribution?
7. What were the fun things I did? What were the things that were not fun?
8. What were my biggest challenges, roadblocks or difficulties?
9. How am I different this year than last?
10. For what am I particularly grateful?

To go where we wish to go and be whom we wish to be, we need to know where we are and who we are. An honest self-analysis is always helpful to gain clarity. As we end a year, it seems particularly fitting to devote some time to reflecting on the year past and where we find ourselves as the New Year dawns.

Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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My 2009 in Five Chapters

Chapter 1 

I run into a narrow path under tall trees and thick vines in a vaguely familiar forest. I don’t know what lies ahead but I still keep on running and come to a deep ravine. I fall in; I feel lost – helpless, my judgment became clouded by my foolishness. I feel it will take forever to find my way out. But I feel it is not my fault. I believe I just did the right thing.

Chapter II

I run into the same narrow path under tall trees and thick vines in a vaguely familiar forest. I still keep on running and come to a deep ravine. I pretend I do not see it, and fall in again. I hate myself for being on that same place. I can’t believe I did it again. It will be a long time again to get out. But I feel it is not my responsibility.

Chapter III 

I walk into the same narrow path under tall trees and thick vines in a vaguely familiar forest. I see the deep ravine ahead – but I still fall in. I realize it becomes a habit. I take caution and now my eyes are open. I now know where I am. I get out immediately and take full responsibility.

Chapter IV

I walk down the same path under tall tress and thick vines in a vaguely familiar forest and come to a deep ravine ahead. I walk around it.

Chapter V

I’m looking for another path.     

Life is Getting Better

"From tonight onwards, take complete control of your life. Decide, once and for all, to be the master of your fate. Run your own race. Discover your calling and you will start to experience the ecstasy of an inspired life."
from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL!!

I had a very fruitful year last 2008. I just hope I can do more this coming year.
Life is getting better for me...

How about writing some Positive Notes for 2009. Hmm, Let me try...

1) I should forget about the past. Whatever failures happened in 2008 already happened. I must use it as a benchmark to improve but never as a guideline why I cannot achieve success in 2009.

2) Many people wish for a better year in 2009. I should not wish. Wishful thinking doesn't get me anywhere, especially success. I must commit to what I want to achieve and achieve it for my own benefit.

3) I must continue being a positive thinker. I must think positive about 2009 regardless of the recession because my mind WILL influence my actions.

4) If I have to whine and blame, I must DO IT NOW. Then I must get over it and start afresh in 2009.

5) Have a plan. I should plan it out and know what are the steps that will get me closer to my goal. I can't get to my destination if I don't know what and where is my destination.