This morning I had conversations with two people who had just returned from wonderful holidays. Both said it was great to “switch off”. I discussed what they were ’switching off’ from.
In one case it was the business with all it’s problems and demands. In the other it was a family situation and relationship issues.
Both people agreed that it followed that when they went on holiday, they were “switching on”. But switching on to what, I wondered? In simple terms, it was the sea. mountains, beaches, good food that they switched on to.
But I don’t think it is as simple as that. Perhaps they were switching on to what they really wanted in life and the characteristics that go with it - relaxation, low stress, no worries or problems, peace of mind, contentment and happiness.
Then I wondered, do people have to move away from their everyday lives to “switch on” the lives they really want to live. It’s a bit like the TGIF (thank God it’s Friday) syndrome. People look forward to Friday as it means they can “switch off” from work and “switch on” to ‘ real life’ during the weekend.
And, I thought; what an aweful existence! Wouldn’t it be far better to “switch on” every day of our lives. I’d love to hear your views and experiences of switching on and off in life.

I am not a great person for self-promotion. I prefer to let the results of my coaching clients, course participants and readers speak for themselves. These results, I am happy to say, have been mostly positive.

This morning I received an email which I found so upliofting that I want to share it. OK it is a self promotion, but please excuse me because I am so delighted that something I have written is of so much benefit to people. Her e it is.

Hello Con,

Just want to say thank you. My friend was given the book as a gift. Her gift to me was that she loaned it to me. Another one of my friends has purchased it and I have told my work colleagues about it. My husband used some of the goal setting tools for a job interview. Needless to say he got the job!

I guess I have been reading self help books for years and really like the concept of the law of attraction but your book joined all the dots together. I started the journal last week and am having so much fun with it.
Have a good day, Anne.

What Can I Say?

Well, I am so delighted that people are getting positive results by reading Yes I Can. One of my key objectives in writing it was that it would be down-to-earth, easy to read and very helpful to readers.

The content enables a person to clarify and define what she or he means by ‘success in life’. Then, I describe how you can develop plans, goals and actions to achieve your version of success. Yes, it takes work and effort. But the results are worth it – you can live the life you want, full of excitement, fun, balance, meaning and happiness.

George contacted me to wonder why ‘so many people in recent times in Ireland committed to good & sound ideas, only to hit financial disaster & ruin.’  He questions the philosophy about providence providing the circumstances and means to achieve one’s goals. This philosophy was best expressed by WH Murray in relation to a 1951 expedition to the Himalayas .

Providence Quote

‘The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole series of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.’

When you read this carefully, there is little to relate directly to money. I have limited experience of people setting straight goals for precise sums of money. These experiences – both mine and those of others – indicate that ‘providence’ does indeed move when ‘one definitely commits oneself’ to something that delivers money as a sort of side effect.

Money comes in unexpected ways

One young lady who was very hard up and finding it difficult to pay the bills, set a clear goal in income terms. Within three months a piece of contract work came up – and it delivered the exact amount of money she had in her goal. Another woman I know set a goal to have €25,000 to invest. She got it, but in very unexpected ways.

In my case, I set income goals every year. My pension covers about less than half this and I usually have no idea where the rest will come from. But come it does! Mostly in unexpected and unforeseen contracts for courses and speaking. So, yes I believe that synchronicity and providence play a key role in goal achievement provided one is committed and very aware of the opportunities as they arise.

Synchronicity is not a science!

I think George’s query is different. When someone puts money into an investment they usually set a goal for return on investment so that their investment grows to a target amount. I have done the same and I find that the ‘market’ seems to be stronger than providence – at least in the short term.

Certainly, my share portfolio is about 50% of what it was two years ago. But that does not stop me from continuing to trust in the help of providence and synchronicity in achieving my goals. Actually I find that the less money-focused the goal is, the bigger the part that providence and synchronicity plays.

With myself and people I work with, I find that, while synchronicity works, it is by no means certain and it is not a science. Maybe, it involves a certain amount of faith and belief in the concept. And the more you believe, the more likely it will happen. I would really welcome more views and experiences on this.

Do I really need to buy this? Do I need to get out my wallet pull out the cash or credit card to buy this? This is perhaps the best question you can answer yourself whenever you are buying anything. Anything! Whether it is a fancy bar of soap, an expensive pair of shoes, a new kitchen, a holiday in the sun or a smart new car.

Self-preservation

This is not about being mean or stingy. This is about self-preservation and developing a lifestyle that you are happy with. Many people are in trouble today because they never asked the question – do I really need this. They are in debt and live high-maintenance lives that need a constant stream of money to keep their heads above water.

What is Enough?

One of the secrets of happiness and contentment in life is knowing how much money you need to buy the things you need. This is called enough. Start by deciding what you really need to live on. This includes the basics such as food, clothing and running a home. If you do your sums honestly, you will be amazed at how low this ‘enough’ figure is.

Cut out non-essentials

The cost of living escalates dramatically when you include things that you want.  Be clear, you don’t need these things to live, you want them. They are not essential to living a life. Wants include such things as cigarettes, alcohol, high-spec cars, expensive clothes – especially brand names – luxury holidays and many others that you know you don’t need.

A clinical way to identify these unnecessary spends is to ask the cutting question: ‘Do I really need this?’  Why not try it for a month. Get your spouse and children into this habit. Initially, there will be some discomfort, but it does work.

When life is going well and you are achieving success in your career it is easy to lose sight of what is really important in life. Lack of balance ensues and certain areas of our lives suffer. Often it takes some outside event to wake us up and realise that we are out of balance.

‘Ah-ha’ moment for World Cup Winner

This happened to me when I lost my business and most of my money. Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise, because my wife, Eleanor alerted me to what was much more important – our relationship, three lovely children and our health. This was an ‘ah-ha’ moment, a wake-up call, an epiphany! And, I responded and brought balance back into my life.

I love it when I come across similar experiences such as this one. It comes from a South African rugby player, Jen de Villiers. Having won a World Cup medal with SA in 2007, he came to Ireland to play with my favourite team, Munster. Even though Jean is a world-class player, he didn’t automatically get his place on the Munster team.

The Pillars of Life

This must have hurt. Then he had a slight injury setback and was out of action for a while. Things were not going well as he struggled to regain fitness – and a place on the Munster team. Then he had his ‘ah-ha’ moment, as described in a Sunday Times newspaper interview.

‘Alone in the gym, you realise that the life you has as a rugby player is plastic, not real. The people who cheer, the acclamation, the fame; it doesn’t mean a thing! You survive because of the pillars of your life;

• You family
• Your close friends
• Your spiritual faith

They get you through the difficult times. And you learn that a rugby career is short, and you have to value it.’

Thankfully, Jean de Villiers has recovered and secured a regular place on the team. I have no doubt but that his awakening to the really important areas of life are making him an even better player. I know that my experience enabled me to sort out my business problems and move onto a successful career and financial success.

Yes I Can

You can find the full process to identifying and setting goals in the important areas of life in my book, ‘Yes I Can – achieve personal success with the life planning toolkit.’  You can buy it from this site or from Amazon.

Last Saturday, I was interviewed by Marty Morrissey on the RTE Countrywide radio programme. I had to leave home at 6.00 am to make the studio in Cork, where John Lynch set me up with headphones in a very comfortable studio.

The early-morning trip was well worth it. Marty was a good interviewer and we talked mainly about being positive in the current environment. The background was the Positive Farmers Conference which I spoke at earlier that week and the messages of positivity I want to bring to people who are affected by the current recession.

You can hear the entire interview at: http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2010/pc/pod-v-230110-21m48s-countrywide.mp3, and here is the gist of what I covered in Limerick.

Mental Attitude

Focus on Solutions and seek the ideal outcome you would like irrespective of the current situation. Seek positivity and avoid negativity by taking control over what enters our heads, mainly from other people and the media. The objective is to place barriers against negative inputs and actively seek and cultivate positive inputs.

Recognise that there are cycles in life and business and that ‘this too shall pass!’ Also within every downturn there are opportunities and now is a good time to be looking for them. Finally, re-frame the way you look at the downturn – are we actually in a pre-boom period?

Mental Health

The important point is to separate yourself from the downturn and its consequences. Never, never describe yourself as ‘I am a failure’ because of what is happening. Instead ask Great Questions such as:

-          What can I learn from this?

-          What would I do differently the next time?

-          What is good about this?

-          What am I grateful for?

If you are feeling down or depressing than seek help from close friends and maybe professional help. The pre-boom period presents a great opportunity for personal growth. Learn from what is happening. Read books on subjects that interest you and sign up for courses and look to your hobbies.

Physical Health

It is easy to let your health slip. So resolve to stay fit by exercising and eating sensibly. Beware of overindulgence in alcohol and other addictive habits. These are a form of escapism from problems that will still be there when the hangover is gone. Alcohol, drugs and gambling are the road to hell!

Personal Finance

Cut spending on non-essentials by defining what your needs (essential) are and wants/luxuries (non-essentials). Ask this question every time you put your hand in your pocket or reach for the credit card: ‘Do I really need this?’ Make this a habit. Construct an annual personal spending budget based on your needs. Break this budget down to monthly and weekly spends. Get a small notebook and record all your spending. Keep it in your pocket so that you can enter your spending as you spend on newspapers, coffees, food etc. Itemise each spend. Add up every week and compare with your budget.

Personal Life Plan

If you haven’t got one, now is a good time to start. To set direction in your life. To define what’s important and set goals in each area and get the balance right. Spend some time thinking about your career and work. Irrespective of the downturn, do you really love what you are doing? If the answer is yes, great, just keep at it. If the answer is no or in doubt, you need to discover what you life passion and purpose is. A life coach will be very helpful here as will reading some books like ‘Yes I Can’ that cover these topics.

Happiness

At the end of the day – downturn or pre-boom – we all seek happiness as our highest goal. Here are three questions worth asking and thinking deeply about.

·         What is my definition of happiness? Write it down in your Personal Learning Journal.

·         Does my happiness depend on the external circumstances of my life?

·         Is there another definition of happiness, an internal one that is virtually independent of life’s circumstances?

As a life coach, I love working with people and seeing the effects of the coaching process bringing benefits to my clients. It is also a two-way process in that I often come across some golden learning nuggets as well.

For instance, this morning I was working with a client and we were putting together an agenda for an upcoming meeting. The purpose was to get some advice on a financial issue that needed resolution. The meeting was with a financial advisor. My client and I worked out an agenda that revolved primarily around the desired outcomes for my client.

Put issue in context

Then my client recalled a piece of advice he had received about meetings to discuss potentially painful issues. ‘Always put your issue in the wider context of what is going well in your life. Never leave other people with the impression that the problem issue is your life! Tell them about the good things – your marriage, your health and good career moments for example.’

The good usually outweighs the bad

He based this advice on the perception the other person will have of you after the meeting. If all you have discussed is your problem and the associated negativity, then that is what will remain in his mind. And it is probably what he’ll recall if your name comes up in conversation – after all, it is a small world.

So think of the image or perception of yourself and your life that you want to get across.  Then put your problem into this context. It’s never all doom and gloom. The good usually outweighs the bad. So make sure that is reflected in how you think and how you tell others about yourself.

The end of the decade coincides with the end of a major transition period in my life.  ten years ago I began a major journey of self knowledge and self development. This involved a lot of reading, study and self examination – all recorded in a growing number of Personal Learning Journals. This journey continues and I now feel much happier in myself.

The middle of the decade saw me moving from permanent, pensionable full-time employment to the uncertainty of self-employment. I became a life coach, writer and course provider. This has been a very successful and fulfilling move. I love working for myself, doing work I love doing and with people I enjoy working with.

It seems that the experiences of the last decade have been a time of preparation. A sort of introductory chapter in preparation for the next major stage of my life. I sort of knew it was a time of preparation but it didn’t sink home until December when I achieved some clarity on where I’m going next.

Where next?

In reality I have been developing myself in order to achieve my three clear goals or major life purposes.

• Be happy – and I am very happy and financially secure,
• Help other people to be happy. This I am doing through my writing, life coaching, courses and speaking engagements.
• Help make society support people to be happy

I have been developing my one-day courses around the title ‘Success in Life and Money’ and I presented four versions of this in Cornwall and Cheshire in early December. The feedback was excellent and I have been booked for two more in February.

Success in Life and Money Course

This has given me great encouragement and I am seriously considering a much longer, in-depth course next autumn. I am currently working on the content and it is likely to include the following elements – as well as everything in my book ‘Yes I Can’.

• Defining personal and financial success
• A practical framework for achieving success
• Relationships
• Health, ageing and fitness
• Happiness

I will keep you informed on how this course is developing and I welcome any thoughts and suggestions you might have. And, if you are interested in participating, please let me know.

In ancient Egyptian mythology a person is apparently asked two questions when passing from this life into the next:

1. Did you find joy in life?

2. Did you bring joy to others?

Inner Happiness

Wow, these are two seriously deep questions. Think about them now. Are you finding or experiencing joy in your life at the moment and in the past? Sit back for a moment and relax where you won’t be interrupted. Maybe a good time to ask the question is just before you fall asleep at night. Answers may well appear as you awaken later.

What is Joy? I suggest you think of joy as the expression of inner happiness. So, are you experiencing joy/happiness in your life? Think of the times when you feel joyful and happy. What are the reasons? Note them and repeat them. Write your thoughts down in a journal – I recommend that you keep a Personal Learning Journal, which is a hardcover A5 book.

And what if these feelings are not there at all – or occur very seldom? Well, you have a challenge, don’t you! After all, one of life’s main objective is to be happy. I suggest you start to do something about it – possibly a course in happiness and read books on the subject. Make a start by reading some of the blogs I’ve posted under happiness.

Did you bring joy to others?

Now to the second question. Think of what you do in your life – your actions, work, relationships etc. What are the consequences of these? Do they bring joy and happiness to others? Or do they bring sorrow and misery, or minor states of unhappiness? I believe this is a crucial question for the way we live our lives and how this way affects other people in our lives, communities and the world.

Finally, don’t wait until you are entering the pearly pyramids before asking these questions. Ask them now while you are still alive and can do something to answer a big ‘YES’ to both.

PS

The two questions about joy featured in the film ‘The Bucket List’. It’s really worth watching and contains many other wonderful messages.

 Last week, I made a presentation in Portugal on the above topic to a group of over 80 people, mostly self employed. I’ll cover this briefly below, and you can read the entire presentation in my articles page or access it directly at www.conhurley.com/coping_with_a_downturn.html. In my presentation I looked at six areas that people should focus on.

Mental Attitude

Focus on Solutions and seek the ideal outcome you would like irrespective of the current situation. Seek positivity and avoid negativity by taking control over what enters our heads, mainly from other people and the media. The objective is to place barriers against negative inputs and actively seek and cultivate positive inputs.

Recognise that there are cycles in life and business and that ‘this too shall pass!’ Also within every downturn there are opportunities and now is a good time to be looking for them. Finally, re-frame the way you look at the downturn – are we actually in a pre-boom period?

Mental Health

The important point is to separate yourself from the downturn and its consequences. Never, never describe yourself as ‘I am a failure’ because of what is happening. Instead ask Great Questions such as:

-          What can I learn from this?

-          What would I do differently the next time?

-          What is good about this?

-          What am I grateful for?

If you are feeling down or depressing than seek help from close friends and maybe professional help. The pre-boom period presents a great opportunity for personal growth. Learn from what is happening. Read books on subjects that interest you and sign up for courses and look to your hobbies.

Physical Health

It is easy to let your health slip. So resolve to stay fit by exercising and eating sensibly. Beware of overindulgence in alcohol and other addictive habits. These are a form of escapism from problems that will still be there when the hangover is gone. Alcohol, drugs and gambling are the road to hell!

Personal Finance

Cut spending on non-essentials by defining what your needs (essential) are and wants/luxuries (non-essentials). Ask this question every time you put your hand in your pocket or reach for the credit card: ‘Do I really need this?’ Make this a habit. Construct an annual personal spending budget based on your needs. Break this budget down to monthly and weekly spends. Get a small notebook and record all your spending. Keep it in your pocket so that you can enter your spending as you spend on newspapers, coffees, food etc. Itemise each spend. Add up every week and compare with your budget.

Personal Life Plan

If you haven’t got one, now is a good time to start. To set direction in your life. To define what’s important and set goals in each area and get the balance right. Spend some time thinking about your career and work. Irrespective of the downturn, do you really love what you are doing? If the answer is yes, great, just keep at it. If the answer is no or in doubt, you need to discover what you life passion and purpose is. A life coach will be very helpful here as will reading some books like ‘Yes I Can’ that cover these topics.

Happiness

At the end of the day – downturn or pre-boom – we all seek happiness as our highest goal. Here are three questions worth asking and thinking deeply about.

·         What is my definition of happiness? Write it down in your Personal Learning Journal.

·         Does my happiness depend on the external circumstances of my life?

·         Is there another definition of happiness, an internal one that is virtually independent of life’s circumstances?

Pilgrimage route since 813 AD

I have just returned from an absolutely wonderful experience walking the last 117 kms of the Camino de Santiago in Galicia, Northern Spain. The Camino, or way, is an 840 km pilgrimage route that dates back to 813 AD, when the bishop of Padron ‘confirmed’ the discovery of the apostle, St James’ tomb in Santiago.

Since then time millions of pilgrims have trekked the ancient route to Santiago, although there is no proof that the saint’s bones rest there. In the last decade, the Camino has become more popular than ever with over 100,000 people walking it every year, which sounds strange given the decline in churchgoing and religion throughout Europe.

The inner and outer journey

For me there were two aspects to the Camino. There was the outer physical journey – getting fit, having the right clothes and walking gear and planning the route. Then there was the inner journey which provides each walker to delve into their life’s purpose and the time to re-orientate his or her life towards the fulfilment of that purpose.

I met many peregrinos (pilgrims) that were using the Camino mainly to travel their inner journey – just as I did. In fact, I think that most pilgrims did travel the inner journey to some extent because it was almost inevitable, given the circumstances of the Camino.

Camino – a metaphor for living

I found that the first effect of the Camino was to define for me very clearly what was essential in life. I was carrying everything I needed with me, except food, in a rucksack. I am a fairly experienced hiker, so I made a list of the minimum required for the trek. Obviously I wanted to keep the weight down as I was walking up to six hours a day.

Even so, I brought too much as did many other people. Each morning there would be ‘surplus stuff’ left in hostels. Compare this with the way we live. How much of what we own and have is absolutely essential? And how much is ‘surplus baggage’ that we spend out time and money acquiring?

Discovering what is important

Very quickly the Camino teaches you that what you really need for the outer journey is adequate food and shelter and the company and friendship of people. And, for the inner journey, it is essential to get to know yourself and find your purpose in life. The Camino is a superb experience and I would recommend it to anyone young or old.

I believe it is a life-changing experience irrespective of how well balanced you think you are. On the Camino you will learn more about yourself and what’s important to you in life. And, you will meet some very interesting people – my thanks to Eleanor, John, Amanda, Kathleen, Andre and Miguel for being part of my Camino.  Finally, you will also meet yourself – my gratitude here to the Universal Spirit for helping me progress on my spiritual journey.

 Here is a list of how a student can get into financial difficulties in college. They apply particularly to ‘freshers’ – first year students. I will cover solutions in more detail in future blogs and as answers to questions.

·         Blowing the monthly allowance or grant and having nothing for the rest of the week/month.

·         Credit cards

-          Do you need one?

-          Pay off total every month

-          Beware of ‘friends’ using your card to buy tickets etc.

·         Direct debits for charities sold by persuasive volunteers. They can appear to your altruistic nature – but be sure you can afford the monthly contribution on an ongoing basis.

·         On-line gambling. For every winner there are at least ten losers. Gambling is a mugs game – ultimately the only winner is the bookie! See a college counsellor if you are gambling.

·         Ignoring the bank. Banks write letter to you when you have an account. Respond to these letters. If you are running up debt, go in and talk with the bank official. Ignoring the bank can result in longer-term problems. Not alone does the bank carry an internal credit rating on each customer, but it must notify the Irish Credit Bureau 90 days after non-performance. A negative ICB rating affects your ability to get loans in the future.

·         Spending to the overdraft limit with no plan to repay. An overdraft is really a loan, that must be repaid.

·         Don’t overuse ATM on night out. Better to bring what you intend to spend with you and leave the card at home. Temptation gone!

·         Getting caught by other students

-          Food in communal kitchen

-          TV channels in house

-          Cash loans

·         Be careful of taking all freebies and maxing out on accounts

·         Peer pressure – keeping up with the ‘Murphys’. Some students have more money than others – or they appear to because they are big spenders. Stay within your spending budget and don’t get caught up in a spending spiral that you cannot afford.

·         Fashion. Can be a huge problem for young women. UCC was described as a ‘fashion parade’ by one student. Some girls spend so much money on clothes, shoes and boots (Uggs) that they can barely afford to feed themselves.

·         Impulse buying. If you don’t really need something immediately, take 24 hours to think about it.

·         Car purchase. Buying at too high a price, especially ‘boy racers’.

 I am advanced in the preparation of a money management course for students in third level institutions. I and my colleagues, Brian and Phil have interviewed students, bank managers and people dealing with students and we are in the final stages of structuring the Money Matters Programme that we will present in October and November.

Here are some of the key tips we will be giving students.

·         Make a Budget. Decide how much you will spend on food, accommodation, socialising, transport, college fees etc.  You can get sample budgets from students union and banks. However, it is far better to make your own budget. Record your budget and other financial information in a hard cover A4 notebook.

·         Record daily spending in a pocket notebook. This is crucial. Record all spending and then tot it up at the end of each week and compare it with your budget. You will quickly see where the money is going.

·         Saving – make it a habit. This is the key to lifelong money success. So set up a savings account and put something into it every month, no matter how small.

·         Use a Bank Current Account to manage your money. Deposit all incoming monies in this account – earnings, grants, money from parents, bank loans. Pay all your bills from this account using cheques/bank drafts, cash and maybe a debit card.

·         Credit cards. You will be offered these by banks. But ask yourself do I really need one?  If you do have a credit card pay off the total every month and beware of ‘friends’ using your card to buy tickets etc.

·         Talk to your banker. Banks write letter to you when you have an account. Respond to these letters. If you are running up debt, go in and talk with the bank official. Ignoring the bank can result in longer-term problems. Not alone does the bank carry an internal credit rating on each customer, but it must notify the Irish Credit Bureau. If you get a ‘black mark’ from the ICB, then you will find it very difficult to get a loan in future.

·         Pressure on parents. Money is tight and your parents may be feeling the pinch. So, be careful on how you spend their hard-earned money, pass your exams and try to earn some money yourself.

·         Spending – needs & wants. Whenever you put your hand in your pocket or purse to buy something, always ask – ‘do I really need this?’ If you don’t need it why buy it? If it’s something you want, ask yourself can you afford it?

·         Spending – look for value. Search for the best value in food, clothes and books. Supermarkets have great one-off offers in food.

·         Socialising. This is about having fun with other students. For many this means the pub and the club. But there are alternatives so seek them out. If you do drink, it is cheaper to drink cheaply before going out. Decide on how much you will spend on a night out and stick with it. Bring your spending in cash and stay away from the ATM.

Gratitude is a philosophy

The following is a quote from Robert Holden’s ‘Hello Happiness’ book.

Gratitude is more than an attitude; gratitude is a philosophy. The philosophy of gratitude begins as a hope, grows into a belief, and finally becomes an absolute knowing.

It is a knowing that within any given situation – peaceful or painful, beautiful or ugly – there is always a gift waiting, wanting you to see it.’

Read it again.

I read it three times before the full meaning came home to me. Then I ‘phoned a client and read it to her because I thought it would help her see a way through her current difficulties. I told her how I now look back at a very difficult time in my life with gratitude.

Admittedly, I wasn’t grateful to anyone or anything at the time. I was technically bankrupt having lost my business and feeling very sorry for myself. Over time I got over it and moved on. And, in time I have developed a sense of gratitude for losing my business. I see it as a wake-up call and I’m extremely grateful for the different life path I chose. I shudder to think what would have happened to my relationships and my health if I had continued working so hard.

There is a gift in every situation

Nowadays, I always look for the gift in every situation that arises. It’s easy to see the positive gifts when, for example, you meet someone who brings something positive into your life. It takes effort and awareness when something ‘negative’ happens. For example, when I’m told that someone I’m meeting is ‘not very nice’ I deliberately try to see the good side of that person by having a positive attitude.

Also, when something goes wrong, I ask ‘what’s the learning here?’ and ‘what is good about this situation?’ The answers are always surprisingly positive. Sometimes, when I’m feeling a ‘bit down’ I carry out a ‘gratitude survey’. Mentally, I think of all the things in my life, big and small, that I am grateful for. I also do this as often as I can just before I go to sleep and when I wake in the morning.

So, try embracing gratitude. You’ll find it works for you too!

‘No’ – a powerful time management tool

One of the most powerful words in time management is ‘No!’ Unless, you are being paid to do a certain job, you are entitled to say no to anyone who wants you to devote your time to something that does not fit with what you want to do.

Recently, I came across an example where a friend allowed a time bandit to steal his precious holiday time. The key word here is ‘allowed’. I don’t blame the time bandit. The responsibility for guarding his own time lay with my friend.

‘Emergency’ at the office

This is what happened. He rented a holiday home for two weeks near the sea a five hour drive from head office, where he held an management position. The weather was mixed but he was enjoying the break with his family. However, he never really turned off, keeping in touch with what was happening in the office by monitoring his emails and iPod.

Then in the second week of the holiday his mobile rang and he was told there was an ‘emergency’ at the office. Nothing that would topple the business but he felt he had to go back. So the bags were packed and the entire family headed back to the city. End of holiday!

Australia far enough away

I spoke to him before he left and he complained about how difficult it was to get some ‘quality time’ for himself blaming the job and the office. I asked him what would have happened if he was on holiday in Australia. ‘Well’, he replied, ‘they would just have had to get on with it because I was so far away.’

And would the fact that you couldn’t return had a catastrophic effect on the business? ‘No, I doubt it. They would have worked it out themselves.’ So, what’s the difference between Australia and being five hours drive away?

Mt friend found it hard to answer that one. Maybe it was guilt or just being so tied up with his career that he couldn’t turn off and enjoy a holiday with his family. I can tell you they were none too pleased to be cutting the holiday short. I wonder what will happen if his attitude does not change.

Guard Your Precious Time

Anyway I gave him a solution – without having to go on hols to Australia. I suggests that for his next family holiday, he doesn’t tell anyone at the office where he is going. Be vague. Better still tell them that he is going on some form of retreat or adventure experience where he cannot be contacted by phone, email or iPod. Then, when he gets to where he is going, turn off all these infernal implements of unwanted communication – unwanted when you are on hols.

Will the world fall apart it the business loses a valued client, or a fire destroys the toilets, or the window cleaner runs away with the chief executive? No – but you will have a good holiday, spending quality time with your family. Your time is precious and it is up to you to take steps to guard it against time bandits.

 Crisis advice on Radio Kerry

Yesterday, I was interviewed on Radio Kerry about my book, Yes I Can, and the interviewer, Deirdre Walsh asked me what advice I would give someone who was facing a crisis. It could be financial because of losing a job or personal such as a relationship problem or a health issue. There are all sorts of crises.

I told Deirdre that the best piece of advice I could give was to contact a friend. Someone you know you can trust. Someone who will listen empathically without judging or offering loads of instant advice and solutions. There’s a great skill in empathic listening. A good listener will focus totally on the other person’s agenda and problems without thinking of answers.

Treasure good listeners

People who listen empathically to you when you need them are to be treasured. It could be your best friend, your spouse, brother or sister, a neighbour, a work colleague, doctor, priest or some other professional.

Little did I know that, shortly after the radio interview I would be in the position of the empathic listener. A dear friend phoned and came to our home for a chat. She was facing a serious family issue, so I sat back and let her tell the story. I did ask a few questions just to clarify certain things, but overall I did not offer advice or judge the people involved.

Keep ears open and mouth shut!

Of course, at times, there were thoughts running through my mind, but I have become skilled at letting them pass on without dwelling on them. My focus was almost totally on my friend and her story. When, she finished we had a discussion mainly about how she was dealing with the situation – in the past, present and how she would deal with it in the future.

Before she left, my friend told me she felt much better about the situation. She was finding her own solutions and developing greater inner strength as a result. She was grateful for what I had done – but all I did was listen! So, the nest time someone comes to you with a problem, do a lot of listening. You’ll be amazed at the positive effect of keeping your ears and mind open and your mouth shut!

We Need Your Help!

Three people – Brian Cliffe, Phil Day and, yours truly, Con Hurley – are busily preparing a modular programme that will give young people the knowledge and financial skills that enable them to better manage their finances as students.  So, at the end of their student years, not alone will they have the qualifications to get a job, join a profession or become an entrepreneur – they will also have learnt the skills to manage the money that goes with their careers.

Of course, this course will also massively help them during their student years. There is a huge variation in how third level students manage – or mismanage- their money. This has become apparent from the research we have been doing with University and Technology Institute students.

Extreme variation in Student Spending

The variation is extreme. At one end of the scale is a young lady who qualified in June with no borrowings and a good second-hand car. Most of her college years were funded by a part-time job, a small grant and some help from her parents. She also enjoyed herself, went out with her mates and had two long holidays in Europe and the US. She knows how to manage money.

At the other end of the scale, we are coming across stories of young people who have left college (qualified and unqualified) up to their eyeballs in debt still not knowing how to manage money.

Your Suggestions Welcome

Brian, Phil and I are accessing as much information as we can as we develop our programme. We’re working on the internet as well as talking with students, lecturers, bankers and others. Can you help us?

What we are looking for are:

• Suggestions on what should be in the Money Management Course for Students.
• What, in your experience, are the main money issues that students face?
• Suggestions as to where we can get information on any courses or books on money management for young people.
• Anything else that you think would help us help students.

So, please let us know what you think by pressing the (No) Comments button just below this sentence. Thank you!

Thirty-six years together

Eleanor and I celebrated our 36^th wedding anniversary over the weekend. We did it simply – good food and good company, especially our own company. Over the 42 years that we know each other, we have built a stable, loving relationship and we consider ourselves best friends. Of course, we have had our ups and downs. But we have weathered them and learnt from them. These challenges have strengthened our relationship.

Love is like a garden – it needs care and nourishment

Sadly, we have watched as marriages have broken down amongst our friends and in our community. Some of these relationships may have been in trouble from the start, but I believe that most of them suffered from neglect and understanding how a good relationship works. In many ways a relationship is like a new garden. In the beginning it looks great and yields a plentiful supply of flowers and vegetables.

But it takes work and attention to maintain a garden – weeding, planting, harvesting and developing. The same is true of a marriage – you need to work on it to ensure that it grows into a long-lasting loving relationship. Unfortunately, we receive little or no help in this. We don’t teach relationships in our schools or universities. And, I’m not sure how effective pre-marriage courses are.

Commitment Essential

In my experience, the first flush of ‘romantic love, begins to decline as two people get to know each other. In a successful relationship this is replaced with ‘true love’ which brings with it tolerance, respect, forgiveness and a desire to encourage your partner to achieve his/her potential in life. Happiness together and individually is the result.

A key point in a successful is commitment – a commitment to keep working at the relationship, especially in tough times, materially or emotionally. Separation and divorce should be the last resort and not the route that many people think of first. There are many pressures on a relationship – children, money, career, disease. We have been through them all and emerged stronger because a) we love each other, and b) we are committed to our marriage.

So, here’s to the next 36 years!

Relationships that count

We buried an old friend yesterday in a quaint country graveyard in South Cork. His name was Diarmuid Lynch and he left behind him a wonderful wife, Mary and an adoring family. Diarmuid was good at the relationships that counted, and I feel privileged to have been included in a wider circle of those he know and respected in the farming world.

In fact, I felt especially honoured when I was asked to carry an earthen sod covered with grass into the church. This was taken from a field on his farm and symbolised the contribution Diarmuid made to grass-based milk production in Ireland during his farming career.

Diarmuid was a giver

It was the perfect symbol because he was undoubtedly the best grassland farmer in Ireland and indeed much further afield in his heyday. People came from far and wide to visit Mary and Diarmuid’s farm. It was featured on TV and the Irish Farmers Journal, very often in articles written by myself.

You see, Diarmuid was a giver in his own lifetime. He gave freely of his expertise, knowledge and advice to other farmers. He made a massive contribution to farm families. On top of that he was a thorough gentleman.

What will I leave behind?

Have you ever wondered what you will leave behind you? What will be your legacy? What will people say about you at your funeral as they lower your coffin into the ground? What will they say as they partake of refreshments afterwards in the hotel or pub?

Think about it. What do you want people to say? Will you be remembered as a giver or a taker; as someone who forgave or sought revenge; as someone who looked on the bright side or the dark side; as someone who saw what was good in people or only saw what was bad?  Diarmuid is a shining example of all the good things that a human life can leave behind. Thank you Diarmuid, it was a privilege to know you.

Staying at home for a holiday.

I had an unusual visitor yesterday. Eileen arrived on a bicycle to buy my book, Yes I Can, which of course I was delighted to sell her. She had cycled six miles to get here and told me that it was part of her week’s holiday. In her youth, she had been a member of Clonakilty Cycling Club and the weekly cycling outing took them on interesting rides along the coast and inland.

So, for her week’s holiday she decided to stay local, do some cycling and visit some people, including me. Eileen’s friends found that difficult to understand. ‘Where are you doing for your hols?’ they asked her on the Friday, expecting to be told that her destination was Lanzarote, the French Riviera or some other exotic place. They found it hard to understand that Eileen was holidaying in her own home.

What’s a holiday for?

‘Staying at home is going away for me,’ she told her friends and work colleagues. Think about it. What are we trying to find in some other place that we can’t find on our own doorsteps? I know you’ll find plenty of answers – sun, sea, low prices, new places etc, etc – and many of these are valid.

However, how well do we know our own locality and what it has to offer? And what is a holiday really all about anyway? If you really need a holiday to ‘get away from it all’, then you need to seriously question what ‘it all’ means for you. Are you in an unfulfilling or stressful job? Are you living in an unsuitable environment? The answers to these revealing questions may well mean that you should be looking for a different career and/or moving to a better location instead of depending on the annual holiday to solve these issues.

Cut costs – stay local.

On another note, taking a home holiday can be very satisfying. There’s no travel hassle for a start – that usually takes two days off a foreign holiday. Then you can use your days to explore local amenities, places you have overlooked in the past. And, you can develop that ‘holiday feeling’ by eating out and inviting friends to a barbeque.

It will probably cost you a lot less too, which is very important in these recessionary times. I remember in the last recession 25 years ago, there were plenty of times that Eleanor and I just stayed at home for a week’s ‘holiday’ when the children were at school. We went on morning visits to forests and walked and cycled locally and had lunch out before collecting the children from school. Then we cooked a ‘holiday’ meal in the evening. Like Eileen, staying at home was our going away!

A simple meal

Eleanor’s sister visited us yesterday and they spent the afternoon walking and chatting while I did some planting and weeding in the veggie garden. Then we prepared a simple meal from mainly home produced and local food – potatoes, cabbage, bacon and crabmeat. Washed down, of course with a few glasses of wine.

Then, as we sat talking, the moon rose over the headland. What a moon! A completely round disc of a reddish-orange colour – very like the blood-red oranges you sometimes get. It was stunning. And, as it slowly rose, the sea began to reflect its brilliance.

Red Moon

We knew this was going to be special. So, we took our glasses out to the patio and put on some warm clothing because the air was chilly. And there we sat for a blissful hour watching as the golden orb ascended into the sky, with its reflection, like a golden tail shimmering on the surface of the sea. Words are insufficient to describe the beauty of the moment.

Then a long narrow cloud moved across the moon. The effect on the water was stunning. The reflection split in two with the division a glittering, sparkling set of lights – much like a firework rocket exploding in the sky.

Take time to smell the flowers

All this was free! And, there are so many other free experiences that we can enjoy every day. The trick is to recognise them and make a conscious decision to stop, concentrate and accept the gift that we are offered. Take time to smell the flowers, watch the butterflies, watch the toddler trying to walk – enjoy the moment.

 Relaxing on the beach

I’ve just returned from two hours relaxing on a small nearby sandy beach. It is a little gem of a place. Very few people know about it and it is difficult to access. An ideal place for a relaxing few hours with a book and a leisurely swim. Or so I thought!

I wasn’t there very long when I heard the tinkle of children’s voices and two families appeared down the cliff path – three adults and nine children ranging in age down from about seven. I moved along the beach to give them – and me – a little space, which was not easy to do given that the beach was only twenty metres wide and becoming smaller due to the encroaching tide.

Children happy in themselves

After a while, I put down my book and watched and listened to the children playing. They had no toys, no rubber boats, shovels or spades. Just themselves. And what a time they were having – digging holes with their hands, building mounds, then dancing in the waves. Pure fun.

Then I realised that the children were a perfect example of the main message in the book I was reading. They were perfectly happy in themselves, in the present moment. I doubt very much if they were thinking about the drive to the beach or worrying about what they would have for dinner. They were in the ‘now’.

Be happy in the ‘now’

They were also free in spirit - innocent of the world, the recession, peer pressure, almost ego-less – as they unselfconsciously played, laughed and ran on that small beach in West Cork.

So, I put down my book and decided to be in the ‘now’ for a few minutes.  It was wonderful – the children were part of the scene, as were the seagulls, the splashing waves, the sparkling light off the shimmering sea, and the light wind across my face. Thank you little children for reminding me to enjoy the moment instead of having my nose stuck in a book.

Happiness Now

By the way, I continued reading the book when I got home. A wonderful book by Robert Holden called ‘Happiness Now’. In my opinion, this is one of the best books I have ever read on the subject of happiness. The main message is startling – we have all the means to be happy within is. Happiness is an inside job.

Hurleys enjoy higher standard of living in Montreal

I’ve just returned from a visit to Montreal where I had the pleasure of visiting the Hurleys of Dorval. With their four children, including the newborn twins, Jerry and Charlie are enjoying a far higher standard of living than they did in Dublin, Ireland. Salaries are comparable, housing and cost of living is lower, and health services are better.

The Canadians are weathering the recession far better than their southern neighbours, the USA, and most of the EU, especially Ireland and the UK. Why? Well one reason is that the Canadian banks continued to act conservatively when US, UK and Irish banks were doling out cash to fuel property bubbles. Last year, three of the top five Canadian banks had record profits.

New Index of Wellbeing

Despite this significant success, Canadians are now focusing on ways of further increasing their quality of life. They are introducing a new Index of Wellbeing as a key indicator of how Canadians are faring in a wide range of life activities. Researchers hope that the Index of Wellbeing will stand alongside Gross Domestic Produce as a measure of national success.

This exciting development is being spearheaded by former Saskatchewan premier, Roy Romanow and health minister Monique Begin. They argue that national success is not all about money measures (GDP & GNP) and should include eight other measures – standard of living, health, community vitality, education, time use, democratic participation, arts & culture and the state of the environment.

What is measured is what get’s done!

The new index is a response to research that shows that quality of life has fallen in Canada over the past 20 years despite increasing GDP. New ways of measuring quality of life show that income distribution is increasingly skewed and the health of the population has deteriorated. Teenagers, in particular have seen their quality of life decline as wage rates have declined and they have struggled to find jobs.

I think that we should be following the Canadians and building in quality of life indicators into how we measure national success. Currently we rely almost totally on economic measures such as GNP and GDP. And, what we measure is what we focus on – money! So let’s clarify what we want as a society as well as money – health, education etc – and lobby our political parties to introduce a National Index of Wellbeing.

Lack of Financial Knowledge a Handicap

One of the biggest weaknesses of our educational system is that it doesn’t prepare young people for life. Yes, it prepares them for various careers but not for the nitty gritties of dealing with the ups and downs of life including money. Young men and women leave school and third level institutions with little or no understanding of how to set themselves up for happiness in life. They don’t have the knowledge and skills to handle day-to-day life situations. It is an appalling gap in the educational system.

However, to use the latest cliché, ‘green shoots’ are beginning to appear. And, I am delighted to be able to play a small part. For example, three years ago, the Skibbereen Lions Club, of which I am a member, funded a Life Skills Project in three West Cork Schools. This is now being taught successfully to transition year students. The man responsible for the curriculum is Kevin Kelly – www.kevinkellyunlimited.com

Money Management for Students

Now another opportunity to contribute to the broader education of young people has arisen. I have been asked by a third level institution to put in a proposal for Personal Financial Planning and Management for students. I find this very exciting as I know there is a huge need for money management skills in society.

I mean, look at the mess that many people now find themselves in. They are all blaming the recession and the banks. But people themselves must also accept some responsibility for where they are. After all, it was they who took out the loans and signed the cheques. They had good intentions and plenty of enthusiasm. What they lacked was financial knowledge and skills.

Ideas & Suggestions Welcome

I strongly believe that the best place to start financial education is in the educational system and I am very excited with the opportunity I am being given. I am currently working with two other people to put together a proposal and I would be delighted and grateful for any suggestions you may have. Just press the ‘comment button’ and give me your thoughts.

Noisy music kills ambience

Eleanor and I were in a lovely restaurant celebrating the birth of the twins – good food, friendly service and great value. The ambience was just right. Until the background music came on to compete with the lovely buzz of conversation, the rustle of napkins and the clinks of cutlery and glasses.

Inevitably, people began to raise their voices in competition with the ‘background music’. I’ve been in this situation many times before so I asked the waitress to turn the music down. Fortunately, the owner, Majella was very sympathetic and turned it off altogether. The wonderful ambience returned and we continued to enjoy our meal.

Higher decibels, more drinking

In my opinion, ‘background music’ has become an insidious component of restaurants and bars. I use the word insidious especially for bars and nightclubs. You see, there is a psychological connection between the noise of our surroundings and our behaviour. Raise the music (noise) and we raise our voices in an attempt to be heard. Raise the noise (music) a little more and the voices crank up again.

Of course, we are also straining to hear what is being said. The ongoing battle between background noise (music and everyone shouting), voices and hearing affect that part of our brains that control/stimulate drinking. When the noise levels are high we drink more. That’s why many bars and nightclubs have loud music in the ‘background’. They also use computers to turn up the music as the night goes on.

Spread the message

Those that know me know that I don’t need loud music to enable me to drink a few pints. But I abhor the use of psychological knowledge to stimulate people to drink more alcohol than they normally would.  And the people who are specifically targeted are young with lots of money in their pockets.

What can we do? Well I always ask for music to be turned down or off. That’s a start. Spread the message. That’s what I’m doing with this blog posting. Pass it on. Let your friends and relations know. And especially our young people. They are the biggest victims of this unscrupulous activity. Tell them what is going on. Then, at the very least, they will know what other people are trying to do in order to sell them more alcohol.

Hurley twins are born!

Yesterday was a very special day for Eleanor and I. Our twin grandsons were born: two bundles of joy, pure innocence, total happiness. Their needs are simple. Physically, they need food, warmth and security. Their only emotional need is love – and they have that in abundance from their parents, Jerry and Charlie and brothers Matthew and Killian. And from us grandparents, of course!

I seem to have been seeing a lot of newborn children recently. I suppose this is like the ‘red car phenomenon’. When you decide to buy a red car, you begin to notice many more than usual on the road.

Happiness should be the main goal

Anyway, looking at so many babies set me thinking. At birth most babies are like the twins – loved, secure and happy. They are as yet unconditioned by exposure to our world. As they grow older, they become conditioned by parents, neighbourhood, school and the culture they are brought up in.

Some of this is positive and some of it is negative. As a life coach, I come across many cases where this conditioning needs to be challenged. I encourage people to take responsibility for the rest of their lives, to think for themselves and to choose to be happy.

Part of my mission or purpose in life is to establish happiness as the main goal of all the institutions that serve us – government, commercial companies, public services, schools and universities. All the way down to citizens, children and babies. Society would then be structured and run with the goal of fostering and promoting human happiness. The conditioning process would be very different.

Kahlil Gibran

Parents have a huge influence on how their babies turn out as children and adults. The eastern philosopher, Kahlil Gibran gives interesting to parents:

‘Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls.’

‘You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness; for even as He loves the arrow that flies, so he also loves the bow that is stable.’

New life! New hope!

Investors Club

Last week I made a presentation to an investors club. The low attendance reflected the recession and those that were there were in sombre mood. I think my messages lifted their spirits and gave them hope for the future.

I decided to focus on the natural cycles of life and money. In nature we call these cycles, seasons, and much of what gardeners and farmers do depends on these seasons. For example, I sow most of my veggies in spring and harvest in summer and autumn. Winter is a time of no growth, when we depend on stored vegetables. It is also a time for regeneration and planning – preparation for the busy spring ahead.

Boom follows bust

Financial cycles are very similar. Boom follows bust and bears and bulls wander to and fro on the stock market. Right now, investments and incomes are down. The house you bought for €500,000 two years ago is worth about €350,000 today – that is if you can sell it at all. And your €400,000 share portfolio is now valued at €100,000.

This is the ‘winter’ in the financial cycle. It is a time of scarcity and inactivity. Wise people are like gardeners and farmers. They have prepared for the money ‘winter’ by storing some resources and ensuring they have enough to keep them going until ‘summer’ comes around again. We can learn lessons from these people.

Wise Lessons

1. They always build up a ‘store’ of money on deposit. Personally, we keep enough to cover living costs for 6 months – maybe this should be 12 months. This means that if income dries up, we have enough to keep us going until we find a fresh stream of income.

2. They know that spring follows winter - ‘this too shall pass.’ Things will get better, the money will flow again and investment values will rise. This gives consolation and hope. Better times will return as sure as night follows day.

3. They plan and prepare for the turnaround. They set goals and work out what new knowledge and skills they will need to make their plans work. Winter is a great time for self improvement – lots of reading and courses.

4. They maintain good health and a positive attitude. Keep your body in shape and mix with positive people. Read good books.

5. They learn from the situation they find themselves in. They know it is no use moaning and groaning about current misfortune, blaming the banks or politicians, or beating themselves up as failures. Instead, they analyse what happened and work out what they can do different the next time. Because, there will be another cycle and another downturn. Wise people learn!

Most valuable lesson of all

Finally, wise people know and accept that there are financial cycles and seasons and they plan their lives and money accordingly. This is the most valuable lesson of all. Think about it!

Everyone grows their own

There has been an explosion in home growing of vegetables. People in city apartments, rural tons and villages – and farmers have planted spuds, carrots and cabbage this spring. The demand for vegetable seeds is so great that seed companies are selling next year’s seed stocks. What’s happening?

Well, I had a taste of what is happening last night when I spoke to about 40 members of the Newcestown Garden Club in Co Cork. Mostly women, these were country people many of farming stock. Most have been growing their own vegetables all their lives, like their parents before them. Some have taken it up more recently – but all are now growing vegetables! Amazing.

Gardening is great therapy

I asked for reasons. Freshness and taste came out on top along with cash savings. Then there is the belief that fresh veggies are more nutritious than those that have spent up to a week in trucks and shops before getting to the kitchen. One woman said that being in the vegetable garden was a great way of ‘getting away from it all’.

I certainly agreed with that. An hour or two in my veggie patch is all the therapy I need after a morning in front of the computer. My mind switches off as I weed the turnips and plant out brassicas. I believe I am operating totally in the ‘now’ – Eckhart Tolle would be proud of me, and I may even be experiencing ‘flow’ an almost spiritual, relaxing state. Whatever, happens I always feel better after a spell in the garden.

Money can’t buy Happiness

So, last night I came a way very uplifted and excited after meeting forty people who grow their own vegetables. Towards the end of the meeting, we also spoke about how you don’t need lots of money and possessions to be happy. These people did not need to be convinced that loving relationships and health are the key components of a happy contented life.

And, to prove the point, Lily, the chairperson handed me a long quote from someone called George Carlon and told me to keep it. I read it this morning, although I still don’t know who George is, and it contains some wise observations about the sort of society we live in. A few key quotes are:

·         We’ve added years to life but not life to years, and

·         We’ve conquered outer space but not inner space.

·         These are the days of steep profits and shallow relationships

Your can read the entire quote on the Happiness Movement page.

‘Bliss is a constant state of mind undisturbed by gain or loss’

This is the Ayurvedic quote that accompanied my cup of Yogi tea this morning. I like the different herbal flavours this brand, especially ginger lemon. I also enjoy the different quotes that come with each teabag such as the one above. They encourage me to think more deeply about life early in the morning. It gets the day off to a good start.

There is a lot of depth to what at first seems a simple quote. The eastern Ayurvedic tradition focuses on balance in life which is synonymous with health and happiness. Bliss, of course, is another word for happiness which is central to this website and my life and work.

Laughter and smiles

So, the first message in the above quote is that bliss/happiness is a ‘constant state of mind’. Happiness is an inside job, in our minds. And it is ‘undisturbed’ by external factors. So, whatever happens to us, we can still be happy. In this quote, the ‘whatever’ is ‘gain or loss’.

Isn’t this so relevant in the current recessionary times when so many are losing so much – at least in money terms. What a contrast to a few years ago when the economy was booming and everyone was in the ‘gain’ mode. And what a change there is in the national mood. Laughter and smiles have been replaced by doom and gloom.

Cycles of life

The challenge is to separate our state of happiness from what is happening in the world around us. I touched on this in a presentation I made to a group of investors on Monday night when I spoke about how life and nature operates in a series of cycles.

• Seasonal cycles – winter, spring, summer and autumn
• Weather cycles – calm, storms, rain, drought
• Economic cycles – recession is followed by expansion, boom by bust, deflation by inflation.
• Life cycles – birth, growth, decline, death

This too shall pass

Cycles happen! They are part of life at all levels. So we should learn how to handle cycles – the ups and downs of life as best we can. And underneath it all we should cultivate happiness, that ‘constant state of mind’ and decide that it remains  ‘undisturbed’  by the external natural cycles of life. Because, as sure as night follows day, these too shall pass!

 Today’s Irish Times contained one whole page of ‘good news’. And it was on page 7 which, along with adjoining pages, is usually packed with negativity. As, I should add are the pages in the first sections of all newspapers. So it was with great surprise and pleasure that I read the positive message, clearly explained and well illustrated with colourful maps and pictures.

New approach to harnessing wind energy

The message: a new approach to wind energy can make us totally energy self sufficient in five years.  As if that ‘news’ is not good enough, the advertisement claims that:

• Tens of thousands of jobs will be created
• €30 billion spend importing fossil fuels will be saved
• Energy exports will hit €50 billion over 10 years, and
• Carbon dioxide emissions will be dramatically reduced

At this stage, you may have picked up that this is an advertisement. OK, so what! A group of expert, unpaid volunteers in geology, construction, engineering finance and other disciplines have come together to propose a dramatic, but simple solution to Ireland’s energy problems. The solution involves trapping the energy in our Atlantic winds using wind mills and then storing this energy by pumping water into new and expanded reservoirs. We can then use this energy by releasing it through turbines that feed electricity into the national grid. Brilliant!

Spread the ‘good news’

What I found missing from all the otherwise excellent information was the absence of a financial cost-benefit analysis. What will this project cost? And what is the value of the benefits to Ireland – and the return to investors? I have voiced these questions on the website http://www.SpiritofIreland.org .  I also filled in a questionnaire. I invite you to do the same. It’s not everyday we get a whole page of good news – and are also asked to participate in helping spread this good news.