Unexpected

September 23, 2015 / Robert / 4 Comments

I was pleasantly surprised while checking my emails this morning. I received a message from a colleague congratulating me on being brave. I didn’t know what they meant.

I mentioned in my blog post Being Myself that I would add a category to this blog for personal development. At the same time I decided to participate on my workplace’s social media, hosted on Yammer. Both are part of a strategy to bring coherence to my online personas. Yammer provides me with an opportunity to give back to my workplace and to connect with colleagues I would not ordinarily come across. I started sharing articles related to personal development on Yammer.

The bravery comment was in relation to my activity on Yammer. There was also a private message via Yammer this morning from a colleague I only know from their posts. They let me know that they like the posts I’ve been making and that we may be similar in our thinking. I was blown away, it wasn’t something I was expecting and I’m thrilled that my posts are being well received.

My learning from this; the less I expect, the more thrilled I am with the unexpected.

From the bus stop

September 22, 2015 / Robert / 5 Comments

If someone had told me, when I was young, that I would one day leave the cool northern hemisphere climate, my birthplace, I wouldn’t have believed them.

Why would I want to trade in grey, cloudy skies, and drizzly rain that clings to your clothes and hair?

This morning I find myself sitting at the bus stop. Across one of the busiest roads in Sydney I see: a blue sky; lush green leafed trees; and a palm tree.

Denial

September 20, 2015 / Robert / 2 Comments

Not wanting to know my:

Waist measurement
Weight
Bank balance

Fungus fright

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015 / Robert / 6 Comments

Fergus B. Fotheringham

Feared fungus, frogs and lambs.

When excursions were planned,

Rambling ‘cross field and land,

There was ne’ery a doubt

He’d rather go without.

Xanthorrhoea

September 18, 2015September 18, 2015 / Robert / 5 Comments

Uniquely Australian, the grass tree, Xanthorrhoea, is at home in the red sandy outback. Our neighbours in Sydney gave us a potted tree to commemorate our living in Australia for ten years. This the second time it has flowered in seven years. They typically grow around one centimetre per year, and can live for many centuries.

Further information is available here http://www.pawlan.com/monica/australia/

Perfumed pentagram

September 16, 2015 / Robert / 2 Comments

It’s spring again

We’re smiling again

There’s perfumed pentagrams

It’s spring again

Time to sing again

Jasmine from Petersham

Being myself

September 13, 2015September 14, 2015 / Robert / 44 Comments

I recently received an email from WordPress to remind me that September is the anniversary of the birth of theINFP.com. This proved to be the catalyst for me to to reflect on why I blog, review the blog’s categories and look to the future.

In the beginning
I can clearly remember the feeling of trepidation as I clicked to share my first post with the World. It was called Memory, Motivation, Momentum, you can read it here – you will be part of a select group. So many negative thoughts ran through my mind: ‘Why would anyone be interested?’; ‘I will look like a fool’; and ‘Who do I think I am?’ When I started blogging three years ago I was unsure of why I was doing so. I half expected that it was just another phase that would wax and wane.

The path
Generally, I don’t have a lot to say; considering myself a trifle dull. I can see the interest die in the eyes of most people when I talk to them. I learned late in life that it is okay to be a shy introvert. Walking the path to rid myself of the masks, walls and perceived expectations I have buit up is not a easy as I anticipated. Being part of the blogging community has helped me along this journey. It is reassuring to know that there are people who are interested in what I have to say, even if it is only in a few words.
Significant periods in my life seem to be marked by decade long milestones. Each one signals the removal of a gossamer veil from my inner eye, one after another. My purpose in this earthly form becomes tantalisingly clearer. This often inspires me to create and share pictures, poems and posts.

The future
I plan to add a ‘personal development’ category to my blog. I will capture the articles and posts that resonate with me and explain how the concepts relate to my own experiences. The travel category will be removed.
Thank you for reading this short insight into why I blog and where I am going. I truly appreciate being part of your conversations, and you liking, commenting and following my blog.
Being myself, Robert

Central Station, Sydney, Australia

September 10, 2015 / Robert / 3 Comments

Afternoon sunlight illuminates the stone clock tower of Central railway Station.

Stick in the mud

September 9, 2015 / Robert / 7 Comments

It was a sunny day with a refreshing nip in the air. I made my way to a seat next to an ordinary looking young man, thankfully he didn’t appear to be listening to music. I quickly became immersed in the chatter of my mind. Occasionally I noticed details for the first time on buildings I had frequently seen before. I was vaguely aware of the bus stopping and starting as it often does on weekday mornings going into the city along Parramatta Road, Sydney, Australia.

Suddenly, the person next to me stood up.

I’m usually hypersensitive of others being about to do something. The shock of movement from next to me jolted me to the core. I experienced a yoyo feeling somewhere in my upper chest. Assuming the man wanted to alight from the bus. I hurriedly grabbed the bags on my lap, stood, stepped into the aisle, and sat down again after he had gone.

Memories of similar situations connected in my mind. Why did I react in the way that I did? My childhood training has stayed with me, I excuse myself and thank people when I need to get past them!

I would be interested in reading your experiences like this.