Firstly sorry if there was anyone who, on the off chance might have been waiting for the second of these blogs. It’s not that I haven’t been doing what I said I was going to do and – filming, editing and learning new skills and words like “creating content” – I have been - lots.
But I had a problem “posting them”, not a technical issue – I just couldn’t do it. And until Sunday morning I didn’t know why.
When I had the notion to do these vlogs it really was an epiphany for me. I genuinely believed I’d discovered something that everyone needed to know. And I honestly wanted to tell you all about it and make a difference to peoples’ lives and their health and the way we live and interact with the world around us.
I also had great plans that were born out of this revelation - I honestly thought I may have found my life’s purpose what I was put here to do. I even let myself dream that it could be really successful. I might even gain accolades and recognition maybe become a famous health guru. And that leads me to my second epiphany.
I was out on my bike out exploring in the hills on what felt like the first day of a long overdue spring when it hit me. My second realisation was - that I was right with my first idea. But somewhere between the two I’d forgotten that the original reason for starting this adventure was for others and their health but I’d made it about my own personal success and gaining recognition.
In focussing in on these things I’d lost sight of my goal and that’s where my wheels had fallen off. I think that’s called ego. I wanted to be recognised for something I hadn’t done yet.
I’d forgotten what I said I’d do, what this was supposed to be about – to tell you honestly what I did and I had learned, what my journey was and hopefully help you to start your own.
Looking at the videos I made they were prescriptive and dull. I was boring myself.They were about medical facts and lists of ought to’s – not an inspiring springboard to launch you into your great adventure. But it’s ok. For me I don’t mind a wobble at the beginning it might even be vital before I properly start – it’s a checkpoint – How much do you want to do this?
STOP – Proceed at your own risk and prepare to fail ungraciously. But I do – I really want to carry on I’m ready to mess up in front of you all.
Ok so now what?
I told you a bit about my own why’s but if you’re going to go with me on this I think you’ve got to know what makes me tick – see if we’re a match that you want to carry on with or someone a week in who’ll just annoy you.
So warts and all here’s me.
I live in London – I love the city and I love the river. I don’t know if living in a busy city has made me hard but its definitely become a part of who I am.
I was a child of the 70’s, grew up in the 80’s and became an adult in the 90’s. I’ve seen the mechanical age change into this technological and information age beyond anything we could have imagined. My method of listening to music has been vinyl, tapes CD’s downloads and streaming. And loved all of them.
I love technology when is progressive and empowering and hate it when it robs time, creativity and dictates a limited way of thinking. I still love an good old pen and paper though.
As I’ve just said I usually forget the most important things I’ve learned in life - like this one.You’ve got to do things for the sake of doing them and not for the results, you can’t dictate the results, they are none of your business because the world is how it is not how I want it to be. This is what I think acceptance really is.
Things will always happen in life – what makes the difference is what I do with what happens. My reactions are the only thing I have control over.
I love things with two wheels – you’ll see lots more of this - I love their simplicity and function, their graceful efficiency, their ability of self power to empower but mostly the freedom they give.
Now Economy and waste.
I love Economy – my kids say I’m mean – I say I’m economical.
My shed (see videos) was built as a protest and an experiment and is 100% recycled from things pulled out of skips in the area.
My plan is for this vlog to be cost neutral – everything so far - all new equipment subscriptions etc has been entirely funded and hopefully will continue to be by trade and barter. So far by things I’ve sold on eBay. I love eBay.
I will fix rather than throw away, swap, buy second hand and always try not to buy new. I will always try and invent, recycle and rethink. Nothing beats using something you’ve botched together to solve a problem that you made with your own creativity and your own two hands.
I hate the waste of any resources but especially human hours.
I think everyone is capable of great things and if they don’t know need to be told.
I was shown by my father that patience, diligent work and an acceptance of discomfort are what’s required to achieve anything worthwhile. He supported me while I doubted this until I realised it was true. That’s what real opportunity is and it is everyone’s birth-right.
Nothing happens overnight. I always overestimate what I can do in a day but when I look back have underestimated what I can achieve in a year. That’s why I have to remember to keep going because small consistent acts get big things done.
Something else overestimated and overrated is will power. Most decisions are made unconsciously and using willower is the wrong tool to change them. It will never triumph over the unconscious mind. Good habits are the key.
I wake up every morning self obsessed, lazy, procrastinating and telling my story of why I can’t. I then reboot myself to be open to making the day count because the day is the best gift I get everyday. And to make it count is why I’m here.
I love my family and friends and everything I do is for them – they like this and like me back for it - win win. I hope I can encourage and empower people.
I’m better off when I get what I need rather than what I want – but I usually don’t know what I need until I get it.
Contentedness is a product of how I live not something I can generate on its own. And that feeling isn’t just happiness its about being authentic to whatever’s happening including grief, sadness and anger. The current idea of needing to be constantly positive I think blocks and distracts from this emotional authenticity. If I’m determined to be right I’m not usually happy or contented.
I’d always chose a good worker over a great thinker. Patience, work ethic and kindness are 100 times more important in getting things done than intelligence, natural talents or a creative mind.
At the end of the day what matters is how you have lived and what you have done not what you have said you’re going to do or thought you were.
Now a bit of what I know from what I’ve learned being a doctor for 25 years.
The body is a beyond amazing creation and deserves awe, reverence and wonder. Health is a life long ongoing project and it’s an under appreciated precious thing often not missed until abused and it’s gone. We already have everything we need for health and given the right conditions a sick body can heal itself in ways that leave our current practice of medicine looking amateur. Doctors are good when you’re sick but they’re not the best people to look after your health.
I hate closed minded ignorance, bullies and people who tell us the wrong things or hide the truth for their own gain. Let me make up my own mind with the most accurate information available.
I believe that money should be a reward for good work done and don’t know of any good that has come from the greedy accumulation of wealth for its own sake. I love people who use their wealth and influence to make the world better.
Planning is much more important than plans. Nothing happens without starting or action. Dreams without planning and action stay dreams. I love planning. I find starting difficult.
Shame and resentments are big time wasters. Guilt however is a good thing to reflect and act on.
I love teaching and passing what I know on. However we’re supposed to be looking after the planet to pass on to those that are following and we’re not doing a very good job of it.
Perfection is pointless. You’ve got to keep moving and doing in everything – walk lots and always use the stairs
As I get older I really see that life not only is short but actually is just a series of moments one after the other. I plan to have as many moments as I can.
The more I know the true extent of what I don’t know is revealed. Soon I’ll realise that I know nothing. So I don’t focus on the answers anymore it’s about knowing what questions to ask.
On my own I’m pointless and powerless – but that’s how it’s supposed to be.