Hiya!

I’m not sure how you’re feeling but I feel January has just vanished in a flash. It went from low-key simple island life to ramping up to fifth gear. This is something that doesn’t sit as well for me now as it did before. I’ve been reflecting on how much I used to squeeze into a year and wonder how I did it. Why I went at that pace? The reason - I was in building-up mode, getting things off the ground, planting new seeds, building relationships, building my business. I’m glad I did it then, little sprouts are popping up.

To stay connected to those feel good island activities, this week we continued doing pilates classes via Zoom with my friends. It’s a lovely way to unwind at the end of the day and chat to them. Still not quite the same as a beach walks, sitting on the rocks for sunset drinks - breathing in the fresh air, letting go of stuff that doesn’t matter and dreaming about the stuff that does.

The beginning of the year is a good time to clear the decks, start afresh and doing something new, so I kicked off this year reading Michael Bungay Stainer’s inspiring work, “How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters” to help stay on the path to where I dream of going.

He provides a super simple and fun way to break down that “big hairy audacious goal (BHAG)” that “you have to bet your life on.” There are steps to focus on to work out how to get there. I’ve read it twice this week and continue going back through the exercises. Just as I wake up, I dive in - devote 15 minutes every morning to get my fresh thoughts down on paper. It’s interesting to write it down, makes it clear to figure out.

When the author fires up his laptop each morning, the date he will die (based on stats of a standard lifespan) is displayed, I’ve never heard someone say this before, kind of grabbed my attention instantly. He breaks it down, each worthy project, work and not work, takes about 5 years to complete. A countdown reminder that life is short, get started.

Yep, you can do the maths and figure out how much you’ll fit in, bringing light to the goal you want to back your life on. He suggests your goal must be “Thrilling, FOSO (for the sake of) and Daunting.” All three need to be outlined as specifically as possible,

Jude, our mother. Her birthday is in January. Jude left us at 40. This month she would have turned 72. We always play The Beatles song, “Hey Jude” to remember her. This year, my parents, John and Gerri, sent around the story of how and why this song was written. Paul McCartney was concerned about John Lennon’s son, Julian, when his parents were breaking up, so he wrote the song for him. Over the years, it evolved and changed, it moved into a new creation.

Creating together:

When we care, create and want to help, one thing then leads to another, I love this part about creating, the unknown beauty. Then before you know it, you let it go for others to enjoy. Your audience can do with it what they like. It’s for them. What a positive feeling to create something that makes a difference and makes people feel good - Doing something that matters.

Staying Connected:

It’s been 2 years since I was in the land of India. While my 2 shiniest stars, my children, live here, India is where the other brightest stars in my universe live. I’ll be heading there in 4 weeks. My departure date is approaching very quickly. I’ll be heading off into the unknown. Though I’ve been to India many times, this time will be different.

I’ve done this before - Flown off only knowing two people. It plays with my head a little because the past 2 years of uncertainty have been contained and routine driven. As the world opens, that’s changing. The conversations I’ve been having suggest there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty about what this means. We’ve gotten used to feeling the comfort of routine.

This trip, I’ll be bringing you along on the journey as we venture into new cities with new artists and new fabrics.

As I slowly work through a busy month, this week’s play list has been the easy background music of @marleyralph. Stay well and safe. Sending peace and quiet time as you unfold. Please send me an email if you would like to share any thoughts on this blog. I’m learning and practising on how to write content that resonates. I look forward to hearing from you.

emma@naudic.com

Emma

January & HB Jude