Taking action

10. Taking action: “The greatest feeling is freedom, the greatest step towards that feeling is action” – Maria Sheridan

“Man who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth must wait very, very long time.” - Chinese proverb 

Taking action is very simple. I say that now because it really is, however it requires a little exercise on your behalf.  So here is a little challenge for you……Get yourself a pen and write 10 things you are grateful for and every day write down 10 things you are grateful for, you can expound on the dialogue through a gratitude journal if you wish but it’s not necessary, the memory of why you are grateful can be fun to look back on otherwise just a one liner is sufficient.  If you can’t think of 10 then start with one or two or three or five, but do it and do it now, I promise you sincerely your life will begin to change for the better and the lives of those around you will change, YOU will make a DIFFERENCE.  If you WANT to make a difference in the world, IN YOUR LIFE then this is how it will happen. Start NOW with YOUR attitude of gratitude.

Excerpts from my Journal:

10^th November 2012

Well now I have the former Senator Jack Harte on my tail I CANNOT give up on my dream, I wouldn't anyway! HOWEVER he said to MY mum THAT she's not to be on at me about the book ( like nagging me lol) HOWEVER if she sees me slaking off she's to tell me UNCLE JACK said I've to get up off my butt and get that book written AND to remind myself that I’ll be leaving a legacy for my Grandchildren. I love you Uncle Jack ♥ author of To the Limits of Endurance: One Irishman's War http://www.amazon.co.uk/To-Limits-Endurance-Irishmans-War/dp/1905483279

In the 1930s, Jack Harte (my Uncle Jack) , like so many boys in the rough-and-tumble environment of inner-city Dublin, dreamt of adventure and overseas locations, as featured in the comic books and movies of the day. Unlike most people, though, he was to make a bolt for those distant worlds and daring adventures. After a first failed attempt to run away to join the British army, his second attempt succeeded, with him stowing away on the mail boat to Britain. Lying about his age, he was accepted into the army and, following his initial training, was posted to the strategically important island of Malta. The initial pleasures of the Mediterranean island and its beaches and 'entertainment' areas gave way to the reality of unprecedentedly heavy air raids. Harte would later be transferred to Palestine, where he and his comrades were involved in several clandestine raids. Such activities ultimately saw Harte being selected for the elite Special Boat Service. Harte was captured, and many of the book's most amusing and occasionally disturbing episodes cover the time he was a prisoner of war in a German POW camp. Part coming of age memoir and part war story, Harte's remarkable and often funny tale serves to remind us of the important role played by Irish men and women in the Second World War.

Uncle Jack had gotten typed up my first ever story on Dáil Éireann Paper. I remember the feeling when I received it. I remember the story it was about our holiday our camping holiday in Betws-y-Coed in Wales. I gave the story to a lady Alice Banks a writer with spina bifida whos only way to write was with a rod strapped around her head.  An Incredible lady who inspired what I do today.  I never got my story back, however I never regret what I did with it as a child, “this was for Alice”.

25 December 2012

I haven't written here for a while. Yesterday was a very emotional day for me as we went to feed the homeless, give them some warm clothes and yes a bed in the form of a sleeping bag. One of the first Gents I met “Francis”, was an incredible Man. This week Francis lost his Best Friend. They were living in a Squat together, it was cold, and so he went to make his Friend some Tea, upon his return he found his friend had passed away. My day was filled full of compassion, love, joy, sadness, emotion and heart wrenching Stories, I realised how privileged I am and how much I have now. I don't know that I will ever be able to share what it's truly like to be homeless. For me it was brief and painful enough. I am currently living pay cheque to pay cheque a step up from homelessness in reality, however I feel rich in comparison to where I was. Because today I'm alive, I pushed through those dark days and I'm here now hopefully making a difference. I know yesterday inspired me. These people have names, they have stories they have feelings. As I'm writing this through my tears. I have never felt happier, I have never felt so GRATEFUL.