Chumbawamba

In the immortal lines of the song by Chumbawamba a decade or so ago, "I get knocked down but I get up again - you ain't ever gonna keep me down...."

This is a wise philosophy for anyone who is pursuing their dreams or Life Purpose. I frequently have to remind myself of these words as I put the message of Walk Innovation out to the general public. It has been a long hard lesson in what doesn't work for me in the marketing arena over the past months in St Albans as only a few people have trickled into my events.

However, as Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."

Pursuit of a Life Purpose is a quest of belief, congruence and persistence. Today I have been in contact with the local business agency, radio station and networking group. All have offered to help me publicise my events. This represents a nice step in the right direction.

Keeping focus on the bigger picture of what Walk Innovation aims to do - helping attendees to help themselves, have fun and help the planet for our future generations - is where I always come back to. Nobody has achieved great things without challenges. It is how we respond to such challenges that will ultimately dictate the quality of our lives.

Right now I have had a huge rush as a downward turn of life's rollercoaster hits the bottom. Fortunately, the next part of the ride necessitates a swift movement up - I'm ready for that. Indeed, it just adds to life's rich tapestry.

Transforming negativity into hope, focus, purpose and action is a perpetual path. It may not always happen instantly but it always happens to me. The alternative is misery and my years as a nurse have shown me where that path leads - not for me thanks!

As long as I still have my health I am a happy man. It is an unfortunate truth that many people may never realise this until their health has gone. It will never be enough to make them happy when they have good health but it will certainly compound their misery when they do not.

Being grateful for what we have is the easiest route towards changing stress into happiness. Alternatively, you could just complain to someone about life's trials and tribulations - this is a great way to drain the energy of those who you care to share such stories with.

A Weekend in The Garden of Eden

Magic is a wonderful thing. For years I have been bamboozled by the mystic genius of the likes of Houdini, David Copperfield, David Blaine, Derren Brown and Tommy Cooper. The escapism to our imagination is a most wonderful thing.

This weekend, through a most serendipitous chain of events, I landed myself in the garden of Darren Eden. The venue may have been a hotel room but all sorts were blossoming within those who attended.

Darren has nurtured a community of magicians, showing them how to tap into their intuition.

The simplicity of his message is the power of it – focus on what you love and take all obvious steps towards it.

When you spend time with magicians, synergistic wonder occurs. When you look for love from external sources you give away your power. When you nurture it from within, by loving yourself, then magical things occur.

Watching magic in action is the best way to develop your own. I learned many things about my life during this weekend.

I learned that football is a wonderful metaphor for my life and there are so many obvious steps towards getting what I love that I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I hadn't seen them.

I have never been the greatest footballer but I have always loved the sport. I have been injured, hospitalised, beaten, kicked, punched and head-butted over the years. I have had more near misses than I can remember and suffered some humiliating moments. However, I have also experienced some incredible highs, raised my game, played some amazing football and inspired team mates to new levels, way beyond what I thought was possible. I have conquered adversity and played in some shocking conditions.

The fact is that I have always entered each new game as a new beginning. Like watching a different movie – I never know what I will be facing and how my character will be tested. I love the excitement, unpredictability and team dynamic that is offered. Most importantly, as I begin each new game I swiftly forget everything that has happened in previous games.

Because I love football, the highs and lows are part of the rich tapestry that is the beauty of sport, life and what I love. Transcribing the same mindset to my business has given me a quantum shift in thought process. Previously I had been letting tough learning curves affect my mindset at the beginning of a new day. From now on each new day is a new game and a new set of goals.

Through focusing on my business, which is something that I love, I'll now be starting each new day as a new game. My goal is a straight forward one – score more than I concede. If I don't – learn, move on and get ready for the next game.

Life is simple – focus on what you love and take the obvious steps towards it. Today's steps involve writing this as a reminder to myself that I will be playing for the rest of my life.

When the Why is Big Enough the How Will Unfold as We Take Action

What happens when we ask questions like "How can I help the planet?"

I asked this question a while back and it led to me dispensing with a car, walking more and creating a local community through Walk Innovation to help people to clarify their purpose in life. It is quite incredible to me how many people dwell in a life of unhappiness with no real purpose or focus in their lives.

How exactly this movement will lead to me helping the planet on a more global scale - I'm not yet sure. However, one of the concepts taught at Walk Innovation is : When the why is big enough the how takes care of itself as we take action towards our purpose.

In a nutshell - worrying about the seemingly impossible nature of one person sparking a movement for planetary sustainability will not achieve anything positive. Keeping the belief, maintaining focus and taking action towards my goal is enough. The rest will unfold as it is meant to.

Through this blog you can witness my journey unfold. I would also recommend that you set yourself a purpose that is so big that it scares you - that's when you know that you're on your path towards happiness.

What is Purpose and Why Do We Need It?

  As a nurse I spent many years working with people in the twilight of their lives. Some were not too happy with the cards that life had dealt them. Others were the embodiment of joy, awareness and compassion. What was the difference between them?

  The recurrent thing that was present in those who appeared happier was a greater purpose in life. Some people knew exactly what their gift were - and how to use them. So, what is purpose?

  According to Dictionary.com, purpose is...

pur⋅pose

  [pur-puhs]  Show IPA noun, verb, -posed, -pos⋅ing.

–noun

1.	the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

2.	an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

3.	determination; resoluteness.

4.	the subject in hand; the point at issue.

5.	practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.

–verb (used with object)

6.	to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.

7.	to intend; design.

8.	to resolve (to do something): He purposed to change his way of life radically.

–verb (used without object)

9.	to have a purpose.

  If, as suggested, purpose is the reason why something exists then surely it is our duty to know exactly what our purpose is. If we don't know why we exist then things are likely to get confusing, upsetting or even dangerous. If we are not focusing on our purpose and our gifts then we are probably focusing on our irritations and faults.

  It's been an interesting few weeks for me. I have been stretched on many fronts as I piece together the elements of my vision for Walk Innovation with the practicalities of operating in the world of business. 

  The fact is that during my career as a nurse I just hadn't considered entering the business world and what it would entail. Fortunately, I have been focused on my purpose in life and why it is important for me to keep going, regardless of any obstacles.

  I have been asked on numerous occasions "What is Walk Innovation?" I have yet to give a consistent answer as I don't believe that it can be described. Through contemplating this question for many hours I finally feel that I can express Walk Innovation through words alone.

  Walk Innovation is a process where gratitude and positive focus meets action. Our ability to get results in our life is directly proportionate to our belief in our life's purpose. When we have a big enough purpose it is possible to be totally present in the moment much more often. This state of presence is the key to loving life.

  When we strip away all of the filters and negative programming that has gone into our subconsciousness there is only love. Love comes in the shape of all the things that we have to be grateful for. Here is a list of things that I am grateful for right now....

  My family and friends, who have supported me through many testing times and taught me numerous lessons throughout my life. The fun and laughter that I experience regularly. The times that have stretched me to my limit and forced me to find resources from within that I never knew I had. The complete collapse of my business, personal relationship, finances and happiness last year. This brought me the most amazing insights into my own life that have catapulted me on my journey. The resulting awareness and congruence of my purpose have left a trail of positive outcomes and resolutions.

  I am grateful for the traveling that I have done and for the conditions that I live in. Having food, shelter and choice of how to spend my time. The sun is out today and when I focus I can hear the distant singing of birds. My health is good and I'm feeling great at the moment. The beauty of the trees and plants as I look outside is a gift.

  Of course, I could list the things that are not yet right in my life, which I'm sure could make an impressive list. However, this is not where I choose to put my focus in this moment in time. Instead I choose to see the beauty and wonder of life. I choose to set myself a purpose of bringing together a global community of people who will discover how to love their lives through the Walk Innovation process.

  This blog entry represents the start of a journey. I know my purpose and it's about helping myself through helping and connecting others. Walk Innovation works and I am excited to watch it unfold. It will not necessarily be the most easy task but it will unfold somehow. I don't know how but I don't need to because when the why is big enough the how will unfold as action is taken towards it.

  The difference between those who love their life when they get old and those that don't is the ability to live in the moment and accept the potential gifts that every given moment presents us. Whether that be through a compliment or the appreciation of the wonder and beauty surrounding us. 

  Put very simply, gratitude + purpose = Living in the moment + Happiness