The Bluebirds Plea: End the Death of The Bookshop, Why the Romance of Billowing Shelves Should not Die.

The Bluebirds Plea: End the Death of The Bookshop, Why the Romance of Billowing Shelves Should not Die.

This will be short and simple.

We are in the age of ipads, kindles and multiple forms of electronic reading. There are few things in this world that I am more passionate about than wonderful writing and stories; therefore, books. I might be old fashioned but over the years I have found it very difficult to warm to the idea of storing anything from classics to modern literature on a touch screen device. Perhaps I am a romantic.

I understand the practicality of these devices; in fact, I am probably the target market.  I travel a lot, move a lot and very often run out of space for my books. Recently, I packed up a flat – of 15 boxes, 11 boxes were entirely books. To me there is nothing more beautiful than a hardback, first edition book with an enthralling history behind its momentous writing. I know it isn’t environmentally ethical or space efficient. But, what about the rest.

From a young age I have always taken solace in bookstores and libraries. There is a comfort in being surrounded by not only your greatest past time, but by other people who must, in one way or another – feel the same way. I’m not talking about megastores or soulless chain businesses. I’m talking about real bookstores. The kind that will allow you to sit down; breathe in the scent of the pages, and read.  Floor to ceiling filled rooms run by people as passionate and inspired by their surroundings as you are. There is a romance about these places that cannot be replicated by an online amazon order for your kindle.

Without books, there will be no bookstores. Just novelty stores, with a few books. There will be no defining page thicknesses, no separate type fonts, no scent of papermill. There will be no beautiful book covers. You will not find books in markets in 50-100 years time with notes from loved ones inside. Literature will lose its personality, its history and its future.

I could talk about how great authors, poets, historians, scientists and philosophers would be horrified at how the world is losing interest in literature, its original form and the inner culture that is inherited with it. Or, how we live in a society where most "reading" happens on Facebook and Twitter. But, I won't.

So all I ask – is this Christmas, buy a book for someone. Support your local bookstores and the passionate people who run them. Teach your children, or remind your friends and family what there is to love about turning a page and reading a book. Bookstores are dying businesses. Ask yourself if this is something we really want to disappear. 

Tending to your Temple. 5 steps to a proven happier, healthier, stronger body and brain. Fitness to Food. (Practical)

Tending to your Temple. 5 steps to a proven happier, healthier, stronger body and brain. Fitness to Food. (Practical)

Most people who know me know that I am a keen but quiet physical fitness and mental health fanatic. These people also know that I am a cooking and food enthusiast. I like to push my own limits and continue to evolve  in the way of physical and  mental development.

If there is anything I have learnt in the last 4 years that I started truly taking lifestyle choices seriously it's that it really does make a difference. I can honestly say that I have never been what could be classified as over weight or unfit even when I had some truly laughable eating habits and questionable lifestyle choices in my very early 20s and late teens. For that, I was lucky; this being said, I was always reasonably physically active; even when I was eating rubbish. But aside from the fact that I have a good metabolism - my eating and fitness choices have long since changed and with it so has my core strength, flexibility, endurance, physical form, agility and mental ability.

So, in this modern world full of trends in the physical fitness and "dietary" realm - how do you self motivate yourself to become the best version of yourself?

We'll narrow it down first.

First, the word diet. Remove it. Replace "diet" with lifestyle. There is no quick fix or temporary solution. If you make a change the change is made to be maintained and ingrained into your everyday. "Yo-yo" dieting is dangerously bad for the health of your body and brain. It leads to thyroid problems which will affect your metabolism and all those days of starving yourself will suddenly be pointless. Restricting yourself from a particular amount of calories everyday will also have effects on your brain health. If you don't have energy, you don't have fuel - your brain will not function productively without fuel. The point is refilling yourself with the RIGHT fuel.

Secondly - Exercise is not a scary word. This being said, it is also not used correctly. Exercise is not so much about weight loss as it is about strength. If you want that Victorias Secret body ladies, or Ryan Renolyds' temple boys - you're not going to get it by just walking for hours on a treadmill shedding fat and "burning calories".  Fitness should be your new word - keep fit, keep building, keep strong. Don't simply "loose weight". If you don't turn remaining fat (that your body requires)  into muscle, your over all body composition will be poor. Adequate excerise involves versatility and change in regime in order to sculpt you in the most prominent possible way. I have always said - as unappealing as it sounds "if you feel like you may vomit - you've just done enough."

Now that we've cleared that up. The points!

1. MONITOR YOURSELF. Invest in one of these. The Nike Fuelband. These are great, you can track all forms of your daily activity. This way you know if you're generally doing enough on a daily basis. Whether you are an avid fitness freak or you just want to maintain a certain amount of physical movement and action everyday; this will keep you in the loop as to what you are really achieving: from heart rate to calories to kms per day. The fun side is that you can join an online community that shares, compares and competes.

2. SLEEP MORE. No, don't take naps all day. But give yourself a full nights sleep as often as possible.  If you are at risk of or prone to injuries - A lack of sleep can worsen this due to a higher rate of inflammation throughout the body. Forgetting things lately? That's probably because you're not sleeping enough or properly, sleep deprivation impairs cognition through the lack of ability to process and store information correctly. Stressed and Weak? Not sleeping enough raises the levels of anticipatory reactions, this automatically affects anxiety: in turn your natural time clock goes out of balance which leads to a poor white blood cell count; white blood cells control physical stress weakness responses; which could lead to infections and poor immunity. High Blood Pressure and Hypertension. Not having enough sleep at night (under 6 hours) increases the risk of hypertension . Not sleeping enough doesn't allow our blood pressure to drop enough or for long enough and because of this hightens our over all blood pressure. Midnight Snack? Sleep maintains healthy levels of hormones. Gherlin levels change when your body does not experience enough sleep. Leptin levels become higher and your body cheats you into believing you are hungry when you don't actually need it. So maybe log out of Facebook, Twitter or Instagram an hour earlier than usual (computers are hideous for your brain before shut eye) and prepare your body for a healthy sleep instead.

3. EAT CORRECTLY  - GLUTEN, WHEAT, ADDED SUGAR AND DAIRY FREE DOES NOT MEAN BORING!

I'm Paleo (see more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic_diet). After several years of being a Vegetarian (for ethical reasons rather than health) my digestive health was impeccable - but in terms of over all, I was very clearly missing nutrients that could not be mimicked in supplements. After a few health scares earlier in the year I made the decision to become an Omnivore again. My fall back during vegetarianism was often dairy and complex carbohydrates (gluten and wheat). So the days that I wasn't just eating fruit and vegetables but in tern filling myself with starch, breads, pastas and rice -  I  found my over all energy levels to be incredibly low, at the same time my brain became very prone to depression: which after some research is a 100% side effect of consuming these "man made" goods in all people. Dairy is my own mistake. I am intolerant and have been since birth so the results are endless from headaches to nausea. In a regular person dairy is also not ideal - as humans, we were not built to digest dairy other than that of a human during nursing. So, any unexplained bloating after a few pieces of cheese or a latte can be blamed on our systems inability to break down dairy quickly. Sugar! Stay away from added sugar. Unnatural, added sugar will give you the boost you require..for 30 minutes. Natural glucose - found in fruits does not only not saturate but gives you the energy you desire for longer, the sweet kick you needed and is a high source of fibre and often anti-oxidants. The tube of smarties will, for lack of a better expression - just go straight to your ass. I have found a great range of bars called nakd http://www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk/nakd-fruit-and-nut-bars/ for those who require that snack feel in a healthy (and delicious)  form.

Aside from generally feeling better mentally and energy wise - you will also look better. If you clean up your food you're going to find a lot less edibles that saturate and layer around your muscles. Animal fat is not bad!! The old mentality that fat is bad has long since been proven wrong. Sugar is bad..not fat. Animal fat is extremely crucial to full body muscle health (we are natural born omnivores, this is why we have K-9s in our jaw). Animal fat, not unlike most fruit and vegetables - is a brain food. We've come a long way since apples. Add flaxseed to your meals, thank me later.

So, what is left to eat? Well, I adore food, I love food and I am (people say) a very good cook (training to be a classical french chef). I would not, under any circumstances sacrifice my love of food if it meant a life of dull salad and chicken. Be creative. You have the choice of essentially all meats and all vegetables (barring the high starch consumers - Potatoes), you do not require man made grains to accompany a meal or a cream to create a sauce. You can use coconut milk, coconut oil, avocado oil, almond milk, spices. If you prefer, there are also many "free from" alternatives. There's nothing wrong with a steak and veg, but here's an example of how you can get creative and make something delicious that people wouldn't associate with "Paleo". I avoid using onions and garlic because both of these are water retaining therefore can affect energy and mood. (Though I obviously make exceptions as these are two core flavors AND I believe nobody should deprive for life: one cheat day a week for everything never hurt anyone). 

A Thai Yellow Chicken Curry by me. Using no dairy, no gluten, no starch, no added sugar and no water retaining vegetables - paste made with fresh herbs and spices.

and one of my more "typical" Paleo Meals (with themed table of course)

4. EXERCISE BENEFICIALLY 

Stretch more, there's a good reason Yoga and Pilates didn't just fade in and fade out. It's fine to say you do weights and run for hours but if you don't learn to fully extend and tone all of your muscles you will soon be a walking cripple old beyond your years. Increasing flexibility in your muscles is a form of exercise for the core of muscle tensing, toning and tightening. This means you have the composition of a well toned set of muscles with the flexibility to be able to expand without actually loosing any strength or softening the muscle tissue. Extending our body fully also encourages a  better posture, which has a knock on value of lessoning back problems (and it looks better). People also try Pole Fitness but I find although testing your strength, you end up with more injuries than anything else. Yoga has the added benefits of mental wellbeing as it is a form of meditation - please see my other blogs to read more about meditation and inner development.

Examples of my bridge and lower body hold that help maintain full body flexibility, agility and endurance. 

Run in Endurance and Sprinting patterns: The big mistake most people make, myself included in the past - is thinking purely endurance running will have a long term benefit to your over all fitness. Yes, obviously if you can run marathons you are a fit person - and I will continue to do so for as long as I can! But in terms of development, body composition and joint health it may not be the best idea. Developmentally, you have already pushed yourself as far as you can and you are no longer "surprising" the lactic acids in your body. This means your body will stop producing the adrenalin you require for good heart rate health, and because of the lactic acid, your muscles will be tested and your joints (knees usually) will come under scrutiny.  If you are training for both weight loss and toning/strength: intervals of sprints, distance and gradient are the best options for you. Not only are you toning different parts of your body accordingly - but you are not applying pressure to all of the same areas continously. In terms of the way you will look, and feel - training in intervals is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Row, row, row you can use a machine or if you're really up for it get on a boat. Rowing is one of the best forms of upper body strengthening and toning you can get. You must make sure to really stretch before and after as the neck and shoulders are prone to over tightening as a result. The resistance of weights or water pushes your upper body in both cardiovascular movement and weight training. So you are both "loosing weight" and "building muscle" at the same time. If you are doing it correctly you should be tensing your stomach muscles which will make your abdominal wall progressively more impressive. I personally enjoy rowing because I consider it an almost all in one. Girls, it will not make you "bulky"; this is a myth.

Cross Training. I mentioned the benefits of intervals and versatility earlier. Cross training is as good as it gets. It requires little explanation but it's a play on the old circuit training route of a crash course of ropes, rowing, sprinting, lifting free weights, jumping jacks, push ups and pull ups in fast movement to keep your adrenalin pumping. You've got everything at once and you're unlikely to get bored. You mustn't be worried about "keeping up" with everyone else, though it is a form of work out where you really do need to push yourself; not for the faint hearted.

If you sit around like a couch potato all day, you will more than likely look and feel like one.

5. HAVE INTERESTS ,The more busy you keep your body and mind the more you will see and feel the results. So if your idea of fun is playing or participating in competitive sports, then great! You're moving, your mind is focused and you have given yourself a "purpose". If you play instruments you are concentrating on achieving a particular goal - you are using the cognitive cells to remember, train and discipline yourself. The same applies to the painters of the world. If you are a reader - you are training your eyes and your brain to consume and store information. If you are a dancer you are maintaining both body fitness and memory. Trekking, climbing, swimming, martial arts, cycling, skiing, surfing - The list could go on but the most important point is to never be idle. I don't mean don't relax and switch off every now and then (that completely contradicts my beliefs about meditation and growth). In order to self-motivate most people require a "reason." Idleness can throw people into bad eating habits and sloth like behavior which quite obviously affects the body and catalyzes depressive mental health. Once in a rut it's quite difficult to get out. Try to veer away from un beneficial interests - i.e. interests that encourage an unhealthy (excessive drinking is not an interest for example) or unproductive lifestyle (hobbies that require little to no activity or mental stimulation).  Keep looking for things that interest you that your body and brain will thank you for. A stimulating life is an interesting life. 

I hope this was of some help. Although I know it can all seem quite daunting; small changes are very simple. In order to have an optimal life we must try and take what we continue to learn and apply it to ourselves; however remedial the subjects in question may seem.

Until next time,

Namaste.

Warriors: A Silent Spiritual Surrender to Toxic Waste

Warriors: A Silent Spiritual Surrender To Toxic Waste.

When is enough, enough? Despite the legion of mind and body practices to keep our hearts inline with perspective and calm – most of us experience inexplicable heartache that we cannot comprehend at some point in our lives.

Strength is an admirable trait in anybody willing to embrace it. But with great strength comes great weakness. This appears to be a contradictory statement; but most people are contradictions and one of the most courageous acts a human can undertake is admitting their weakness – feeling it, divulging into it and working their way through it. Conquering it.

The term “warrior” is used intensively for those who practice various forms of meditation, yoga and martial arts. It comes from the mainly Eastern belief of being able to conquer and control our minds in correlation with our physical shell – distilling hurt, selfishness and self-pity out of existence.

As an active practitioner of meditation, yoga, martial arts and admittedly a devoted spiritual and scientific romanticized student: I know life before and after “warrior”.  A warrior is not  (despite common belief) cold, nor a rock. A warrior understands and feels just as much as the next person. The difference is – instead of wallowing in hurt, disappointments and hate (which in turn hurts others) – the warrior surrenders to fact; learns, loves, motivates and moves forward. The strength is not so much in moving forward but the ability to accept, understand and build something proactive from something that could otherwise be emotionally (and physically) destructive.

Toxins. When you know it’s time to surrender and stop fighting in the war. At times it is difficult to differentiate between something worth fighting for and something toxic (addictive/negative/non progressive). Toxic relationships, toxic habits, toxic cycles – however we look at it they all share the same traits and result: momentary satisfaction, euphoria and repetitive behavior that is unfulfilling in the long run, moreover ultimately self-depreciating (mentally, physically harmful). The problem with toxic behavior, like any addiction is the first step: accepting that something is lost, bad for you and will not change for the better – most of all, that it is not worth fighting for: you will not win. If you have lost control: you are embedded in a war you need to surrender to. Yes – it will hurt and it will be difficult. But you will become a warrior.

The capacity to use negativity to actualize positivity comes first with realizing your emotions. I am not a believer that people should be empty, to the contrary life is filled with passion of higher consciousness within ones self. Meditation is a practice to center, inspire and cleanse – often misunderstood for becoming a vacuum.  Passion can be the greatest catalyst to rectify inner weaknesses, transforming the intensity of addictive non-progressive behaviors into strengths on the outside and inside.  This Passion can be used in meditation, likewise yoga, martial arts, exercise, career ambition, creative arts (fine art, writing, music, dance). It is very basic; taking one devotion and turning it into another. Engineering controlled, beneficial strengths from self -neglecting injurious weaknesses.

Becoming a warrior means knowing yourself. It is right that the world may not always treat you the way you wish to be – but throwing that back at the world is nothing more than cowardly: if we do this, we stay in a cycle with no reward. Being able to face the difficult decisions and see that they really aren’t difficult at all is the beginning of a toxin free life. Think, be kind, don’t be bitter and understand when it is time to surrender one war and become a warrior of your own spirit. You are brave. 

Namaste.

Dr. BlueBird: The Chronicles of Mind Inquest

It's been  quite some time since my last blog entry - The most prominent reason being I have been working on something on a much larger scale - So here's a taste of the little nest I've been building. 

The Blue Bird has developed a fair amount over its year in existence, originating as a poetry and prose blog graduating into a philosophy and advise research hub.

The next logical step? Psychology. Over the last six months I have been working on a study that embodies most subject matters discussed and analyzed on this blog. Why we do what we do, how we can better ourselves and as always - how to be happy. The chapters so far are as follows:

- The Chore of Choice: Unlimited Options, A Recipe for Digression. 

Summary: People always say it's good to have options, keep them open - that way it will be easier to make decisions and figure out what exactly is going to be the correct route for you. Studies,  - statistically and neurologically prove the opposite. People with numerous or unlimited options find it more difficult to make a decision and are more often than not disappointed by "what could have been." A person with few or no options is programmed to be happy with whatever they are given, whatever they can achieve.  This seems like a simple concept, but - there's a reason for it. I have carried out a comprehensive study on the science of our minds, and the inability to cope with indecision - and why it prevents happiness - the difference between synthesized happiness and "actual". Some of the concept is explained in this TED talks: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q1dgn_C0AU

In my study, I look at how we can program ourselves to overcome the problems inherited by giving yourself too many options.

- The Jail Sentence of Escapism: Crash Landings

Summary: These are the dreamers, the adventurers - often, read a lot of fiction - watch a lot of movies, travel compulsively and find it increasingly difficult to live a "regular" life. It's all very romantic and very inspiring, those who can pick up at the drop of a hat and disappear, no regrets; just an amazing zest to live. Myself included it all seems like a good idea but there's a problem. A number of studies, including my own portray individuals with the escapist mentality to have a few outstanding similar traits. All have a wide imagination: be it artistically, sexually or subconsciously. A fear of commitment: committing to anything or person may hold you back from an adventure; so they find a place for numerous superficial relationships and responsibilities; but abandon ship before the potential for depth and attachment develops - if they don't, the next stage is resentment. But the saddest element of being an Escapist is in almost all cases explored; every-time a new route is driven, a great idea brought to life; they find themselves deflated, uninspired or let down, and so the cycle continues - keep looking, keep exploring: but the sad fact being, the "pot of gold" in one way or another, never fully lives up to expectations.  My study looks into why that is, is it the fault of imagination or expectation? The solution is very simple; bail out of the jail sentence; for people who enjoy change, this shouldn't be a problem - but it is.

- Social Media, The Anti Social Cold War

Summary: Social Media is a revelation and necessity in todays world. It is responsible for 45% of communication between people in the developed world, 65% of office workers in the US alone spend their 9-5 hours on Facebook and there are more pictures published on Instagram daily than photographs printed in the year 2000. So with all this, you would think this has brought us all closer together, more intimate - sharing more information and personality than ever before. No, that's not the case. Statistics have revealed that people spend less "actual" time together in the years 2010-2013 than ever in recorded history. Telephone companies have revealed that 51% less people speak on the phone than they did in the year 2003. People do not put in effort with each other anymore. The anti-personalisation of the internet has revealed that the more people know, the less committed or warm they are. 1,000 people could wish you a happy birthday on Facebook, but who is going to send you a card or present? Obscene amounts of "likes" on a photograph on Instagram but how often do people tell you they " like your meal" or "you look beautiful" in the reality of life? Facebook chat, or twitter continuously throughout a day with people who live in the same city as you - but how often do you just sit down and talk in a cafe? The falsehood of social media has led us to be cold, uncommitted people. We no longer experience loss, because the people are always there - on our screen. We loose the concept of time passing because instead of making plans with people to catch up; we just check out what they're up to on the internet. The fundamental ruling of warmth is that you miss people - and now that we have built a world based on the inability to miss, how do we over come superficial relationships and revert back to spending real time? Seeing as research, including my own has unveiled that people are happier when with people they care about; is there a way to ditch this cold war we have with social media? The answer is yes.

- Peter Pan Generation: The Stand Still Society

Summary: The trend name says it all, the people who don't grow up. It's not that they're immature or incapable - they just don't abide by the guidelines set by generations before. These are the people that miss the "great milestones" in life. No marriage, no kids, no mortgage, no savings. The 30 something is now the 20 something and they're unlikely to grow out of it. It's fair to say generations evolve and priorities become different - it becomes less important to be married with kids and more important just to "live". Procreation is no longer the "greatest achievement" in the larger scale of things. The argument is rather - a lack of responsibility or the fear of responsibility? Instead of committing to buying a home a Peter Pan would rather spend more money renting for eternity; which is not particularly logical. But a home, to some extent, is a commitment - like marriage. So, we are dealing with a generation of commitment phobes. But is this truly an awful thing? Is this human evolution or human digression? I have looked at this in my study; who is affected more comprehensively - men or women? Perhaps this a concept created to reduce the pressure that was unnecessarily created in generations before us, is this the answer to a stress-free, happy, healthy life - or is this a death sentence for development? 

I hope you enjoy these teasers. In the full articles, I will have exposed research; containing both data that was outsourced and research that was collated by myself. My purpose is to deal with our ever evolving mentality; identifying the pros and cons and in the end how we can help ourselves in embarking onto the best possible life achievable. The more we understand, the more we learn - the more we will grow. Knowledge is power; so long as we all understand we will never know everything. 

Thank you for being so patient! 

"Why me?" Syndrome - The Antidote

"Why me? What did I do to deserve this?"

We've all said it, once, twice..everyday of our lives for some.

I found myself in a frantic situation on Sunday morning; due to my very vivid imagination and unpredictable paranoia I threw myself into an "I'm going to die, why me?" frenzy.

Needless to say, I did not die, and my hospital scare -  although serious, was not as life threatening as I had initially predicted.

The kind of thoughts I found hurdling through my mind whilst being changed into a backless smock in the emergency ward varied from mediocre to an entire mental physical breakdown. I could not vocalize most of it..I got out : "it's snowing.."

My first thought was - why? I buy food for homeless people, I'm a nice person, I've never intentionally hurt anyone, I'm kind to animals, good to my parents and brother, I stay fit, I don't spend excessively on myself.. I'm "good"...so why me?

Then I remembered the birds at home "Oh god, did I leave the heater on or off? Have I killed my birds?"

Quickly, whilst the doctor prodded at my leg - I went back to: why do I deserve this? I have put up with so much in life and gotten so little in return (OK, before everybody starts pointing fingers about how lucky I am  and how many great opportunities have come my way..nothing has ever just "happened" I have worked very hard to get to where I am, and am grateful for any help and guidance I have gotten a long the way: but this isn't about my "achievements"). So is this it? For everyone who has ever hurt me and I have only ever been kind in return? For the obstacles in life I have overcome, this is the end of the road? For the worries I endure everyday; there was never going to be that plain and simple "happiness" waiting for me, for all my patience - I waited for...?

Then the doctor interrupted my trail of thought and promptly confirmed that I wouldn't be dying any time soon - not from this anyway.

Took a second to breathe and thought "whoa....If those were my last thoughts, I'm a lot more selfish than I thought."

Then, you know - given that it's me: I thought about it some more.

Some people are religious and believe if you live life by a certain set of rules outlined in a book of your choosing you will die and be greatly rewarded.

Personally, I would like to make the most of my time in the land of the living, pulsating, heart throbbing mess that often is life. I'm quite sure there are more than a few like me; and we often fall back on something that gives us a little - hope - Karma. What goes around comes around.

It has been in my experience, that the kinder, nicer, more thoughtful, selfless and honest the person - the less they get in return. Yes, that's a very cynical way to look at it; and just being that person should be more than  enough to satisfy someone - but more often than not; it will always feel like something is missing or something has been withheld, taken, broken, hurt or betrayed.

And then the inevitable : "Why me? What did I do to deserve this?"

1) Is it true, does the nice guy always finish last in such a cut throat cycle?

2) Do we live in a world that no matter how hard we try not to, we always expect a reward for our behviour?

3) It's ok, Karma...things will get better.

All three are true. Yes, sometimes - being a push over isn't going to work; people see your kindness and take advantage of your for it, somehow, they always get ahead in life. But you're not them, keep reminding yourself. I remember an episode of Friends from my early years. The selfless good deed. There is no such thing as a selfless good deed. You do something good, something kind, something thoughtful and it makes you feel good, it makes you feel happy, vindicated (and there's nothing wrong with that) - so naturally, it feels like a monumental slap in the face when the same kind of treatment from the universe isn't thrown right back at you - why? Why not? It's like getting a dog to to sit, roll over and do tricks without the treat reward at the end. How Cruel.

Then there is the magic word, Karma. Everything will be okay. Hope. It may not be fact, it may not be proven but the word Karma by default embodies hope. Whether the word delivers it's "what goes around comes around" stigma is yet to be proven with all the masses. But I think the one thing we know is that would be the "right" way, the "good" way. So, a lot of us - who have been disappointed a few times or ten and have fallen into "why me?" syndrome whilst we watch others flourish; we put a small investment in those four little letters.

Then, I stopped thinking.

We waste minutes, hours, months, years of time wondering why things do or don't happen to or for us.

What we could have, would have or should have done to make things happen differently.

But here's the thing - there is no answer. It just is. We cannot control each other nor can we control circumstance. All we can do is do the absolute best we can and just keep going. No matter what horrific or unbearable situation you might find yourself in - be it emotional or physical. Our hearts will break and our bodies will suffer. But if we sit and dwell in the downward spiral of our zest, our personality our everything; the spiral will only spin faster and deeper into the dark.

So instead of asking why, what you did to deserve this? Remind yourself of why you shouldn't deserve it. Because I promise you the list will be the same. All you can do is look forward, take a deep breath and keep going... in whatever direction that might be - but I can guarantee, so long as you think that way; it definitely won't be going downwards.

Time Credit : Spending your Time in an Interest Baring Account.

Time. You either have it or you don't ; that's what they tell us. 

Perhaps this is the moment to observe time a little differently.

In the world of assets, the time you spend is the most valuable and most difficult to get back in return.

So how do you spend your time to retain the absolute best interest? Think of it like your bank account. You pick a bank, a plan and have a monthly spending cycle on the basis of your needs and wants. 

In the case of how you spend the time in your life - where are you in your financial documents? Are you saving? Are you investing? Are you wasting? Or are you just doing what you have to do?

Time and happiness - yes they do go hand in hand, but not in the way that you might think. The obvious observation would be "well, if you have more time, you'll be happier." Maybe, but more than likely not.

By nature, people like to fill their time (unless you are hideously lazy, in which case you're probably not reading this anyway) whether it is with social activity, hobbies, travel or work. So having "more time" is inconsequential; it just allows more time, to do more of the same. 

The key here is how and what you spend your time doing that leads to your happiness - which is in turn - your return, your collective interest.

Studies have shown that through both youth and maturity the highest levels of "happy" endorphins prior to death are found in those who are, in my words "time investors." Who are the time investors? 

Despite what the name might suggest, they are not the entrepreneurs, workaholics and the seemingly "rich" people of this world.  (by no means are they unsuccessful, and by no means do they not make money; you'll get it in a second). These are the people who spend their time primarily with other people, who they care about or inspire them. Be it friends or family. Discount marriage from this equation because that will come back later. The highest reward stance goes to those who spend quality time with those who they are close and compatible with; in both group social activities and in one on one intimacy. It may not be a lot of time, but, the majority of their free time is spent "investing" in those around them. Physical-emotional research has uncovered that these people have higher levels of energy, intellect, creativity and active mental health. A very good investment.

The "time savers". Those who do a little of everything. This is the rational and logical way to be. To spend your time evenly amongst a variety of activities (social, hobbies, travel, work). Balance.

Like money savers, they calculate when they can spend, and how much they can spend on any given activity. Although this on the surface of things, appears to be a great idea that can accommodate variety into your life - people with this mechanism often find their time well spent, but have fewer returns than those who dedicate more to just relationships. This is a less valuable way of spending your time - in the financial world, in living like this; your stocks are inconsistent; up one second, down the next. Whereas a time investor is continuously at the top of the game. An age old argument of quality Vs quantity. Treating all things with the same priority level leaves quality levels a lot lower than those who separate and differentiate. Savers  tend to be organized, achieving, ambitious, physically fit people - but often suffer from loneliness and a desire for depth. 

The next group of people see little to no interest, and the reason why is self explanatory. "Time wasters". These are people who do not see the value of time. If time were money in their bank account it would be squandered; and they would have no credit. They wait for the other time spenders to come to them. It's not rare, nor is it unusual. A lot of people fall into the trap of "waiting to see what happens" and in the process of waiting for life to come to them - it passes them by. Very rarely is a person who lives like this happy. More often than not, the waster realises that they are wasting when it is too late. Predictably they are usually those prone to resentment, depression and laziness as a result of life not being handed to them on a platter. Stocks are low.

Things get interesting in the next sub category. Those who "do what they have to do".

These people spend their time, for the majority - pleasing others and following guidelines they do not necessarily take pleasure in. This is often found within marriage. Unlike investors, these people find themselves forced into using their time with somebody. Rather than by choice. So is the case with work, as oppose to working in a field that may be preferable, they find themselves in a rut - and often over worked. Because of the commitment to just these two particular things, these are the cases where you hear "I have no time" most. This is spending a lot of time with absolutely no pleasurable return. It applies to the over worked and some (not all, obviously) of the married. It is when time becomes a chore rather than an asset.  It is when sleep becomes the most valued time of all - instead of experience. Emotional debt. Commonly, those who do what they have to do are usually wealthy but unhappy, exhausted and sometimes prone to illness. 

So perhaps it is time for all of us to re access what kind of spenders we are and what kind of returns we want. We do it with our finances. Our interest returns are our happiness. The higher the stocks are in happiness, the more satisfying our lives can be.

Time is priceless, our biggest asset and the greatest gift we can give to anyone. Spend it wisely.