Goal + Plan = Success

Today I thought about this month's goals. Why you ask? What sort of anal compulsive behavior is that?

I know - I'm not a goal person - well, I wasn't and I'm not particularly organized. But I've learned one thing along the way, if you want to get somewhere - make a goal. Of course, once you have a goal you need a plan. Some goals are easy and plans are one or two steps. Some goals are more complex and the plans span longer time frames. For a writer goals and plans are necessary. Unless you have contracts in hand, and even then, there isn't anyone standing over your shoulder giving you a to do list for the day. Often you're working under deadlines that no one but you will follow up on. So if you want that book finished by the end of the year or the rough draft of that story done by the end of the month - you best set a goal and make a plan. And that will ensure you get there.

A plan found us in Beijing the beginning of this year. A lack of plan to totally account for weather found myself a tad chilled.

Goals without a plan are no guarantee of success. Sometimes it's never too late to plan. A quickly drafted plan chased the cold away in time to see the Great Wall of China.


And you - how do you plan?

Ryshia

Edmonton in a Millisecond

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We flew to Edmonton after work one night and by the next night just pre the midnight hour, we were back home in Regina. In the midst of all that travelling, we shopped and dined and saw the sights - well the sights of Whyte Avenue - and just generally had a good time.

Wednesday night we arrived relatively early, 9:00 p.m. and the avenue was crowded with people milling outside local bars, roaming down the sidewalk, couples walking hand in hand, bikers cruising the street. It was an assortment of young and old. It was amazing and worth a trip down the avenue just to people watch. The next day we were able to steal a few hours shopping. And steal it was as the clock ticked and the airport pickup time loomed.

For a non-shopper I was hooked and did I mention, time was limited. Funky shops were everywhere from the designer fashion chains such as Lulu Lemon to unique independents selling clothes I only wish I could afford. There was a fun shop and a pet shop that specialized mainly in designer dog wear. With any luck one notable Irish Terrier will be featured when I update the website. Check back at the end of the week http://ryshiakennie.com
for Rourke with an attitude wearing his new doggles.

Trips don't always have to be long. They may be fun but they're always an adventure!

Ryshia

How Much is Too Much?

On a recent trip to Edmonton, the woman ahead of me in the airport check-in line glanced at me and then spun around with an "Oh My God!"

And I thought, what? Is my zipper down? Did I wear underwear? What could possibly have caused such a reaction.

"Is that all you have?" she asks next with disbelief riding in the furrows between her brows. With suitcases sprawled around her and her companion, our line-up mate was a little overwhelmed by my lack of luggage. Of course, what she also didn't know was that, for me, this was only an overnight trip.

Still, the whole thing brought up the question, in travel and in life - how much is too much? Are you overwhelmed with stuff and, like me, do you struggle to clear yourself of a rumble of memories from family photos to treasures of childhood. When and what do you pitch? And where do you draw a line. For me, it's vacation. I'm there to enjoy, not to haul an overweight samsonite across downy sand beaches. And at home, same thing. How many Christmas pictures do I need when each is indiscernible from the year that preceded it and the only clarity is when a decade or two has elapsed?

How much is too much?

Ryshia

The West Edmonton Mall

Or, how not to get there? The mall I mean. Edmonton is bigger than anticipated. Of course, being from Regina, Saskatchewan, our perception of bigger - is well, skewed. Feel free to laugh out loud now.

Seriously, I should have gone to Edmonton a lot sooner than I did. It's a fantastic place and I'll have more in another post. For this post, the West Edmonton mall was in the plan. But plans are made to go array. I think that's what makes every life notable. A life lived with a plan in mind but the flexibility to veer is ideal. And the other day I veered. With a short few hours to make a plane, plans had to change. And change they did. And in the process of rerouting we learned something about ourselves and about our environment. In other words we grew. With every decision in our life, we should think - What does that effect? What did I change? How did I grow?

What makes you veer on the course of life?

Ryshia

Dreams, Reality and a bit of Destiny

Do you believe in destiny?

This week has been unexplainable - some unexpected knocks, some strange occurrences, and some unexpected opportunities - I call it destiny.

On every journey there's a turning point or a pivotal moment, as Dr. Phil would say. Some of these moments are small, unnoticed amidst the hum of daily life. And some of these moments are so large and so life changing that "a deer in the headlights" becomes an apt expression. But it's when you take the journey into your hands and begin to steer the ship instead of reacting to the waves, that's when the changes become more frequent, more life changing, more difficult to control.

As you charter your boat toward your dreams, toward the person you want to become, it might be a rocky ride but good things begin to happen. Change doesn't happen without sacrifice but change implemented with a good heart and good intent can be nothing but good for us and for those around us.

Dreams are simple, unstructured and often unrealized. A dream with a plan is a dream that begins to breath. Start simple. No matter if you're scrubbing floors and dreaming of singing opera or driving cab and dreaming of traveling the world - today, do one thing that makes you happy and more than likely that will be something that defines who your soul says you are.

So, yes, I believe in destiny, but I think sometimes we can give her a little nudge. Of course, that means she's going to push right back, which only means the journey will not be boring!

I always wanted to be a writer. And you, what's your dream?

Ryshia
www.ryshiakennie.com
Ryshia's MySpace

Take Charge - Move On

Sometimes shadows cross your path. Whether it's the perpetual negativity of an acquaintance or the potential damage of a gossip. There are all sorts of dark shadows that play across our lives, some much more damaging and subtle than any I have mentioned. All we can do is stay focused on who we are and what our purpose on this planet is. Dodge the shadows. They are rerouters that must be avoided. But every once in awhile, we can't. Then it's time to take charge - take a detour, move on.

This month I'm taking one of those detours, remembering what's important in my life, my goals, putting things in perspective and detouring. Detours are our way of taking charge of the direction our life is taking. And once you've decided on the detour - well eventually the shadow lifts - and it's time for some rock and roll. Even shadows cannot remain in the presence of the rock greats!!

Led Zepplin - Immigrant Song


"This too shall pass."

Ryshia