I had such a great morning today I just felt compelled to sit down and write. I’ve been very conscious that once again it’s been about 3 weeks since I had the time to compose a blog post. And to manage that I had to take 2 weeks off work!
Haven’t got that luxury at the moment but I did decide to have some time to myself this weekend to get on top of a few things. I’ve got some big commitments in the next few weeks and needed to get myself organised. My friends and colleagues who know me reasonably well think I’m a fairly organised person but like the proverbial swan – all serene and calm on the surface, my family and friends who really know me can testify to the frantic, mad paddling that goes on most of the time in my life!
But hey, I always seem to get there in the end and always deliver when I’ve made a commitment to someone so as the song goes I just get on and ‘Do it myyyyyyyyyyyy waaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy’. (imagine me belting that out, arms outstretched, hairbrush microphone in hand aka Shirley Bassey.....get the picture???.............)
Talking of belting it out, the reason I’ve had such a great morning is I’ve been practicing for my performance next Sunday at the Bromham Show (near Bedford if you fancy a lovely day out). Now it may not be Wembley Arena (did you see Rock Choir last night – fantastic!) but it may as well be to me. I love playing, I enjoy performing for others (for those who’ve not read my earlier blogs I play trumpet and flugel) but I have to admit the nerves do get to me. Which isn’t too handy being a brass player as it makes my mouth go dry (not good as you need the spit!) and my breathing can be affected (do I need to say more????). So the fair people of Northamptonshire are being treated (not too sure they think of it like that) to daily renditions of my programme to make sure I’m as fully prepared as possible. And I’m drawing some very funny looks whilst practicing my breathing driving the car and walking round the supermarket.........
I’ve just spent a wonderful hour playing along to my backing CD’s, windows wide open with such classics as Summertime, Tuxedo Junction and some selected movie themes wafting over the rooftops. Living on the top floor of this old shoe factory means I’ve reached loads of people this morning! One advantage of being high up is if anyone took it into their head to lob something through the window to shut me up they wouldn’t be able to reach - so I can play on blissfully unaware..... None of my neighbours have banged on the walls so hopefully they enjoyed my playing as well. Either that or they’re all out!
As with many of us life is a bit tough at the moment on the financial front but as I was playing this morning I realised that many of the things I love doing don’t cost any or very little money. Fortunately I bought a new trumpet a few years ago and although it’s by no means a top of the range instrument it has a lovely tone. My flugel is a basic instrument, sold to my Dad by a local brass band who no longer needed it as they’d ‘upgraded’. But again it does the job and I get such a kick out of its beautiful, fat, sexy sound. It’s a sort of short, tubby version of a trumpet but has the sexiest sound of all the brass instruments – I always think of it the trumpet as the Audrey Hepburn of the brass instruments (tall and elegant) and the Flugel as – well me! I’ve got stacks of music, some with backing CD’s and other accumulated bits like mutes and stands. So I have everything I need to get on and play to my hearts content.
So in some ways I think not being able to go shopping as much as I used to, or holidaying abroad, or looking for the next job opportunity (so few and far between at the moment) is not all bad. It’s made me re-visit so many things which I enjoy, which stimulate and motivate me. I mentioned in my last blog I’d used my 2 weeks holiday not to go and lay around in the sun abroad but to spend time with friends, then to have a week to myself courtesy of friends who leant me their flat. I walked, played trumpet, read, wrote and generally re-charged by batteries. I had such a fantastic time!
Since coming home and back to work it has made me appreciate some of the simplest pleasures in life so much more. And I am determined to make time to go on enjoying them. Many of us talk about the work/life balance but how many of us actively try and pursue it? I got caught up last year in a re-structuring at work which resulted in many of us applying for new jobs both in and outside the organisation. I wasn’t successful in the interviews I had and was slightly puzzled as I had tried to seek God’s guidance as to what I should apply for. Then earlier this year I had one of my ‘light bulb’ moments and realised if I had been successful, particularly with one job I applied for, it would have taken over my life. And that would have been disastrous, for me, for the organisation, for everyone. It would have drained me both physically and mentally but more importantly it would inevitably have damaged my spiritual strength as well. I would have found it very difficult to start each day with the time to read my bible, direct my thoughts to others in prayer, and just connect with God before plunging into the maelstrom of each day.
And that, my friends, is not worth risking for any jump in salary and a fancy job title. I’m not saying with the right opportunity, ensuring I can keep the balance right, I won’t apply for something if it comes along but at the moment I bring home enough each month to pay my way, keep a roof over my head and have the odd treat. I don’t go hungry and am able to keep my car on the road, despite MOT & Tax all within 3 days of each other-ouch! I’m reasonably healthy (could do with losing a bit of weight but am trying....) and as I’ve said many times before have an amazing network of friends and family who encourage me constantly.
I recently went to the Good Food show with my daughter (her treat) and had an amazing day out. I bought a sushi making kit complete with knife (fantastic bargain at £20) so can’t wait to try that out on her, my son-in-law and assorted friends. This month it might have to be cucumber and rice fillings but hey next month who knows, it could be prawns, creamy chicken and even smoked salmon!
So yes, to me the work/life balance isn’t something I vaguely dream one day I’ll achieve. It’s something I actively pursue because there’s an old saying. No-one on their death bed ever says ‘I wish I’d spent more time at the office’. I for one want to be able to say ‘I’m glad I didn’t spend more time at the office – I’m glad I spent my time living and enjoying the simple pleasures of life’.
As another week starts look out for opportunities to give as well as receive those simple pleasures. I guarantee you’ll enjoy them all the more because they are just that – the simple pleasures in life.
God bless
Jules xx
