How to live a better life

It's a bit of a grandiose title but in fairness it describes what i'm trying to encapsulate here.

Our journeys through life don't have a predetermined course and it's what we put in as much as what happens around us that dictates the quality of our time on Planet Earth. Life is very precious so before we all rapidly become food for worms I wanted to try and document a few ideas that I think make a positive difference.

1. Be interesting
Well researched, well read and no doubt often referenced piece by the articulate Mr Davies. A whole host of good practical approaches to being more interesting. As RD points out being creative is linked to how inquisitive one is, and this thirst for information might as a by-product add an 'interestingness' to one's personality.

So have I followed of RD's advice? Well, I've always kept a scrapbook in one form or another (although recently through convenience this scrapbook has become digital) and I try and write on my website regularly. I hate the word blog so deliberately haven't used it. I like to WRITE because i find WRITING interesting and inspiring and challenging. And I'm really, really trying to take a photo a day - my camera phone produces surprisingly good results. Note that by using the word 'trying' i'm actually failing this task. Must try harder.

But why is being interesting important? Because interesting people understand that giving/sharing is more rewarding than taking, that we aren't closed boxes in a warehouse but are free-spirited, complex, fascinating teachers. They understand that everyone has something to give and everyone in turn can have their lives enriched by a chance encounter. Which is why people need to smile more, talk to strangers and spend a little more time doing something different. And no one likes to be stuck in the corner of the kitchen with Mr Boring, whereas conversely great parties are defined by the fantastic conversation one had with the funny looking bloke from Sunderland. At moments like these I'm reminded of the lady in Bristol who kept me amused and fascinated all night long. She was very interesting.

2. Travel
This need for new experiences and chance encounters might result in a bit of wanderlust. This fellow has travelled well and here are his tips doing it the 'right' way. Maybe this approach is why his photos are so good?
travel tips from the road
how to travel well

I don't take an ipod away with me because I don't like shut myself from those around, no point traveling thousands of miles only to cocoon oneself in a musical bubble. Let serendipity happen. Just because the lonely planet place-X is a must-see location doesn't mean that you have to flock there like a flock of sheep. Take your time and see where you end up, avoid jumping from bus to bus in a rush to get to someone else's Nirvana. Stop and sit once in a while and watch the world go by and maybe you'll find your own little utopia.

3. Be inspired
People all around the world have done and are doing incredible things. This bloke swam the atlantic whilst Cookie and Paul are walking the length of the United States of America.

The key thing here is not about emulating these dedicted acts, seeking to compete with these ideas (which are very personal things in themselves) but to use them as a bit of motivation to do something for one's self, ie to be inspired to act. Little actions are just as important as big efforts, and therefore the important thing is that something is achieved. One step further down the road or one step higher up the mountain.

to be continued