So far so good.

I've had a good week giving me confirmations that I've made the right choices. I've been shown several times the fact that the people I'm getting rid of in my life are the people that bring out the worst in me. At the same time I've seen lots of proof of good people starting to enter my life. Some of them are actually people who once was a part of my life but somehow they slipped away. I won't let that happen again.

Yesterday I met one person who I had not seen in almost 20 years. Although it was a brief meeting, just a few words and lots of non verbal communication was telling me this will be a great reunion. I know we will have lots of good talks in the weeks to come.

Now I will spend the weekend looking forward to the week ahead of me. It's been a long time since I did that. It's great living in this wonderful world full of wonderful people who bring out the best of me.

Interesting people unknown to me.

I love the wonderful world of podcasts. I really enjoy treasure hunting the wide range of interesting podcasts. Every now and then (actually it's quite often) I happen to stumble over interviews or stories about interesting people unknown to me.

Yesterday driving to work I was listening to an interview with Tony Garnett on BBC World Service HARDtalk.

I recommend you to spend half an hour listening to the interview:

Tony Garnett - film and TV producer.

Critical thinking.

A wonderful world is inhabited by critical thinking people. A critical thinker is able to deduce consequences from what he or she knows, and knows how to make use of information to solve problems and to seek relevant sources of information.

My goal is to teach my children how critical thinking can help them acquire knowledge and strengthen their arguments. I want them to be able to harness the complexity of the wonderful world they inhabit through the tools of critical thinking. The ability to think well and solve problems systematically will hopefully be an asset to them. My dream is that the education they get, from school, from their home and family will be like Bill Beattie describes it:

The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think - rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with thoughts of  other men. 
Bill Beattie.

A fantastic Friday.

Yesterday I spent in my old life, thinking about old problems and the people that bring out the worst in me. Today my plan is to not focus on the past and turn my attention to the changes I've made, and enjoy them. My goal is having a fantastic Friday going on a wonderful weekend focusing on the changes I've made and the great people that bring out the best in me. I will enjoy what this wonderful world has to offer.
Then I'll be ready for next week and the journey will continue.

I am on the right track.

The last weeks I have started making some changes in my life. More than once I have been wondering if my actions are necessary. Today I got yet another confirmation.  I am on the right track.

I need to get rid of people who bring me misery and bring out the worst in me.
I will continue protecting my self respect and peace.

This week have given me some answers and the journey will continue. I will continue spending time with people who bring me happiness and bring out the best in me.

A beautiful day for football.

My youngest son was playing a football tournament yesterday. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm. 

We weren't winning, but we had a great time.

While we were occupied with the football games. My wife and daughter was at a handball tournament at Sola. A sporty week end for almost everybody in the family.

The boys where celebrating like champions.

Football matches.

The last few days we've had fantastic weather. These days it's extra fun watching the young boys in the neighborhood playing football. We all had great fun.

This afternoon we will meet for training.

Saturday we will be ready again playing three matches in a mini cup. Making a total of five games this week.

A good friend.

A week ago I wrote that the essence of the changes I am making in my life is:
Being around people who bring out the best in me, not the worst. People who bring me happiness, not misery. I will protect my self respect & peace.

Today my doorbell suddenly rang. It was one of my colleagues, one that brings out the best in me. He just wanted to tell me that he was thinking of me and give me a hug. We sat in the stairs talking and I realized that I'm lucky. I do have people in my life caring about me who brings out the best in me.

Kjell, I'm lucky to have you as my friend. Thank you for the talk, and the hug. You made me feel like I'm living in a Wonderful world. 

Soccer dad.

Struggling through this day I will get my reward in 2 hours. The youngest of my two sons is going to play a soccer match and the oldest one will take on the job as the referee. I will be the proud daddy watching and coaching.

This is one of the things making my wonderful world.

What happened to Ireland?

Looking at my last post most of you will realize that I'm procrastinating writing this post. And it's true, but I can't stop wondering what happened to Ireland.

During my first week of blogging most of my readers where located in Ireland. That suddenly changed and I don't know why.

But who am I to know?

This ends the procrastinating. It's time to get on with the goals of today. Taking small steps and making me proud of myself.

It's hard.

Some days it's hard getting started. Today it's one of those days. I got up three hours ago and expect bicycling with my youngest son to school, and back home, I've done nothing. As time goes by getting started is harder and harder. I need to put myself together and find the energy.

I haven't been at work for three weeks and still I have never felt this tired. But there is no room for quitters. Therefore I will make myself feel better and get started with the small projects of this day.

Wish me luck.

Making changes.

The last 8 months has been hard at work. I've tried to make changes but haven't been able to do the right things. I was probably not the right man for the job and as time went by I certainly was not.

The situation took all my energy and the last month before I went for three weeks summer vacation (I didn't get more than 2 weeks) I hardly did anything at all. Most days I went to my office, closed the door and just sat there.

I will not blame anyone but myself. I should have left a long time ago. There is nobody else but me to blame. I choose my own actions. Therefore I will make changes and these words of advices will be the framework of these changes:

Be around people who bring out the best in you, not the worst. People who bring you happiness, not misery. Protect your self respect & peace.

Manchester derby.

I have always been interested in sports. Most of all football. I am a supporter of FK Haugesund which is my local team. Like most Norwegians I also support an English team. My team is Manchester United. I also am a supporter of Barrow AFC in the National league.
This weekend, Saturday, it's the first Manchester derby of this season. The thrill of the game will be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Knowledge or ignorance.

One of the first things one of my mentors (a psychologist) told me was: "Knowledge is power. Read and become wise."
The phrase "knowledge is power" is often attributed to Francis Bacon.

One definition of power is the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.

We live in a complex world and it feels even more complex when we realize: The more I know, the more I know I don't know. But maybe that is the first step in becoming wiser. Realizing that I don't know.

Not being aware the limits of ones knowledge is ignorance. And your ignorance is their power. Instead of letting your ignorance becoming their power, get empowered through knowledge. Be  curious and explore everything this wonderful world has to offer.

Travel and get to know new people and treat everyone you meet with respect. Read books and at least ones a year read a book on at topic you don't know much about; a religion, a country, a biography or maybe science or technology. Don't be limited by anything, just get a new experience. Some of my best reading experiences has been on these occasions.

But if I know what I don't  know I would already be wiser.
Knowing all would be boring.
If I am sure of something I don't need faith.
Not knowing doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Closing one door.

During the last few weeks I have realized that I need to make some changes in my life. But it's hard. It's hard for the people surrounding me. First off all my family, but also for some of my closest friends. I've spent too much time thinking, but also recharging my batteries. I've been much more tired than I was willing to accept, even to myself. I haven't yet closed the door, but I have been starting peeking into some new ones hoping they'll lead to a wonderful world.
That being said I will still need some time to get my energy back.