Relaxing…
Photo by Janusz L.
Yesterday I went to the park during my lunch hour to write an article for today. However, instead of writing I just sat, in complete stillness, enjoying the sunshine (which is a rarity during winter in Vancouver) and watching the ducks on the lake. It has been a busy few weeks, and the experience reminded me of the importance of slowing down and relaxing from time to time.
So that is what I am doing today. I’m taking a break from posting a normal full-length article on Friday, and instead indulging in some miscellaneous ramblings. So consider yourself warned: if you are not interested in reading random bits and pieces that may not relate to self improvement, don’t bother reading on 
.
Plans. This weekend is shaping up to be a good one. Tonight Kathryn and I are going to see Xavier Rudd, an extremely talented musician from Australia, perform live. And yes, that is where we found the name “Xavier” for our son. If you are a fan of Jack Johnson and/ or Paul Simon, definitely check him out. All his music is good, but I would recommend starting with his CD Solace, and in particular tracks Let Me Be and Shelter.
Then on Saturday I am going snowshoeing for the first time which should hopefully be fun. And of course there will be lots of playing with Xavier (my son, not the musician ) and blogging to do!
Books. Currently I am devouring a couple of “classics” that I have been meaning to read for some time: The E-Myth Revisited and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. So far both are proving to be very good, the latter in particular.
Internet. In announcing that he would step down as President of Cuba this week, Fidel Castro stated that he would continue to be a “warrior of ideas”. This reminded me of one of one of my favorite sites: TED. I have spent an hour or two over the past few days watching some great videos on a variety of topics. In particular, I came across an inspiring video of Bill Strickland (remember my Make the Impossible Possible Review?) which you can watch here.
So that’s a few of the things happening in my life. What about you? Any plans for today or the weekend? Any good books to recommend to me? Internet sites/ blogs I should visit? Let me know in the comments below….
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20 Comments
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Hi Peter! When I read your article “One Year On. How Fatherhood Has Changed My Life.”, I thought, “He’s my idol now!” so I subscribed to your blog
Just want to share from the Bible in Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God…” Sometimes we just need to be still, set aside worries and just listen to him speak to us through his wonderful creations. A thought will just pop out and we’ll know his will and surely it’s what God wants us to do. Thanks for the time!
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February 22nd, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Hi Peter,
First I’d like to thank you for the work you’ve done here, at Pick The Brain, and your guest posts on ProBlogger (that’s where I originally found your work). You were a major inspiration for me to get into blogging myself!
I would be honored if you would check out my fledgling site - http://www.brucisms.com!
I would also highly recommend a book that I’ve reread recently and I think you would definitely embrace - Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell.
Enjoy - and have a great weekend!
Bruce
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February 22nd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Hey Peter,
If you’re into travelling, you should check this blog out:
http://desktraveler.blogspot.com/
A friend of mine does a lot of travel research for herself and her friends and she finally decided to log her findings in a blog!
Have a great weekend and enjoy another rare sunny day! We’ve been quite lucky weather-wise this week!
Cheers,
–Sooski
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February 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Peter - This is a timely article for me. I am going to Puerto Vallarta in the morning for a big adventure. I wrote about it today on my blog. I think it is going to be fantastic to relax and enjoy a week away from everything.
I am reading Claude Bristol’s classic “The Magic of Believing”. Have you ever read it? I think it is fantastic. I would highly recommend it and I’ve only read the first few chapters!
Have a great weekend!
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February 22nd, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Jona,
That is a beautiful verse - thank you for sharing it. In this increasingly busy world, there is something magical about just setting time aside to be still.
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February 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Bruce,
You have a great looking site. I particularly like some of the photos you have chosen - that picture you used in the “Carl Sandburg: Daily Inspiration” article put a big smile on my face
. And thanks for including me in your blogroll!
Peter
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February 22nd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
“Travel deals for Vancouverites” - perfect! Actually I have already booked my Maui trip in April…. but you certainly seem to have found some good deals Sooski. I’ll make sure I bookmark it for future reference.
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February 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Hi Jeff,
No I haven’t read that book - although from the title it sounds like something I would enjoy. I’ll check it out on Amazon - thanks.
And regarding your holiday, have fun! I dropped by your site and left a comment
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February 23rd, 2008 at 3:03 am
Sounds like you have a great weekend planned! Enjoy it!
Here, it’s more about figuring out how to balance things. The last few days I have been coming home from the day job to work on my blogs, only to catch myself falling asleep at the keyboard. And when I say “catch” I quite literally mean stopping myself from falling out of a chair. Sheesh.
I do believe that if I can do more to focus, and follow some of the suggestions I have read in your blog and others, I will be able to transition from blogging as a second job to blogging full-time. Until then, I’ll be battling the Sandman.
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February 23rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
hi pete,
you mentioning a couple of books made me think… it would be fantastic if you could do a quick book list that you recommend… a brief summary of perhaps your top 5 and what you liked about them…
you are an amazing and inspiring person… it would be also amazing to see some of the influences you have had via some of the books…
ringlerun.
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February 23rd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Hi peter:
Sometimes I forget that I had been “grown up” & I want to come back to my “childhood”!
It,s a way for relaxation & I feel well being. I decided to buy a little red fish & take it in my office! It means for me life is ALIVE!!
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February 24th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Hi Leo,
Yes, my day job has me using a computer for most of the day, and then most nights I also do a couple hours of blogging. This is ok for the most part - but I need to make sure I take time off every so often to recharge the batteries. I write this comment after having been to the Xavier Rudd concert last night and snowshoeing today, and I have to say I feel so refreshed.
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February 24th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Hi Peter, I’m really enjoying your blog, it’s important to remember to relax and keep things in perspective. As for what I’m reading, I just started The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss, I highly recommend it. =)
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February 24th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Thanks Jonathan. Actually I just finished 4HWW a month ago and loved it. One of the books I mentioned in this post - The E-Myth Revisited - is one of the books that Tim highly recommends.
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February 24th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Hi Peter. I´m brazillian and I´m using your blog to improve my english. I love all the things you write, and I hope to learn a lot!
Thanks for everything.
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February 24th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I just finished reading Feel The Fear…and Do It Anyway by S. Jeffers.
It’s the best book on self development I’ve ever read, I think. It’s really inspiring simple and powerful.
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February 24th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Hi Honza,
I have that one on audiobook and am partway through it. If nothing else, it is one of the best titles for a self development book that I have come across. It is a title that will stick in your head, so that when you do come across a situation that makes you feel fear you can think: “I’m afraid, but I’m going to do it anyway”.
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February 24th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Hi Ye Doost,
I think we can all learn something from the free-spirited way in which children think and behave. During the working week, I love to get home and spend an hour or so playing with my little boy. I chase him around the house, we read books together, etc…. it is a great way to relax and just “be”.
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February 24th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Thanks Ringlerun. That is a great idea - I’ll look at putting something together soon!
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February 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Definitely.
Also that simple sentence “I can handle it”, which is suggested many times in the book, is great. Now it pops in my head almost every time difficult situation comes. And it just working.
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