Do you see your world in vibrant colour

Is your life black and white or vibrantly coloured? What does your life look like when viewed through your eyes, both physically, and emotionally. Is it colourful and bright or gloomy, dim and flat?

I was asked this question today during a conversation and am happy to report that my perception of my own life is vibrant, bright and colourful. The discussion flowed towards what makes a person's life this way, or indeed, flat or dull [black and white] and the people involved had many different thoughts about it. It was a hearty discussion between peers of several age groups and professional/cultural backgrounds and the responses were as diverse.

For me I answered vibrant and colourful and when questioned why I answered as follows [paraphrased].

"My life is colourful and vibrant because I wake up every day with the motivation to live the best version of my life. I wake up grateful for the things around me that make my life comfortable, for my health and my attitude towards it meaning I look after myself. My life is vibrantly coloured because I share it with a woman who loves and cares for me; Who supports me, chastises me when I need it and value-adds every moment. My life is colourful and vibrant because I take ownership and responsibility to move it in that direction rather than wait and hope it will turn out okay and because I invest time, energy and effort which return a bounteous harvest in kind."

That's sort of what I said over the course of the conversation. It's all true of course. I mean my life isn't awesome because I sat around moping and throwing wishes out to the universe to provide for me...It took [takes] work and effort. Sure, I feel that my attitude towards life, the gratitude I show towards various elements, make a difference but more to my attitude which keeps me on track towards the best version of life rather than causing things to simply materialise on a silver platter held out in hopeful arms.

The life you want to lead is probably within your grasp, indeed, it's within reach for almost everyone on the planet however I don't think it starts with something as broad as life in general. I think a vibrant and colourful life starts with the individual and with something that is well-within everyone's grasp. I mean the ethos of being the best version of oneself as often as possible. For me everything else sit's just below that. Want to be better at your job? Be the best version of you and you will. Want to be more universally liked? Be the best version of you and you will. Want to have a better relationship with your partner? Be the best version of you and you will. It's pretty simple really.

There's other concepts of course, one's I've mentioned before, but essentially that's all there is. You know why? Well, it's because the best version of you will put in the effort required to win that promotion, engage better with people or your partner. The best version of yourself applies the elements required to get after that vibrant and colourful life. It's a pretty simple concept. That best version of you knows hubris and arrogance won't value-add life and it knows that humility, kindness and courtesy will.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not a turn the other cheek sort of guy. I don't mean you need to walk through life getting 'owned'. At the same time though, showing a little courtesy and respect goes a long way. In my opinion, and I'm talking for the guys here because I am one, courtesy, respect, humility, generosity and manners make a man stronger not weaker. They value add life rather than detract from it.

So, for me...Well, I try to be the best version of myself as often as I can. I'm sometimes successful and on the times I am not? Well, I know it, and readjust hoping to hit it next time, from that point on.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share some of the conversation I had this morning. I hope you're all getting after your Saturday, or thinking about doing so prior to deploying! If your life is black and white and you can't find the colour then speak to someone, ask for help and take some steps towards a vibrant life. It might seem impossible at first but it's there, only just out of reach. With a helping hand it'll get closer. Trust me, I know.

Boat image: A picture I took on the waters of Villefranche sur mer, France mainly becuase the yacht flies an Aussie flag...And if I was a pirate this is what my ship would look like.
Park image: The small park outside the Monte Carlo casino. If you look careful you can see the reflection of the casino in the shiny disc-statue thing.

Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - @galenkp

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209