beckmd

[beckmd]

Life sometimes has a habit of running away with you and before you know it weeks have gone by and you look back and try to evaluate what you have achieved.

For me this has been home improvements, making your house into a home is probably one of the most stressful yet rewarding projects I’ve taken on. I’ve lived in a couple of houses from the time I moved out of my parents home, but I’ve never really made them into my home, work, going out and other things always took priority. I am now finalising the details of my kitchen refit and putting down a deposit. Learning new skills on how to maintain a house while living with a disability, today it’s letting air out (or bleeding) of the radiators to get them working again.

Sometimes it just takes a little bit more thought and tools than most people may need, with perseverance comes success.

[beckmd]

The weather has been the talk of the town lately, since here in the UK we are experiencing a heatwave. For me this means a lot more freedom to get out and about. On a normal day when preparing to go out it can be a challenge, what coat to wear, do I need a jumper, do I bring my leg coverings, gloves, hats, the list can go on.

But when the weather is as warm as it is I am like William Wallace from Braveheart crying “freedom!” I don’t have to worry about all that I can just don my travel pack (it holds all my essentials phone, wallet, glasses etc) and head out to enjoy the local parks, countryside, people and places.

[beckmd]

Fantastic weather for the weekend, wall to wall sunshine means good times with friends in the beer garden. Although it would seem some places have not gotten to grips with the increasing custom since lockdown has started easing, which leads to a slower service than expected.

Patience is the the key as this has led to some free drinks being offered as compensation for the slower service. We must remember businesses want customers to come back they have been struggling through the pandemic too.

[beckmd]

An educational trip round The British museum and The Natural History museum. So many interesting artefacts and pieces of history from around the world and not enough time to view them all. Definitely worth a trip back and such helpful and pleasant staff.

[beckmd]

Another fantastic day of sight seeing our capital. A marvellous high flying trip on the London eye viewing the whole city from above to a majestic cruise along the Thames taking in the riverside views. The weather again didn’t disappoint and the people so very helpful.

From Westminster palace (Houses of parliament) past Tower bridge (not to be mistaken for London Bridge) to the Tower of London.

We sometimes take for granted the history and beauty of our home towns and countries, when you take the time to stop and appreciate it you may realise how lucky we are.

[beckmd]

First day in London, lots of sight seeing & great weather makes you feel so good.

[beckmd]

Something hard to admit is when you fall back into old habits, something that is harder is to recognise you are doing it and not lose faith in yourself that you can keep up the change.

I fell back into some of my old habits yesterday and I didn’t make a post, today I woke up looked at the picture on my wall that reads “today is your day to do better than you did yesterday” and embraced the philosophy, I realised I cannot change what happened yesterday but I can make the most of today.

And so I did, I got on with the paperwork I put off yesterday, I sorted out tickets to attractions I want to see for my trip to London, I did the washing up and so much more. Tonight as I write this I feel accomplished, I feel a relief that these tasks are not hanging over me. I scoffed at the idea when I first read about it that doing these little things add up to a bigger feeling of self worth, self confidence, but it does, these blogs are as much to remind myself of this as to help anyone out there that wants to change. I’ll finish tonight by saying just try doing one thing, something small then try doing another & another you may surprise yourself.

[beckmd]

You’ll have to forgive me but I’m going to prattle on a little about how much I’ve smiled today and the reason why. As I posted yesterday I am on the dating scene and finding a connection with somebody is one of the most exhilarating experiences, I have found myself just grinning like an idiot at the most mundane things and even now as I’m writing I have this silly grin on my face.

I’ve never really stopped and thought about this experience before, I looked back at past relationships and remember having the same reactions in the beginning and I think this is something we all forget at times. So I’m posting this as a reminder for myself and any of you, if things have gotten a little off track try and remember why that person made you smile when you first met.

[beckmd]

Being on the dating scene is a daunting process at the best of times, no longer do I have the bravado of my youth or the sheer audacity to use corny pick up lines. Some of this is down to the wisdom of age some down to the changing of times and what is and isn’t viewed as acceptable. The one thing that doesn’t change is the feeling you get when talking to someone new, thinking of all the possibilities and opportunities for new experiences to be brought into your life.

When facing a new situation we often let self doubt and anxiety rule our decisions, but as I am learning in everyday circumstances not to let these emotions get the better of me so I am now applying those same lessons to the dating scene.

P.S. I have started reading a new book called “ Books do furnish a life” by Richard Dawkins. I will keep you updated.

[beckmd]

A good day today even though the weather tried its hardest to put a dampener on it. More quotes came in for the kitchen, went to the barbers (always feels good to get a fresh cut!) Enjoyed some drinks with friends while England played & won!! (Yay England) Met a new online friend too!

It often seems when things are going our way everything is going our way.

[beckmd]

A trip to the seaside yesterday, the British weather did its usual trick, the forecast was for sunshine & broken clouds, in actuality it was so cloudy and windy.

It was funny watching people scurry about like ants in a colony those with shorts & T-shirt expecting warmer weather had hands buried deep into pockets trying to keep warm.

As we got closer to home the sunshine came out & it was glorious. Not wanting to miss the opportunity we went to the local beer garden and enjoyed a few drinks and some good banter with our fellow drinkers.

[beckmd]

Relying on my electric wheelchair can feel very frustrating at times, when it has a fault, breaks down, not being able to access a place, charging.

It has taken a long time for me to change the way I saw these challenges. Now instead of getting angry at a fault I try to see it as an opportunity to problem solve, a breakdown is an opportunity to meet someone new or see an old friend, charging is time to catch up on reading new and old books and not being able to access a place is a great opportunity to experience the warmth, generosity, courtesy and friendliness of so many people willing to help.

Things can be interpreted differently depending on how you view them, it’s the age old saying “is the glass half full or half empty?”

[beckmd]

Busy, busy day. So much going on it’s hard to keep track, from refreshing some of the bathroom fittings (new shower head should feel like a massage every morning! Yay!) to getting my new kitchen designs.

Changing the little things and some of the big things to keep me being as independent as possible takes some work and has been a while in the pipeline but the end is near and like Christmas the excitement is building!

[beckmd]

Some days just don’t turn out how you expect them to.

When your plans don’t come to fruition it can be frustrating, before getting mad at yourself or the world, just take a minute. Take stock of what you have achieved instead and you might surprise yourself.

[beckmd]

A quiet day today, time for some reflection on the week and catching up with friends. Had an inspiration from a picture that my friends daughter drew for me and decided to pick up my old art book and start drawing again. A little rusty and some impatience on my part has meant putting down the pencil for today.

Patience and perseverance are the thoughts I keep repeating to myself and I will pick up the pencils again tomorrow.

[beckmd]

Started today with no idea of what I was going to do. A trip to the local garden centre, enjoyed a lovely meal as well as buying some beautiful flowers to fill my old planters.

Sometimes it’s the little things you do that do that contribute the biggest changes to your outlook of the day.

[beckmd]

Combining motivating advice from a book I’ve read (12 Rules - Jordan B Peterson) and the inspirational attitude and positivity of a blogger/YouTuber (Shane Burcaw) I have decided to blog about my own life.

Aspirations obstacles and outlooks. My life has had a mixture of all of these, I have a neuromuscular condition called Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy it has changed my life, my outlook and my aspirations over the years. I hope you will join me on this journey through the rollercoaster of life and if I can share any inspiration or motivation with you in the words of Shane “it will make me smile today”.