How Can I?

I have published a lot of material over the years. Sales tips, my views on various aspects of life, hints on learning, iinterpersonal relationships and a host of other issues.

I think we all want to be heard, to make a difference. Or perhaps we just want to say, Hello, I am here; please respond so I know my time spent here matters.

I have often said, “The most often used phrase when someone is on their deathbed is ‘If only.”

How often have we not done something we wanted to because we felt, “I could never do that,” or “It’s too hard?”

I have tried to attempt everything I felt I wanted to. Haven’t always succeeded, but at least I tried.

Recently I completed a novel. It’s called “Secret Samurai.” Like all aspiring authors I went the rounds of agents and publishers.

I recall hearing somewhere that Geoffrey Archer had sixty four rejections before selling his first book. Mathew Riley self published his first book before being picked up by a publisher.

So I have self published on Amazon. What a great company. You have a chance to get your book out there and see if you have what it takes.

Thank you Amazon. If you want to find out the answer to the question, “Who is the secret samurai?” Go to Amazon, click on books and type in Secret Samurai. Click on the sample if you are one of those who wants to try before you buy and have a read.

Don’t have Kindle? Simple download Kindle for your computer. It’s free! Buy the book ($2.99) download and have a read.

Without giving the story away I can tell you it’s the story of a young man searching for his identity, literally. He does not recall his childhood or origins. He ends up in a desperate struggle to clear himself of murder, becomes involved with the CIA to prevent a terrorist plot that threatens the destruction of a city and eventually finds the key to his identity.

In my humble opinion (no bias) you will enjoy it. You can help realize my dream.

Kindest Regards,

Ollie Lind

This story is true. It lead me to examine a realization I had experienced a number of years ago that became the foundation of my attitude to adversity. In fact it transformed my views on gaining wisdom from all experiences. Let me share this story.

A few weeks ago I was at a junior squash tournament. I am heavily involved in sports administration, in particular, squash. This was a national junior event and was important to the competitors in terms of their national ranking.

I saw a young boy, perhaps fifteen, walk off the court after a match. He was sweating from the effort he had put in, his face was flushed and his shoulders slumped. He pushed past me,unseeing from the tears in his eyes.

There was no doubt about the result of his match. He had tasted bitter defeat.

I felt for him.

On the final day of the tournament I had the honour of speaking with a young fellow from Victoria (Australia) I asked him how he had gone in the tournament. In fact the event had taken place over a period of ten days and was two events.

He grinned. “I have been training so hard for this event and I was in good form. In the first tournament I was outclassed and I realized that the other guys must have worked even harder that I had.”

I was amazed at the maturity of his view. I asked him how he went in the second tournament. HIs smile got even wider. “I won a few matches and played really well. I know what I have to do now. Can’t wait to get home to get to work.”

I shook him by the hand and congratulated him.

I had to do a closing speech for the tournament and this boy’s attitude so touched me I told the audience a story I called “A tale of two boys.” I recounted my experiences with the two boys I had come across.

One, bitter and blinded by defeat; and the other, wiser from facing adversity and becoming stronger because of it. I finished my story with my realization. What I said was:

“In life, no matter what the experience, there are three possible outcomes. You win; you lose; or most importantly, YOU LEARN.”

When you come to think about it, the outcome of any experience is far less important than the lessons you learn from going through the experience. It is a fact that sometimes, the most important lessons come from defeat.

I don’t mean the sorry “I’ll never do that again” negative response so common. I mean understanding what you did, what you didn’t do and what you can do in the future to make the outcome better for you and those around you.

If you win, congratulations and LEARN. If you lose, face it and LEARN.

Please think about it.

Ollie Lind

A little while ago I said I would write a book tracing some of the lessons I have learnt in my time on this planet. I have started (actually about a third of the way through) I find many people have a problem getting started on a project, although I don’t seem to.

Plato said that the most difficult, yet praisworthy action for any individual is to start whatever they are contemplating. I got to thinking about this and I believe I have hit upon one of the major reasons for our hesitation in starting anything.

Please stay with me on this, for I believe what you are about to read may have a positive effect on your life. That is, assuming you apply what I am about to point out.

Before you commence whatever it is you wish to do it exists only within you. For those of you who follow my writings you will understand it is in your universe. That is the place deep withing you that is unique to you. It is where you live. It contains your hopes, fears, memories, emotions and values. It is the essence of you and is unique to you. It is here where your ideas originate. But, at first they only exist there.

For you to have these ideas manifest you have to either communicate what it is you want to happen, or actually begin to do something. You have to bring it into existence, both on a mental plane and physically.

In other words you must CREATE something. Yes, you must CREATE. It is at this point people get stuck. They will find all sorts of reasons to put it off. There is only one thing stopping them.
FEAR

What do you mean? You may ask.

Well, to bring something into existence is to make known something that is, at present, unknown. People have a fear of the unknown. Did you ever see the original movie “Alien?” It was terrifying. The reason why was that never, on any occasion did we see the alien creature.

So, because you are facing the unknown, you hesitate. All sorts of doubts creep into you mind. Will I be able to do it? What will other people think? What if I fail? On and on these questions go, paralysing you.

Do you want to overcome this barrier to better living? I have a suggestion. I never recomend anything I haven’t tried myself, so you can have a measure of confidence that what I am suggesting, does work.

As you know, I write a great deal and I never suffer from writer’s block. All writer’s block is an inability to start. It is based on fear and fear paralyses. To overcome fear you must recognise one great truth.

IT’S OKAY TO MAKE A MISTAKE.

Whenever you do something new, be prepared to do it badly. All you have to do when you make a mistake is look at it, learn from your error and simply,

DO IT RIGHT NEXT TIME.

Perfection is unattainable and recognition of that enables you to act without unrealistic expectations. There is not a person on the planet who was born with perfect ability in any area of living.

We all have the capacity to learn and, indeed, learning is one of the greatest adventures you can undertake. You expand as a person, grow, both mentally and spiritually and become a more worthwhile person.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO TO BEGIN THIS JOURNEY IS TO START

I don’t know if you realize it or not, but you are the one who creates your life and the sooner you actively begin to do that the greater life will be for you and those around you.

Have courage, my friend, and START.

Live well,

Ollie Lind