Hello there, before I get into the introduction of myself, my ambitions and my slightly odd perspective on the way the world operates, there was one moment that has reignited the spark to get out of bed and make something of each and every single day.
“Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying”
Arguably the greatest film of all time of course, the Shawshank Redemption. Now my situation was not quite as extreme as being framed for a murder and spending 20 odd years in prison.. however it is a quote that has been circling my mind continuously as I encounter the final term of University. University life is hard to sum up and to external people looking in, the perception tends to be ‘play play play’ with the occasional status ” deadline 12 hours, better start now!” Free time is an essence of Uni life which is all very well however as I have recently experienced, free time can actually cause far more harm than good. I found myself descending into a trance by which just 6 contact hours of Uni a week was meaning I had effectively every waking moment to do as I please. Again I’m sure to those who work 9-5, 5 days a week for 48 weeks of the year must think I am crazy complaining that every day is a lie in, stress free, no mid 40’s small man syndrome of a boss turning you just for a split second into a savage murderer in your head.
However free time in which you have exhausted every soap television offers, means a lot of time to think. Unstimulated days multiplied over a 2 and a half year period results in a severe lack of motivation, desire, and determination to succeed. A lot of time to question every single decision you make and enough time to place doubts of your own ability and self belief. The quote I mentioned earlier, whilst watching the film I didn’t take much notice, however it must have attached to my sub-concious, as like I say it has been playing on my mind ever since. Before coming to university the hectic life style of balancing a-levels with new found social life was not only challenging, difficult, and at times impossible but exhilarating and quite simply the best time of my life to date. It was through the ‘all guns blazing’ 2 year stint that I had limitless motivation, thrived to become the best I could be, and accepted the challenge that getting into University would be by far the biggest achievement of mine and I assume every other determined 18 year old life. Whilst university has been everything I thought it would be and a whole lot more, I feel I have lost some of my identity ( probably somewhere in the bottom of a pint glass) in terms of direction, desire and the ruthlessness needed to succeed, grabbing a challenge by the scruff of the neck and doing everything within your power to achieve that goal.
( Mo Farah training Christmas day to achieve his life long goal of competing and winning his event in the London 2012 Olympics)
‘Get busy living or get busy dying’ to me literally means set that alarm, disable the snooze button and start making things happen, if there’s anything I have learnt from the endless free time, it is nothing comes to those who lay in bed watching top gear getting up when ever they feel hungry and returning to bed just in time to relax for the rest of the day. But those who wake up with the intentions of making a difference, constantly looking at ways to improve themselves, and not just at a working aspect. Making increasing effort into forming new relationships and becoming socially competent ( not that I am a loner!) but Russel Brand echoes a similar thought when meeting new people, to really try and create a connection as opposed to the instant dismissive judgemental thought processes that perhaps we have all been found guilty of.
http://soundcloud.com/russellbrand/on-the-road ( 3-5 mins, creating deep social connections and making the most of out of every single day)
Now I must reinforce that one quote from a film hasn’t completely transformed my life, however it has resurfaced some attributes I once prided myself on, and given me a big reality check. With less than 6 months before I graduate the timing of new found self belief couldn’t be better, time to not only get back in ‘the zone’ in terms of achieving the best possible results, but to enjoy and appreciate the environment I am in and to ensure to make the very best of the time left in this chapter of my life.
Setting up a blog has always been on the cards, and thanks to ITV on demand, and the true inspirational film that is the Shawshank redemption, it is now time to start making things happen.
My aim is to bring odd, unique, different and hopefully some interesting view points from issues from all kinds of topical backgrounds, no two Blogs will be the same!
In a nutshell..
- Michael Bain
- 3rd Year Marketing student
- Sports
- Business
- Socialising
- New found determination
- Wants to make a difference
