Tag: gratitude journal

Undreaded courage all the time – 11th October 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Two minds. Thinking mind and observing mind. Separate them, recognise negative emotions, own them and let them go!

My situation: about to start a new job which may have some of the problems of the previous ones. What advice would you give to someone in this situation?

Even as I write this I can see that my worry is about something that hasn’t happened. I don’t need to think about things in this way. I think I understand how I could have coped better in my previous situation so I should be able to deal with them in the event that they do happen again. Prepare and plan carefully to do the job as best you can but do not invest so much time and effort that it completely overrides everything else.

Balance!

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful this morning for having this space to sit in, the coffee I am drinking and the sun and rain for making our trees grow. I will grow with them.

You gotta pay your dues before you pay the rent – 9th October 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

What is your dream life?
I think I’m living it, almost! I don’t worry so much about money, though I know Amy does. I would prefer not to have to be working so hard even though I do enjoy it. I really could stay home in our beautiful house, read books, listen to music, play games and watch TV. Sounds like it might be boring but I can dig those things. And if I did get bored I could motivate myself to do something more.

Gratitude Journal

I spoke with a young guy in Iraq who was learning English. He was a very motivated person, to improve his life. I am so happy and grateful to have this opportunity to meet people from all around the world.

18th Mar 2021 – I joined an online teaching platform called Cambly and gave it a go for a couple of days. Some people teach there full time and can make reasonable money but you can also just make yourself available for conversations with people rather than teach actual lessons. I enjoyed it for the time I did it and contemplated doing it more but eventually just left it as an option for the future.

How do I spell relief? I spell it OW! – 8th October 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

The first weekend of the holiday brings some mental relief.

What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?
I would start a tour organisation business for bands to play shows throughout Asia. I would use my existing contacts to have pre-planned routes through the area. I don’t know any way to monetise this but it would certainly bring me great joy to travel and work within a musical environment.

20th Jun 2022 – I was more seriously preparing to do this more frequently starting with the World’s Dirtiest Sport tour that was planned for Feb 2020 but the Covid pandemic knocked all those plans out. Things are getting more back to normal now but some new regulations that have been implemented in certain countries would make things much more difficult than before. The whole situation kinda knocked the wind out of my sails too.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for all the opportunities ahead of me because they give me a chance to explore and develop myself. The hardships I have faced and sometimes not been able to deal with well have all helped me to grow and learn.

The Chiang Rai Alternative Hour #06 – 5th October 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Music from Faun Fables, Ruins, Unrest, Minibeast, The Deviants, Deerhoof, The Clarendonians, The Mekons, Radio Thailand, The Solid State, NoHayBandaTrio, Joe Strummer, The Jesus Lizard, Martin Cure and the Peeps and Iowa Beef Experience.

Woke up with the sun and again I’m already mentally preparing for my classes next semester. It’s good but could probably turn it down a bit!

It’s only 7am and I already achieved a small thing for today. I went for an early morning walk around the village. A lot of aunties around already selling their veggies and meats. They were all happily curious, as was I. I should try some conversation next time.

Today I will try to remember that life is brief and can be taken away at any time.

I love watching my cats around the house and garden. How lucky we are to be here together.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to watch the sunrise as I walked around the village this morning. Smiling monks, curious aunties, playful dogs, foggy fields.

Then the cowboy turned the gun on himself as he sang – 4th October 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Cats don’t judge. A cat is just a cat.

My last day of school. How do I feel? A little sad and disappointed to leave my students behind but hopeful and positive for the next school. I can visualise myself in class, prepared. Happy.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to the students who made me goodbye cards. I could feel how much I had affected them and what a good influence I had been. They really touched my heart.

The older you get the less you’re worth – 1st October 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Picture was taken a few months later when I went back for a visit.

Yesterday I told my class I was leaving. It was a little emotional – two of the students got teary. It was sad to see – those kids can’t go a whole semester with the same teacher. It did make me realise the impression I can make on students though. I hope I can work in the high school so I will still have the opportunity to see them sometimes. I know I can work in another school ok but I’m also dreading it a little.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to Amy for helping me through all the tough situations since we met. Many things I can deal with and help her with but there have been times when she had been so wonderful and supportive. I know she gets frustrated with me sometimes too but at the end of the day, she is always there for me. I love her so much.

Weight: 83.1kg
Resting heart rate: 50

No windows, no ceiling or floor – 30th September 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Woke up just before my alarm. In my dream, I was trying to enter a password for something but kept getting it wrong. Things are fairly normal at home. Normal is good. Why I write this is because all our cats are happy at the moment.

All the humans are happy too.

My last week at school. Very relaxed. Not sure about what is coming up next – well, actually, I am. It’s holiday time. LIve in the moment. Your job doesn’t define you.

Gratitude Journal

Playing sport with some of the school kids made me smile, even when I fell over and hurt myself! I smiled and laughed with Amy a lot this week, feeling better about things in general. I smiled coming to school knowing that a holiday is coming and I will be leaving this environment. I smiled at Kim Chi and Cap chasing each other around the house. I smiled when the big dead lizard made Amy jump a mile into the air!

9th Mar 2021 – When I think about working at schools in Thailand I can’t help but believe that I am there for the student’s education and I care more about them than the ‘adults’ working there, who I can generally take or leave. The Thai staff at the schools I have worked at have a different agenda entirely as far as I can tell.