BEING here.

My excitement is on another level. After almost 2 years, the site is up again and it feels surreal. I know it's just a blog, but to me it's a journey of 9 years of up and down (you know, with the site being up and then down).

It's a dream that's morphed and grew as I embarked on different projects and journeys. I changed careers twice, went to the gym and then didn't, hosted my podcast in sporadic stints and became slightly less bad at woodworking.

Why the rant through the short recent history of Thornton? Well, thinking back on everything from the first post, to my last podcast...I realised it tought me how to BE HERE.

I am sure I already wrote about being present already, either on this blog or on one of the other 3 versions, but another rendition probably won't hurt. Studies show that we live in the future and in the past so much that we hardly take the time to breathe in what we are experiencing now. So entertain me for 2 seconds...stop reading this, breathe in and look around you. Where are you? Are you sitting, or standing? Think of one thing you are grateful for...and then breathe in again.

Now, was that so bad? Nope. Congratulations, you just lived in the present. Now I know building a career or a 'personal brand' will by no means flourish on the basis of being present and sporadic posting or recording, but to be honest, in 2015 when I started blogging, the term 'Personal Brand' wasn't even a thing. I was just a first year student that thought starting a clothing brand with a mate and buying a website would make me rich.

Since then, however, I have learnt that intentionality and small habits makes all the difference when doing the 'building your career' thing. Oh, and by the way, I am not rich yet though...the website and t-shirts didn't work.

I'm sure it all sounds confusing and trust me if you had a front row seat to the last 9 years you would be even more confused. All in all, looking back I realise now that every single project and episode gave me the exact tools I need to do what I do now...all thanks to being present. Every thing I did, I treated like a child treats a drawing of their holiday. And luckily for me, the people in my life put those drawings on the fridge. I would suggest doing this...if you write, write like you are Roald Dahl. If you sing, sing like Freddy Murcury (for the love of Queen, just don't attempt te high notes) and if you run, run like Eliud Kipchoge because even if you are none of these...future you would be glad you gave your everything. One day you will be more upset about not doing something than starting a YouTube channel just because, and might find cringy.

At least the older version of you would be able to laugh at something...even if it is young you doing backflips for views.

In summary, it feels good to be back writing...and I am here, enjoying it. Whether five people read this or a thousand, I enjoyed writing it. The second thing is, that I know somewhere in the future either myself or someone else might find value out of it or at least use this as a reminder to...breathe.

TF