The title of this post is a line from the Baz Luhrmann movie – Strictly Ballroom – its said by a character who has spent 1/2 his life living a lie – because he didn’t want to face up to his past.

Another favourite quote of mine is Edith Piaff’s “non, je ne regrette rien” – which translates to “no I don’t regret anything”. How many people do you come across over the age of 40 who we go on and on about the opportunities they didn’t have because  they were too poor/too fat/too thin/in the wrong country/in the wrong place and/or their husband/wife/mother/brother wouldn’t let them do it. That to me is the mark of someone who really doesn’t know how to live at all.

The only thing that is stopping most people doing what they really want – is fear – fear of failure usually. I must admit I haven’t made it to the moon yet – and I would compromise with an orbital flight – I figure I have 30 years for the technology to catch up before my old body gives up. And then I don’t care what the price is – that’s what retirement savings are for – for blowing on your dreams!

I wish I could afford it but – its another common line. Seriously – in the Western world almost everyone can afford practically anything -its purely a matter of prioritising what you want! I remember sitting on a very nice, very expensive sofa once with someone explaining to me that they couldn’t possibly afford to backpack around Europe like I was just about to do – but they really wished they could. The sofa had cost about 1/2 of my total 6-month travelling budget …

Life is for living – there are no second chances in my opinion, even if you think there are you would ahve to admit that the after life is goingto be different from this one. Hold onto your dreams and make sure you really do get to live the life you want to live. I don’t regret much – but wasting around 20 years working for other people is one of them. Its scary going out and starting your own business but – as they say – a life lived in fear is indeed a life half lived