Lockdown Day 18 – 13 April 2020 – Brene Brown – Vulnerability

Posted on April 15, 2020 by PietMar

I decided too listen to Brene Brown at TED talking about  The Power of Vulnerability again.

I suspect most of us currently feel vulnerable to an extend.  Perhaps some more than others, but I think we all share the feeling.  If you have not watched the video before, take the 20 minutes to listen to it. Or perhaps listen again – I don’t know how many times I watched this already.

Also today Facebook reminds me of this quote from Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.  I have three copies of this book.  Does it tell you something?

His latest aphorism: ” Don’t let go too soon, but don’t hang on too long.”

I made notes as I listened to the talk.

Brene Brown says: “Connection is why we are here!” I must keep on connecting via Whatsapp, phone, email, Facebook!

Morrie warns of not letting go too soon.  In this time of lockdown, I think there is also  a lot of mourning.  Some people are in denial, others are negotiating.  I do not know where I am on the road of mourning.  But Morrie says I must allow my mourning to go its course and not hurry it. During Lockdown we are taking leave of a lot of things.  The full impact we will only understand when lockdown comes to an end.  Suddenly a neighbour at the door is a threat!

At the same time, says Morrie, don’t get stuck in with the things that you mourn.  Step into the future. I say:  create a new future for yourself and the world.  Find out what really matters, determine your values, step out into a new world and create your future according to your values!

Brene Brown: “The difference between people who had strong sense of worthiness and belonging and those who are always struggling for worthiness and who believe they are not good enough? The people who have sense of love and belonging believe they are worthy of love and belonging.” Since I can identify with this sense of worthiness (or lack thereof), I was surprised the other day to discover how many people really battle with this!

Brene Brown – snippets:  “Whole hearted people – they have courage – courage is to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart – the courage to be imperfect, compassion to be kind to themselves first and to others – we cannot treat others kindly we cannot treat ourselves kindly
connection because of authenticity – they were wiling to let go of who they thought they should be and be who they really are.
They fully embrace vulnerability. What makes us vulnerable makes us beautiful
– To say “I love you” first
– To do things when there are no guarantees

Vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, creativity, belonging, love

We numb vulnerability when we wait for the result of the mammogram (or think of consequences of COVID 19)
We cannot selectively numb emotions! If we numb fear, we numb joy, gratitude, happiness- everything and then we look for purpose and meaning
We pretend that what we do has no effect on people

Let ourselves be seen – vulnerable
Love with our whole heart, even if there is no guarantee
Practice gratitude and lean into joy
Stop catastrophizing and be grateful
Vulnerable means I am alive
I AM ENOUGH – then we are kinder.“

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Lockdown Day 17 – 12 April 2020

Posted on April 14, 2020 by PietMar

Roger Whittaker sings A New World

“Everybody talks about a new world in the morning. A new world in the morning so they say.
I, myself don’t talk about a new world in the morning. A new world in the morning, that’s today.
And I can feel a new tomorrow comin’ on.”
Roger Whittaker

I think a sister gave me a Roger Whittaker LP while I was still at school.  The memories attached to Roger Whittaker goes back a long time.  I can remember playing the record on a Blaupunkt record player (from another suster)  while living in Dagbreek (men’s hostel) while a student in Stellenbosch.  More recent memories come from the December when we took my daughter to New Castle for her internship.  Driving through the Eastern Free State, Roger Whittaker was singing.  I simply love the Eastern Free State.  It has mountains and valleys.  In December it is green.  I remember the Farm Stall where we bought all kinds of cherry products.

The reason I am listening to this song this morning, is not to remind me of the good things I experienced while listening to Whittaker.  The real reason I am listening, is to remind me that I should not be so focused on the end of lockdown that I forget about Easter Sunday!  I cannot even say with certainty I will be here on the day lockdown ends.

As Roger Whittaker says, a new world began this morning with sunrise.  It is a gift.  The present is a present!  I must be careful that worry and fear about the day lockdown ends does not prevent me from enjoying the new world I have today!  I must appreciate, enjoy and live today as well as I can.  Easter Sunday is, after all, a day of hope that a New World is coming.

“A new world in the morning, that’s today.”

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Lockdown Day 16 – 11 April 2020 – Capitalism

Posted on April 13, 2020 by PietMar

This morning I am listening to If I were a rich man

Today is also my wife’s birthday.  I made her breakfast in bed after I did my journal.  It was a long journal, I am not going to share everything.  I will rather write a book.

Quotes come from Brainy Quotes

“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.”
Winston Churchill

“Capitalism does a number of things very well: it helps create an entrepreneurial spirit; it gets people motivated to come up with new ideas, and that’s a good thing.”
Bernie Sanders

“You know capitalism is this wonderful thing that motivates people, it causes wonderful inventions to be done. But in this area of diseases of the world at large, it’s really let us down.”
Bill Gates

“Capitalism has shortfalls. It doesn’t necessarily take care of the poor, and it underfunds innovation, so we have to offset that. “
Bill Gates

  1.  I am a capitalist at heart and I believe capitalism made the world what it is (good and bad).
  2. I do not understand why some people think you have to be a communist or socialist when you criticize capitalism.  If capitalism is above criticism we are in deep you know what.
  3. We need to distinguish between wealth and income.  Wealth is build over time with the income you earn.  It is a lot easier to build wealth when you earn R100 000 per month than if you earn R5 000 per month.  Unless wealth is acquired illegally, that should never be touched.  My idea is to have a more equal spread of income so that more people can build wealth.
  4. If there is one lesson I hope we learn from this virus, it is that the CEO and manager are not more important than the cleaner, packer or delivery man.  No, I am not suggesting they earn the same, there is a difference in responsibility.  I do think the salary differences should be addressed.
  5. What I would like to see is capitalism with a heart.

Neil Diamond is now singing Both Sides Now

Two stories that shows something of what I believe.  The first is just a story, but conveys what I try to say in #4 above.

One evening over dinner the Captain and Head Engineer of a ship decided to settle their old argument:  who is more important on the ship?  First watch next day, they will swap jobs.  Mid-morning the Head Engineer pipes down to engine room “You win, you are more important. I just sailed us onto an island.” The Captain pipes back, “I was just about to tell you you win, you are more important.  I ceased the engines.” A boat or ship, like any organisation, is run by a crew or a team.  To work, ship or business or NGO or Government, every team member must do his/her job properly.

This is a true story.  A year or two ago I went hiking Mybugh’s Ravine with another hiking club.  I am a stranger in the group.  There is also a South African man who now lives in America.  Let’s call him Ron.

Also in the group is a manager at a privately owned construction company, let’s call him Clive.  I know what Clive does, because Ron asked him.  Ron replies with leering smile and knowing innuendo “Oh, you have a lot of labour problems then.”

This is Clive’s story.  In about 1990 the company realised things are changing in South Africa and they formed a committee representing the workers.  All stakeholders, therefore all races, all cultures, all religions.  “The one thing I learned was, that no matter which group you represent, we all want the same things,” says Clive.  This  committee still exists.  Any decision that lies on the level of human beings/strategy goes through this committee.  The committee members are elected for 3 years and 1/3 are up for election annually.

Also back in 1990, the company decided on profit share for every employee who has more than 3 years service.  In the third year they did not make a profit.  (That is when I realized I must not walk too close to Ron.)  “Oh, I hope you asked the workers to pay in then,” is Rons reaction. (Bloody fool, hope he stays in America!  The workers are not the opposition – unless you treat them that way!)   Clive is a better person than I.  Management decided the loss was not because of something the workers did.  It was a combination of economy and management decisions.  Profit share was paid.  (I raise my hat for management like that!)

When the company turned 50, they printed a book.  There were photos of all the projects, where possible with photos of the workers.  Every worker got a copy of the book “So that he can go home and show his family what he is doing and what his labour has brought about.  We want our people to be proud of what they do and they must be able to show it to their families so that the families understand what they do.”

This story should be an MBA case study.  But it also illustrates something about capitalism with heart!

 

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Lockdown Day 14 9 April 2020

Posted on April 11, 2020 by PietMar

Hilary Hahn plays Bruch’s Violin Concert.  Another beautiful composition.  I realize the music in the journals can make a very special playlist!

“The further you get away from yourself, the more challenging it is. Not to be in your comfort zone is great fun.”
Benedict Cumberbatch

Today it is a little over 2 weeks that we are home bound because we had to isolate ourselves earlier. I have not been bored for a moment, yet. Rather, the days are too short!

I miss going to the gym and exercising in the morning . My new knee yearns for the gym’s bike. I long for a sweaty shirt on the bike. I miss the chats in the sauna. Those conversations are fun. It ranges from very serious topics, very deep to very funny anecdotes. I wonder how my sauna pals are doing in these times.

Google says fun is enjoyment, amusement or lighthearted fun.

In lockdown I have lots of fun. I enjoy the things I do. I ‘m learning new skills. I am on a Whatsapp with various people and that activity ranges from serious topics to memes and funny videos. Being a loner, I can enjoy my own thoughts. Sometimes I can just shake my head in amusement for where my thoughts can go..

When I think about the things I would still like to do, then another 7 days are not enough! (It was extended, but I cannot say I am excited by it. The economic effect is to hard that I can’t feel excitement, even though I can see the necessity.)

More and more I find myself wondering what the first thing is that I do when I come out of lockdown. I suspect it is going to be hard to take up my old routine again. I ‘ll definitely go gym – but I do not know if that would be wise! Lockdown might be over, but that does not mean the virus is over! I do not wish for the virus, that would be stupid, but if I have to get the virus, I would prefer it now during lockdown. It will be a double whammy to get sick after being in lockdown for so long!

I am grateful my people (in the broad sense) are healthy and safe.  I ‘m grateful I have come so far and I’m emotionally in a good place. I think one can easily end up in an emotionally bad spot in these times. Although I am stunned by the figures and cannot think it reflects the true story, I am grateful and I still hope for a miracle in South Africa.

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Lockdown Day 13 8 April 2020

Posted on April 10, 2020 by PietMar

Today’s music has a long history in my life. My wife (then still my wife-to-be) gave me this LP for my birthday. That was a long time ago, when I was still beautiful, young, clever, cute and at university.

Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. The best is yet to come.” – Zig Ziglar

I ‘m a great fan of Zig Ziglar. Of his accent, his humor and his wisdom. Not a book learning, but a wisdom gained through experience and life.

The quote is true. Why do I want to go up Kurktrekker (see previous post) if it’s going to make me weary? The 3 pictures that I have shared yesterday show very little of the reality! Wait until you are high above Jonkershoek, you turn the corner and suddenly it feels your next step is into the False Bay sea.

Why do we ride for kilometers, slower than a turtle, through trenches and holes and dongas? Because when you get to the top, you see what very few people are lucky enough to experience.

No matter what we do, if we are willing to suffer, to do difficult things with a lot of self-discipline and sacrifice, it is always for what we hope to get at the end.  The athlete going out on the road at 05h00, the golfer hitting the balls one after the other for hours, the cricketer bowling for hours.  The biggest satisfaction comes from achieving something that we worked for.

Not one of us is on this COVID 19 path voluntarily, other than my examples above. I don’t think the COVID 19 path is easy at all. Not at all. There are some people for whom it is hell. There are people who are without food. And they are without food, because they were already unemployed before COVID 19 was a lockdown situation. No, it’s definitely not an easy road. I have written about the different situations in previous posts. Lockdown is certainly not the worst.

I believe with all my heart, I believe we can come out of this better. With all my heart, I believe the economy will rise again and be even stronger. Yes, also in South Africa. With all my heart, I believe we are going to be better people because of our shared experience and hardships and we experience, in different ways and from different sides, the people who care.

In terms of my hiking analogy, I do not think the end of Lockdown is the peak of the battle. We are going to have an uphill after lockdown to rebuild. Maybe some scrambles. The Panorama Route is like that. It starts steep. Flatten down, then steep again, flatten out a bit, then you start climbing. Then it becomes so steep and uncomfortable, you climb hands and feet. And when you get up from this scramble – it is the view over Berg River Valley that you see. A view so beautiful, that you immediately forget you are tired. You put down your backpack, drink water, eat something – all in silent awe. That’s why you do this next Saturday again, without thinking twice.

But you HAVE to get there first …

Nobody is in lockdown by choice.  Nobody chose to be affected by a virus, but we all are affected in some way.  We all have to travel this road in our own way.  We are on the same road, but we experience it differently and uniquely.  We can choose to get out of this bitter … or better.  (Why not read from day 1, if you have not done so already?)

We must be careful to waste a good disaster!  Nothing good will come from this, unless we create the good.  I already see so much good coming from this.

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Lockdown Dag 15 – 10 April 2020 – Good Friday

Posted on April 10, 2020 by PietMar

Music this morning

I just climbed back in bed with my coffee and started listening to the Good Friday service, when the doorbell rang.

For years, Jerry has come to my door at least once a week.  It began with the greeting: “Morning, Oubie, isn’t there a drop of coffee and a crust of bread? Over time we got to know each other and I miss him when he does not come around. I wonder about his well being. Sometimes he is gone for a while. Sometimes he works somewhere, then he doesn’t come around to ask for coffee and a sandwich. His family stays in Plettenberg Bay.  Sometimes he goes there but not for long, for he does not enjoy it there – perhaps too much of a routine. He has a wife in Oudtshoorn.  One day I asked him why he does not go to her.  If looks could kill: “The old woman is too difficult.”

The first lockdown Sunday  He was here, too.  He got lunch and showed me his access number for the shelter. He’s going there immediately.

This morning he stands at the door wearing a mask. He gets his coffee and rusks, because we don’t have bread in the house. “Can he please get sugar? Another “Madam” gave him tea and a flask, but the sugar is finished.” He still has enough tea, he says, but it will be nice if I can fill the flask. He shows me his elastic writs band – entrance to the shelter. Through Jerry I learn there are a lot of people with a heart. A building contractor who gives him a cell phone so that he doesn’t have to walk so far to “inquire about a job,” and another “Madam” that gives a pack of tea. The Lord knows, it’s just heart that will get us through this disaster.

I encourage him to go to the shelter and stay safe, but wonder if he isn’t much better off here where he stays on his own in our neighborhood.

As he walks away, it is Streets of London that fills my mind and tears my eyes. A very proud and worthy man with an incredible support network from Soeteweide Street to Welgemoed – walks away “his home in a carrier bag …”

Have you seen the old dear who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags
She’s no time for talking, she just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home, in two carrier bags
So how can you tell me you’re lonely
And say for you that the sun don’t shine
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I’ll show you…

I have so much to be grateful for.

And I know, I know, for the know-it-all’s and clever Alec’s who read this, I know. But I can’t help wondering: isn’t the virus our punishment?  Our punishment that we have allowed the Gap between “Have’s and have-not’s” to become so incredibly wide?

And my prayer is: Lord, teach me to live differently. Thank you for a virus that is forcing us to a standstill.  Thank you for a virus that teach us the hard way that if the paw-paw hits the fan, the packer at Checkers and a man on a motorbike are more important to us than being a boss! When the virus flies around, the cleaner is most important of all.  Before the virus, we are of equal value – the rich and the poor.  Amen.

If you want to learn more about street people, their problems and the challenges, read John Grisham’s Street Lawyer.

And I listen to our own Streets of London – we have them worldwide – Johannes Kerkorrel – Hillbrow

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Lockdown Day 12 7 April 2020

Posted on April 8, 2020 by PietMar

Bruch’s Violin Concerto is one of my many favourites.  Hilary Hahn came to play it in my TV room.

“Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.” – Sonia Ricotte

Typical of me, I started chewing on the concept of surrender, because I think there are a lot more to say about surrender than I did yesterday.  I still think I do not know what surrender is.

Yesterday I said I conquered Kurktrekker.  That is not true.  I have hiked Kurktrekker three or four times.  When I go back for the fifth time, it will be the same!  I surrendered to Kurktrekker and did not fight it, I accepted it as it is – I conquered myself.  I accepted Kurktrekker is steep, I will get tired, my feet will be sore, I did not complain, I did not rebel.  Kurktrekker makes the rules and I followed the rules. I was exuberant when I got to my bakkie, because I made it.  Tired with sore feet, yes!  But I made it!

I can now say that surrender has elements of acceptance, peace, non-rebellion and not complaining.

I recently read a biography of Jan Smuts and soon after that Wilhelm Verwoerd’s book Bloedbande.  Naturally my thoughts extended to that.

What about surrender in a war situation?  There is a difference between war and Kurktrekker and Covid 19 – a war involves human beings.  It is a fact that the Anglo-Boer war had a huge effect on the history of South Africa.  The question is, how would our history be different if there was surrender?  We will never have the answer.  Smuts surrendered.  His idea was to become a strong and wealthy state under the protection of a big. world player like England.  He was called a traitor by the group who did not surrender.  That group wanted to continue the war and even tried.  Those who did not want to surrender was intent on “winning” and was so focused on their quest that it eventually led to Apartheid. A new bad influence on our history!

This idea runs through my mind.  After World War I, Smuts and others warned that the peace treaty will lead to more trouble. It did lead to an even bigger World War II.  My knowledge of history is very bad!  After World War II the peace treaty was different.  Germany was not punished again.  Germany surrendered and became a huge force in the world economy.

In my own Journal I ramble on.  I stop here.

I am not sure what I learn from this?  Surrender entails acceptance, making peace, not rebelling, not complaining.  Does it only apply to things like Covid 19, or to wars , too? What about a divorce?

It does seem, when making peace, and this could be important, that we do not make peace to soon or too quickly.  If we force surrender with too much force or power, it may lead to bigger trouble.  Surrender and peace needs wisdom from all parties and should happen in a spirit of goodwill and forgiveness.  That requires amazing greatness from the people involved!

Suddenly Covey’s story about Principles pops up in my brain. The Captain of a Destroyer sees this blimp on the radar that is on a collision course with them. He sends a message: “This is Admiral Bigshot of USA Destroyer. Suggest you change course.” Answer comes back: “No, I suggest you change course.” The conversation gets heated up. The Admiral is very aware of his rank, position, size of his ship and his power. Threatens the other party. Until answer comes back. “I am Pat McGinty. And this is a lighthouse on a rock. I suggest you change course now.” Covey’s message is, you cannot change a principle, you can only wreck yourself on a principle.

How does this story about the importance of principles fit in with surrender?  Story of my life!

A strange journal, but that was my thoughts on this day.  As always, please let me know your thoughts on this.

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Covid19 Lockdown Day 11 – 6 April 2020

Posted on April 7, 2020 by PietMar

Below are three photos to give you an idea what I am missing and talking about – the banner of this post is the Pieke

Some background to this post.  Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is just outside Stellenbosch.  It is a lovely valley, like a U with the Eerste River running down the middle.  One can hike the bend of the U with 3 different options.  Up Swartboskloof and down Panorama – about 25 km’s.  One can also start on either side (Panorama or Swartboskloof – see map below where the start of Panorama is shown) and come down Kurktrekker – about 18 km’s.  Kurktrekker is a corkscrew – a very appropriate name.  Kurktrekker is very steep (up or down!) always twisting, like a corkscrew.  I have done it a few times and hope to do it again.  It is one of the most beautiful hikes around.  But it is for the fit – there are no escape routes.

Perhaps one day we can celebrate lockdown with a hike on Panorama.

Today I listen to Tchaikovski ‘s Violin Concert0 and I choose Joshua Bell. I don’t listen to this because it makes me me feel quiet, but precisely the opposite! It gives me energy. When I listen to it, I feel alive and there are parts I can’t help but try to conduct this masterpiece.

“Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.” – Sonia Ricotte

I suspect it is our challenge amid COVID 19. This is very similar to what I said on Day 4   about Niebuhr’s prayer. Sonia Ricotte, however, goes a little further.

There is a difference between realizing I can only change myself and “Surrender.” Surrender. Surrender? What does surrender mean? Interestingly, someone on the weekend webinar told us how she was deadly ill.  Doctors told her parents she was not going to survive. She told us how she said: “if it’s my time, it ‘s right. But I want to live and if I live,  I’ll live the rest of my life this way. ” She said: “We speak of surrender, but we do not know what it is.”

Google knows everything – “stop resisting to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.” We can fight against infringement and seek loopholes, or we can say that’s where we are now and live with what we have. We can take note of how infections increase and people die and revolt against the injustice of it. Or we can acknowledge our hurts, our doubts , our own fears and realize that’s where we are now. This is the trail that we are walking now . There is no other.

When you hike half a Panorama Route in Jonkershoek, the Kurktrekker is the route. You have a choice whether you want to start or end with it. But you don’t have a choice to cut it out. In Jonkershoek I have alternatives if I do not want to hike Panorama.  But half a Panorama always includes Kurktrekker.  COVID 19 is the Kurktrekker. There are no alternatives. I’m going to walk it as it comes. My legs, as it were, will become tired. I ‘m going to watch for shaded patches to escape from the heat of the sun and rest for a while. There are places where I am going to slip on the steep, loose gravel, perhaps skin my knees. However, there is only one way back to my bakkie and home – I have to overcome the Kurktrekker.

I can sit down discouraged and cry – that’s sometimes also necessary. I have experienced it  in the mountain a few times. Every occasion where I experienced this, it is interesting, the people cried, sometimes just tears running down cheeks, sometimes sobbing, became calm, stood up and finished with new determination. To sit discouraged and cry is neither a shame, nor a bad thing. As long as you get up and go on!  That is a form of surrender, I suspect.

Turning back is never an option – it’s only worse. COVID 19 does not give us the choice of turning back, anyway.  I have repeatedly said the world that awaits me after lockdown is different from the world before lockdown.

You can look for shortcuts on Kurktrekker. No right-minded person will try it on Kurktrekker!  Any shortcut is either up or down a perpendicular slope with an abyss on the right ! There are no shortcuts in COVID 19. Kurktrekker, in all its glory, is the way.

The best way to hike Kurktrekker (and I have done it a few times), is to realize here lies a piece of hiking hell. I will be tired. My muscles will hurt. It’S OK. It shows me I am alive! Look beyond the suffering, look at the abundance of beauty – the Pieke that one sees from a new perspective. The old, old trees that are miraculously growing in the gorge. Watch the birds, insects, flowers – there are so many things to marvel at on Kurktrekker.

If you are not too involved with your own weariness,  you suddenly realize you are at the river, you can take off your backpack and sit in the shade and silence under that grand old tree that has shaded many hikers over decades. When you are rested, you put your backpack back on your back, with a sigh for the rest of this tiring downhill. Suddenly, after a few steps, you realize – I ‘m on a contour! It’s no longer so steep! Yes, I still have a long way to go, my feet are sore, my legs are tired, but I can make it, the worst is over.

I don’t really know if this is what Surrender means? Perhaps you can help me? But this is how I want to approach lockdown.

I would love to hear what you think. Please leave a comment below.

Bonus, Itzhak Pearlman plays Tchailovsky’s Violin Concerto.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTE08SS8fNk

 

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Covid19 Lockdown Day 10 – 5 April 2020

Posted on April 6, 2020 by PietMar

On a cold and cloudy Sunday morning, I am listening to Neil Diamond’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull – the whole Album.

Yesterday, during the webinar I’d attended, the idea of thoughts was mentioned a few times and it stuck with me.  Last night I lay in bed and listened to John Demartini’s book Gratitude and once more there is a quote about thoughts. I fell asleep thinking about thoughts.  Today I woke up with 2 verses from the Bible about thoughts,

Here are the quotes:

“Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become YOUR WORDS.
Keep your words positive, because your words become YOUR BEHAVIOR
Keep your behavior positive, because your behavior becomes YOUR HABITS
Keep your habits positive, because your habits become YOUR VALUES
Keep your values positive, because your values become YOUR DESTINY”
― Mahatma Gandhi

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”
Buddha

2 Cor 10:4-6 – The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Phil 4:8 –  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Robin Banks says everything starts with a thought.  Everything, even you and I. We began as our father switches off the light and says to our mother: “What do you think?”  Just some humor in a time when a virus brings the world to a standstill.

I don’t believe in chance.  To believe in chance and at the same time believe everything happens for a reason is mutually exclusive. There is a very good reason why thoughts should become my day 10 journal.

Thoughts are a problem for me. I tend to overthink.

I often say someone puts his brain in neutral and allows his tongue to idle at high revs. You know what I’m talking about.

My tongue does not idle at high revs, I have this problem that my thoughts can run away like water in a flood down erosion ditches, uncontrolled.

How do I channel my thoughts?  How do I do as 2 Corinthians 10 says? How do I take every thought captive and subject it to the test of “obedience?” How do I do what Philippians suggests? How do I get rid of all negative/unproductive thoughts? How do I channel my runaway thoughts from erosion ditches and into the flow of the river? How do I manage to think good thoughts? How does one bring your thoughts under control?

By the way, I suspect the “strongholds” of which Corinthians 10 speaks are our old, obsolete paradigms. Those outdated beliefs we cling to and are not even aware of.  Many people still cling to the old teachings of apartheid. It is so ingrained, that even I sometimes realize I am speaking or acting from an outdated paradigm. There are many such false “strongholds” we live with. There are 3 ways I handle it.  The easiest way to see the “stronghold” is if someone else shows you that you are arguing from “a stronghold of the mind.” The other, funny way you do this is to ask: “Where is it in the Bible?” At least it makes you look at it critically. Lastly, there is Edward de Bono’s “PO: Beyond Yes or No.” De Bono says before we respond to a statement, we must ask: what assumptions must be true for the statement to be true?

There are many “strongholds” that make our lives difficult — from our understanding of God to what we believe about the economy; from what we believe about love relationships to the political system. The nonsense we believe about ourselves is perhaps worst! We may just have to “imprison” our assumptions and submit them to critical tests. And, oh, what about this one?  “We have always done it this way!” I dare you to break that one when you hear it!

It doesn’t solve my problem yet — how do I bring my thoughts under control and focus on the right things. How do I create the life I desire with my rampant thoughts?  My thoughts determine my life.  My mind creates this world.  How do I control my thoughts?

In this time of COVID 19, I decided up front I will not expose myself to negativity. I want to know what is going on, but I want the facts. Not speculation. No news from would-be, anonymous experts. I will focus on things I can do to mitigate the impact of this virus on myself. I will focus on coming out of this (a) sharper (tool).

My thoughts create heaven … or hell!

To survive the virus, we will have to capture a lot of outdated thoughts and habits. Fortunately, the virus has already killed a lot of limiting thoughts, especially – we have always done it that way!

How do you manage to channel your thoughts?  Share with us below.

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COVID19 – Lockdown Day 9 – 4 April 2020

Posted on April 6, 2020 by PietMar

I HAVE TWO THUMBS!

The sound of Libera – Sanctus fills the TV room while I am writing.

One belief that has carried me through many difficult times, is that things always work out for the good.  No matter how bad it is, there will be something good. When I was factory/production manager in an underwear factory, I learnt the clothing industry does not belief in lead times.  We had a Cut Make & Trim (CMT) guy called Ronnie.  A wonderful, gentle guy who did not allow anything to disturb him.  He was impossible to hurry. But his work was never late! Anyway, I would phone Ronnie and to his question “how are you?” I would answer “Building character.” It became a joke between us.  If nothing else, tough times build character.  It is about who I can become during Covid 19.

Rom: 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of thse who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

I belief this is for everybody, not only Christians. All things work for the good even for atheists! I trust in this almost in the same way I trust in gravitation.

“It is good, I do not know why, but I will in due time.”

In year 2001 I worked at the old NBS.  Bill Gibson, a sales trainer/motivation speaker presented a weekend training for the company.  I watched the video recordings.  Of all the recordings, I remember this story.

There was a King who loved hunting.  His best friend, adviser and guide, who always accompanied him where ever he went, used to say when something bad happens:  “It is good, I do not know why, but I will in due time.” And with that, nothing could get him down.  He always said it with a smile.  (Building character?)

One day on a hunt the King’s pan-rifle backfired, as they were prone to do.  The King lost a thumb and the friend said, with a smile:  “It is good, I do not know why, but I will in due time.”  The Kind was very upset with his unsympathetic friend and send him to jail.

Next time the King went hunting he was alone and got lost. A group of cannibalistic pygmies caught him, put him in a big pot and stoked the fire while dancing.  As the water was becoming a bit too hot, one of the pygmies dancing around the pot saw the King’s missing thumb as he was holding the edge of the cauldron.

In the pygmy culture, anybody with a missing limb is a deity.  They realise their mistake.  Take the King out of the pot, dress him appropriately, shower him with presents and escort him to the palace.  Back at the palace the King goes down to the cells without delay, frees his friend and says:  “You were right!  If I had two thumbs today, I would be dead.  I am so sorry.”  The friend smiles and says:  “It is good. I have two thumbs.”

Since hearing this story, it brings me a new perspective on many things that would ordinarily disappoint or discourage me.  Bill said that often an important appointment gets cancelled as you leave the office.  Perhaps it is to keep you away from that taxi skipping the red robot.  We would never know?

At least once did this story play out in my life.  I was working on short term insurance cover for client.  One of those cases that I love.  Not a standard, one size fits all policy.  You start calling a company, knowing they do not do this type of business, but hoping they can refer you.  You call, you send emails, you are referred.  Eventually the client and I have a conference call with the insurer who will give the cover.  It is really big business.  Financially it will change my blood group.  After the conference call everything is quiet.  Much later an insider confides that the insurer cut me out and did the business directly.  After all my work, it is a huge disappointment.

We do not buy Die Burger regularly.  One evening I am lying in bed, I have nothing to read, which is a frustration.  I start reading Die Snuffelgids.  From page 1 through all the Adult Services and get to the section where the Court Cases for the day is advertised.  I even read that.  And here is the company for whom I did all that work:  “XYZ (PTY) Ltd – Liquidation.”  I went to cold.  I would be caught up in that mess and with detrimental financial implications.  I HAVE TWO THUMBS!

I now know the King’s friend is right. (Incidentally the insurance company also disappeared!)

This morning I woke up with this story.

“Covid 19 is good.  I do no know why, but I will in due time.”

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