Harder The Work – Greater the Achievement

Posted on May 29, 2020 by PietMar

Harder The Work – Greater the Achievement

I know the feeling of reaching the summit very well, since hiking is my sport.

The Harder You Work for Something, the Greater You’ll Feel when you Achieve it

Often when I share my photos with people, they are in awe with the view and scenery. Sometimes they say: “I wish I could do it.” Others might say: “Next time take me with.”

Today I will not analyse the two responses, except to mention that more often than not, the group who wants to be invited have too many excuses when I do invite them.

Today is more about what cannot be seen when you see the photo from the top.  My routine to get to the top, goes like this:

 

 

Friday Evening:

Preparation:

  • Polish boots
  • Pack food
  • Put water bottles in fridge
  • Confirm first aid kit and emergency gear in backpack
  • Put clothes on kitchen table (so that I will not bother my wife tomorrow morning)

Saturday Morning

Get up earlier than any other morning!

  • Wonder why I do this to myself – a rhetorical question
  • Boil the kettle while dressing and preparing a breakfast
  • Make sure food, water, warm clothes, and clean shirt for after the hike is in
  • Drive to my hike with sun rising in the east
  • Check everything for the last time
  • Start hiking
  • Sometimes it is on the level, sometimes downhill, followed by long uphill, just to go downhill again
  • Sometimes it is rocky terrain and I must concentrate not to fall over a loose rock
  • Wonder why on earth I am doing this – a rhetorical question
  • Then it is plain sailing and I admire the flora
  • Eventually you reach the top – it is achievement and exhilarating and it makes everything worthwhile. It is what it is all about. When it is a particularly strenuous climb, I often throw my arms in the air in a celebration of victory.

I forgot to mention that I visit the gym daily to ensure I am fit enough to get to the summit on a Saturday.

Real Life

Working all the Way to the Summit

Working all the Way to the Summit

Whatever you do, the process to reach the top will always be more or less like my Saturday summit.

There is a desire, planning and preparation. You must get out of the car and start walking, one step at a time. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is hard work, sometimes you are in precarious situations, sometimes you get tired. Sometimes you feel like giving up. The steepest uphill is always the last part to get to the top.

That is the worst part and many times have I seen hikers stopping just before the summit! That is sad, putting in all the work and effort and then giving up just before you get the reward. That is the same in business. You never really know how close you are from the summit, from the top, from success, from achieving your goal.

The feeling of achievement and the joy of the view and scenery at the top, well, next Saturday I will repeat the whole process. The sense of achievement and success makes all the hard work like nothing.

The problem with turning back before the summit is, it erodes your confidence, you get into a mode of “I cannot do it. I am not good enough.” And soon your dreams slip away behind an avalanche of excuses.

It is not how long it takes that matter

A last important thought about hiking and reaching the summit. Did you notice I never mentioned how long it takes? Some people get to the summit a lot quicker than others. That is fine. Each hiker has his own comfortable pace. What is important is that you go fast enough to reach the top in time to enjoy the view and get down safely before dark. In other words, there is some “urgency.” Most importantly, you just keep on putting one foot ahead of the other.

One foot ahead of the other is the only way to the top!

 

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Lockdown Day 63 – 28 May 2020 – Hazy Shade of Winter

Posted on May 28, 2020 by PietMar

It is Simon & Garfunkel’s Hazy Shade of Winter today.

It is cold and rainy. How lucky am I to sit in my own house. Dry and warm. It is in winter that living on the streets must be worst.

Here is the lyrics of Hazy Shade of winter. And that is what I am thinking about today. Read it a few times slowly. If you want an idea of the life of street people, I can really recommend John Grisham’s Street Lawyer. I read it twice.

A Hazy Shade Of Winter

Time, time, time See what’s become of me
While I looked around for my possibilities
I was so hard to please
But look around Leaves are brown
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter
Hear the Salvation Army band
Down by the riverside’s
Bound to be a better ride
Than what you’ve got planned
Carry your cup in your hand
And look around you
Leaves are brown, now
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter
Hang on to your hopes, my friend
That’s an easy thing to say
But if your hopes should pass away
Simply pretend That you can build them again
Look around
The grass is high
The fields are ripe
It’s the springtime of my life
Seasons change with the scenery
Weaving time in a tapestry
Won’t you stop and remember me
At any convenient time?
Funny how my memory skips
Looking over manuscripts
Of unpublished rhyme
Drinking my vodka and lime
I look around Leaves are brown
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter
Look around Leaves are brown
There’s a patch of snow on the ground
Look around Leaves are brown
There’s a patch of snow on the ground

Just a few thoughts today:

If we lose our dreams, what are there to live for?

If we lose hope, we have lost everything.

Perhaps this is over-simplified, but I think when we stop dreaming, we stop living. If we lose hope, we have lost everything.

Last weekend I read One Moment by Linda Green. I really enjoyed the book. Kaz, one of the characters, says her father said pawn shops sell hope. The hope that next will be better. What an amazing way to look at it.

That is what keeps us going. The hope that it will get better. The hope that tomorrow, or the day after that, will be better.

You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.
Michelle Obama

With a very Hazy Shade of winter outside and a very bad time in history, let’s conclude with an anecdote about Michelle Obama.

It goes like this. Barack and Michelle was drinking coffee at a coffee shop in New York. A man walked by and Michelle says: “When I were at school, I had a crush on that man.” Mr President replies: “Are you not glad you married me, instead?” To which Michelle Obama answered: “If I married him, he would now be in the White House.”

It is just a story, but never underestimate the role of a life partner in your success.  As the saying goes: behind every successful man stands an astonished mother-in-law.

That is it for today.

Stay Home, Stay dry. Sty warm. Keep safe.

 

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Lockdown Day 62 – 27 May 2020 – What’s Your Excuse?

Posted on May 27, 2020 by PietMar

Once Upon A Time In The West -TOSKANA

If you like nice photos, then do watch the video. Tuscany is a beautiful area and makes for good photos.

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.”
– Hill Quotes

“If you put off everything till you’re sure of it, you’ll never get anything done.”
– Peale Quotes

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” – Franklin Quotes

I found the quotes here.

Very often in my life I have had the experience of so much being in the process, that I miss the progress. It does not only happen in my life, it happens in life.

I am so busy living, that I do not notice growing older. Or that pang of sadness when you look at somebody you love and suddenly notice “they are growing older!”

Perhaps it is most noticeable with our children. They grow up so fast. One day they sit on our laps, the next they walk into church with you, beautiful, adult women getting married.

This was a busy day. Lots of things I had to do. It was also a day that brought me to a point to evaluate my progress. I have more clarity of where I want to go and how I want to do it.

Some of that progress you will see on my blog – an integration over different media.

What is your Excuse

Tell me, exactly, why can’t you do it?

But mostly it is shift in mindset.

Many challenges in my life I have overcome with the thought: if he can do it, then I can, too. It worked. Even though I often wonder about that thought. Sometimes I wonder what it says about my thoughts about the other guy! It has never been my intention to belittle anybody!

After endless courses and many more Youtube videos, I have a good idea where I want to go and how I am going to go there. If those guys could do it, so can I, especially if they show the way.

But mostly it is a thing of NO EXCUSES!

 

I had the privilege to attend a talk by Hein Wagner. Hein was born blind, but he has not discovered it yet. He holds the land speed record (twice) and even rode a tandem bike in the Cape Epic. He has a wonderful sense of humor, are much younger than me, but lived a lot more than me, so the talk was really enjoyable and inspirational. He concluded his talk that morning with

“I am blind. What’s your excuse?”

If you do a Youtube seach on “blind man with vision” you will find a lot of videos better than all the Covid-19 opinions offered free out there.

I think being blind is a lot worse than a Corona Virus! Any storm creates opportunities. Stop the complaining and excuses. Grab the day!

Here is an extract from the talk I attended:

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

 

 

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Lockdown Day 61 – 26 May 2020 – A Single Story

Posted on May 26, 2020 by PietMar

 

The danger of a single story is an excellent TED talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The video is embedded below.

I borrow the title of this post from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

It seems I am hearing a lot of “single stories” these days. “The virus kills.” “The virus is not more dangerous than the flu.” “More people die of diabetes each year.” “Many more people die of starvation each year” (shocking!). “The virus is infectious, it will overrun the medical infrastructure.” And so, it carries on. If you check Worldometers you can find many more single stories that you can weave into a big story.

Unfortunately, I catch myself in the single story too often for comfort.

The other day I wrote how I lost my respect for the police. Pondering my ponderings, the thought arises “there was a time that we could trust the police and they were honorable.”

That is a single story!

In Worcester, a member of my congregation once told me about his life in the police during the 80’s. When the police were called to investigate a burglary at a supermarket or liquor store, they first helped themselves and then started investigating.

When he refused to take part in this dishonesty, he was threatened that if he snitches on them, they will kill him. When one of his colleagues “officially” told him to get in on the act, or “in the next contact with burglars there might be a shooting accident,” he resigned.

This is also a single story. Now we have two stories!

I grew up in a time when we prayed for the “men on the border and the police who protect us.” Men on the border and police were heroes! We were raised to want to be a man on the border. They were tough beyond tough.

Another single story. We now have three stories.

Then I read books about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and I read things that made my hair stand on end. Atrocities that I cannot even imagine that happened in townships in the middle of the night and that the apparatchik of Apartheid just prevented us from hearing with draconian laws.

That is another single story. We have quite a few stories now.

 

Then I read A Human being Died that Night by Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, and not only did I hear another single story, you read an amazing story about forgiveness. A life changing book that well worth reading.

And that is what happens when we do not stick to single stories! There is understanding, empathy, co-operation. Magic happens when we have multiple stories!

Thinking about the police today, let’s celebrate that we can post videos of atrocities online FREELY! In the 80’s you could go to jail for that, although we would think online is where the washing is! Let’s celebrate that the press can report about it. That it can go to court.

And let’s be aware of “The Danger of a Single Story.” Do yourself a favour and watch this video.

 

 

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Day 60 – 25 May 2020 – It Comes Together

Posted on May 25, 2020 by PietMar

I need a beat!

Johann Strauss Sr. “Radetzky March” performed by Vienna Philharmonic at new years concert 2011. Not normally my most favorite music.

Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith from the A Team (you need to be my age to know the A Team) said: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Day 60 of lockdown, and I love it when a plan comes together, although it was not a plan. It is 59 days of a journal that comes together on day 60.

I feel a lot of things this morning.

I feel grateful for what I have and that I have come to day 60 in a good condition. I feel grateful for many other people who can say the same.  AND I feel sad for the people who lost jobs and businesses or who are working short time, the people who are now looking to somebody else for food. AND I feel at a total loss when I consider seriously sick people who are going to lose their medical aid on 1 June because they cannot afford the premiums. They will have to face huge medical bills without any turnover for more than 60 days, I know at least one person like this. When I think of this, I feel numb, I simply do not know what you do in a case like that! (Read The Power of AND again).

On Day 2 I wrote about this day! The day that I will come out of lockdown. Although we are not there yet, I can see and feel it.

The thing about hiking is the reward. Take my word, it is hard work to climb up to Arangieskop. For more than 11km you are climbing up a very steep mountain. When you look ahead you see the mountain. If you look up, you see the trail winding up, ever higher. When you turn around, you look out over the valley. That is when you can see your progress and the big picture unfolds.

It is only when you stand beacon-top on Arangieskop, that you can really see. That is the 360-view. Robertson, Ashton, Worcester, Montague, Bluepoint peak. Montague Valley.

Day 60, we are not at the top yet, I can see the progress and at this stage it is the devastation on a personal level that I begin to see more clearly. I cannot help but wonder if we will ever live with confidence again? At the same time, I can see that the technology driven future was telescoped into the present. As always, one person’s loss is another’s gain. We will have to adapt.

Let me lighten up with a humorous story. When I was at University, they one holiday wanted us to clear out our rooms. It sounds OK, but where do I go with all my clothes, books, and everything else a young man collects? We made a plan. We send a rumour around that we keep pet snakes in the room. Hey, we were students and students do funny things!

I go to the laundry to get new bedding. The personnel look at me with huge eyes. I am interrogated about our “pet.” What snake is it? Does it have a name? Is it venomous? (Yes, it is Kosie and we take it to harvest the venom every second week, so towards the end of the holiday it will be extremely dangerous.) You can imagine those eyes!

My roommate decided that it is more responsible to be honest, so he went back and explained that it is all a joke.

A few months later I sat studying and saw the laundry lady coming in for inspection. Behind the door was a chair. Under the chair a bicycle tube. She saw the tube and jumped back. Then she saw my smile and said: “I have not forgotten about your snake story. I don’t trust this business.”

I think for many years to come we will remember the lockdown and its effects. We will not “trust this business” again soon. It is not all bad if we adapt our lifestyles. But if it starts ruling our lives, we have really lost.

Indeed, all life is inter-related, inter-dependent. Even though I can still pay my medical aid, that person not able to pay his medical aid, is threatening me, too. That is how it works – we need many people to pay so we can all benefit.

Lastly, I can be pro-isolation and think we are going into stage 3 two weeks too late. I can appreciate the preparations lockdown afforded us  and be upset about petty rules that make no sense. I can support continue vigilance and isolation and be worried that there is a very socialist odour coming from the people at the top.

Day 60 – full circle? No, we have a distance to go. But I can see progress and I can see that journaling was a good thing! Day 60 – it is coming together.

 

Early Morning View from Arangieskop

Early Morning View from Arangieskop

“When it hurts—observe. Life is trying to teach you something.”
—Anita Krizzan

“Some days you will feel like the ocean. Some days you will feel like you are drowning in it.”
—Lora Mathis

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Lockdown Day 59 24 May 2020 – Leadership – No Trust, No Follow

Posted on May 24, 2020 by PietMar

Handel Hallelujah (from The Messiah) – Huddersfield Choral Society, Northern Sinfonia, Jane Glover

Another Sunday in Lockdown. It is beneficial to be an introvert! But even I miss coffee-shop-talks with my coffee mates. But I can survive a bit longer.

Leadership and management are remarkably interesting topics. You could say I am a student of leadership and management. The quality of leadership and management determines everything. Leadership and Management is not the same. Since it is Sunday, I may quote the Bible?

Prov 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

As an aside, the one thing that amazes me in these times, is that people challenge the rules by disobeying the rules and then complain when they are arrested. Make no mistake, I have very little respect left for the rule makers or the law enforcers. Yes, I have come to that, because I cannot see anything happening to the law enforcers abusing their power and acting like bullies. But then, I suspect, they just show what their leader is made of! I am sure I am not the only person feeling like this. Be that as it may, I am thinking of leadership today.

I had good expectations from Cyril way back in 2017. Today I think the epitaph on his Presidency will be “lost opportunities.” Perhaps he will surprise and prove me wrong. I sincerely hope he does, sooner, rather than later, though.

Leadership is based on respect and trust. Years ago, I was on a youth camp at McGregor in the Western Cape. I slept in the dormitory with some of the boys, because when the lights go out, the truth also comes out. As it goes in a dormitory, there were a lot of jokes and some challenging of the rules. After a while, the head boy of the school said: “Ok, boys, let’s go to sleep.” And that is exactly what we did! He did not play first team rugby. He was a quiet boy who could pick up an insect with wonder in his eyes and respect in his attitude. He commanded respect. That is why he did not have to threaten or raise his voice.

No respect, no follow!

Churchill is an excellent example of a “situational leader.” If there was not a World War, it seems most historians agree, Churchill would never have been Prime Minister. I am not a historian, but I suspect Churchill was decisive and, unlike me, did not hesitate between all the options. In a disaster he was the star. Once again, I am not a student of Churchill, but it is striking how many times the word “we” is used in his quotes. Perhaps I am wrong. Imagine, though, fighting a war with a leader you do not trust or respect.

That is the problem I have with the situation in South Africa today. Instead of leading us in a time of crisis, we have ministers making nonsensical rules and I am not talking only about cigarettes or alcohol. The problem with cigarettes is that there is smuggling going on and the minister’s name too regularly comes up in the media when the smuggling is mentioned. (Just Google “south africa cigarette smuggler” and see what comes up.) Over and above that, it seems there is a personal vendetta against smoking. Now understand this – I do not smoke. I do not like smoking. But now is not the time for personal pet peeves! 

No trust, no follow!

The rules regarding other items we may buy or not and how we must wear it, is absurd. I do not have words to express myself in this regard. Unfortunately, it does not breed trust or confidence. It destroys trust and confidence. It has certainly incinerated (like a smuggled cigarette) my trust and confidence in the people who are “ruling” (literally) us! . They should be leading us or governing us, now they are ruling!

Mahatma Gandhi is world renowned for what he achieved.

I conclude with a quote from him, I think it says everything:

“I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.”
-Mahatma Gandhi

Quote here

 

 

 

 

 

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Lockdown Day 58 23 May 2020 – Some Dreams are More Equal

Posted on May 23, 2020 by PietMar

“The LIFE we were BORN to LIVE.”

Paul Potts stuns the judges singing Nessun Dorma | Audition | Britain’s Got Talent 2007

 

When I was a young boy, I watched the movie Finians Rainbow. I have no clue about the movie, except this one line that I still remember decades later: “Follow the man who follows a dream.”

A bit later in my life Nana Mouskouri (I think) sang “Dreams are good friends, when you are lonely.” And when I drive in my Hilux the Everly Brothers sing Dream Dream

“Only trouble is
Gee whiz
‘m dreamin’ my life away”
– Everly Brothers – Dream Dream

I have no doubt that it is the dreamers who change the world. Now, to parody Comrade Snowball from Animal Farm, “only some dreams are more equal.”

I have had dreams while I sleep that brought solutions to questions or problems. But mostly those dreams are just dreams, although if I could interpret them, they may turn out not to be just dreams.

There are the dreams that we dream when we hang around bored or frustrated. I one day watched two brothers play and the elder brother is the blue eyed boy and he bullies his younger brother. While watching this, I dreamed I could turn the younger brother in a lion for 2 seconds while the elder brother was hurting him. That is also a dream. But that is “dreamin’ my life away.”

The dreams I am thinking of, is Nessun Dorma, nobody sleeps, I am too busy chasing my dream. And that is why I am listening to Paul Potts this morning. He says: “I always wanted to sing opera. I never had the confidence in myself.” He stunned Simon and the world and he is singing opera! Watch the clip again. I regularly listen to it when I feel like giving up on my dreams.

Yesterday I watched Sound of Music live again. There is a scene that always touches something in me. Maria goes back to the Abbey and when the Mother Superior sends her back to Captain Von Trapp, she says: “You must find your dream, Maria” and then sings this song – read it carefully, it is an exceptional song, it is probably the key to a life that matters!

Climb Ev’ry Mountain
Song by Patricia Neway

Climb every mountain
Search high and low
Follow every byway
Every path you know

Climb every mountain
Ford every stream
Follow every rainbow
Till you find your dream

A dream that will need
All the love you can give
Every day of your life
For as long as you live

Climb every mountain
Ford every stream
Follow every rainbow
Till you find your dream

A dream that will need
All the love you can give
Every day of your life
For as long as you live

Climb every mountain
Ford every stream
Follow every rainbow
Till you find your dream

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Oscar II Hammerstein / Richard Rodgers
Climb Ev’ry Mountain lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC

If lockdown has showed me anything, it is life is too short not to follow your dreams. Not a dream about an Americano at my favourite coffee shop, but a dream worthy of climbing mountains, crossing streams, following rainbows with all my love all my life. A dream worth living for, a dream worth dying for.

A dream worth spending your life on.

Here is the scene that I refer to

Climb Every Mountain to live the life you were born to live.

 

 

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Lockdown Day 58 22 May 2020 – What is Important

Posted on May 22, 2020 by PietMar

Schubert – Serenade

“In true love the smallest distance is too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged.”
– Hans Nouwens

“A hug for you means I need you. A kiss for you means I love you. A call for you means I’m missing you.”
– Beth Obedoza

“Missing someone is your heart’s way of reminding you that you love them.” – Unknown

My Favorite Things
Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages…

Leah turned 5 years old yesterday and Google Photos showed me many photos of her and our times together when she was still in “Oupa se skool” (Gandad’s School). I miss the grandchildren.

I also miss many of my favourite things:

  •  a cup of coffee with a friend at a coffee shop solving the world’s problems. When we get out of this, there will be many problems to solve!
  • a relaxing Muizenberg – Kalkbay – Muizenberg stroll and meandering in Kalkbay.
  • the dirt road drives to Philadelphia on a Saturday (and our favourite breakfast nook which closed down last year).
  • hikes on Table Mountain and elsewhere.
  • the library on a Friday.
  • the braais with my children and grandchildren and the “Sondagaandbroodjies.”
  • just doing the rounds and dropping in at my clients to see how they are doing.
  • camping and just going somewhere for a weekend.
  • the gym and the sauna chats,
  • the meditative service on a Sunday morning (but only when the right minister is there).

Some of these things I will be able to do again soon. Others will have to wait.

But at least I have a better idea of what matters and what is important in my life! That is

Although the Bekkie said we are not allowed outside, Maria is outside and singing about her favourite things.

 

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Lockdown Day 56 21 May 2020 – Safe Space Happy Place

Posted on May 21, 2020 by PietMar

Wagner’s Tannhäuser Overture brings calm in the chaos.

My eldest granddaughter is 5 years old today. I always wanted grandchildren. I knew they will change my life – just never how much my life would change. I am glad for their safe places and hope as they grow up they have an abundance of happy places!

Yesterday was an exceptionally warm day in Cape Town. I used it to mow the lawn, clean up outside and wash the dogs (and today it looks like rain). This journal entry comes from the dogs.

The dogs have two beds. One is a “normal round bed” and the other a (cat) cave.  Benji is a Yorkie and Chutney a Chihuahua. Benji is very intelligent and Chutney 2.1 kg pure love. There is a competition for the beds. In summer Benji prefers the normal bed, but clearly as autumn progresses, the cave is becoming the favourite. Before going to bed, the two dogs lie in bed with us. The moment Benji senses it is time for bed, he jumps down and occupies the bed he prefers – the cave at the moment. Chutney tries his best to go unnoticed in the hope to stay in our bed.

Happy Place BC

Happy Place, safe Place

Happy Place BC2

Happy Place Co Drivers Watching the Road

That is some background. When I called the dogs in the afternoon to put the collars back, Benji, for some reason charges to the bathroom where their beds are. I find him deep in his cave. I realise the cave is his safe place.

That is when I started thinking about a safe space. When I Google “safe space” I realize there are safe spaces for marginalized people. It is a good thing and should be advertised widely wherever it is available. It is sad that we need safe spaces for people.

Benji made me aware that we probably all have a safe space and need a safe space. My safe space is my home. When I am sick I want to go home. When I do not feel well, I want to go home. When I am stressed, I want to be home. That is probably true for most people. Unless your home, your safe space, becomes an unsafe place, then you need another safe place. That is so sad. That is the result of domestic violence in most cases, I think. Really sad. But I also wonder about many other people and where they will find safe spaces during the COVID-19 crisis. Especially with winter coming on.

A happy place is something else, although still there is a negative. Benji, Chutney and I share a happy place – the Cederberg. Sometimes I am in my safe place, but the world is still a bit much. That is when I escape to my happy place in my thoughts and memories. Spending time with photos to recall the memories. Recalling the hikes Benji and I (and a few people) did. What is your happy place?

In the midst of the Corona-virus, it is important to have a safe place and a happy place. It is a tragedy that so many people do not have a safe cave, like Benji.

My Happy Place

Scene from My Happy Place

I hope the “new normal” that everybody promises includes taking care of the marginalized people better so that everybody will have a safe place and, eventually, a happy place.

The banner above this post is from my happy place. Many years ago it was a safe place for other people. Having a safe place is a basic need.

 

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Lockdown Day 55 20 May 2020 – Where have all the Humour Gone?

Posted on May 20, 2020 by PietMar

Jeremy Taylor – Ag Pleez Daddy

Day 55 and the jokes are getting less. Over the weekend I realised that I get links and videos, but it is mostly about the virus or another conspiracy theory. Fortunately there are people not overwhelmed by the situation who sends me videos of leopards, and a few other I will share below. On Facebook it seems people are having more and more “sense-of-humour-failures.”

But this morning I think I need a few good laughs!

Why not listen to the Gezoem van die Bye?

“Laugh as much as possible, always laugh. It’s the sweetest thing one can do for oneself & one’s fellow human beings.”
–Maya Angelou

“A good laugh makes any interview, or any conversation, so much better.”
–Barbara Walters

“He who laughs, lasts.”
–Mary Pettibone Poole

“A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.”
–Laura Ingalls Wilder

“There is nothing like a gleam of humor to reassure you that a fellow human being is ticking inside a strange face.”
–Eva Hoffman

“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.”
–Bill Cosby

Quotes from here.

Humour is interesting and entertaining and a stress reliever.. My humour lies where logic breaks down. I love saying to somebody with a cough:  “Be careful of that cough! My grandma coughed just like that 3 days before the cupboard fell on her.” Where is the logic in that?

My Chihuahua is named Chutney. I love chutney – the dog and the condiment. The most famous chutney in the world is Mrs Ball’s chutney.  And that is my neutered Chihuahua Misses Balls! That is my humour.

Other people like slapstick, I cannot stand it! Few people understand my humour. Which is fine, because I do understand it and enjoy the company of a few people who do understand my kind of humour.

After all, there are 3 kinds of people in the world – those that can count and those that cannot!

Whatever makes you laugh, find it somewhere and laugh, because laughter is the best medicine, after and apple a day! And if we stop laughing, then we are in a bad spot.

Here are two videos I loved:

This one is about Namibia, a very special place on earth that I dream of visiting on a very extended tour. Until the day I can do this, this was most entertaining.

This video is about the Corona and I have many questions about some of his statements. Then, every new idea was unpopular until it became common wisdom. What I do like about the video is how systems, holism and inter-connectedness of everything is an underlying them. I also love how he looks at life and especially death. I have always said that death is as part of life as birth. When he speaks about life and death and there is a poetry that kept me captivated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RAtFBvKrVw&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2v23gY6tffLHwnmVtmgtL1R7OsHhUru7EQMAQycbLGGW_TJMP6MhE4ykA

 

 

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