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Wednesday 16 December 2009

meal out
That's what I wished I had eaten at the annual Christmas meal extravaganza...
Nineteen friends and neighbours gathered at the local Carvery for this stomach bashing event last night, and although it was a great success I am sure there are many still clutching their sore stomachs early this morning. Yes, we all over ate didn't we. The system encourages this. Anyway, we arrived and settled at one of the two tables. I cleverly appeared with large seating labels for myself and three friends so we could sit together on the end of the larger one. This immediately caused a minor problem, and there was some polite squabbling over who would sit next to whom. Unfortunately this meant some moving of place settings, so there were uncomfortable gaps. The other table seemed to attract the drinkers, so they were quite happy. That's one thing I don't do, so at least I was guaranteed a clear head this morning.
As it happened on this occasion I did not overeat (much), but simply the richness and variety of the food was enough to over fill the stomach. Because there was ample time between the three courses, it provided a chance for the food to settle. Inevitably at this time of the year, there are so many other groups doing the same thing, so the noise level at these events is higher than one enjoys, and those of our party with hearing aids suffered somewhat. This limiting the conversations they could have. The people sitting inside against the wall were restricted, but I was able to move about and chat to others, which was very pleasant.
The only camera between us was a small rather ancient looking model, with batteries about to expire. We shall see what happens with those pictures, but with low light and lots of movement I am doubtful. I have given up taking my own photos for events like this, as people eating is pretty ugly, and if they have been drinking they are often not at their best.
The evening passed quickly, and we gradually departed, with the usual scramble for coats - the cost of extra drinks and a tip was the last thing on most people's minds but our excellent organiser soon overcame this. Thanks to her choice of venue this was an evening to remember for all. Well done.

Friday 11 December 2009

the path
Things are clearer now, and I can sense the future... I have been agonising for a while, but now I can see the way forward. I believe that following the Cornwall experience I have a mission in life... I have been trying for many years to follow a spiritual path, and now I think I should be spreading the word, and helping others to do the same. This I think is the message I must heed. I will actively seek to guide pilgrims along the path, and am working out ways to implement this plan. Perhaps a web site to start, networking as well, and writing articles etc. So, watch this space...

Wednesday 9 December 2009

must be...
Christmas... suddenly everyone is nice to me - on public transport, in shops, on the street. There are more phone calls from friends, more invitations to socialise, post boxes full up, longer supermarket check out queues, and of course lots of cards arriving through my letterbox. Although it seems to start earlier every year, suddenly there are now only a few shopping days left. The pressure is building, the excitement is mounting, and still the X Factor final is to come!
The monotonous annual routine is here, irrespective of the recession or world problems. This year I actually managed to plan ahead, and do everything in good time. The Christmas cards were posted a week ago, the parcels are wrapped, and there is no special food shopping to obtain as I will be on my own during the holiday. This will be the time when I can write up the new diary, and for next year I am abandoning my old Filofax and I have bought a Boots Scribbling Diary. This is A4 size with a week to two pages, so lots of space to write things, especially as my handwriting is large, and previously there was only room for one event each day! I try to write in the birthdays straight away so I don't miss any at the beginning of the year. I still highlight bank holiday weekends which I did when I was working - habit of a lifetime! This is all part of the new "get organised" syndrome. That at least is starting to happen, but I still get dangerously near to being overdrawn when I should have calculated the balance in good time. For ages now I have been unable to reconcile the current account balance, and this is so frustrating. I have even thought of inventing an item to insert, just to equalise the amount. Having always been useless at maths, I forget basic things like two debits equal one credit or is it two credits...?
I just don't comprehend the notion that if I keep spending, one day I will run out of money! It's not fair, is it?

Sunday 6 December 2009
other pix

London walk
My familiar river view shows the splendid December sunshine yesterday morning, although after lunch it did deteriorate - with rain. I met my friend for our monthly London meet, and we are usually spoilt by good weather. This was a nostalgic return to the South Bank and the London Bridge area, before wandering back along the north side of the river, ending at Embankment tube where we started.
We discovered many unknown parts of Southwark - a real mix of ancient and modern, quite fascinating. Part of the river walk was closed, so we had to divert, but we visited Southwark Cathedral, which we both like a lot. In the shop I stumbled upon a booklet called a "Pilgrim's Guide" containing information and inspiration for people on the path... This was very important to me after my Cornish experience, yet I felt I was re-enacting a character from "The DaVinci Code" (seeking another clue). I am sure it is not meant to be quite like that, but I am anxious to find any guide for my journey.
The book mentions Glastonbury (where I will be soon) and particularly Canterbury, the centre of the Anglican Church. Is my destiny there or is it what I suspect - the journey rather than the destination?
Selected friends aware of the "experience" have enquired about "changes" but apart from de-cluttering and moving my rooms around, I am not sure anything has actually "happened". I feel the same person, yet I know it was life changing, but so far progress seems slow! Help.

Thursday 3 December 2009

giving
I am impressed by a friend's change towards giving, and the immediate satisfaction that this provides him, but I have a warning...
Giving that which is not yours is a poor substitute for the real thing. It is so easy to give away things which are not required or belonging to someone else. Think about why you are giving - is it to achieve praise or influence? Not a good idea!
Another friend told me of a saying "Virtue is its own reward". Yes, doing the right thing is always OK. Be honest, are you always hoping to do the right thing, or is this something you think other people will approve of. It is always up to you, but please think about real giving - that which belongs to you... and simply because you want to, and your wish to improve the life of the other person.
Giving one's time is perhaps the greatest gift, and doing without something - for the sake of the other person. How many times will a young mother truly give to her child, not just food, but her energy, care, support and her time - for a lifetime if necessary. She would probably give her life to avoid an accident to her child. As we know this is rarely even acknowledged yet alone thanked, but the joy is in the giving...
Try it for yourself, and you will see that this works. The only reason should be for the other person. Sometimes this may mean being there, listening and maybe going to sleep instead of demanding physical favours! Giving should never be for yourself, BUT you will find that true giving quickly provides feedback that is ten times better than you could ever imagine.
Giving anonymously may be the ultimate challenge... try this as well, and see how much harder it is, but if you can, you will really understand the meaning of "giving".

I can't believe how wise you are - you constantly surprise me with your wit and wisdom. I wish you were my Guru. Your obedient servant. JW (US)

Wednesday 2 December 2009

too late
As the first impact of winter strikes - with very cold nights and frosty mornings, plus the recent floods in Cumbria (England) where a record 12 hour rainfall caused so many problems, I am reminded of global climate change...
Last evening a respected scientist said sea levels could rise by several metres, which would wipe out all major cities in the world. Not just one metre, but he spoke of three to seven! OK, so he estimates how much ice there is in both the Arctic and Antarctic, plus Greenland and "spreads out" the melt water across the map. Pretty convincing eh! Maybe it won't happen overnight, but once it starts with a more than 2 degree temperature rise it will be irreversible.
The UN Copenhagen conference (starting soon) with 90% of world leaders, is make or break time. Decisions AND actions right now will affect the future of our world. I am sure historians in the future will look back and mark this as one of the most important dates in history.
Yet in spite of this, we are still fighting in Afghanistan - sending more troops than ever before...
I despair, and when writings like this are discovered, future generations will think we are mad, and wonder how we survived this long!

Tuesday 1 December 2009

St Francis
Our local hospice in Berkhamstead is 30 years old, and I had the privilege to visit the multi million pound complex last week. Set in acres of land, the beautifully laid out and landscaped gardens surround the inviting looking red brick building, now containing all departments. They can cater for up to 14 patients, with rooms for relatives when necessary. It costs around 3 million pounds a year to maintain, and they get about 20% from central government. The rest is raised locally by the energetic fund raising people, who arrange a number of innovative functions every year. They have a number of charity shops in the areas, and sell high value items on ebay. The dedicated staff work around the clock, and every month they entertain local people to a coffee morning.
It was this event that I attended, to see the work done there. I was well impressed, and have decided to give up buying a national lottery ticket each week. Instead I will support the St Francis Hospice weekly lottery - with prizes up to £5000, but much better chances of winning, and of course supporting the local good cause.
Do you support a local good cause?