Chasing a rabbit

Posted on by View from the ground

“You will never be free until you free yourself from the prison of other people’s opinions of you.” – Creatosaurus

Now this is a strange one. Just out for a walk with Bubbs. In the rain. Dogs are for life, not just for sunshine.

There we were, navigating a rain sodden field. Me, singing to my music – at that point, Helena by My Chemical Romance; Bubbs trotting, sniffing, peeing. Or was it the other way round, was Bubbs listening to music!

Anyway, the music, the walk, all usual. Bubbs wondering why she’s hungry. Me wondering why she’s not eaten her breakfast. Then, it happened. A little white bottom stuck up. No, I hadn’t fallen. I said little anyway. A rabbit!

Now, I get it. So what! Why have I started reading this. Well if nothing else, you’ll be haunted by the image of my bottom stuck in the air.

See this as a lesson from Bubbs. Don’t go chasing rabbits. Well, this blog is your rabbit.

So, yes, Bubbs was set on her usual walk – in the rain – just in her happy place. No global lunacy could Trump her thoughts. She sees good. Thankfully. She’s loves her normality. And, then ………. rabbit!!!

In that split second, Bubbs forgot her plan – the walk. She was distracted. It was almost as if she’d decided to start digging a hole. No excuses. The new challenge was just dig. However, the rabbit was her hole. She was off in pursuit.

Now, clearly she hadn’t done her research. She hadn’t read the pile of self help books on my shelves. She wasn’t aware of not chasing a lost cause.

Or, here’s a thought – maybe it’s better to at least give it a go. Define ‘lost cause’. Who wrote that definition? It certainly wasn’t a dog. Who’s right; who’s wrong? Where am I going with this? Certainly not where I thought. Maybe I’m now chasing a rabbit.

And, I guess, as I try to unravel what has turned into a ravelled jumble of ‘who am I?’ wires in my brain this is the purpose of this thunder flash of words.

As I watched Bubbs dollop (yes, that’s how she runs) after the rabbit, I marvelled in her unstructured way of living. She can be just potting along and then out of nowhere she just cascades into another adventure – be it short lived, as the rabbit shot off, looking for its hole. Otherwise, it had a challenge to dig a hole, no excuses.

That’s the life of a dog. Whereas when you look at how we live – the alarm goes off; we grunt aka feel gratitude for waking up; breakfast; get on with the day ahead. The planned day, as it’s either work or household / lift chores. When that proverbial rabbit runs across us – i.e. not the normal, it could be something wonderful but it’s not in the day’s plan – we just let it run by, as we have to do what we have to do.

Now, I accept, this might just be me but I expect it’s not. We lead structured lives. We live by our self imposed rules. Yes, we happily dollop along (yes, I’m referring to me) but when the rabbit comes, we let it run rather than follow it.

Is it in fear of following it down the rabbit hole and not knowing where the bottom is (I’m not referring to the white bottom. Let’s not trigger that image again). We might want to help it dig a rabbit hole to see where it goes (note: thanks Ben 😀).

However, as is the theme, I learn every day from Bubbs to live a bit; let life just flow and follow the opportunity. The path is always there to return to. So, if the rabbit leads you somewhere new and it’s good, celebrate you just did it. However, if the rabbit leads you into a thorny bush, once you’ve wiped off the blood, get back on your path with a little smile and a little more knowledge and carry on moving.

So, get distracted on your path; have some fun; don’t get caught up in what others expect you to do. We get one chance.

And with that, I’m heading out with Bubbs. Let’s see where we end up.

Jon

Digging a hole

Posted on by View from the ground

Back where we finished in the last blog, Boats and Flowers – borrowing someone else’s wise words. I was lucky enough to join a livestream presentation at work from the incredibly inspiring Anthony Robles. If you’ve not heard of him, look him up. His story is amazing, emotional, and uplifting.

In short, Anthony is an American wrestler who won the 2011 NCAA individual wrestling national championship, despite being born with only one leg.

Anthony is known for the phrase “Don’t let your challenge become your excuse,” a motto instilled in him by his mother. It’s phrase that encapsulates his life’s journey and it really struck home with me, in many ways.

It’s one of those things that I see as been a personal blocker. It seems like forever whatever challenge I had step across my path; or hit the ground in front of me, that became my excuse for inaction.

Digging a hole could easily have a subplot, ‘in search of the bottom’. That’s where my head is going. Hopefully, I will navigate my thought process and unleash more rambling from an aging person who is in search of his true self. Just in case the grumpy exterior is just a cover, or really is me at the core.

Bear with me. On a recent short visit to beautiful Devon, we were on the beach and I was fascinated watching Bubbles digging in the sand. FYI, if you don’t know her, Bubbles is our gorgeous pooch. You’ll get used to her as she will appear regularly in my ramblings.

Anyway, she just kept on digging, looking incredibly proud, and dug some more. Her challenge was to dig until she got where she was going. The fact that she had no idea where the bottom was did not stop her in her relentless challenge. No excuses, it had to be found.

I think it would be incredible to replicate the mind of a dog. Ultimately, their mantra really is – just do it.

What stopped her still been there now, digging away? Me! The tide was coming in, I didn’t want the cost of another hour in the car park, etc. you know, the human stuff. As I had said before, dogs live in an amazing world of love and what’s happening right in that moment. Humans have a head full of everything else. Yes, love is there but there’s too much of too much and so on.

Maybe I’m confusing things by linking the 2 ideas – I do that a lot.

But, then, I guess it’s understanding that if your plan is to dig a proverbial hole, before you start, know why you are and what you want to find. Understand that it might take longer than you expected. But, the challenge is to continue and not let the extra effort be the excuse to stop.

Perhaps, sometimes, maybe, the actual challenge might be to not start digging and just see what happens.

Now, if you’re confused, I challenge you to start at the top and read it all over again. If you’re still confused, welcome to my world.

However, back to the words of wisdom. Don’t let your challenge become your excuse. This is where I need to learn. The challenge – as I’ve already said – do I need to start digging? If the answer is yes, what am I looking for? If I know what that is, then time to start digging. No excuses. If the answer is no, the challenge is not to start an unnecessary strife until I know what I’m looking for.

Or, maybe it’s a case of just release your inner dog. Just start digging. Be Bubbles. If you do start, don’t stop. You’ll get there. Eventually. And, if I walk by and try and stop you. Hit me with the shovel and send me back to the boats and flowers.

And, if that makes any sense, I need to meet you. We’ll get on. Until then, pop some music on – Sleep Token are at the top of the list at the moment.

Until then. Have a good day.

Jon

Boats and flowers

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‘You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending’.

I read this a few weeks ago and thought it was profound. A light bulb to illuminate the mind. And, then, whilst sitting amongst the befuddled and tired early morning commuters ready for another day in the madness that is London, the thought dropped in – what about not thinking about the end but just focusing on the present. What I / we can do now to affect today.

So, after a gentle prod from the big lad aka my son, Ben, a view from the ground sits up, sets up, and takes a fresh approach to ways to focus on what I / we can do to make the most of every day. It’s a bit frantic at the moment from a global perspective but we can only affect our world, not the world, so let’s grab the oxygen mask, breathe in and shake it up.

From a personal perspective, positivity is not natural. In short, I’m grumpy. I have a leaning towards been frustrated by idiots. But, my definition of an idiot is unfair on true idiots. My idiot radar is triggered by non-indicating, last minute lane changing, I’ll just pull out of the road without looking kind of idiots. Yep, I know, we’re all the same on this subject.

I’ve just been reading some stuff about about having presence when you’re in leadership. Part of that ability is to be able to accept yourself, to be the true authentic version of yourself and to reflect your values in what you do.

So, if like me, you’re grumpy and frustrated by others drivers, embrace it!

There are other grumpy triggers but that’s work in progress. Work to remove that is, not to get better at the grumpiness.

I talk to my round table of the trusted. A lot.

An obsession is about been our authentically perfectly imperfect selves. Accept yourself. I’ve realised I am maddeningly boring – to others. I take endless pictures. Of the sky. Of trees. Of random boats, little boats bobbing about in the sea or on a sandy bank. Of flowers on portrait mode. Of my family. Of Barney, Bubbles, and, occasionally, Zeek. But, the most are ridiculously hideous selfies. Ego? No. I’m old, over weight, bald, with a bulbous head. It’s because I can and, with my oxygen mask attached, I’ve decided to live my life. Smile, I might just be about to take a photo.

When I wake up, I know I’m blessed. I woke up. Some mornings I have little space to celebrate waking up because the long lump lying next to me has taken over the bed. Body a jumbled mass of limbs in her sleeping bliss. A true blessing as I hear a range of waking rumbles. Joy.

Welcome to Bubbs aka Bubbles aka Michaela Bubblea aka The Bubbster. She will share her thoughts in her own blog – This Dog Can Fly – when the time is right and she’s improved her keyboard skills and worked on her English.

It’s grabbing the simplicity of life. Trying to see life as Bubbs sees it. We have a choice. Watch or listen to the news. We know what it will be about. Crisis. Financial struggles. Conflict. Division. Destruction. Or get up, run down the garden; sniff the air; scare a few birds off; drop and squat; and seize the day.

The day is full of opportunities. Many of us are lucky to work. It’s a pleasure to work with inspirational people.

As I’ve laid out, I’m old so to be in a position to be surrounded by great people is something to be grateful for. We spend most of the week at work so the importance of seeing all that is positive within that space cannot be underestimated.

But the day is also topped and tailed for opportunities to see life in its purest form. My early morning walk is the perfect opportunity to open the door into day. You can choose to embrace what is through the door or slam it shut. Your choice.

My natural state is one not even wanting to open the door. It’s easier to leave it shut; that way you don’t have to face what’s on the other side. However, life events have secured a different perspective to ‘what if’.

What if I open the door and life changes forever? Let’s go right back to the start of this blog. ‘You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending’.

So, what if you open the door and it’s the first day of the rest of your life. What if every single day is the first day of the rest of your life.

What if opening the door every single day is the biggest gift you could ever receive. The chance to do it all, whatever it is, again and again and again.

It’s what inspires me to get up, get out, get that fat body moving. Looking for the boat. Admiring the flower.

To close out for now, I saw these words – your normal day is someone’s dream. Be thankful every day.

Thank you. Have a great one.

Jon

Tales from a boring old man. Chapter 1. A Blank Canvas

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As the wind has rattled the windows over the last few days, I’ve had a few moments of strange gratitude. Mainly borne out of seeing some of the winter garden debris get scattered across the local area. However, that is balanced with a resigned feeling of acceptance as the winter carnage from the local area has stepped in to fill the void in the garden. I guess I’d better get the wellies on and get to work. But first, the winter dog poo needs dealing with.

Of course, those who know me will realise I am delighted to have dog excrement to clear. Seriously! Three weeks ago, we feared having to allow our loveable old boy, Ringo, to slide into external sleep following a horrendous seizure and subsequent series of fits. With the magnificent support from his vet and a lot of love from us all, the old boy has shown a fight for life that we can all learn from.

So, here’s to many more months of filling shit bags 😀.

And, the pure emotion of watching my lovely boy over the last 3 weeks leads me to that place of realising and releasing love.

The previous blogs have followed a path through something like 6 or 7 years of my life. Perhaps, at times, a little more open that today’s head would have committed to. But, sometimes, emotion is raw. Emotion is at the rawest when love lets you down. However, today’s head tells me that’s not a reason to deal with your dirty washing in such a public way.

Recent blogs – we’re talking over the last 3 years or so – have sought to be more positive. However, I kept getting caught up in world affairs and frustrations with in inane government we have in the U.K. However, in reality, is a blog which is supposed to be be positive the right forum to take a swipe at such an easy target? Today’s head tells me to back off. For sure, an occasional WTF on social media will still pop up, but a View From The Ground blog needs to frame a more eye catching picture.

So, here we are. Stripped bare. A blank canvas.

Having just reached another milestone age, I experienced two emotions: –

1) Oh hell (or words to that effect) another milestone age. An age when some things are supposed to get cheaper. Obviously, such age related benefits have been eroded over the years as any retirement age has disappeared. But, if I choose to move to Scotland public transport is cheaper / free. At this moment in time, as much as I love Scotland, riding around on public transport all day because it costs nowt doesn’t appeal just yet.

2) Gratitude, as I am lucky to be alive and stumbling.

Gratitude has already been referred to earlier in this piece. Gratitude that my mate Ringo continues to entertain us (as he rolls around the floor with his toy burger being tossed about). Gratitude has also been a key feature in previous View From The Ground words. Why? Because the day I take things for granted, I run the risk of things falling away.

So, with my blank canvas and my brush strokes landing freestyle, the design in mind is one of an expressive nature. One that recognises not all can always be perfect, but it’s one where there is always something to feel good about.

So, let’s see how this moves forward. I always revert to my old mate Google when I’m looking for definitions and quotes as I’m not that well read.

I’ve looked at gratitude several times and this time, it threw up the question ‘what are the two major components of gratitude?’.

It referred to Robert Emmons, a psychology professor and gratitude researcher at the University of California, Davis, explains that there are two key components of practicing gratitude in his Why Gratitude Is Good essay –

1) “it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received.”; and

2) “we recognise that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves. … We acknowledge that other people—or even higher powers, if you’re of a spiritual mindset—gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.”

Bear with the spiritual stuff if that’s not your thing. It’s the concept that I’m interested in. The simplicity of gratitude and the things that occur which should result in that good feeling.

It’s funny, as I’ve just been watching Ringo chomping on a treat that he’s just been given. He’s definitely grateful. Although how he feels his gratitude is simple. Quietly lying there, eating and being content. End of.

Watching Ringo reminds me of the gift of being able to watch him. 3 weeks ago, we were lifting him into the car for another visit to the vet. A massive question was hanging as to how many days, or even hours, were left in his precious existence. So, 3 weeks later, the gratitude to the vets, the pharmaceutical geniuses, and so forth, is immense.

In essence, my blank canvas is intended to be used to create something which presents a bright existence. An world where it’s accepted there will be some challenges but, in amongst those challenges, there is always something to be grateful for.

We all have the chance to seize a blank canvas. We can create something good. We just need to be wise and aware of all of that good stuff that is always there. I hope you find yours. When you do, please share it. We all want to share what’s created your gratitude.

For now, take care.

Jon

A girl tying a bow in her hair

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That moment, when you hear a song and the light goes on. A line or the story being told or the waves of the music. The opening of the mind as ideas spark. Or memories tumble in. Or images and dreams awoken.

Music is a passion of mine and it’s a space to disappear into. Just to be. To dive in and be lost in the tapestry.

And that’s just where the seed of these words was sown.

Welcome to a View From The Ground. It’s been a while.

That magic of finding a new band to listen to. To pick through their catalogue. To hear their stories. To, again, get lost.

I guess I’m a deep thinker. It could be said I think too much and should just be in the moment. Fair challenge, but I’m comfortable being me.

Through social media, I happened upon a Scottish band called Tide Lines, who were playing at the best venue in the U.K., Brudenell Social Club in Leeds a few weeks ago. So, after a swift download of their 2 albums and other tracks, tickets were bought and a magnificent night was enjoyed. Suffice it to say, we’ll be watching for further live shows and new music.

But there’s a track that caught my attention – Heroes. A song which strikes all kinds of emotions about something that seems to missing in many ways – tradition, with lyrics such as ‘Still I remember when I was told. Stories of evenings and days of old. Nothing to hide and nothing to lose. Down to the hall in their dancing shoes. Where a boy with nothing but hope to declare, saw a girl who was tying a bow in her hair’.

I’ve listened to this track countless times. It invokes real imagery. Imagery of, as it says, days of old. Days of – if you we’re lucky enough to have one – TV with 3 channels. Days of going to a dance at the local hall. Days of enjoying the simplicity of the entertainment options that you had.

Today, life’s way too complicated, in my opinion. I can scroll to channel 980 and still not find anything to watch. I can scroll through countless radio channels and still not find anything to listen to. Even when I don’t want to watch the news, it’s there. Always there.

Can you imagine the girl who was tying a bow in her hair was worried about what size her dress was – because of what some celebrity reality TV character was wearing? Can you imagine the boy with nothing but hope to declare was concerned over the label on his clothes?

It’s interesting how the COVID pandemic has restricted international travel – for most of us. That is, of course, the first pandemic. As I write, we face another, frightening, wave. According to the reports.

Years ago, a summer holiday was jumping on a train or bus and travelling to the nearest seaside town for the best week of the year – literally just down the road.

And then, package holidays became the norm, or the equivalent. A quick taxi to the airport. A quick, or not so quick, flight to our favoured sun seekers destination. One or two weeks soaking up the sun (which we now now is dangerous): eating different food (unless you like home from home dining. Not my thing, but each to their own); quaffing cocktails and other continental alcohol delights (unless for like home from home Tetleys in the sun); reading newspapers because you have to know what’s going on at home.

However, the pandemic, for a time, meant a back to the future period of jumping in the car, or on a train or bus, and hitting the beautiful British coast.

We were lucky to get to Whitby last year. Good old fashioned enjoyment. Cliff top walks, fish and chips the way they should be, a cheeky beer the way it should be, and lots of laughs. Traditional enjoyment.

If I’d have looked closely enough I’m sure there were plenty of people, let alone boys, with nothing but hope to declare. Sweet hope of enjoying this basic opportunity, to get out and just be happy.

For me, life has been made too complicated. We spent too much time worrying.

We worry about the pandemic – understandably. But that worry is also fuelled by 24 / 7 news. News that is confused and confusing. Confused because of the mixed messages from the government(s). And now we have the latest variant to add to the mix. A new level of confusion. A new distraction for the inaction of an inactive government, it might be said. Would I want to be in the government? No! However, those who are in government stood for election and therefore have gone into the job with their eyes wide open.

Sorry, I strayed from the blog theme. I guess I just get angry and a little worried. Like many people.

But, the more we are exposed to, news wise, the more we worry through that exposure. Oh, the dream to go back to news at midday, evening, and night. News from daily national and local newspapers, with professional, qualified journalists whose purpose was to report. Newspapers delivered through our letter box, by a boy with nothing but hope to declare or a girl with a tied bow in her hair.

I suppose what I’m imagining is that time when we just enjoyed life for its simplicity; through what we had and just made the most of that. Not wanting more, with a desire driven by advertising or peer envy. Gratitude is key. Gratitude for what we have not what we wish we had.

Gratitude for having a bow to tie in the hair (figuratively) rather than wanting a hair style of that celebrity, that sports personality or whatever.

It’s funny how everything is so much more complicated. Remember when the options when you ordered a gin. The decision was full fat or slim lime tonic. Now you can have several versions of tonic – dependent on the brand, or lemonade or ginger or whatever. Then there are what feels like 1,003 different flavours. Don’t get me wrong, some are brilliant . But, when you’re at the bar you want to be that boy (figuratively) with nothing but the hope of gin and tonic to declare.

Maybe we should go into the new year with KISS being our desire. As they used to say, keep it simple stupid.

More to come on this theme as I look at how to go back to basics.

With that, time to exit stage left.

Take care.

Jon

Dreaming

Posted on by View from the ground

Let’s kick off with words borrowed from some lyrics by Chvrches in their song, Asking For A Friend. Brilliant song, and this line really resonated – ‘The past is in the past, it isn’t meant to last’.

Welcome to a view from the ground. After a bit of a break, time to break out a bit. All in a positive way of course.

As is the reflective theme with my rambles, what a crazy time we live in. As the French claim they should be to able to fish in U.K. and Jersey water; as many, but not all, of the world leaders have gathered to discuss what an environmentally messed up planet web created; as COVID continued to ravage its way across the planet; we have Insulate Britain gluing themselves to the M25 motorway in the U.K. in the name of ………… well, I’m not sure. All I see is a lot of aged people protecting about, it could be argued, a messed up situation that they have helped to create. I accept, I might be wrong. But, surely, there’s a better way of getting the message out there.

I’m interested in the dispute with France over where the border is in the sea that defines whose bit of the sea / ocean it is. I’ve not traveled that much by boat but, when I have, don’t recall any mid-sea border crossing. Also, thinking about it, are the fish aware of these borders? How do you decide which are U.K. and Jersey fish and which are French or Spanish or Irish or, wherever?

Another year is drawing towards its conclusion. Another year of, ‘what happened there?’ Another year that has been a stark reminder of the fragility but beauty of life. Too many people lost their battle; so, those of us blessed to fight on must grasp every minute of the gift we have been granted.

Now, I accept, I am grumpy. At times, aptly described as a grumpy old man. I complain too much. I have a face that resembles a slapped bottom. In other words, I’m far, far from perfect.

Work in progress some may say. My view is, I am who I am. However, despite the many imperfections, I am driven to find the good. Some days, finding the bad and the ugly is easier. But, then, I try hard to avoid watching Boris Johnson on the news. Joke!! Well, when I say joke, I mean ……….. never mind.

I know I’ve talked before about negative news. There is so much of it. But, my worry, one of my worries, is that we allow the news to drive our behaviour. Now, I like a pun, and the recent petrol crisis is a classic example of news driving behaviour. We get told there will be fuel shortages at the petrol stations so, we create a greater shortage by speeding to fill up. At a local station, I counted 20 cars blocking the main road, wasting what fuel they had whilst they waited. Oddly, who benefited from this? The fuel companies, who were telling of shortages whilst putting up the prices? Surely not.

There are so many examples of bad news driving negative thoughts and negative behaviour. But I have no intentions of listing them.

No. Why? Because I’m dreaming. It’s good to dream and, as we head towards Winter, dark mornings and nights, cold and wet weather, it feels important to dream. Now, I accept, many people like Winter. I wish I did. But, I don’t. So, I like to dream. Warm weather. Sunshine. Long, daylight days. Travel. Leeds United winning. Well, let’s forget the last one. That’s going to happen but I wish it happened every game.

However, generally, dreaming, for me, is good. Although, I do that through setting personal intentions. In work talk I suppose it would be called setting objectives.

However, setting intentions is a way of controlling perspective on the how, when, and what ifs.

As those who know me, a few years ago, times were dark. However, from hitting the personal bottom (don’t miss read that), and after working through a period of getting rid of some anger, the time afterwards has been a case of setting small intentions, small steps, to help move forward. As the line at the start of the blog say, the past is in the past, it isn’t meant to last.

At the time I didn’t realise I was setting intentions initially. I was dreaming of better days. A song told us dreams can come true. But, on reflection, I was laying down intentions for steps to take my life forward. Things to create something better. A life which creates a space to grow.

I’m probably not making sense. For those who have visited these blogs before, when do I ever make sense?

It feels like the purpose for the blogs needs to evolve. For the 7 or so years that I’ve rambled in this open space called View From The Ground, it has been a changing theme. From spiritual nativity, to misguided words in the hope of saving the unsaveable, to tales of lies and betrayal, to anger and vitriol, through to growth, optimism, life being what you make it and reaching out to hopefully provide a smile and food for thought. The last 3 years have been the most enjoyable.

What next? I really don’t know. I enjoy the process of writing, of escaping into a online connection with good people I’ll sadly never meet. And, maybe, just maybe, that’s the next step. Opening doors and possibilities to reach further out and create a space to talk to just those unknown connections. To exchanging ideas and dreams which can them multiple and cause a ripple effect of hope.

Who knows? Until I do know, I’ll dream. Let’s move forward. The past is in the past. It wasn’t meant to last.

Maybe, I’m just asking for a friend.

Jon

Negativity stopping the world from spinning

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“In a world that has left you unspoken, with surprisingly little to say” – Wrest (from the beautiful song, Poetry)

I think I’ve listened to this song 15 or 20 times since I saw the outstanding Wrest, an up and coming band from Edinburgh. First gig the day after the easing of restrictions in England. The first time in a venue for 16 months and 1 week.

A beautiful celebration of the magic of live music. A moment to just be. A time to fall in love with being in the moment. For 80 minutes, an escape from the negativity that gets spewed out by the minute where ever you stand.

For 80 minutes, it felt like the world was back on its axis and spinning to the sound of the music. I truly didn’t want the music to stop. Another last song please.

So, welcome to the sounds from the ground. The view from the crowd.

I wish I was still there. Standing, watching, listening, dreaming. Sometimes, just closing my eyes and soaking in that moment. The moment that had been only a dream for 16 months and 1 week.

In the run up to England being released from most of the restrictions, we had the mind mess of hope and positivity getting mixed with the constant negative news. Of course, the number of people testing positive and being infected with this horrendous virus is a continuing worry. But, the government constant change of tactics as to which data they rely on only causes confusion. And, unfortunately, you end up asking what is their actual objective?

Now, I accept, I’m not a picture of smiles and optimism. Hard to believe? Ask my family and friends. Optimism is definitely a work in progress. Smiles? It’s not a natural thing. Some people have a wonderful way to just smile. I mentioned the band, Wrest. They just smiled all the way through their performance. It’s infectious. Come to think of it, if smiling is infectious, that must mean my expression of having a face like a slapped ar5e has a similar effect.

But negativity is getting in the way of getting on the way. Getting on the way to being happy. God help us, they don’t want that. I’ve just looked at the top 10 BBC news stories this morning. 6 of the 10 are negative. So, were the other 4 stories positive, moments of hope, opportunities to smiles? Of course not, this is the BBC we’re talking about. The happiness quota is not going to come from that source, unless you want to watch the likes of Gavin and Stacey. Always worth a watch!

So, I looked to Sky News for a glimmer of home. 7 out 10 news stories tell me I shouldn’t have bothered.

Now, I accept it’s a personal choice to look at the news; to look at anything. But, surely there’s some good stuff to report? Surely?? Or, are we just programmed to expect bad news, so, in fact, my brain is tuned into hunting out the negative, axis slowing, news.

Well, I took a new look at the BBC. Still seem to be wallowing in all that is bad. But, and it came in at number 7, I found something good. ‘An 11-year-old boy has begun a 200 mile (321km) walk from his home in Yorkshire to Westminster to raise awareness of climate change.’ Not only a positive story but also about something focussed on making sure the world keeps spinning.

However, of course, I’m looking at the responsibility that others have, such as the on-line news websites, for how we see things. How our day starts, by pumping constantly bad news.

There’s a great line in the magnificent song, Hereafter, by Architects – ‘I’ve been searching through the wreckage. But it’s like standing in the eye of a storm’.

I guess that’s how it feels wading through the quagmire that is the news. I know, there’s a lot of bad news! But there’s plenty of good news as well.

But, of course, we are masters of our own destiny. We are in charge of the filter that we apply to what we see and hear.

We have to create and find our own happiness. It’s that simple. We have to realise that there is bad stuff out there. We have sadness to deal with. We have anger to cope with. We have days which are garbage. But, we have the ability to filter the way we receive those things that we can’t affect – the daily news.

Of course, how we react to COVID, to preventing the spread, to social distancing, to being responsible is critical. Of course, we have to deal with the conspiracy theorists who claim it doesn’t exist or whatever other nonsense these pathetic people trot out.

But, 9 out of 10 news stories are just that, ‘news’. We have no control.

We have to create a state of positivity. A state of mind where we flip our mindset. Easier said than done? Yes and no. Yes – it’s perhaps a big ask to do it immediately. No – if we see it as a work in progress.

I’ve already said, maybe not in as many words, but my natural state of mind has been one of being Mr Grumpy. But, I’m trying. I’m trying to create a positive mindset – most of the time 😀.

It’s there for us all. We can choose. We have the chance to shake the axis and keep this amazing planet that we call home spinning.

It’s worth a go.

Right, with that I’m going to listen to some music and enjoy being in that moment.

Take care.

Jon

Well-being from the ground – a view of the sea

Posted on by View from the ground

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Yves Cousteau

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside, as the old song goes.

Obviously, we have all lived through a lockdowned world for the last 16 months or so. In the U.K., we’re lucky in that the travel restrictions were eased a few weeks ago for travelling in the country, and now some relaxation for going abroad . Sensible travel. The ability to travel in the U.K. started at a time when I’d been lucky enough to enjoy a month between changing jobs.

With well-being at front of mind – following the last blog (that seems a long time ago) – welcome to my take on the magic of sea air, sea views, and sea sounds. Seeing as that’s 3 of the senses ticked off, let’s not ignore the taste of seaside fish and chips, and the touch, the feel of the sand.

It’s a bit of a mish mash of a blog, as I started it during my month off; left it; came back; left it, and so on. Just like a good cup of Yorkshire tea, it’s nice to spend time allowing time for the ‘flavour’ to come through. Hopefully I haven’t over-brewed it.

Well-being has been front of mind this year. To be fair, anyone who has joined me with the blogs will know well-being is a passion.

I’ve always being obsessed with the coast. Time spent near the sea awakens all 5 senses, every time. And it’s always so important to fuel the 5 sense; to excite them.

I’m sure it’s the same for many of us, just the sight of the sea awakens memories of the past but, equally, stirred hope for a beautiful day.

I’m focussing on Whitby because I was lucky enough to visit twice during my month off. It’s also a place with special memories.

These recent visits though have really sparked something beyond that normal love of the seaside. It’s invoked a real appreciation of the therapeutic benefits of it.

Just thinking about those visits now makes me want to jump in the car.

The excitement of the drive (traffic permitting); perhaps stopping for some breakfast on the journey; some well chosen music in the car; some beautiful scenery; and then the first glimpse of the sea on the distant horizon. Your mind tells you that you can smell the sea – from miles away.

A memory of my wonderful father convincing us all that we could taste the salt on our lips. All those years ago.

And then the arrival in the car park and the day ahead. That feeling of the worries that you’re carrying slowly rising out of your body and disappearing towards the distant horizon.

The deep inhalation and smell of fresh, sea air. The sounds of the seagulls. The feel, hopefully, of some warmth on your face. The sight of the waves rolling in. And the taste of the salt 😀.

I’ll avoid this evolving into a tourist information blog for Whitby. All I will say is, if you haven’t been – go there. If you have been – go back.

It’s beyond beautiful. The Abbey. The harbour. The beaches. The cliff top walks. The promenade. The town. And, now, Whitby Brewery. Obviously, the multitude of fish and chips restaurants and ice cream parlours is a given.

It’s heaven on earth.

Whitby captures everything that is magnificent about a British coastal resort, and more.

As you can, I hope, tell I love being at the coast. The well-being qualities, for me, are like nothing else.

To just sit, and watch the swelling sea, or the gentle waves, whichever, is the best wide awake meditation I can think of.

The chance to rip off the shoes and socks and feel the sand on the feet. What a shame we can’t just rip everything off and enjoy the feel of the sea on our bodies. Too far! From a personal perspective a passing whaling fleet would enjoy the opportunity to harpoon me. And, well, it’s not a good thought so replace the image with the sight of looking at the beach, with people having fun, and just being at peace.

The seaside is where we can embrace our love for life and, when we return home, have locked in our hearts and minds all of those memories. I always have loads of pictures which I return to daily.

It’s where we can always be grateful for life. But, then, we should always be grateful for the life we have been gifted.

As i say regularly, we have been gifted this life so let’s seize the moment. If you haven’t found that place of happiness. Don’t give up looking. It’s there. It’s not hiding but you might not see it so just focus.

When you find that place, Embrace it and always remember that moment.

For me, it will always be by the sea or with a view of the sea.

I hope you find yours. Whitby is a good starting point.

Just as a footnote, apologies for typos etc. It’s just me.

Take care.

Jon

View from the ground -well-being

Posted on by View from the ground

“Well just beyond the blue horizon. We see the clouds begin to form. Don’t be afraid. We must keep fighting. And cling to courage in the storm” – Ides Of March – Myles Kennedy

I’ve just been reading the news. Reading about the new variant of the Covid-19 virus that is unleashing itself in the U.K. Reading about the impact on the gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions – particularly in England. Reading the panic that is being instilled into the exhausted population.

Of course, it’s important that everyone knows the need to respect and abide by the guidelines set by the government. However, it is absolutely exhausting that for about 14 months now, it’s being all about what we can’t do. Obviously, it’s all for the right reason. This virus is deadly. But, just when there’s hope, this latest variant and the worry it’s causing feels like a serious blow.

I worry for people’s well-being. I was listening to the new album by Myles Kennedy and particularly the stand out track, Ides Of March. The lyrics at the start of the blog stood out as particularly relevant at this time. We must remain courageous at what feels like a storm just as the blue horizon was within sight. We will get there. But, whilst we wait, a real focus needs to be maintained on our own well-being and that of others. We need to reach out to those who may just need to know we are there for them. I’m committed to do that – today.

Welcome to the latest View From The Ground blog.

We have just had Mental Health Awareness Week. It’s great to have a week focussed on all matters mental health awareness related. However, this has to be a daily focus. The more I see, read, and hear, the great the issue is and the more important it is for everyone to appreciate the depth of the issue.

I was looking for a definition of well-being online. I found this, which is a reasonable start.

“Wellbeing is not just the absence of disease or illness. It’s a complex combination of a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social health factors. Wellbeing is strongly linked to happiness and life satisfaction. In short, wellbeing could be described as how you feel about yourself and your life.”

I hear too many times, still, that people. With well-being challenges are told to get a grip. I remember a ‘person’ saying someone close to them was attention seeking. I’ve heard some many dismissive comments about mental health and well-being.

The above words sum up well-being perfectly by referring to it as a ‘complex combination’. There are so many component parts to an individual’s well-being.

I’m no expert and I am certainly not medically qualified on the subject. I look at it from a heart centric perspective. And I’m worried.

I hear too many times about people struggling. The news is littered with sad stories related to the effects of mental health. And they are just the stories that make the news. They are the tip of the iceberg.

It’s an issue that is not going away. Quite the opposite. So, we have to face up to it.

I’m very conscious of my own well-being pressure points and, like many others, have to have them front and centre of my mind everyday.

The above description states ‘wellbeing could be described as how you feel about yourself and your life’.

Interesting, I am fortunate enough to be preparing to launch into the next chapter of my working life. Something needed to change and, through various circumstances, the change became a possibility and subsequently a reality. So, it could be said I became aware of how I felt about life and, with a little help, took control. We can all do it.

But, how we feel about ourself and our life has to be a daily process. A daily exercise regime on our well-being – both mentally and physically. As is well publicised, mental and physical well-being come as a partnership. They are a marriage made in heaven. That’s a rarity in itself! That said, for a marriage to work it also needs a daily focus – from both parties. Just like mental health and well-being.

It could be said I’m not the right person to comment on either subject 😀😀😀😀😀.

However, let’s stick to well-being. Obviously, as I said at the start, the current concerns about the new Covid-19 variant is a concern. Other than sticking to Government guidelines, there’s not much more we can do about that. But worry about the possible impact on the easing of lockdown restrictions is a real threat to mental health and well-being.

However, maintaining both physical and mental well-being is something we can continue to work on. I’m grateful to have my regular walks. The target is between 500,000 and 600,000 steps per month. Dependent on the time of day for the walk, it’s a combination of fresh air (always), music or conversation, and great scenery. To be fair, for the year to the end of April, I’ve covered just short of 2.5 million steps. I’m pleased with that after 4 months.

I mention this to try and emphasise this is something that we can all do. I’ve found it helps my well-being significantly, both from a physical and mental perspective. It’s a release from the walls that surround me and it helps with the appreciation of all that is around.

Just a thought 😀. It’s that simple. It’s just what I do. Thousands of others have thousands of better ideas. I hope they can share them. We can all learn about better ways to preserve and improve of well-being. The walking certainly helps my perspective of myself.

And with that, it will be time for a walk soon, so I’ll close.

Take care.

Jon

This is a blog

Posted on by View from the ground

“When one door of happiness closes, another one opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has opened to us”. – courtesy of Denny Training

A quote that landed in my inbox a few weeks ago and once upon a time it would have had an impact. At the time, it kind of resonated. However, I’m one of the lucky ones. As a door closed, I was grateful to grasp the handle of the opened door and take the opportunity to explore inside. More on that later.

It’s been a tough few weeks and I’ve had the opportunity to experience a lot of what too many people been through. Disruption.

I’m not going to blab on in a ‘poor me’ way. We all know / knew people like that. I guess I just want to explore how we deal with disruption.

So, with that, let’s experiment with surrender and join me on the blue bench to take a reflective view from the ground.

It’s been a while. As was once sung, you say it best when you say nothing at all.

Disruption – “the act or process of disrupting something: a break or interruption in the normal course or continuation of some activity, process, etc.”

Obviously, disruption can come in many forms. Let’s face it, the last 14 months has seen significant disruption in global life. From the lockdown disruption, many thousands have had residual effects of the lockdown that have changed their lives for ever. It’s been tough.

But, out of the flames, we have learned to rise like the proverbial Phoenix. Or, in some cases, it may have felt like being out of the frying pan and into the flames.

All disruption. But, we learn. We seek to fix the break in our normal course, and find ways to move towards continuation, even when that continuation is a move towards a new normal. We find a way of life that suits our new circumstances. We learn a new sense of appreciation for all that we had, all that we now have, and all that we can gain.

Am I making sense or is this just a rambling outpouring of words? I hope it makes sense.

I saw a great line from the magnificent BrewDog empire – tomorrow starts today. Those are such great words.

I was presented with unexpected disruption. I didn’t like it. I got angry. I tried to better understand the reason for the disruption. I still didn’t like it but, ultimately, the choice was to remain angry or to find a solution.

Sometimes decisions made that are out of your control can move you to then make a decision that is within your control and that, in itself, can be as simple as seeing the open door in advance of the other door closing.

I guess a learning I took from reading The Surrender Experiment by Michael A Singer was to let go of my own fears; stopping listening to the little voice of doubt and control in my head – and just letting go to where life took me.

The learning helped me to see the disruption not as a problem but as an opportunity.

So, literally It was a case of one door opening as another door threatened to close. As a consequence, I can look back behind the closing door with fondness and pride, rather than anger. I can reflect on all that was good. I can also propel through my new, open, door with real enthusiasm and excitement.

The message the disruption provided was to just go with the flow, ride the wave, and land on 2 feet on the beach (in my case like a beached whale).

I hope we can all learn from Lockdown disruption about how we rose above the chaos it presented. I equally hope that when disruption presents itself to you, you can see an opportunity, not a problem.

And as a closing learning, I’ve sought to surrender to enjoying each and every day in the moment. Have I banged my head and gone a bit la la? Noooooooo. Hear me out – please. And this is just about my own wiring, not judging how others think.

Last week, I was lucky to have a wonderful day with Ben, and Ringo, on the East coast of Yorkshire. The sky was grey, the temperature was cold, the wind blew (that’s the weather), the waves crashed, and we had a magnificent day. It couldn’t have been better.

The follow day, when I was having my early morning walk, the sky was blue, the temperature was cool, the wind was still and, for a second, I thought ……………….. I thought how bloody lucky I’d been to have such a wonderful day with Ben. I knew no kind of weather could have made it any better.

So, there you have it – disruption = opportunity; every day = opportunity.

And, to close, another little gem of a thought – “If you think you are too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room” – courtesy of Denny Training

Keep well and stay safe.

Jon