A view from the ground

Posted on by View from the ground

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“There is a lot that happens around the world we cannot control. We cannot stop earthquakes, we cannot prevent droughts, and we cannot prevent all conflict, but when we know where the hungry, the homeless and the sick exist, then we can help.” – Jan Schakowsky.

Welcome to my latest view from the ground. Except, I’m not on the ground. I’m not in the clouds either. Thank goodness for that. I wouldn’t have a true, meaningful and honest view of things if I was floating around up there. However, I’m not on the ground.

This blog has been inspired by my awesome son, Ben, and a recent conversation that we had. I’m blessed, I have 2 incredible children (well, they’re adults now). They are both committed to making a difference to the world. But they will do it their way, without any influence from me or others. That’s awesome as it’s from their heart and is not being done to impress or for some perceived approval.

It’s the younger generation who can, and will, make a difference. It’s the younger generation who are gathering a true voice in their plight to right the wrongs of what my and previous generations have done. They will rise against greed, injustice, prejudice and inequality. We have to allow them to do this! It is their world now.

As those who have read previous blogs will know, I am deeply concerned by the increasing levels of homelessness. There are more empty houses than there are people sleeping on the streets and yet the governments are incapable of dealing with this injustice. There are thousands of empty church and community halls at night, yet people still have to sleep on the streets – in the increasing wet and cold conditions.

Thousands of supermarkets, shops, restaurants, cafes, houses etc still throw out unwanted food. Yet there are more and more people going hungry. Now, this is where I take my hat off to those establishments who do try and make a difference and who do provide their unwanted food to the needy.

So, when Ben and I had our conversation, it got be thinking about all of the above and a little bit more. Ben was telling me about a homeless person he met in Leeds and who he stopped, spoke to, and offered to buy him some food. As you would expect., the chap gratefully accepted the offered. So, off trotted Ben and gave him double what was suggested and some change he had in his pocket. After shaking hands Ben disappeared, thinking nothing more than being grateful he could do this and pleasure in seeing the chap digging into the food.

But this all got me thinking about the view from the ground. How many of us seeing someone in a busy city centre, seated on the ground who is clearly homeless. We might throw a few coins into a box or even go grab the person a meal deal from the local shop but then drop it at the feet of the person before hurrying off to our busy day, or meal with a friend.

However, do we ever think, from a humanistic point of view what the world looks like from the ground. Through the eyes of the person huddled up on a blanket, on the ground. Do we ever think to speak to them at the same, grounded, level? This is why, when Ben told me about shaking hands with the chap he met, it made me quite emotional. In such a small act, Ben had made a big difference. He created in connection based on both being equal. Not looking down, but being the same.

We are the same for f**ks sake. And that is the point. I am sick and tired of reading about wealth and importance. About the billions of pounds that are just going to waste. About inequality and all that is bad in the world. There is a lot – regardless of what some may think – that we as individuals can not effect. Even in gathering as a relatively small group, we won’t effect things. But now, right now, we as individuals CAN make a difference and that is, to start with, help those on the streets that need help; speak to them on an equal level – sit on the bloody ground – they are!; and then created pressure on the authorities, the churches, the community, the government – whatever – to provide a roof, some warmth, some food and drink, and some where to clean. It is not difficult!

We are all the same. We should never look down on any human being and no human being should feel that they have to look up to anyone. We all have a story. I’m lucky, I write my blogs and I’m – still – doing the book(s). There’s a story in everyone. Perhaps, the next time you stop to, very kindly, give some food to someone on the street, ask them their story. It will open your eyes, I’m sure.

Bless you for joining me with this blog. I’m not going to end with a song. I think it’s more appropriate to just think about our view but, more importantly, what it looks like from the ground.

Love
Jon

 

One step beyond aka please don’t call it madness

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“It is not the the bruises on the body that hurt. It is the wounds of the heart and the scars on the mind.” ― Aisha Mirza.

Welcome to the latest view from the ground blog. If this is the first time you have visited my place here, seated under a beautiful tree, observing the world, thank you for joining me as I watch the madness ensue. But, I don’t want to call it madness as that’s quite a rude expression and it is important that we go one step beyond and find better descriptions for the way we view things and observe people.

As you read through, I apologise for any typos. I don’t have the luxury of a prof reader anymore so I wing it. Write and right from the heart. Don’t worry, when the book, ‘Round the bend or turning a corner?’, is published it will be proof read and probably rewritten. The original purpose of the book was to be a self help book for anyone who could feel a change happening in their lives but couldn’t quite understand what. The first publication will still follow that footprint. The second version may be more of a personal reflection. Watch this pace, but don’t call it madness.

I read that the World Mental Health Day is next week. I day to highlight a growing illness, but still an illness that many, too many, hide from due to a perceived idea that others see it as a weakness, not an illness .

In looking into things in advance of putting some words together for this blog I read a quote from David Levithan with interest: –

“I think the idea of a ‘mental health day’ is something completely invented by people who have no clue what it’s like to have bad mental health. The idea that your mind can be aired out in twenty-four hours is kind of like saying heart disease can be cured if you eat the right breakfast cereal. Mental health days only exist for people who have the luxury of saying ‘I don’t want to deal with things today’ and then can take the whole day off, while the rest of us are stuck fighting the fights we always fight, with no one really caring one way or another, unless we choose to bring a gun to school or ruin the morning announcements with a suicide.”

I was really interested in this view and can really see what David means. Those who suffer with mental illness are in that condition 24/7, it’s not a badge, it’s an illness. I know those who suffer from on mental health issues may see the World Mental Health Day as quite patronising. If that’s the case, it must be some difficult.

However, I personally see the World Mental Health Day as a really important chance for people to say that we care. But, and it’s another big but, we have to carry that care into the every other day of the year.

I see this year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is psychological first aid and the support people can provide to those in distress. This has to be taken up by every government in every country and action MUST be taken. Stop bitch fighting, stop dropping bombs, stop talking about building walls and start taking action to help cure this hidden but growing illness.

Here’s a revelation – 12 years ago I walked into se my doctor in tears and proclaimed I couldn’t cope any more. I wasn’t suicidal, that’s not what I’m saying. But, I was ill. I had a stress related illness and I needed help. It was the best thing I every did. I needed a bit of time away from my day to day routine and I was subscribed medication. At first, I didn’t want the medication but I was pursued to take it and over a period of time, things improved and here I am writing blogs.

I wouldn’t say I am completed cured. It’s always there and some things have happened that could trigger the condition again. But, the key things for me are 1) recognising it is an illness; 2) being honest to me and others; and 3) talking (and writing) about it. I am not ashamed, I am not embarrassed about it and if I can help others I will – 24/7.

For those who are told medication is bad and that you are falling into the hands of the pharmaceutical giants. Make your own decisions. Ask yourself, if it fixed the illness, why deprive yourself of the cure just because some say otherwise. I’ll stop at that to avoid insulting anyone, as we are all, of course, entitled to our own opinions.

So, I for one will be supporting the World Mental Health Day. But at the same time I will always be aware of David Levithan’s views. He has a strong point and we should all be supporting and highlighting mental health every day.

To conclude, and to refer back to the title of the blog – the next time you hear someone talk about mental health or if you see someone suffering, please don’t say ‘are they mad’. It’s an illness and to give it such a badge is cruel and hurtful. Please think about the words. Please go one step beyond and please don’t call it madness.

And to close. I’d like to end with a song. Ta Dah! But, this time it’s personal.

Following a significant change in my life recently, times have been / are quite tough. But, when I look a what is going on in the world – particularly in Haiti – what have I got to complain about? And, at some stage, I’ll finish the book, although it will have a different conclusion. Anyway, I just wanted to say, in the words of Green Day, I’m “still breathing”. Take care and enjoy every minute and don’t even think about what the next minute will bring.

“I’m like a child looking off in the horizon
I’m like an ambulance that’s turning on the sirens
Oh, I’m still alive
I’m like a soldier coming home for the first time
I dodged a bullet and I walked across a landmind
Oh, I’m still alive

Am I bleeding? Am I bleeding from the storm?
Just shine a line into the wreckage, so far away, away

Cause I’m still breathing
Cause I’m still breathing on my own
My head’s above the rain and roses
Making my way, my way
Cause I’m still breathing
Cause I’m still breathing on my own
My head’s above the rain and roses
Making my way, my way
My way to you

I’m like a junkie tying off for the last time
I’m like a loser that’s betting on his last dime
Oh, I’m still alive
I’m like a son that was raised without a father
I’m like a mother barely keeping it together
Oh, I’m still alive

Am I bleeding? Am I bleeding from the storm?
Just shine a line into the wreckage, so far away, away

Cause I’m still breathing
Cause I’m still breathing on my own
My head’s above the rain and roses
Making my way, my way
Cause I’m still breathing
Cause I’m still breathing on my own
My head’s above the rain and roses
Making my way, my way, my way…

As I walked out on the ledge
Are you scared to dance to live?
I been running all my life
Just to find a home that’s for the restless
And the truth that’s in the message
Making my way, away, away

Cause I’m still breathing
Cause I’m still breathing on my own
My head’s above the rain and roses
Making my way, my way
Cause I’m still breathing
Cause I’m still breathing on my own
My head’s above the rain and roses
Making my way, my way, my way…
Cause I’m still breathing
Cause I’m still breathing on my own
My head’s above the rain and roses
Making my way, my way
My way to you”
Jon

I don’t like you

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“It is remarkable by how much a pinch of malice enhances the penetrating power of an idea or an opinion. Our ears, it seems, are wonderfully attuned to sneers and evil reports about our fellow men.” – Eric Hoffer.

Hello and welcome. Join me here on my seat, as I take another view from the ground. And what a strange view it is at the moment. Really, I hear you ask. Thank you for asking. Let me explain. Are you sitting comfortably? Then, let me begin.

I’m never going to use my blogs to express any form of political opinion. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and I am not arrogant enough to try and impose my views in this forum.

However, politics is a key aspect of world news at the moment and the biggest show at the moment seems to be the USA presidential campaign.

I was intrigued last week to watch the TV debate Trump and Clinton. I’d be lying if I said I watched it in full. I have a life! But, intriguing the debate was. “Oh what a circus, oh what a show” – as the song goes. But those words, to me, ring true.

My hope that there would be some true sparring on really political points of interest were some extinguished. The show, the circus, all seemed to pivot around the importance of attacking your opponent rather than talking about what you are going to do to improve things.

In the U.K., we recently saw a similar situation when the Labour Party had a leadership campaign. It got to the point where they might as well have appeared in clown outfits on their TV debates. It was school yard insult throwing. What about the homeless? What about the unemployed? What about, what about, what about?

But watching Trump Vs Clinton just left me cold. Personal insult after personal insult. One of them will very soon be the chief of the most powerful nation in the world. Please note, I did not say in charge of the most powerful nation, as we all know that the money men are in charge. The president is a figurehead. Although, that said, it could be argued that one of the Presidential contestants is also a money man. But let’s not go there.

This all got me thinking and, as those who read my blogs will know, it is dangerous when I think. But, how many times do we hear debates and hear of situations where the focus is on negative observation – they might as well say ‘I don’t like you’ – rather than about what positive action can be taken.

And, there is the problem – in my humble opinion – leadership appears to revolve around criticism of your opposition rather than an ability to say ‘this is what I am going to do, this is the added value I am going to bring’.

I know I have quoted the song ‘Where is the love’ before, but the opening lines just keep coming to mind – “What’s wrong with the world, mama. People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas. I think the whole world addicted to the drama. Only attracted to things that’ll bring you trauma”.

The focus from the top is negativism. That filters through and all of a sudden we are all at it – as it were. A collective I DON’T LIKE YOU. Absolute nonsense, if you don’t mind me saying.

In my last blog, Meditation Mayhem, I talked about ………. meditation. Imagine if the whole world meditated or practised mindfulness. Just think, what a beautiful world it would be. That said, and I don’t want to make any assumptions or pass any judgment (perish the thought), I am struggling to picture one of the USA presidential candidates zoning out in a beautiful state of meditative bliss. But, it is an amusing image.

I just wish we could all get into that space where we can concentrate on what difference we can make, rather than what is wrong. Picture the scene – your favourite, all singing all dancing, political leader standing up and stating what difference they are going to make rather than accusing their predecessors of all ills in the country, the world, Jupiter etc.

Move that down into what ever industry, working environment, you operate in. How many times do business leaders focus on what their competitors are doing, rather than saying what they are going to do.

You could almost then take that into any life situation. Let’s use the example of trying to attract a life partner (chat someone up). Do we spend too mischief energy focusing on what is wrong with someone we see as a competitor rather than saying how we can make the person we are trying to attract happy.

Just a thought. Rather than saying ‘I don’t like you’, just focus on ‘this is me, and this is what o can do to make your life / this company / this country / the world’ a whole lot better. And, if there is a competitor, let’s show some respect. Should we say ‘I like you’? I’ll let you decide.

I’d like to close with a few words from The Beatles: –

“There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It’s easy

Nothing you can make that can’t be made
No one you can save that can’t be saved
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It’s easy

All you need is love”

Beautiful words, and a beautiful sentiment. Let’s try it. Oh, and by the way, I do like you.

Take care.
Jon

Meditation mayhem

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“Meditation is all about the pursuit of nothingness. It’s like the ultimate rest. It’s better than the best sleep you’ve ever had. It’s a quieting of the mind. It sharpens everything, especially your appreciation of your surroundings. It keeps life fresh.” – Hugh Jackman

Well, come to my view from the ground. See that play on words? Don’t you just love the English language! Anyway, welcome to, well, come on in to my little place on this wonderful planet.

It’s been a few months now since the stand alone View From The Ground blog site was launched. I would like to thank everyone for joining me on my path through the chaos better known as life. I would be truly delighted if you could recommend the site to people who you know that might enjoy reading my rambling but heart felt words.

Anyway, onwards and word wards. Strange expression ‘words wards’. I don’t know if it is an expression but, given there should be no rules when creating words, I chose to designate it as an expression from this day on. In fact, I hereby crash a bottle of champagne against the expression ‘words wards’ and wish it well as it sets sail through this blog and onwards into the ocean of words.

Sorry, I’m rambling. So, meditation and mayhem – 2 words which you would not expect alongside each other. Let’s look at the definition of both before I expand on what is going through my mind as I form this blog.

Meditation is a nice easy definition – “the act of giving your attention to only one thing, either as a religious activity or as a way of becoming calm and relaxed”.

Mayhem becomes more interesting – “a situation in which there is little or no order or control”. To be fair, there were many definitions but this one feels quite ‘calm’ when compared to some.

Okay – the big question is, how am I going to link ‘calm and relaxed ‘ with ‘no order or control’? It’s a good question and, by the end of the blog, I hope I find the answer.

Meditation is still a great mystery to many and, as a result, there is a misconception that those who meditate are either hippies or weirdos. Wrong! I suspect may who read this blog so, to an extent, I am preaching to the converted.

However, I am looking to this blog as a request to all to spread the word. I remain worried / concerned at the state of the world. As a resident of the U.K. I am seriously worried. The number of people suffering from stress and depression continues to rise. And this rise is not confined to one age group – it’s right across all ages and all parts of society. So I am worried.

However, meditation undoubtedly offers a route to look for inner peace and relaxation and if more people just gave it a go, imagine the possibilities.

Anyone who has read the View From The Ground blogs since the started over 2 years ago will know that I been interested in the power of meditation for some time. Before I gave it a go though I was one of those who thought it was a practice confined to hippy tree huggers, who sat on the ground, crossed legs, chanted ‘omm omm omm’ – or a sound similar to that.

For 2 years I have meditated – not prescriptively but in a way when I need to ‘rest’ my mind and just zone, meditate is the answer. And this is the challenge that those of us who understand the power of meditation must take up. To talk to others who may be struggling with life – be it at work or in their personal life, and just advise on how meditation may help them.

But, then, their us the challenge someone may ask – ‘how do I meditate’. This is where the mayhem can creep in because, as we know, there are so many different methods of achieving a meditative state. And if you listen to everyone, it can feel like there’s no order and you’re out of control.
I found that you can look too deeply into the different ways to meditate – guided, to music, in silence, as a group, and so on. But, I believe, once we have opened up someone’s mind to the idea of meditation it is then you them to decide what form of meditation works best for them.

Nobody could or should tell you what is the best method and we should think about how we landed at the way we meditate. My preference? Guided meditation works for me. It helps maintain that focus on achieving the right state as it were. But, that might not be for everyone.

What we should do, though, is avoid creating that meditation mayhem. Let us guide those who might be helped by it to the power of meditation. But once they want to go for it, let them find what works best for them.

Am I making sense? I thought not. I think I need to meditate – omm, omm, omm.

I hope you enjoyed my last ramblings. I’ll finish with a quote and a song. I sound like a 70’s entertainment show.

The quote – “Consider how hard it is to change oneself and you will understand why it is so hard to change others.” One to think about and may be the subject of a future blog.

And, the song. It’s just one that has meaning and I hope you’ll look up the video on You Tube.

“One day it’s here and then it’s gone
How are you still holding on?
How are you still holding on?
You’ve felt this way for far too long
Waiting for a change to come
You know you’re not the only one
And life passes you by
Don’t be wasting your time
On your own
You always try to see yourself
Through the eyes of someone else
Through the eyes of someone else
Too shy to say that you need help
You and everybody else
You and everybody else
Oh, life passes you by
Don’t waste your time
On your own
Yeah life passes you by
Don’t be wasting your time
All alone
As your heart gets bigger
And you try to figure out
What’s it all about
And your skin gets thicker
As you try to figure out
What’s it all about
Yeah life passes you by
Don’t waste your time
On your own
One day it’s here and then it’s gone
How are you still holding on?
How are you still holding on?”

One Day – Kodaline

I’ll leave that with you. Enjoy life and live and love the day, because you never know what is round the corner. And if you’re feeling the pressure, meditation is a solution but watch out for the mayhem.

Until the next time.
Jon

 

True

Posted on by View from the ground

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Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth.”
― William Faulkner

As ever, welcome to my view from the ground. A few weeks have passed since the last blog, and during that time I have sought to concentrate on living in the moment, enjoying every day, and focussing on what is good. Sometimes it’s not so easy to see the good when your view gets blurred by some not so good stuff but it’s important to keep that focus. I hope we all have that special something to focus on.

I have recently been reposting previous blogs, mainly in the hope of reaching out to people and to, hopefully, help like minded people realise they are not on their own.

I hope the last few weeks have been great for you and that, somewhere along the way, you have been able to help someone else achieve the same.

It’s been a bit of a summer here on the ground and the view has certainly been challenging. But clarity is slowly being restored. I was interested last week to receive a tweet about a new blog site – www.danielle29coffey.com. I hope Danielle doesn’t mind but I want to share a few words from her home page – “We are forever growing, forever learning and forever seeking. This is what it is to be human. I truly believe if we allow ourselves to be present and open on our own journeys we will enjoy the time we spend on them much more”.

I found these words inspiring. I would strongly recommend visiting Danielle’s blog site. Her story is very moving and there are aspects that I can relate to. The key message though is to be positive and focus on getting the most out of life, even in the face of adversity. I know this much is true.

Why do I find it hard to write the next line? Well, in reality there is such to say, it’s more a case of where to start. But, ultimately, I have been focussing on standing in my truth – a previous subject – but I’m coming at it from a different angle. Circumstances have dictated a stronger focus has been needed on standing true and having a firm vision of positivity. But, that said, there’s also being a massive realisation of just what love there is out there. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends.

But, and it’s a big but (not posterior references please), I know so many people are going through truly difficult times and not everyone has the good fortune to have family and friends to take their hand and pull them up.

So, this is the thrust of the blog because we are all there to be available to those who need hat help. I accept not everyone speaks up when they are down. But there are so, so many people who are suffering in silence. However, that silence is only verbal silence. Think about people you know or people you seen regularly where you see a chance in behaviour or a change in body language or a change in just physical appearance.

How many times do we just not see this because we’re not looking? How many of these people just want one person to say ‘hey, how are you?’? But when we ask this question, to mean it and to wait for the answer. And when we get the answer, to listen. How many times when we ask a question are we thinking about something completely different when to answer is being delivered?

Just imagine how that feels to that person who is feeling down and actually just wants to open up, maybe to cry, and realise their story? That moment could be a life changing moment – be that good or bad. Good, because it could be a starting point for them to move forward. Bad, because they might walk away wondering what the point is. Just think about it. True?

So, I guess, my request is that we all take a step back. Those of us who are lucky enough to have awesome family and friends need to recognise our blessings but also be awake to the fact that many others aren’t that fortunate.

We all have a duty to support all others in need. We need to look, listen, really listen, and hold out a hand to anyone who needs help. We should step away from our own needs and acknowledge the needs of others, at that exact moment, might be greater. We need to be true to ourselves and be there – always for our fellow man or woman. Do you think you can do that?

I’m going to close with a song I’ve used before – Hold My Hand by Hootie And The Blowfish. Rather than quote the lyrics, I’ve included a link to the song. I think it’s awesome, I hope you do.

Take care, and please look out for that person who needs your help. You never know, it might be me. If it is, please hold my hand. If I see you and you need that hand, I promise you I will be there for you. True!

I always say drop me an email and I mean it – jonlduke@icloud.com. I’m also all over Facebook and have the View From The Ground Facebook and Twitter sites.
Jon

From the heart

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I would like to share a blog that I posted earlier in the year when View From The Ground was published on a separate blog site. I have been in a reflective mood of Kate and this blog means a lot to me. I hope you enjoy it.

From the heart

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein

A quote I love, and something I feel we could all learn from.

I always write from the heart and my hope / desire / mission is to reach out to as many people as possible. As I’ve already talked about in earlier blogs, I am exploring self love and self belief this year and I would love as many people as possible to join me on this mission.

Part of this work though is looking at where I feel we as a collective need to focus effort to help as many as we can. The last blog followed an article I saw about how too many young people are being prescribed anti-depressants. It could be argued that too many people are being prescribed them – full stop! Who benefits? Clearly, the medication numbs the depression of the person. This isn’t an ill informed comment. Having being prescribed anti-depressants 12 years ago, I am fully aware of their effects, have used them for a period of time. I talk about this in more detail in the book, View From The Ground, which continues to take shape.

But, who else benefits? The global pharmaceutical industry of course. I’ll avoid going off on a rant, on this occasion at least.

Of course, there are alternative solutions. But where will the money come from the implement a fully effect, alternative solution? Will a government be brave enough? I’ll let you decide.

Anyway, I’ve been reading, again. I saw an article advising that there have been calls for mindfulness training to be introduced in schools in the UK. In October, a Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group said the practice should be made more widely available and recommended the Department for Education designate three schools to “pioneer mindfulness teaching and disseminate best practice”. Only three? Surely this rather important initiative warrants being ‘pioneered’ in a broader range of schools – a selection of schools spanning the whole of the U.K., and a selection of schools spanning the different socio economic groups + ensuring that it touches the incredible range of our diverse cultures.

Political author and former head of Wellington College Anthony Seldon has called for daily “stillness sessions” in schools.

I’m not sure the name,”stillness sessions” will necessarily grab the attention of the desired audience, but in theory this could be awesome.

The Dalai Lama was absolutely right when he said “If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.”

So can mindfulness meditation really help pupils concentrate amid the distractions of 21st Century living?

In my humble opinion, it absolutely could. If delivered correctly, and with appropriate time being given to the programme (or program to our American friends). We are blessed to have in our midst some friends who are already working with young children on such a concept, but if that could be taken into schools and colleges to older students, it could be incredible.

Now, considering the concerns raised in my last blog – as detailed above – if mindfulness was rolled out, and given the attention that it deserves, this could really help young people clear their heads, even if it is just a bit at a time. Just image the effect. In this crazy world that we have created, with 24/7 news blasting people with negativity – war, debt, death, Trump, Cameron, North Korea, bombs, etc – it’s no wonder people are fed up.

In all honesty, mindfulness to the corporate world would be a massive step forwards. I hear, see, read about so many people struggling with the pressures that they face in life (including when I look in the mirror), if businesses allowed time for employees to attend mindfulness sessions, or meditation groups, the results could be amazing. I know some companies already do this, but with a bit of encouragement from the governments, surely this could be launched on a much bigger scale. I would certainly attend!

These, of course, are just my observations but it feels like we could all benefit from a bit of mindfulness. It could be good for the heart, for the age of the heart.

And talking of the heart, I would like to end this short blog with a story from the weekend.

As is my Saturday routine, I undertake the weekly grocery shop at our local supermarket. Being a creature of habit, I always look to see if my favourite person is working the checkout. She is a beautiful soul, so friendly, and always willing to talk and help me to understand about her Sikh religion. I love learning about other cultures and we are blessed in the UK to have such a diverse population.

I was sad to learn that the lady’s sister had recently passed away, but she talked about how she praises and still talks to her sister. She also told be that her sister had left her the words for several songs, that she now sings so that she feels that her sister is with her.

At that point, whilst helping to pack my bags, she started to sing to me – holding regular eye contact, and it was as if she was in another world. That’s when it sunk in, she probably was. In a serene place where her sister’s spirit exists, whilst also being with me, and the hundreds of others in the supermarket. Incredible, beautiful, magically, inspirational. A lesion in love and true belief. A lesson in having unconditional belief that her sister was in her heart.

As I said, I love to learn.

And, so another short blog draws to an end. A slightly different format but, as always, written from the heart. I hope it resonates. In this messed up world, we all need to feel some love. Apologies for any occasional typos. It makes the blogs real. Not editorial support at this stage.

Take care. Keep the faith, and spread the word.
Jon

A helping hand

Posted on by View from the ground

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Welcome to the latest in my grounded view of the life around us. I hope your world is one of love, laughter, friendship and trust.

As I have reflected recently, I have been blessed to be surrounded by all of the above – certainly of late at a time when trust has come under attack from an unexpected direction. Anyway, enough of that. The purpose of my blogs are to share the positive and to try and reach out, in the aim of joining us all together in a united voice of love and peace.

Following on from a recent blog – With a little help from my friends – I have been thinking about the whole subject of love and support. In essence, about holding out a hand to someone in need. As those who have read my blogs, I like to include the lyrics from an appropriate song. When search around for a song, I came across ‘Hands’ by Jewel and I’d like to share it with you. There are some very powerful words.

“If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we’re all OK
And not to worry ’cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I won’t be made useless
I won’t be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know
But they’re not yours, they are my own
But they’re not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
It didn’t steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn’t ever after
We’ll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what’s right
‘Cause where there’s a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing
My hands are small I know
But they’re not yours, they are my own
But they’re not yours, they are my own
I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
My hands are small I know
But they’re not yours, they are my own
But they’re not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
My hands are small I know
But they’re not yours, they are my own
But they’re not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God’s eyes
God’s hands
God’s mind
We are God’s eyes
God’s hands
God’s heart
We are God’s eyes
God’s hands
God’s eyes
We are God’s hands
We are God’s hands”

I am not sharing these lyrics as a religious statement. I share them in the spirit of unity and with the hope that we as a population can join together – regardless of religious views or beliefs.

I know I have talked before about taking the hand of someone in need and guiding them to a better place. But I have seen this at a personal level. At a time when I needed a hand to pull me up and guide me back onto my own path I was so lucky to have many hands offered. A true blessing. But through that it really hammered home the true depth of human kindness and how we all have it in us. But, it’s a question of how open we are to offering that support.

Not everyone you know fully opens about what is happening in their world / in their life. We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. However, what I am finding that being open to people about life in general, that gives them the opportunity to be open back. As a result, that might just manifest as a call for help. Just imagine, through an open exchange of our life experiences, how we can touch people and as a consequence offer a hand of help.

Life at the moment for many, many people is a challenge. Some people, wrongly, see it as a weakness to reveal that they are struggling. However, if we talk to people about our life challenges that is an invitation for them to talk about theirs.

I know I sound like a stuck record, but I truly believe it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to help, support, and offer a helping hand to each and every human being who needs that help. Let us not forget that. Done people get too wrapped up in unachievable things to forget that, on the ground, there are hands that need to be held and people who need to be helped up.

Let us all pull together and hold out that helping hand. It’s the least we can all do.

Have a great week and take care.
Jon

Red raw wrist rides again

Posted on by View from the ground

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Welcome to my view from the ground.

My observation on this occasion has arise from a drive with a friend. As I hollowed at an irritating driver in front of me – or was it behind me – she reminded me of one of my first blogs. Red raw wrists. It was a very polite reminder that I was not practicing what I preached – which was probably 2 years ago. Some of you may remember the blog when it was first published on These Wings Can a Fly blog site. A lot has happened since then – some magnificent, some life changing.

Anyway, I thought I’d share an updated version of the blog. Partly, to reflect a changed view from the ground, and partly as a wake up to me and any other rather vocal drivers. That said, a message to the white van man who drove across me in the car park as I left the office – IT WAS MY RIGHT OF WAY!

Anyway, on with the blog.

Here’s a straight forward question – when is a complaint an observation? I don’t know about you, but my old persona was one of having natural propensity to complain. I would say it was a keen eye for being able to observe the shortcomings of others and to verbalise my views in a manner which would help them to see the righteous path forward. Is that such a bad thing? I accept, sometimes, those who needed that supportive observational assistance could not always hear what I had said, as they were not in the car with me as I established eye contact and commenced delivery of my observations, but surely they understood my helpful use of sign language.

I am sure there will be many who recognise this scenario. The blessed curse of road rage. But my observation skills saw no boundaries in my quest to help others – zig zag / vertical walkers, supermarket trolley pushers, queue jumpers, people in general and, the worse of the worse, trolley bags.

At this point, I need to let off some steam. This is not for my benefit, I promise (well ……………). This is on behalf of all normal commuters who have to practice foot work that would had made Michael Jackson proud in order to dodge people ambling along with their trolley bags. Why, oh why, can these things not be banned. Or, their owners go on a trolley bag proficiency course. I spend a lot of time in London and that has to be the worse place in the world. People come at you pulling 2 of these damned things. Two! One day, when Liv is the Prime Minister in the UK I will ensure she bans them. Now, here’s an update – add to that list any major city anywhere. Trolley suitcases, with trolley brained owners.

Rant over – but my wrist is red raw. Why? Well, that’s the whole purpose of the blog. Please read on. This is where I will bring in an updated version of the original blog because road rage is back and, looking at other drivers, I am not alone.

I’ve been out and a lot this week driving around and being driven round the bend. Driver one – didn’t indicate to pull out. Pillock! Driver 2 – almost touches my bumper he gets that close. Pillock! Driver 3 – clearly doesn’t understand that a green light means GO? P……… You get the idea.

So time to revisit the reading and strategy discovered first time with the blog.

I discovered a new strategy to deal with reducing – dramatically – the number of times I complain – and, in this case, deal with road rage.

Following a mail-shot email from John C Parkin of The F**k It Therapy fame, I picked up on a book he recommended – How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body by Doctor David Hamilton. Gone are the days of always absorbing myself in the latest crime thriller when I go to bed, where the last thing on my mind is murder. Sometimes, I still do that but, it’s good to mix it up with reading about positive thinking and well being.
Anyway, this latest book has a small section on how to stop complaining. This stopped me in my tracks (and stopped me complaining about something irrelevant – again!). Doctor Hamilton made reference to Will Bowen, whose genius idea is to wear a purple bracelet and every time you complain, you switch it to the other wrist. The idea being over a period of 21 days you stop complaining (as much anyway).

I don’t have a purple bracelet but, upon reading this suggestion, I ran out to buy one (4 actually) from the local Fat Face (other quality retailers also sell similar items). Now, as an update, I’ve lost them but am going to wear a replacement.

So, I ask friends and colleagues who see me resplendent this is not part of a wider mid-life crisis. It is intended to make me think every time I complain.

Will I stopped complaining? Of course not. But, it will dramatically reduce my complaining / road rage and I am committed to working on this and to encourage others to do likewise. Life is too short to be looking at things negatively. As I said, I am focussing on this recently highlighted sudden return of the propensity to highlight the deficiencies of other drivers. But, as I said earlier, I also have issues to overcome in supermarkets, in queues and at train stations – to name just a few places.

Why have I reposted / reworked an old blog. Well, the friendly reminder from a friend was a wake up call. Practice what you preached. And that stretches out to everything I discuss in the blogs – be that about loving yourself and loving others, mindfulness, being positive, and helping to protect our planet.

Right, to close this latest view from the ground, I want to share one of the daily thoughts for the day that I receive from the marvellous Richard Denny: –

“Writing down transforms wishes into wants, can’ts into can’s, dreams into plans and plans into reality.”

Don’t allow your wrists to become red raw.

Jon

With a little help from my friends

Posted on by View from the ground

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Welcome to a very brief view from the ground. I hope your weekend has been filled with fun, laughter and love. I certainly feel lucky to have been touched by all three.

There are times when you realise how fortunate you are, and I would like to dedicate this song to the family and friends that are there for us and bring that fun, laughter, and love. My hope this that we can then all share the fun, laughter, and love with others that need it. Share it so it touches people’s hearts so they can then help others. Let’s share it and let people know we really mean it. It’s about helping them.

Jon

Music was my first love

Posted on by View from the ground

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View from the ground

“Music was my first love
And it will be my last.
Music of the future
And music of the past.

To live without my music
Would be impossible to do.
In this world of troubles,
My music pulls me through.

Music was my first love
And it will be last.
Music of the future
And music of the past
And music of the past
And music of the past.

Music was my first love
And it will be my last.
Music of the future
And music of the past.

To live without my music
Would be impossible to do.
In this world of troubles,
My music pulls me through.” – Music by John Miles

Welcome to a spontaneous view from the ground. As I was sitting on the bus this morning, listening to a particular track that always invokes an image of people suddenly bursting into a collective dance of joy, my mind wandered to thinking about the joy and availability of music. Like an old friend, ready to touch your life with hope and joy. Music can of course have the opposite effect – but for this blog I want to focus on its positive effects.

I think I have used the lyrics to Music by John Miles in a previous blog, but the words really resonate – particularly “To live without my music, would be impossible to do. In this world of troubles, my music pulls me through”. I hope music is helping so many people around the world at their time of need. What ever form of music, I hope it lifts the hearts of people who need that lift – along with everyone else, of course, who just love music.

Music is always there – it can reflect a mood, a moment. Lyrics can inspire and can create a memory.

I have so many songs that immediately invoke a happy memory – of a concert, a holiday, an event, and so on. I am sure it is the same with you. I ask that you join me me in a moment of relaxation, where we think about those songs, those moments, that create that special feeling of joy, warmth, happiness. Just think.

As I’ve said, I have a particular song that when I hear it, I just think about people getting up and dancing for no reason at all. Well, there is a reason. Letting go, and just going with the music. It’s strange, as I have the moves of an antique wardrobe but I love watching people dance freely and without an concern for what people think. I wish I could. Well (that word again) I do – when I have drained 2 bottles of wine. The I dance and spin like a whirling dervish. And, I don’t care who watches. My ambition – which, I WILL achieve – is to dance like like without a drop of alcohol in my system. Watch this space or, better still, watch YouTube. It will be called something like ‘Fat Boy Spin’ (think about it).

Just think about the power of music. It’s therapeutic quality; its ability to connect people; the joy it brings; the escapism it brings.

Imagine – listening to a song or a piece of music and everyone dances together. Regardless of colour, origin, religion, gender, age, financial position etc. One mass dance. Picture it, thousands of people bouncing together. Able bodied people helping disabled people enjoy the music, the feel of the vibration. For that period of time, no one cares. Just joy. But – there’s always a but – that joy continues after the music stops. That lifted state of joy and love continues. The connection between people remains. The desire to be together, as one, remains in everyone’s hearts and minds.

Imagine – here’s an even better one – a simultaneously timed playing of a song or a piece music around the world where people gathers to dance, to jump, and just have fun. The energy release through that simple act of joy that everyone can connect with and enjoy with each other. No need for anything but fun, energy and love. And they take that joy away and spread the love and peace with all that they come into contact with.

Just think – how easy would that be to arrange. So – a request – if you know someone who can help in manifesting this – my email is jonlduke@icloud.com. I’d love to do it. I even know the song. What is it? Time will tell.

So, to finish, it feels like another song – and a dance – is in order. I suggest that you brush yourself down, give yourself a knowing smile in the mirror, have a quick swig of your favourite tipple and, as the song goes – Let’s Face The Music And Dance.

“There may be trouble ahead
But while there’s music and moonlight (moonlight and music) and love and
romance
Let’s face the music and dance
Before the fiddlers have fled
Before they ask us to pay the bill, and while we still have that chance
Let’s face the music and dance
Soon, we’ll be without the moon
Humming a different tune – and then…
There may be teardrops to shed
So (But) while there’s music and moonlight (moonlight and music) and love and
romance
(Let’s face the music and dance, dance)
(Let’s face the music – let’s here that music)
Let’s face the music and dance”

Enjoy the music. It was my first love and it will be my last.
Jon