WordPress & I have decided to give it a break and I’m returning to my original blog “Being Released”… When it comes to blogging I seem to shift about a lot, sorry if this means you need to change your links again!
Category: Reflection
I seen this recently on a forum I visit every now and then and thought that it was worth sharing. 
“Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa , and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.”
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said,”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The Six-year-old continued,
”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Think good thoughts for the ones who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of LIFE…Getting back up is LIVING…
Have a great life.”
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence” Vince Lombardi (ex US football coach)
”You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.” – Johnny Cash
Johnny & his mate Bob
If you had been putting money in an account for 30 years only to discover that some funds had been taken and your balance reduced because Agnes down the street has mismanaged hers, would you accept it? Strike Member on Radio Ulster
“Give a man a gun and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank and he can rob the world”
Jim McCartney (Not sure where he got it)
Of late the expression & mantra of “one day at a time” has been going round and round my consciousness. I first took notice of this saying whilst reading it as it adorned the walls of many a public AA meeting I’ve attended. I’m not an alcoholic but have had the privilege of sharing much time with a number of recovering ones.
As with us all if we are honest I’ve some things in my life that I have to wrestle with. However with the 5 words and philosophy of “one day at a time” I can neutralise them, make progress and even overcome them. A permanent and frequent reminder of this philosophy would be helpful.
Generally speaking I’m not a fan of tattoos, but perhaps if subtly and tastefully done I can see that they could have their uses. At one stage in my life I came close to getting the Linfield FC badge tattooed on the ball of my right hand shoulder however 20 years on and I’m glad I gave that one a miss.
The more I think about it the word “one” relates to a lot of precious things in my life most important of which is my faith. One God, one King, one Saviour, one way… no compromises and no additions.
I’ve also been interested in a movement called “ONE” for some time now. ONE is a grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly inAfrica, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support smart and effective policies and programs that are saving lives, helping to put kids in school and improving futures. For a long time I’ve been concerned by how little I know about the rest of the world and how little I’ve done to support those who need it most. On my own I can’t do much but with others, together as one we can make a difference.
I’m not sure I’m quite ready for a tattoo just yet but if I was to get one this would be what it would be about…
The past is gone, it’s dead. Learn from it or forget about it, but whatever you do, don’t dwell on it. Such thoughts will only hijack the present and cast the future into doubt. Athletes don’t save energy for races they have already run. Chris Evans
I’ve been reading Chris Evans book “Memoirs of a Fruitcake” and have found it an exciting read. Whilst I’ve often aspired to read autobiographies I very rarely do. However, during the summer I wanted a light read and picked this one up. I like Chris and thought it would be a fun book – it hasn’t disappointed. I love his quick wit and energetic persona and in recent years I’ve had a growing awareness of a new honesty within him and an appreciation for people and life.
I’ve recently had reason to consider a few things in my past. We’ve all made mistakes and done things we regret but for some reason I have a mind that sometimes won’t let go of them. My mind can sometimes be quite a vicious place for its owner. Don’t worry there is nothing major nor horrendous in my past! I haven’t murdered someone or done something equally as horrible. In fact I’m often baffled as to why my mind remembers the embarrassing minutia of my life and insists on casting it up. I’m sure a therapist would have a field day. You can see why therefore the above quote of Chris’s hit a chord, it’s time to stop the past hijacking the present and to march freely into the future.
If you’re looking a light fun read with the odd poignant moment thrown in let me recommend this book to you!
I recently came across a local band called the 1930s. I have to say they are a breath of fresh air.
If you like Mumford & Son you will want to give this a listen. The lyric below jumped off my iPod yesterday from a song of theirs called “I’m a vapour” and it has been banging round my head since.
Some people die when they are forty
But they’re not buried to they’re 75
Just because your heart is beating
Doesn’t mean that you’re alive
I’m a vapour here today gone tomorrow
Don’t want to live my life here
With a heart full of sorrow
At one stage or another we have all had the conversation with ourselves or others as to what it means to be truly living. Each one of us will have an individual answer I’m sure but here’s a little additional thought. Having an answer to what it means to be truly living and then transforming the thought to experience needs attention to detail and careful monitoring. We need to frequently visit the question and remind ourselves of the answers. If we don’t the pace at which we live often allows the answers to drop out of our daily agenda and day to day experience. For £3.16 on iTunes I think it’s worth every penny – go buy the lads EP “All these things” and see what you think.
Ocean Blue 