Category: daily prompt

Worrying

Worry, it’s a draining burden, but is it necessary?

What could you do less of?

Its probably a subject matter that will be picked up on quite a bit i should imagine, purely because of the state of things in this big wide world, and because of the burdens we put upon our selves quite unnecessarily. Now I ain’t any psychologist, and you aren’t going to find a health hack here. Someone has asked the question, and I’m just giving my two penneth worth as they say.

Why do we worry? God knows, we worry about what others think when in all truthfulness they don’t give a rats ass about you, it’s something that has somehow worked its way into your psyche and it’s now programmed to pester you 24hrs a day. Just forget it they say, that’s easier said than done, it’s like a medieval soldier being sent into battle and being told, “Don’t worry about any armour, they just want to talk!” As soon as your defences are down, fight and flight appears on the scene, and that makes things a million times worse.

It’s strange that some of our biggest battles are with our own internal settings, when in our own personal little world there really is nothing to worry about. We worry about things that could happen, when they most probably will not, we worry about others, which is not a bad thing, but we neglect our own well being.

And here I am, fully loaded with all of the above spouting all this bilge out, why? Am I just replying to that prompt issued by WP? Or am I crying out for help? Probably neither to be honest, I’m just letting people know in advance that I’m probably one of life’s inherently natural worriers, and if I ever meet you I’m probably going to worry about your well being as well.

It’s probably why I’m so introverted, there’s a limit to just how much infectious burden you can bear, and to be honest I think my brain has a short circuit in that area.

It would be lovely to off load all that burden, and for once, stand without that emotional globe on my weary shoulders.

Take care, and have a wonderful day, i worry about you.

Self care? Have a laugh…

How do you practice self-care?

Well this is a first. I thought I’d answered all of the WordPress daily prompts but I’ve either missed this one in the past or barring that they’ve actually added some new prompts. I personally think it’s the former and I’ve just not been paying attention, however they wish for an answer and who am I not to see that through. Here we go.

Self care

I’m not being pedantic when I post a title such as this, but I must admit that probably just like a lot of others out there, self care is not anywhere near the top of my agenda and sits quite low in the pecking order of things for me to do.

To be honest the feral cat that resides in our garden gets fed before I even think about feeding myself or taking my daily meds, to think of it even the plants in the garden get fed before i attend to myself, and my wife’s needs also come before any needs that I have that may need attention. I’ve always been a person that deals with others first, and get great comfort in seeing other individuals looking happy and comfortable, yes, being looked after.

I know people will start chuntering “Ooh you have to look after yourself “ and maybe they do need to do that, but to be honest I’ve managed almost 60 years without it and I’m doing just fine thank you. I’m not the sort of person always at the doctors door , expressing every ache and pain, I know when something seriously isn’t right and even then I question myself whether it’s even worth bothering anyone about.

My self care really is limited to my walking, my hobbies and occasional quiet time, all of which are just fleeting activities that are grabbed at, once every one else is catered for.

I know that there will come a time where I just can’t do anymore, and that will be the time when I will have no alternative but to stop, and look after what I have left. Yep, it maybe too late, but at least I will have great comfort in knowing I have put everyone else first.

No selfishness here.

Have a great day, whatever you are doing.

Any politician

What public figure do you disagree with the most?

Gotta be pretty much any politician I’ve seen or heard from in my life. The ones I’ve witnessed who will help in a situation always seem to have an ulterior motive, normally one that lines their pockets or doesn’t want issue in their own back yards. (Nimbyism)

Our local politician

I point you to the farce that is Leicester city council and the gelatinous mess who are representing us there. All got their snouts in the trough, don’t really give a toss about the local populace as long as they are ok.

A good old, “I’m alright Jack” attitude.

They’re all as bad as each other, many different parties all with the same agendas.

It crazy and criminal.

Have a great day.

A Musician and a Scientist

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

There are a number of movies and tv series that I have watched multiple times over the years, however one from each category really stands out for me.

I have grown up with the James Bond franchise, as have many in my age group, and these films are still watched and enjoyed to this day.

But these are not my favourites. These are my favourites below.

Film wise I absolutely love the old James Stewart classic “The Glenn Miller story” this remains my favourite movie of all time and when it is on, that is my time, sit down, shut out all the noise and enjoy the wonderful story on how he created a unique sound that is still practiced to this day. And just like any good story it abruptly ends with his sad demise. A wonderful film in my eyes.

Glenn Miller

Secondly a tv series. That goes to the amazing Carl Sagan and his years ahead of its time “Cosmos” series. For a youngster brought up through the space race years there was a hunger for knowledge of our universe, that this series more than catered for. I have this entire series on DVD and it has even been updated from its original issue date in 1980. In 1986 more animations and commentary were added. Sagan passed away in 1996. He was the science teacher we all wished we had at school.

Carl Sagan

So that’s it for me, two of the finest televisual treats that I am aware of and still watch to this very day.

Have a wonderful day. Don’t let anyone take you down.

Same as when last asked…

If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

We are now on a WP quote repeat cycle. This question was last asked on the 2nd of March 2023.

Back then the answer to the question from me was “Impossible” and I include the link to it here Thoughts 2/3/23

It’s pointless blabbering on about it again when it’s already out there. It’s only a short piece and I can’t think of any other words to add to it apart from a couple used by the younger set being, “Babe,” I hear that word and I cringe, or the word “Like” used as an informal adverb, though it is used so often in that context it’s now quite formal and swamping conversation.

adverb

  1. 1. INFORMALused in speech as a meaningless filler or to signify the speaker’s uncertainty about an expression just used.”there was this funny smell—sort of dusty like”
  2. 2. INFORMALused to convey a person’s reported attitude or feelings in the form of direct speech (whether or not representing an actual quotation).”so she comes into the room and she’s like ‘Where is everybody?’”

Oxford English dictionary

Oh well, that’s me moaned out for the day.

Have a great day out there today. And if you have sun – enjoy 😉

Unconditional love and affection

What is good about having a pet?

Now I couldn’t not answer this prompt after the year we have had. See this post from August this year: Is there a cure for a broken heart 💔 We have had three dogs over the 33 yrs of our marriage and each of them was a lovely individual character. All were of the same breed – Bichon Frise.

Muffin

Our first was Muffin in the early 90s, I have never known such a laid back and calm little dog, he was a super little fellow, not scared by noises and loved by everyone, next was Digger who became Muffins “Carer” as it wasn’t until later in life when Muffin was very old that we’d realised he was losing his sight and it was Digger guiding him around with strange little nudges to his neck and head. Digger didn’t like children and would growl at them but it was all noise, just pat him or give him a treat and he was your friend for life, he was the polar opposite of Muffin.

Muffin and Digger

Then came along little Alfie. We were grieving after Diggers demise and Alfie pretty much came to us. My wife saw a little pup being walked and went over to say hello, it transpired that the owner didn’t want little “Joey” and he eventually came to us. His name was changed to “Alfie” as we already had a budgie called “Joey” and the whole thing would have been confusing to continue that way. Alfie was a mix of his earlier brothers, he was as soft as shite, loved everyone (even children) and was a very big part of our whole family, I never heard him growl at anyone throughout his whole life, he went everywhere with us.

Alf – our little fellah

Alfie passed away on the 16th August this year. We are still very upset and slowly coming to terms with it all, as more time passes and allegedly heals.

Animals are the most beautiful of companions. They will give you unconditional love and affection in return for very little. It really is a blessing that an animal from another species can gain your trust and give you so much in return.

Then they pass away and break your heart into a million pieces. This has occurred with us three times in the past and I very much doubt we will let that happen again. We just couldn’t take it. Even though I am pining like mad to have the routine we had, I have to resist it.

If you are willing to give your all to love and support one of these fantastic animals, through good and bad and back again,then please go ahead and do it, you will not be disappointed. If you can’t commit to all that then please stand back and let someone else do it.

Three beautiful boys

Joy and love are the best words I can use. They are wonderful creatures that make your world a better place. Who else would you tell your most confidential thoughts and dreams to and know that no one else would ever find out?

Trust. Nobody does it better. Get a dog.

Wine & life

What do you think gets better with age?

Wine…. old movies, aged steak and being happy with your lot.

My life in a nutshell 😂

Easy.

Nuff said

Thoughts 3/3/24

What are three objects you couldn’t live without?

I live with my wife and dog. I do not wish to objectify or itemise them as they do not deserve that, they deserve an immense amount of love and respect, I’m just putting it out there that they are all I need in my life and have been for many years.

However as I dutifully have to make a choice or three here we go.

  • Medication 💊 without the two that I currently take (I won’t go in to detail) I guess it would be game over so to be honest this is probably the most relevant
  • Books 📕 my constant thirst for knowledge and learning means that this object slots comfortably into second place. As I’m a child of the sixties it’s books over Internet all day long, as the internet didn’t exist then, fast forward 3 decades and my choice if I’d been born in a different era might be slightly different.
  • Camera 📷 what better way to remember all those wonderful places, people and memories you have created along the way. Whether using the old film cameras of my generation or the new fandango units and phones of today, how else are you going to peek into time gone by and put a smile back on your face.

Yep, I’m happy with that, had to think a bit but these are the three items I could not live without.

Be happy my friends, peace to you all.

Thoughts 2/3/24

What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

My father was a demon. Consumed with jealousy towards my mother she couldn’t speak to anyone without being questioned about her motives. Most of my formative years were spent as a youngster protecting her and my younger sister from his rage. Going to bed at night as a young teenager with a metal bar under the covers to be ready to go at him should he fly into another of his rage’s leaves a scar on my memory to this day, almost 40 years later.

I always stated that I would never be like him, and all these years later I think I’ve done ok. My life is better than his, I have achieved more than him and I have never raised my hand to anyone especially a female in my entire life, so in theory I think I have won.

He still haunts me in my dreams though and it is as if I am still being challenged by him even though he is no longer here.

I’ve grown from this experience, no child should ever have to suffer this amount of emotional abuse, no female should ever have to live through that constant fear of an abusive partner. No man should ever be capable of such coercion.

But it happens.

Just not in my life anymore… I’ve grown.

Stay smiling, you are a beautiful person who deserves happiness.

Thoughts 1/3/24

Do you believe in fate/destiny?

I believe you shape your destiny and fate. Nothing too complex, don’t read too much into it, if you are nice and polite to people, you will get the same in return. Opportunities will surface due to your attitude so take what is presented to you as a result.

Yes, attitude shapes fate and destiny.