List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.
You choose your direction in life. Make it good.
Peace to all.
Are you seeking security or adventure?
I have security in particular aspects. My job and my relationship being the main ones.
Adventure, nah I’ve done all of that, I’ve got numerous tee shirts to prove it.
For me it’s now comfort. I have it in my relationship but not my job. I have itchy feet in that aspect.
When I’m in a position to vacate this role I would have then found the comfort I seek.
It will come.
Patience young man….
Retirement beckons
How important is spirituality in your life?
It’s a very personal thing for me, it’s not enforced or preached to anyone it’s just me. I spent the first 16 years of my life going to Sunday school, and then my parents left me to choose to continue or drop it. I dropped it but maintained a faith of sorts.
Spirituality is a comfort blanket for me. In times of stress and doubt I resort to my spirituality to find comfort.
I also use nature as a spiritual comfort. If I disappear out into the wilds for a good long walk it’s usually to clear my mind. And it works for me.
As I say it’s a highly personal thing.
Have a blessed day everyone.
My wife’s best friend is getting married this weekend, so we have ventured away from our place in the East Midlands, down to the smoke on the outskirts of north London.
For 54 years of my life I lived in this area so I know it very well both man and child. Most of my formative years were spent in and around here just doing what kids growing up used to do. But today I’m back here as an adult and things today look so different from when I was younger. However one place looks as serene and beautiful as ever.
And that is Mr. Gilbert’s place.
When I was at my junior school we put on a show called, “The pirates of Penzance”. I remember dressing up and singing many jaunty songs but at the time I never made the connection.
Then one day, playing with my friends we ventured up to Old Redding on the borders of Harrow, Stanmore and Oxhey, where there were woods and cycle tracks and people walking dogs, in avenues of what I now know are rhododendron bushes. There was a small lake, and then when you wandered through the beautiful display of flowers you came upon this beautiful sight.
Speaking with my parents it now became clear that we had stumbled across the former home of the dramatist W.S Gilbert, him of Gilbert and Sullivan fame who’d written that show I was in at school, it all now fell into place.
The manor is now a hotel and that is why my wife and I are here this weekend. The Manor House is steeped in history and is still the HQ of the W.S Gilbert society who regularly stage his shows in the environment in which they were written.
Now Mr.Gilbert unfortunately saw his demise here at the lake in the grounds. In 1911 he was giving a swimming lesson to two ladies when one of them got into trouble whilst attempting to swim, he dived in to save her but unfortunately had a heart attack and his life ended there.
The manor went through changes of ownership throughout the years before being taken over by Best Western a few years ago.
The grounds are some of the best maintained that you will ever see in a hotel environment, there is wildlife freely roaming and as we were having a drink just last evening we had the company of some small deer not far from us.
It’s hard to believe we are just a few hundred yards from busy main roads, it’s just so quiet. You are guaranteed a peaceful stay here at Mr.Gilberts, it our go to place whenever we are in this part of the world.
If you’re ever in this part of the world just walk through or stay for a while. There are excellent travel links to central London and not many better places than this to have a base. It’s a touch of total tranquility on the outskirts of one of the world’s most manic city environments.
What notable things happened today?
It’s just after 5 in the morning and the only notable thing that has occurred so far today is that I have woken up.
And to be honest for everyone that’s no mean feat. The fact we have awoken from our slumber is something to be grateful for. You have another day on this planet, another go at trying to have a good day, another day to mend relationships and to forgive those little misdemeanours and mistakes.
Another chance to be a better person.
I’ve had my first cup of tea of the day and my next big decision is whether to make another.
Start the day with a blank canvas, and go paint a masterpiece.
Hopefully you’ll get another go at it tomorrow. You just never know.
Just do it. And enjoy it.
Happy days all.
How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen?
There are two ways at approaching this. Are we referring to unplugging from technology or unplugging from life when things start to get on top of you?
In technology apart from using WordPress as I am using currently for this blogging thing, I don’t use any other social platform apart from Twitter or “X” or whatever it is known as now to keep tabs on some groups I follow. I don’t partake in posting on it, it’s a vile, filth filled platform of hate that you only have to log into to witness. I don’t really need it to be honest and can delete it and feel no loss, and the world in my eyes becomes a better place. This is where social media falls down, the low life element of society now has a platform to spread its questionable ideology.
So technology in this aspect can just be deleted. In fact I’ve just this minute deleted Twitter so that’s a positive move, no antisocial media to worry about. Ignorance is sometimes bliss.
However the second aspect of when things start to get on top of you will differ from person to person. Personally for me as I have stated in the past, my job role bleeds over into my private life quite literally and I have now put measures in place to stop that. Previously I was available 24hrs, believe me you cannot do that and enjoy a healthy balance in life. You must stop and make immediate changes.
Work phone goes on when I start work and off at the end of the day. The business has been informed not to contact me via my private phone or email. All company WhatsApp groups have been deleted, I will find out what’s happened when I book on. All overtime shifts have been refused.
Result: my home life has improved, I’m a better person to be around and my priorities have been realigned. I’m resting better, my mood has improved and I’m starting to enjoy a life with my loved ones that I was in danger of jeopardising.
Work to live, don’t live to work.
Shine bright people.
What is the legacy you want to leave behind?
I have no kids, I’ve not done anything particularly good or spectacular for anyone to remember me by, I’ve just lived a good life, been a good citizen and that’s about it.
So like the majority of residents of this planet that have gone before me maybe I might be remembered as being a decent person, but more than likely I will be forgotten. Ive just been a resident, a paid up member of the brotherhood of man, and that’s not such a bad thing.
Maybe, slinking away into anonymity is the way to go. Who cares? No fuss.
Peace
What topics do you like to discuss?
To be honest I’ll talk about anything. The only things I try to avoid are religion and politics because both subjects can get a bit heated.
I also love talking about sports. Especially football and my local football Club where I’m a season ticket holder. I love discussing football with people who support other teams. I love to hear their points of view. We share anecdotes, we sing silly songs and we have a tribal atmosphere as such and this all provides hours of stuff to talk about.
I also love my hobbies. You probably already know that hence the reason you’re probably looking at this blog. You may have just stumbled across it and if you have, “hello” and welcome to the Foxes Den where I’ll try and fix things. I’m not always successful but I’ll get immense fun and enjoyment out of it. It all helps me keep a level head.
I’ll try to avoid talking about Work because to be honest it’s starting to get on my nerves now. I’m getting to the end of my working life, I’m looking forward to retirement if I can make it. I just hope nothing occurs in the short period of time between now and then. I don’t want to bore people about my work, i just try to keep people safe but you don’t always get recognised for doing that. You represent a big organisation and that’s it for you really, you’re no longer an individual. You’re just a number and I don’t like that.
I hope this answers the question that was originally put to me for this blog post as I’ve gone on a bit I must admit, but hey it’s 02:30 in the morning. I’m sitting at work waiting for the next job to come in and I’m contemplating whether to have another cup of tea
I think I’ll have that cup of tea. I deserve it.
I wish a happy day to everyone who is reading this. I hope you are successful in all you do, I hope you’re kind to people and at peace with your lot. Be kind to yourself as well because at the end of the day you are the most important person on this planet.
Take care
What’s something most people don’t understand?
Basic good manners.
Let’s be honest how many times a day does someone say “please” or “thank you”.
Not many I’ll bet.
Was a thing years ago when you were told that if you went through life using these two words you’d go far, or at least you’d have the basic grounding for a good start in life.
Yeah I know some will say I’m getting old and the world has changed, it has and not necessarily for the better. It’s still lovely to be thanked and to hear the word please once in a while instead of someone demanding your respect when they haven’t done anything to earn it.
Stay safe. Peace to all.
Foxes Den 
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