We like to ask questions of what we see – What? Why? How? That is the way our minds work. However, what if we allow the humble daffodil to draw questions out of us?! Interrogation and cross-examination tend to be the stuff of courts of justice and spy thrillers so what questions might the humble […]
There are points in life when all of us face giants – fears, phobias and phantoms of the night or day. Most do not have a physical form but seem bigger and more horrible in the night. Others face bullies at school, at work, in the neighbourhood or even in families where you are supposed […]
Every locality has its landmarks and we all use them for navigating around our landscapes. A few like the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty are notable beyond their locality, but most only mean something to locals. When a familiar old tree is taken down or a favourite shop closes, there is a sense of loss and some disorientation. The pictured monument is probably known only to a very few readers – it is placed in heathland to mark the proximity of habitat for Wild Cranberries, the Woodlark and Nightjar. Some have creatively also used it for geocaching so if it was moved it would be confusing for dog walkers and for those searching for their next geocache answer. You will have some landmarks that mean a lot to you but little to others. Come to that, in the landscape of life, you will have people or events that are significant landmarks particularly to you. Perhaps you are a landmark for others like a cairn on a mountain walk to help them on their way.
You may well know this bird is an Oyster Catcher and be familiar with its beautiful burbling sound but none of us can share its unique perspective as it skims low across the sea. What is your unique perspective in life at present? In the twists and turns of life, we find ourselves in diverse places, travelling at different speeds and dealing with many types of emotion. Here are some experiences you might be entering, wanting, dreading or leaving behind – going into the valley, on the mountain to, in the boat, on an eagle’s wing or walking on water. Whichever one it is, you probably won’t be able to change it so the vital thing is to have the right perspective as you pass through it.
Few people like to admit that they have a strong need to be in control, unkindly or perhaps aptly referred to as ‘control freaks’. Some of the signs are that they often correct or belittle others, find themselves judging people, refuse to admit when they are wrong, sometimes use the silent treatment as emotional blackmail and always need to have the last word. Whilst this may apply to how they relate to others, ironically they themselves lack self-control over many things including the desire to be in control! There is also a healthy type of control for otherwise chaos reigns. Yet if you take control to its unhealthy extent you head into areas of domination and manipulation which indicate personal insecurity. Those who love power love to use it and to flaunt it as these armour-plated limousines and this fierce Presidential bodyguard demonstrate.
