Category Archives: a musing

In 2016 I chose three words to focus on during the year, following a suggestion by Chris Brogan, and I repeated this in 2017, 2018 and then 2019, when I chose: responsible – source – alive. How did I do in 2019?

• Responsible – I believe outsourcing personal responsibility to government, large technology companies and other organisations is one of the biggest dangers we face, because it allows them to shape and control our lives totally. There is no brake on these organisations where individuals cede responsibility. I continue to make my own way where I can by shouldering responsibility and must continue this at all times.
• Source – Another tough challenge when there is so much pressure from giant global manufacturers, retailers, technology companies and similar organisations to accept what they offer and not necessarily what we want. Wherever possible, I try to find what I want, according to my own requirements, sourcing local goods and services from local suppliers.
• Alive – It is so easy to be seduced by different forms of media, especially when using these for work, and passively to accept that the illusion of reality created by the online world. I have switched more of my time back to the real world and, again, will continue working on this.

This brings me to my words for the year ahead: 

vital – work – jigsaw

Why have I chosen these three words for 2020?

Vital

More than ever I am aware of the real world – the world beyond devices, networks and the rich illusion of empty nothingness that seduces us and drains our energy. I am aware of the raw energy of cold, damp and wind, of heat and dry, even of time passing slowly when apparently nothing happens. All too often we are deceived into ignoring life, with all its harshness, upsets and struggles alongside exhilaration, magic and breath-taking beauty. I don’t reject the tools technology offers us, but I will be putting them back in the toolbox at the end of the working day in preference for vitality.

Work

Five years of grief have taught me that what brings me joy is work: doing things. In 2019, I have co-founded a business magazine, co-organised a successful business exhibition, researched and written a dissertation to complete my History MA, started reading history for pleasure, returned to writing and performing in theatre, and completed my first sculpture project – all only possible through work. At the moment, there is a widespread focus on mental health and, I believe, a misguided emphasis on encouraging people to talk about their problems. This simplistic approach might work for some, but I believe it is has the deep flaws of tunnel vision: the last thing I wanted to do was talk. Every person’s struggle is different and the key is for each of them to discover what will open their door back into life. Helping them to find their unique key is a complex and exhausting task which has to be recognised and supported. Work, getting on with things, has turned me round from not wanting to get out of bed in the morning to being possibly more productive and successful than I have ever been. Being invited to a reception at the House of Lords in recognition of our magazine was the icing on the cake this year – I could not have imagined this even a year ago. I also work on leisure projects for enjoyment and these have helped me rediscover the benefits and importance of the opposite of work: doing nothing to relax and refresh. Each complements and feeds the other. Life is cruelly tough and, for me, work has recovered my hope and optimism in a world where many have lost sight of both.

Jigsaw

Many of us are unconventional, yet are pressed by the suffocating identity politics of our authoritarian culture to identify with tribes that are then pitted against each other in aggression. I don’t belong. This has been a challenge all my life and for a long time I tried to belong before eventually recognising that I don’t. At the same time, I realise I do belong. I understand that while some of us may not be capable of belonging to a club, gang, society, organisation or other group in a community, we do, as individuals, have our own place in this world. While we may feel alone and separate, there is always a place in the universe where we fit snugly, even though it doesn’t always seem obvious. We may not inhabit the networks of social groups in our communities, but we nevertheless have a place, even though it is not easily defined. Every one of us is a piece in the greater jigsaw and without us the picture remains incomplete. In the coming year and beyond I will rejoice in my place in the jigsaw.

Starting now . . .

This year the struggle to define my words has been a bigger challenge than in any other year. Do I mean what I say? I think I do and I will find out as I progress through 2020.

Do you have a direction you have set for yourself in the year ahead?

Good luck with what you believe and want to achieve, and may you have a wonderful New Year.

In 2016 I chose three words to focus on during the year, following a suggestion by Chris Brogan, and I repeated this in 2017 and then 2018, when I chose: nibble – rest – clear. How did I do in 2018?

• Nibble – I succeeded in making a lot of changes and once I had started, these seemed to snowball. Small tasks I completed grew into bigger projects that I am now really enjoying. It works to nibble at a big task to increase progress.
• Rest – Whenever possible, I made sure I had a rest from work to refresh and recharge. It isn’t always possible, but it has certainly made a difference. A whole weekend away from screens is so refreshing and energises me for when I start the new week.
• Clear – Being open to new ideas and not restricting myself in my thinking. My History MA has really helped here and I have learnt a lot in the year. Approaching a topic with an open mind is essential to learning.

Taking into account any progression, what are my three words for the year ahead?

responsible – source – alive

Why have I chosen these three words for 2019?

Responsible

Since my 20s, and probably earlier, I have believed in the power of taking individual responsibility to make things happen and to improve life, not just for me but for everyone. I can remember, way back in 1984, a discussion – on the A4 at Hammersmith in a shared car on the way to work – when I stated that I did not believe in rights, but in privileges. I believe life itself is a privilege and like any privilege it can be taken away from us just like that. This hasn’t been a popular view, but I don’t think I’m the only person to believe this. For decades, we have outsourced our personal responsibilities to government and other organisations which have eroded care and concern for individuals, leading to the current widespread loss of faith in ‘systems’ disconnected from people and built to fail. I believe taking personal responsibility is now more important than ever before. It doesn’t matter how small a matter is, taking personal responsibility will have a beneficial effect, which will snowball if more people do it. I understand that it’s not always easy and that not everyone is capable of doing it – I have been through times when I let so many things in my life slide into chaos that I was barely able to function mentally – which is why it is important for those of us who are capable to be responsible and why I am focusing on it.

Source

What are we? We are what we eat and drink and breathe. What is true? The news? Gossip? Videos? Stories? Where do the things we use come from? From mining? Agriculture? Factories? Everything we use, from ideas and beliefs developed from what we read, hear and see to material items like phones, clothes and cars, has a source. Often we don’t know where something comes from, whether it be a rumour or a gadget, and I believe it is important to know. Because we are often so far removed from the source and production of things, it is difficult to know what impact we have when we consume or use them and whether, if we switch from one thing to another, it would be better for everyone and the environment. 15 years ago I switched to a diesel car because it seemed less polluting, only to find it was not necessarily the case. Being aware of the source of things, ideas and beliefs is essential to trying to understand our place and our impact on this world, and to living a better life and making life better for all.

Alive

As I grow older, life passes faster. It seems so. And every second is more precious. Living vicariously through the record of others’ experiences is a waste when every second can be used to experience raw life. Whether walking in wind and rain, catching a rainbow or surprise sunset, or simply being with another soul, just being together in silence, is what makes us come alive. Joy, sadness, laughter, melancholy, excitement, weariness, wonder, fear, hope – all bring us alive. I will be more selective in my online presence as I spend more time feeling alive.

Starting now . . .

I’ve already started with these and will be interested to see where they go.

Do you have a direction you have set for yourself in the year ahead?

Good luck with what you believe and want to achieve, and may you have a wonderful New Year.

I’m not a fan of clipart or stock photography.

I think this comes from seeing so many web sites and brochures showing pictures which have nothing to do with the organisation publishing them. If a company wants to demonstrate that it has happy, smiling employees, why not feature photos of its people rather than stock photos of idealised employees?

It’s something that puts me off a web site when the first thing I see is a stock photo. If the company can’t even be bothered to take an original photo, how bothered will it be to look after me as a customer?

As for clipart, I know that it can be useful for demonstrations and explanations, but very cheap, amateur-looking clip art does not give a good impression.

Readymade images are obviously convenient, but original photos and artwork can make a web site or document stand out from the crowd. Isn’t that what businesses want?

Original imagery takes time, thought and creativity and can cost more if you don’t have a good photographer or designer in your team, but I think it is definitely worth it. And with today’s digital cameras and phones, it has never been easy to create original photos and video.

Well, that’s my Thursday rant. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.

The clock in our kitchen stopped working at the weekend. It’s a quartz clock with a battery in it, nothing special, but it’s useful for keeping an eye on the time when cooking or when we need to go out or do something at a specific time. We changed the battery, but it wouldn’t go. We tried another battery, but it still wouldn’t go. We thought we would have to replace it.

Now, we don’t like waste. Also, it’s sad that items on sale now just don’t seem to last as manufacturers cut corners to cut costs. We’ve found this with many appliances, even those produced by companies with a supposedly good reputation. And it doesn’t seem to make a difference whether they cost a little or a lot.

I didn’t want to buy a new clock for these reasons, so I took it down and fiddled with the contacts and put the battery back in. The clock went for a few minutes and then stopped. I had another go later in the morning and the same thing happened. I tried it several more times and eventually it carried on working and is now keeping good time.

I’m glad I persisted because there was no need to get a new clock and it would been a waste to throw this one away.

It’s a small achievement in the war against unnecessary waste.

Due to family members ageing and passing away, we have accumulated so many things that we need to find new homes for. We don’t throw them away because many of these household items, quite ordinary in their own way, are far superior to anything you can buy today, yet few people value them. We have been taking them to car boot sales, advertising them on eBay and generally trying to find people who will appreciate books, china, ornaments, tools and a lot more. It would be a waste to throw them away.

This has also led me to declutter my own collection of possessions. There are many things I have accumulated over the years which I have no real use for and recently I have found owners who will appreciate them.

Because of this approach, I’m a terrible customer for retailers because I just want to maintain the things I have and not buy anything unnecessary. It matters because the economy relies on appliances breaking down being replaced regularly. I think this has to change.

I am glad I got the old clock working. I don’t like waste.