Say When 2

 

You see the picture above?

This is a plant that has adorned my kitchen window for the last 5 years.

I don’t remember it’s name now but it gave out red flowers about once or twice a year, beautiful vibrant flowers that lit my kitchen.

To this plant I’ve talked, ranted, sang and danced. This lovely plant has been a dependable confidant listening to my off tune singing, lusty prayers and frenzied dancing. It has been a keen reminder that this is my home my place of comfort, where I’m free to be myself. But you know what? Three months ago I and members of my family noticed that it’s leaves were turning brown. Concerned, I went out and got plant food which we administered religiously for weeks but the leaves just became dryer and dryer. Then in desperation I began to water it more often. I used to water it once a week in winter and twice the other seasons but despite the increased watering the plant kept dying on me until all that is left of this once leafy green plant with red flowers is dry dead sticks.

I acknowledged that the plant is dead and gone about a month ago but I’ve not been able to bring myself to throw it away or replace it. But I’ve finally made that decision. I’ve picked a date to throw it in the bin old vase and all, and I’ve decided to get a replacement that is bigger with a brighter coloured vase.

And this brings me to some things I’ve been thinking about since my kitchen plant died. I wonder. Are there dead things in your life as well? Like dead careers, relationships, even businesses? How did/do you manage them?

Are you like me, holding on desperately, doing all you can to revive/keep alive, hanging in there waiting for a miracle?

Do you even realise that your ‘plant’ is dead or do you think it’s just sleeping or a little sick?

You know, it’s one thing to hold onto something because we think it’s alive when in reality it is dead and it’s another thing to hold onto something when we know for sure that it is dead.

Ask yourself these questions. Is my ‘plant’ dead?
Is there a chance that it will come alive again?
Was this the right ‘plant’ for me in the first place?
How do I feel about this dead plant in my life?
Do I want to continue with it?
I’m I ready to continue with it dead leaves and all?
Is this plant occupying valuable space, a space that a better one can occupy?

Only you can answer some life questions.
Only you can make some life giving (changing) decisions.

Only, YOU.

Again and Again?

Yesterday I was at a circus.
It was two hours of fun and excitement as the various acts of the night gave their performances.
From acrobats to ballet dancers to jugglers to clowns, every performer delivered a superlative act that was acknowledged by loud cheering and clapping.
There were excited comments from the spectators like ‘how does he do that?’
‘Who are these people?’
‘These guys are simply amazing.’

I can’t do anything like that, I thought, even if I tried.
But then these people are human beings like myself. They each have one head and two hands. They do not have two heads ( for increased smartness) or three hands that I would say is the reason they are able to do amazing things.

Still thinking these thoughts I filed out with other spectators at the end of the show.
At the exit stood two people holding out leaflets to anyone who passed by and who was interested in them.
Out of curiosity I collected one of the leaflets and glanced through it. It was an itinerary for the circus.
They were slated to perform in three different cities over the next two months and not only that but they also had to tour big cities in other countries so that for most part of the year they were performing every day and for most days of the year.
So essentially, these performers get to perform almost everyday and for every year (well, until they retire I guess).
This realisation brought to mind a quote which I have written below.

We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.

-Aristotle

Great performances are mostly as a result of repetition. The performer hones his skill over time with diligent practice. We, the spectators do not get to see them at that time. What we see is the finished product that amazes and enthralls us. Of course talent helps but generally whatever one does often and dedicatedly one gets better at. And this does not apply to being a circus act alone.

So if you want people to say about you…
‘How does he do that?’
‘Who is this girl/guy?’
She/he is simply amazing.’

Learn something worthwhile and practise it again and again.

People Will Talk.

People will talk.

Whether you do or you do not.

They will talk,

If you work very hard.

‘My goodness,’ they will say. ‘He works too hard.
He must have little else to do with his life!’

They will also talk, if you don’t.

‘I have never seen anybody as lazy as he, always loafing around. What a waste of space!’

If you enjoy your own company,
and like to remain indoors…

‘He must be queer.’

Or

‘Something bad is definitely going on, otherwise why is his door always locked?’

And if you are the busy, never at home type?

‘She spends so much time outside, what is she running away from at home?

Or

‘When does he get to spend quality time with his family if he is never at home?’

If you are studious.

‘She’s always studying, what a boring person!’

If you are not…

‘No wonder she’s such a loser, what an unserious fellow.’

If you are friendly.

‘Why is she so friendly?
She must be promiscuous.’

If you are not.

‘What a snob and very rude too.’

If you like to mind your business.

‘What an uncaring and insensitive person!’

If you don’t?

‘Why can’t she mind her own business?
She’s such a gossip!’

If you buy yourself a present.

‘What a spendthrift! With all the poverty in Africa…’

If you do not.

‘What a cheapskate, he can’t even get himself a decent pair of shoes.’

My point?

People will talk.
Whether you do or you do not.

3D, 4D, 5D, 6D…

My daughter came home very excited the other day.
She and her class had just watched a 4D movie.
‘Mummy,’ she said, jumping on one foot excitedly.
‘You should go and watch one.
I could actually see the fog around my feet and even had the sensation of snow falling on my face.
It was amazing.’ She said, dancing around the kitchen.
‘We should go again soon.’
I smiled indulgently as I beheld my teenage daughter who at times behaved so grown up and at other times was like a little child.

Not to digress.
I remember when I first watched a 3D movie, it was really fascinating but at a point I had to discard my 3D glasses because I had got tired of dodging the flying birds in the animated movie we were watching.
It kept feeling like they would soon fly straight into my face and I was getting tired of all the dodging.
‘It’s just an effect,’ whispered my husband in irritation.
‘Stop moving your head around so much before you bang my head with yours.’
That was the point that I took my glasses off.

And now several years later there’s the 4D movie.
I’ve decided to sneak out and watch one alone and see how it feels before going with the family. No need for any late night emergency room visit.
Especially as I’ve heard that one actually experiences things.
Makes me wonder what any other ‘D’ coming after, will be like.
I told my daughter that day that it will probably get to the point that we, the viewers will star in the movies we watch along with the cast and we will probably also be able to decide how we want the movie to end. And then wave a hearty goodbye as the cast disappear into thin air at the end of the flick.

Care to share your experiences and thoughts?

Where do you think technology is leading to with regards the above?