On riding the tide of joy

There is a tide of joy and wonder and delight in the world, 
which, if only we would learn to ride upon it,
could carry us, as a surfer
on the swell of the great ocean of life.

Misery and woe and dismay can drown out
the sound of its music
but always it is there, in the undercurrent.
It will resurface
and joy will ultimately win the day.

On problems

Some problems are unfinished business.

Others are doors best closed.

May we learn to discern
which is which -
and act thereupon.

On saying no

One of the most important words we need to be able to say is 'no'
when 'no' is the appropriate answer.

On watching our children go the wrong way

The wrong way will always end in a blind alley
then maybe they will turn back.

This may not be true but the thought came to me
and did seem to be some sort of consolation for parents.

On the security of winter

I have always loved the warmth 
of cocooned and cosy winter nights,
when the dark lies beyond the doors 
and the be-curtained windows
and all is safe within.

On the joy of once again being able to play my LP of Die Fledermaus

The first joy was the rewiring of the record player (a donation from youngest son's best mate, as surplus to his requirement, ours having finally bitten the dust!!). For over a year, I'd had movement but no sound, a dismal state of affairs.
Last week, we finally decided to tackle the horrendous task of moving the heavy item of furniture on which the music-stack stands, surrounded as it was by a plethora of tangled wires - nightmare. After much heaving and shoving and unravelling of aforesaid tangles, we reached the plugs. The 'phono' plug was in the wrong hole!! Whoopee, we had sound.
Now I could start to play through my LPs. These have been pruned over the years (honestly) and are reduced to my very favourite selections. Arranged as they are, in alphabetical order, first is the 10in LP of Die Fledermaus. (It's there because it's smaller than the others, which trumps the alphabet!).
Not only do I LOVE the music, it was my dad's and he loved it too so that's an added happy memory. As soon as the music starts, I feel transported by joy. It surely has to be one of the most joyful pieces ever written, every tune a gem.
The record is old and jumps on the 'best' bits where I've probably lifted the stylus and replayed it once too often! I'm now on the first 12 inch, my second favourite piece of all time, Bach's Double Violin Concerto with the Oistrachs, David and Igor, father and son. This is the first by alphabet.
What pleasure awaits as I go through the others, all beloved, unheard for far too long; ah bliss. I will while away the evenings, especially when football on the telly keeps the menfolk occupied!
Well, each to his - or her - own, I say!!

PS The tune I love the most is "So muss allein ich bleiben" but for Dad, it was always the beautiful chorus, "Bruderlein und Schwesterlein". These words translate to me as, "Little brothers and little sisters". If we would but remember that we are each other's little brothers and little sisters, the world might be a better place. Maybe we would learn to laugh at ourselves a little more, as they do in this lovely operetta and find more joy in life. It is there if only we would look.

On Rome - and Life

You can look down 
and see the messiness,
or you can look up 
and see the magnificence.

On the legacy of our lives

What will matter,
at the end of our lives,
is the size of our hearts
and not the size of our bank balances.

I have the feeling that this thought
might not be wholly original
but it is what I've written in my notebook
so I hope there's just the trace of something a little bit new.