Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:42:02 -0700WeeblyThu, 23 Jul 2026 20:36:59 GMThttp://nothomeyet.net/musings/i-always-need-to-fix-the-leaksI read something this morning I thought was interesting.  It was written by a Mary Pickford.  "All the water in the world cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. All the negativity in the world cannot sink a person unless it gets inside the mind."
I thought it just put an interesting perspective on negativity.
So often I hear advise about the importance of not succumbing to negative thoughts – to ensuring I look for and declare the positive. (at the same time I am very much into ensuring I maintain realism.  By that I mean acknowledging that realism does not deny the negative but also does not automatically declare negativism as the ultimate reality.)
The point that is made here and I really like is that negativity can only reek havoc if I allow it in.  I have heard so often, “garbage in, garbage out.”
Yet for me this quote changes the emphasis.  It encourages me to ensure that the garbage does not get into the ship in the first place - water will only cause a ship to sink when it gets into the ship.
My thinking automatically tells me, “easy to say, harder to do.”  Yup, no denying that as far as I am concerned.  Yet for me I think of two things straight away.  The first is I know I need help.  To me the difference between self-help and what I believe is that self-help alone has been proven to be inadequate and is very finite.  To me it at best makes me feel better while not having answers that satisfy. The second thought I have is that what I accept into my head is a choice.  I can choose to keep out what I know will potentially destroy me.  Again, I know I need help to do it but it is so worth it.
The more I age the more important a healthy mind is to me.  So often it seems older folk are ham strung by regrets.  The past rules. To me past success and failures are just that – past.  Y=The past can be enjoyed or dealt with but it should never rule.
]]>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:10:47 GMThttp://nothomeyet.net/musings/young-at-heartOk this is weird.  I woke up in the night not having any idea of the time.  I turned on the tv and someone was talking about my favourite subject.  My favourite subject is how we need each other.  Old and young we do not function at our best independently.
It is something I really like about N3C.  Ok there are a number of older people, but the number of younger people is growing.  What I like is hearing some of the younger ones say, “I like coming here because I need the wisdom that can be found in older people.”
Ok it is not guaranteed but I will never find something if I am not in the place where it is to be found.  Alright in years I could be considered one of the older people, but you know what I mean.  I really like something said which was something like, “aging is inevitable, getting older is optional.”
He was talking about something we were discussing last night.  That was, basically habits are the product of reinforced behaviour.    That is, the more I think old, the older I will act.  Something said was “now is the best age.”  Often, I wish I was older or younger but the truth is “now is what I have”.  Regretting missing something is a waste of time.  As long as I have now there is still time to make it happen.  Maybe as Richard Scolyer said I should leap in rather than lean in.
Ok I am a sucker for a Pixar movie.  There are a number of them I love.  I will never forget the fish in the tank planning their escape.  They wanted to make the tank as dirty as possible so it would need cleaning.  That was when they planned to escape (that night though the owner got a new cleaner which made the environment pristine).  The protagonist gave advise I do not think is appropriate for humans but as a fish wating to escape their tank, I can see why he recommended everyone “think dirty thoughts.”
The reason I found that unforgettable is I really believe how we think determines our actions and a person’s actions says a lot about the way they think.
For me it is important to think young.  Not ignoring the reality of an aging body but knowing that as I am still here there is stuff to achieve.  Age may weary but it need not stop.]]>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:03:27 GMThttp://nothomeyet.net/musings/richard-scolyerI have felt the last couple of weeks have been weird.  I have seen the passing of what I consider two very decent men in Neale Daniher from MND and former Australian of the Year, Professor Richard Scolyer from an aggressive brain cancer.
Added to that, have been two things that occurred yesterday that reinforced my thinking that we are living in a time of transition.  Firstly Israel and Iran are at it again and the ABC had a story about AI.  The interesting thing about AI was the acknowledgement of how dangerous it potentially is.
No one from politicians to Tech workers refused to acknowledge how useful it is but it was incredibly obvious that its development was out of control and rich developers were afraid to let go in case another got the riches they wanted.  Greed would seem to be the motive for destruction.  Power is in the hands of the self-seeking.  I cannot help but feel we are on the verge of what Barry McGuire sang about.  “The Eve of Destruction.”
But it is the decency that inspires.  I love how Richard Scolyer encouraged us not to just “lean in” but to “leap in.”
He penned a final good-bye to be published at his passing.  I include it in part.
“I pen this letter as a final goodbye to all those I have had the immense privilege of loving, sharing life's adventures with, working alongside and meeting during what can only be described as a life filled with happiness, optimism, opportunity and passion.
My final message to all Australians is to say thankyou for your outpouring of love and support for me and my family.
….. you've laughed with me, cried with me, and provided encouragement and support to keep going just when I needed it most.
I haven't sugar coated my journey and I sincerely thank you for allowing me the space and opportunity to share it with you, warts and all.
I hope I have in some small way made the road ahead easier and smoother for others.
If my legacy was to continue beyond these words, I would be delighted and humbled to be remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who "gave it a crack", and in doing so, inspired others to pursue their dreams and passions with humility, love and compassion.”]]>