It is with sadness we announce the demise of “Fishy.”
It is with joy we announce the arrival of “Fishy.”
Ok admittedly we were a little shocked at the demise of our other fishy.  He had been looking so well.  Then he became lethargic and off his food.
This caused us to go to the fish shop looking for some substance that gets rid of bad bugs and stuff.  I so did not expect to hear the aquarium guy ask what he asked.  He said, “how old is it?”  We estimated going on two years (he was fully grown when we got him).
He then said the key was in that answer.  Their life span is approximately 2 – 4 years.  So his problem was likely to be old age getting him.
That was not the news we were expecting.  We got home and he was no better.  In fact he seemed worse and the next morning worse again.  He did not last the day.
What we had been told had caused me to look it up in that completely trustworthy and reliable source called google.  I learned a few things there.  The average life span of a Siamese Fighter depends on the age of the earth (did I say that or just think it?).  Err I mean their age.  It averages 2 – 4 years.  That is the shortest life span of a fish I have ever had.  But there it was in black and white.  Oh and there was a colour photo.
Merril and I were grieving but trying to remain strong (there is one school of thought that says he would have come back as something else.  Who knows he could be an even gooder fish.  That is maybe not what is meant, but I am not ruling out a work in progress here.)
We did a total clean of everything that was in the tank and replaced the water.  We were excited about getting a replacement fish.  In fact so excited that we went to the aquarium store.  It was closed for the public holiday.  But google had told me it was open.  It had lied to me.  So much for reliability.
We wanted a blue fish this time.  Good thing too I reckon cause Google had told me that the colour enhancing food we give it, actually improves blue Siamese Fighters immunity.  And the reliability of Google is legendary.
Anyway day one.  He seems happy.  And he is little.  In fact, his name could be “little fishy” as opposed to the other one who’s name was “fishy.”  But depending on how long he is with us, “Little Fishy” will one day not be right. 
So “Fishy” it is.  We are not confused.   And it is a good start.

On a couple of occasions I have heard someone say something like, “love me or hate me but don’t ignore me.”
I was thinking about that this morning and it seems to me ignoring another is a dangerous thing to do.  No wonder ignorance has ignore look to be related.  Countries and teams have come undone as a result of ignoring another.
Ignoring can allow another free rein to put in place what can be another’s undoing.  How often I have heard the term “thy flew under the radar.”  That to me says I was busy concentrating on another and ignored a potential threat.
So often the threat posed is not big and obvious.  The big and obvious are generally the ones I gravitate to.  Maybe rightly so - but not at the expense of vigilance.  It can be the little things that trip me up.
I look at health and safety a lot. Particularly since the stroke I am looking out big time for trip hazards.  They tend to not be large but are ignored to my detriment.  Being tripped up brings me down.  The tripping itself can do me damage and once down I am vulnerable.  So I reckon it behoves me to deal with what is obvious while keeping an eye on what is not.
Refusing to ignore not only provides safety for me but also has the potential to provide what I need.  They reckon to be successful study the successful.
That to me is excellent advice and alleviates me of needing to invent the wheel all the time.  Others have gone before and found success.  Often good ways of doing things are built upon, so for me there is a pathway I should follow.
So I reckon I can learn a lot whether I am loved, hated or ignored.  But when it comes to me I should never ignore.  To not ignore something does not mean I exalt it, but it does mean I keep an eye on it and ensure it does not become a future stumbling block.

Recently I heard someone say something that has stuck with me.  “Your results are the results of your thoughts.”
I know from my experience that it is my thoughts that help me achieve what I set out to do or bring me undone in a hurry.   I know that not all the thoughts I have, are in my best interests.
I have said it often I like, where I can, to defer decisions while I have a good think about it.  I find that is really helpful for me.  It amazes me how often something is tweeked as a result of waiting.  I know the worst thing I can do is rush in with a response.  So often, although something needs to happen my first response is flawed. It may be by anger. Or wanting what I want only, without consideration for others.
Whatever the case I do know that waiting often liberates and makes me susceptible to good ideas.  Sometimes they are mine and sometimes others.  I do know from experience though that a combination is often better than a single idea.  Often my view is from my perspective only, and the place others are coming from give a more rounded and reasonable approach.
I am not keen on wanting a decision quickly on something I may have have given heaps of thought, but others may be hearing for the first time.  It is the “thought bubble” mentality I want to avoid.  Often ideas are presented that seem good, but examination lead to disqualification or adjustment.
To me the best ideas are considered ideas.  Thinking is a process.  Thinking involves building a case or stance.  Thinking also involves rejecting thoughts inclined to destroy.  It is a pet peeve of mine to implement something that looks good and desirable for everyone only to find it was never thought though, and the result is hurt and destruction and the exclusion of all but a few.
To me thoughts matter.  They can aid and abet and can pull down and destroy.  That is to me why my thoughts need to be filtered.