I was in one of those vegetative states watching someone talk on TV.  I love what they say but know on rare occasions I have not agreed with what was being said.  That happens occasionally.  I actually like it, as I consider the implications.  I think it is a part of thinking for myself.
There are a few I have heard like that.  People of renowned.  Yet like me, flawed.  Just like no one should accept everything I say, I do not accept blindly everything even the most trustworthy and reliable person says.  To me, everything needs to be thought through.  Sometimes that is a momentary thing, and at other times it is a time-consuming thing.  But in my mind, it is always worth believing something for myself because it can stand the test of all questions.
What I heard that made me think.  Someone was saying it is best to walk away when a task is a drag.  I questioned that as there are times when the most exciting pursuit is a drag.  Just because it is, does not mean it is not for me.  Some things need to be seen through while others need to be seen off.  Really, I am the only one who knows what is right for me.
It had me think of kids in Mexico city.  Apparently they do not know the sky is blue.  If they paint the sky, it is grey.  Saying the sky is grey contains a measure of truth but not the whole truth.  Same if I say the sky is blue.  For sure it often is here.  But it can sometimes be grey too with an approaching storm.   To me the truth is that while the sky is blue it can also be other colours depending on what is happening in the atmosphere and what we are putting into the atmosphere.
The point for me is that often it seems what I hear or am told only represents part of the story.

It is not often I think of advice from another to Bob Dylan.  But I read something that was him quoting advice from his dad. “Even if you don't have all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don't have that you don't want.”
I do like that.  It is one of my touchstones that I try to be thankful for what I do not have.
It really appears there are many seemingly random acts that are very hard to understand.  It look like restraint, or the lack of desire to inflict pain for no reason, is a thing of the past.  People can be going about their everyday activity and experience an unpleasant unexpected event.
Merril and I very much appropriate protection these days.  From our experience his way makes sense and works. That is not to say bad things cannot happen because they do.  What it does mean though is, we are claiming protection from, or an ability to deal with, random acts of evil that seem to be on the rise.
One of my catch cries is “it is not what it has me do, but what it keeps me from.”  Truth be known there are many things I do not have that I do not want.  Eboli, poverty, no friends, no interests, unloved.  All these things I do not have and do not want.
Can I take credit for that?  I think not really.  I do what I know to ward off the things that will destroy me, and the society I belong to does the same thing.  To me that is a good thing.  Yet I know I did not choose to be born where I was.  I will never deny that I am a very small part of a very big picture, but I will always deny random influence.
Whatever the case, I am thankful for much I don’t have and don’t want.

I guess you could call me a people person.  I find people incredibly interesting.  Everyone has their own story.  Their own walk through life.  Their own challenges – defeats and victories.  Things not understood and things that are clear.
Yesterday we needed our spa looked at.  We used to source someone from far away (well Strathpine) but this time we decided to ask one of the local pool companies.  They did not do it, but recommended someone to us.  Turns out they live in Northlakes which is much closer.
When I first rang, he said he would ring back.  I was not surprised as I heard kids in the car who obviously wanted his attention.  Turns out he has four kids and they are all under 8.  We finally made contact, and he said he would be around.
He actually said he would ring when he was on his way.  I kept my phone with me awaiting his call.  Trouble is, my phone has been playing up by not sounding when it is expected to.  He rang and I had no idea.
Fortunately I checked for messages.  One of them was he was on his way.  At the exact moment I read that there was a knock on the door.  I told him I was reading messages and apparently he was on his way.
We have had a few different ones over to do various things we needed done.  Never though have we experienced a visit like that one.  Turns out that although he is thoroughly Australian his father was from PNG and his mum of Dutch decent.
Never have I known a conversation to flow as freely.  We learned a fair bit about each other.  Although he works also in the mines on a fly in fly out basis we are getting together for lunch in a few weeks.  Merril and I and he and his wife.
I love that.  I remember someone saying to me “I did not know there was anyone like you out there.”  I feel I so understand that sentiment.  I never knew there was anyone like this guy out there, but I know we are the richer for it (though some may say the poorer for it as servicing the spa cost).
Whatever.  It was one of those things that just felt like it was meant to be.