© Neil Hayes and neilhayeswrites
Letters have been written and collected. Requests made and dreams are being dreamed. Excitement is building, it can’t come soon enough. Traditional songs are being played, an atmosphere like no other time of year. Too early? If you love Christmas, can it ever be too early?
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© Neil Hayes and neilsworldofenglish
Sometimes it seems that the world is running in reverse gear. The search for knowledge and improvement, as a species, grinding to a halt. Meanwhile, old-fashioned beliefs are coming back to the fore.
Whether it be the return to religious fundamentalism, isolationism or authoritarian rule, there is a movement happening. It is a small movement, for now, but is has a wide appeal.
In the West, people call it populism, but doesn’t every politician wish to be popular? Doesn’t populism just mean pandering? Pandering to the masses. But the problem is, where do the masses get their information from? Can their opinions be trusted? Now this isn’t me calling people stupid, but there is a mass of misinformation out there. None of us are immune, we must be on our guard.
Whatever you may think of countries, and regimes, such as China and Russia, they are run by intelligent people. These people know what they want, and how to get it. Unfortunately other countries, like The United Kingdom and The United States of America, are not quite so organised. Pandering to popular attitudes and fears is at the root of both countries problems.
Britain went for Brexit, with no clear plan of how to achieve it. Now it is floundering, not wishing to reverse course, but just circling the waters, seemingly hoping to run into an idea or solution.
Meanwhile, in America, chaos reigns. A powerful country run by, what? Opinion is split as to whether he is stupid, senile or both. Certainly he is totally lacking in understanding, both of policy and people. A man with no heart, who believes he is the boss and everyone should jump.
So, what do we do? We can all fight our own corner, stand up to ignorance and abhorent ideas. Welcome enquiry and suspicion. Think, before the monsters creep up behind us and it is too late.
© Neil Hayes and neilsworldofenglish
When your children arrive, who knows what is to come. It’s scary but the greatest of adrenalin rushes. And then they grow, and change and evolve. Becoming their own people.
A non-stop, all action ride ensues. Sometimes you feel like you might fall off, but you have to hang on. It’s a fun ride, and it only happens once. So enjoy every moment, and take it all in.
And, as for the future, well who knows? What will these all action bundles of energy become? I hope for sensitive souls, but with a tough edge. No one’s pushover, but thinkers not fighters. People who understand others, both our differences and similarities.
Most of all, I hope for people who will make the world a better place, who might make a difference.
© Neil Hayes and neilsworldofenglish
It all matters. Every word, every action. Both within our nuclear families and our wider family in the world.
Habits are learned and practised, they become ingrained. How we live, behave and interact.
What is irrelevant is our frustration with our fellow man. It’s not worth the loss of energy. Unless we can make an impact and affect a change, then our thoughts are pointless.
But it’s easier said than done, to ignore your frustrations. Being present and calm within yourself, that’s the constant struggle.
© Neil Hayes and neilsworldofenglish
Committing, doing, achieving. Wanting isn’t enough. We all spend too much time dreaming, I certainly do. I want to change; attitudes, work, life. But how to do it? It just seems too much, too impossible.
Self-doubt. Too old, too set in my ways. Where to start? Never enough time. Excuses.
The solution, one step. The now. Not the destination, but the journey. Sounds simple, but the mind wanders. Stay focused, the present is all that matters.
Make a choice, commit to the now.
© Neil Hayes and neilsworldofenglish
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