Staying Young

This poem helped inspire the reconstruction of Japan post-World War II:

“Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of sixty more than a body of twenty. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.

Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like appetite of what’s next, and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the Infinite, so long are you young.

When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at twenty, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch the waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at eighty.

-Samuel Ullman (Youth) “

Psalm 37

Something to reflect on:

1 Don’t worry about the wicked
or envy those who do wrong.
2 For like grass, they soon fade away.
Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

7 Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.

Refresh

Introspection is both a gift and a discipline. Though, too much of anything can be unhealthy. My Lutheran grandfather used to say all things in moderation. (No wonder he left the Methodists!).

Anyway, I plan to update this Blog just once or twice per week - hence the name change.

I have been away from this blog for some time - which has been healthy for mind and soul. Have spent more time on work, with family (wife and three great kids) and getting back into diving.

Finally been attending the local Scuba diving club - and have enrolled in my advanced diving course for November which certifies me to dive to 40 metres. Plan to follow with Nitrox certification in New Year.

Also now learning guitar - having formal lessons with son.

LIFE. Is a gift.

Merry Christmas 2006

Its 8:59Pm. Christmas Day 2006 Officially over for me. A wonderful Christmas. Yesterday, I took my God daughter to see The Nativity Movie. We attended a simple Church service last night, the Church was over flowing.

Woken at the 'Crack of Dawn' by my boys. Unwrapping gifts. For me this year a hydration pack (for cycling and running), some redwine, and tea leaves. Also an inspiring book on raising Children.

Christmas dinner with in-laws - a magnificint meal cooked by my wife's cousin - a Chef. Then off to the beach for a swim and beach cricket.

Kids in bed. Finally. I'm about to crash.

If anyone still reads this, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas also.

Seasons

Its nearly THAT season again.

-Scuba Diving
-Surfclub
-Barbecues
-Christmas
-Australia Day...
-And of course Noahs.

Just love summer!

Selfish Ambition

Dealing with Sin. Self. Selfish Ambition.

Its been said before. There is a lack of love in today's Corporate. Maybe there has alway's been.

"What does it prosper a man to gain the whole world - only to lose his own soul in the process?".

Note to self. It's been a while since I immersed myself in His Word.

Night Minds

"You were blessed by a different kind of inner view: it's all magnified.
The highs would make you fly, and the lows make you want to die.
And I was once there, hanging from that very ledge where you are standing.
So I know
I know
I know,
It's easier to let go.

But I will learn to breathe this ugliness you see,
So we can both be there and we can both share the dark.
And in our honesty, together we will rise out of our nightminds
And into the light at the end of the fight.

...and in our honesty, together we will rise out of our nightminds
And into the light... at the end of the fight..."

From Missy Higgins' "Night Minds". (Great Song).

Photo: Westminster Abbey.Sept 2006.