Base Camp

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary.” Henry David Thoreau There’s a hill near our place that has been provoking me, beckoning to…

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Are We There Yet?

The Enneagram personality type Seven is summarized as ‘The Enthusiast’. Attributing characteristics such as busy, fun-loving, curious, optimistic, and adventurous to the individual. ‘Sevens’ are excited by the rush of ideas; generally quick responders with agile minds and often able to see the big picture. There is an underpinning abundant vitality and desire to fully participate in life each day. Or, for a more creative explanation: ‘An ant carrying a larger than life bread crumb; scrambling, overcoming obstacles, challenging reality and LOVING IT, looking for still…

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TRUE NORTH

A northerly breeze blowing down Port Phillip Bay generally bears down bringing warmth and flat water (and plenty of pesky jet skiers); attributes that offset the shifty conditions and correlating mental strain brought to bear upon the sailor. The Southerly brings with it a colder yet more steady flow of wind and waves. In summer, it’s like an old friend, showing up at the same time each day, caressing with relative stability, predictability and forgiveness when erroneous tactical decisions are made. Westerly breezes whilst enticing the…

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Dem Bones, Dat Brain

  Positive energy is infectious. My Physiotherapist is an expert in this area. I find myself increasingly interested in all manner of anatomical and musculoskeletal theories, practices and developments due to his effervescent imparting of knowledge on what goes far beyond just the general treatment of my uncooperative body. The ‘structural’ secret to my recovery lies within a muscular web which both pains me and sustains me. It’s my adductor longis which doesn’t want to yield. The gracilis and pectinius are all “on guard” after the…

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Whistle While You Work

I’ve taken to whistling. “Just whistle while you work And cheerfully together we can tidy up the place So hum a merry tune It won't take long when there's a song to help you set the pace And as you sweep the room Imagine that the broom is someone that you love And soon you'll find you're dancing to the tune When hearts are high the time will fly So whistle while you work.”  (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) “Cheerfully tidying up the place”, “Hum…

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Sweet Oblivious Antidote

Macbeth: How does your patient, doctor? Doctor: Not so sick, my lord, as she is troubled with thick-coming fancies that keep her from rest. Macbeth: Cure her of that! Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, raze out the written troubles of the brain, and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon her heart. Doctor: Therein the patient must minister to himself.              …

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a2+b2=?

My family enjoy mathematics. In fact, my husband when once preparing to teach trigonometry to his class super excitedly shared his enthusiasm for a YouTube clip of the Will Smith rip off, 'Getting Triggy With It", which remains to this day a family ‘favourite’. (It's worth checking out if you want a funky way to learn Trigonometry! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2uPYYLH4Zo) The thing with equations is that they are supposed to balance. One side needs to equal the other. Otherwise we spend our time forensically researching where we have gone…

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Screaming Kindness

I’m convinced that the management principles of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and Total Quality Management were discovered by people forced to spend months on crutches. It is crystal clear to me now, after spending years in management discussing this stuff, that there is no other explanation as to the origins of these theories. Only someone not fully abled would devise such in-depth concepts around time and motion, process improvement and waste minimization. I have become a black belt in the art. Life is slow, but full…

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New Glasses Required

Beyond the reflection of gratitude, the demand for a response to one’s trials invariably rears its head. “How do you do it”? “As an active person, this must be so hard for you”. “You must be so frustrated”. “This will be driving you crazy”. “You're going to need drugs to get you through this!”. “A fractured pelvis & hip, that’s nothing to be smiling about”. An ongoing string of well-meaning, sympathy bearing comments from people expressing support. Despite these considerations a quiet and constant melody, frequently pushes…

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Foot Washing Friends

Q: What do you get if you cross a shaving blade, a bucket of water, luxurious soap and the most precious ingredient - a wonderful friend? Other than beautifully smooth legs and clean feet? An overwhelming sense of helplessness, thankfulness and humility. The foot washing, leg shaving imagery reflects the entire emotional readjustment required from being a fully independent, capable, active, decisive individual to a recipient of other people’s generosity and acts of kindness; the likes of which you were not expecting to need until you…

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