Thoughts

The good and bad of us

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The way we see ourselves is much different than the way others see us. We are seen in a different light, one which we would never think about ourselves.

We always look down upon at what and who we are, and only see our bad side. Our true friends also see our bad side, but they see the side of us that makes us different, and also very special. The side of us that keeps them coming back, through the good times and the bad.

We may not think much of ourselves most of the time, but once in a while we need to see what others see in us. We are all good, we just need to look a little deeper to see the goodness other people see in us. It will shine through.

We shouldn’t let out our self doubt block out all the good things we truly are. 
Relax, smile and our true selves will be revealed not only to those around us, but to ourselves. 

Bourbon and Memories 

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Some people drink to remember, some drink to forget.

No matter what the reason, it may help the state of ones mind. And memories are very powerful and stubborn things we try to either erase, or recapture.

Personally, I have some memories I want completely erased from my mind. Gone and never to see the light of day ever again. But in many other ways, those very same memories are what made me the very person I am today. They are the driving force that keep me going, day in, and day out.

Eventually the memories will fade, but the scars they leave embedded deep within our minds will forever remain, not physically, but mentally. And the only person who can control them, and not let them take over my life, is the person who owns those memories.

It may not be a simple matter of having a few bourbons and erasing a few brain cells in the hope they are the ones containing dark memories. But we know those memories are with us for life.


The scars we carry in our minds are for us alone to manage. If we feel the need, or want, to share them with others, then that’s our choice. And if we want to keep those memories hidden in the darkest recesses of our minds, then that is where they will remain.

Ben Harper – When it’s good 

Heading in the right direction

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We need to look deeper into our hearts and minds to really discover what we want from our future. A quick scan will more than likely miss what we are truly thinking. And that’s when we head off in the wrong direction.
The direction we take can impact us for longer than we want. An entire lifetime. But how do know what direction is really right for us?

There is normally one path that shines brighter than all the others. This is the obvious path. Or is it?

We will only know if we are on the right path once we have cleared our minds of everything else except for the path that lays ahead, and are certain there is no other way forward.


Once we know the right path, there is no sense in wasting time and procrastinating about the choice we are about to make.

Take that step into the right direction, your heart and mind will thank you forever.

Renée Geyer – Heading in the right direction

A Roll Of The Dice

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We sometimes look around at what we have in our lives and wonder if that’s the best we will ever have. Or are we just getting by and are happy where we are and how we feel. Do we need to push ourselves further? Is this a question we ask ourselves on a regular basis?

Everyone has different thoughts on what they want in life and where they should be at a certain time in their lives. From our teenage years and all the way through to retirement. No matter what our age, we wonder if we are track.

Some people think they should have a better career or be married with kids at a certain stage of their lives, but nothing is set in concrete and changes can happen in the blink of an eye.

Some changes can be seen coming from a distance, and they are the ones we can plan for. On the other hand, there are some changes we don’t see coming and are blindsided by them at the very last moment.

Whatever the situation is, you can always want something more, but you must be prepared to do something about it, and not sit around waiting for it to happen or for someone else to kickstart it for you.

Some changes may impact your life more than you want them to, but without going through the process, you will never know what it really is like on the other side of the fence, and if that’s the change that you have been searching for.

Take a chance and roll the dice. It may be the future you’re really looking for, and it may be waiting for you, to make you complete. 

Bruce Springsteen – Roll of the dice 

Signs – Pointing us in the right direction

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Cycling, walking and life all have one thing in common. There are signs around us to tell us which way to go, what turn to take and where our destination lies. And if   that’s the direction we want to head, we need to follow the right signs. 
Some signs are easy to see, as they are posted on steeet corners or smack bang with in the middle of the road, making sure they are visible to one and all, whether we are on foot or on a bike. 

But there are times we avoid these signs and end up either lost, or so far away from our destination, we wonder why we didn’t follow them in the first place. Or why we completely ignored them in the first place. 

It seems that street signs are the easiest ones to see and follow, if we choose to follow them and continue heading in the right direction.

On the other hand, signs in our lives can be a little more subtle and take time, and sometimes a very open heart to see, and then fully understand. 

We need to look out for these signs that will keep us moving in the direction and ensure we follow the right path that will guarantee our happiness in the journey we want, and need to pursue. 


And then there are signs which can’t be ignored, like the one at Maccas stating that all Maccaroons are half price with any coffee purchase.  How could I ignore this one. 


Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign-Five – Man Electric Band

Donuts beat Depression 

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There are times that just the steady rotation of a set of bike pedals is enough to soothe the soul and make the heart beat a little quicker, from exertion and excitement. This feeling is doubled when a ride is shared with a friend who manages to chat through the entire 3.5 hour ride. Not that I minded one iota.

The destination is not important when out on the bike, it’s all about the journey, as is life in general. We all know where we will end up, but it’s what we do up to the point that makes the difference.

So during the journey on a ride, it’s who you meet along the way that makes a difference. As was the case today. As Kevin and I stopped off for a break at the end of the eastlink trail, we started chatting with an older chap who was out exercising that morning. 

He told us he exercises up to 2 hours every day, and at the ripe young age of 70, he was going great. The top tip he gave up both, eat less to lose weight. And then went on to apologise if he had offended either one of us.

With no offence taken, we headed home to find a coffee shop which served good coffee and sugary delights to help get us all the way home.

Cycling is more than just exercise, it is a form of stress management for many people. So when you see a group of cyclists on the road, they are saving a few bucks by riding, and not visiting a shrink.

Depression (or known as the Black Dog) is something that is well hidden by the person who has it. They will swear black and blue they are fine and nothing is wrong. But deep down they are hurting and either can’t or don’t want to adit they have a problem.

Ask them if they are really OK, as sometimes a friend’s shoulder is just as good, and if not better than a paid professional. 

Happiness is a coffee and a jam donut

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With darkness surrounding me, the air is chilly as the few rays of sunshine are well and truly gone. Not a star in the sky as clouds cover every inch of the sky. 

There is a lot to be said about darkness and solitude. It can bring out the best in some, and in others a feeling of gloom. It all depends on the way one looks at it. 

Tonight is one of those nights with mixed emotions, not sadness, but not a feeling of being over the moon. Kinda average. But that’s better than scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for something to smile about. 

We just need to look at what we have in our lives, and make the most of it. Even if that one thing that makes you smile is coffee and a nice jam donut. 

So, I’m smiling as I was lucky enough to have a great coffee and fantastic jam donut.   And as a bonus, my son was at the cafe and made me a mushroom and fig jam sandwich with goats cheese. Something he wants to add to the menu. Am looking forward to the he final product. 

All in all, lots of reasons to keep smiling. 

Keep looking around, and you will find something to make you smile. 

What’s in a name?

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bond-full

Why is it that so many people insist on wearing their name badges from the seminar they are attending out onto the street for one and all to see? The only valid reason that springs to mind is that these people are in desperate need of a date and would like to be asked out for a coffee or lunch. Better still, perhaps a night out on the town and then a raunchy weekend for two.

But that is more than likely my imagination running rampant once again. It is more likely that they are too lazy to remove their badges and pin them back on once they return to the seminar.

One such badge caught my attention one day as I wandered the city streets in search of nothing in particular. It was when I stopped at a set of traffic lights and I caught sight of the very large badge pinned to his multi-striped shirt. Actually, it wasn’t the badge that really caught my attention, but it was his name that made me smirk.

The badge read ‘Timmy Smelles’. Not that there is anything wrong with his name, but you would think that he wouldn’t try and live up to his surname.

Even though it was a warm day, I wouldn’t say it was what one would call sweating weather. But Timmy had different ideas. Not only was he sweating, he smelt as he had been sweating for more than a few minutes. Nothing that a stick of anti-perspirent wouldn’t fix, or at least go half way to making him smell a bit better.

Well, that’s my spin on the situation anyway.

On another note in regards to name tags, I only just found out that name tags should be pinned onto the right hand side of the body and not the left, where most people tend to pin them.

The logic behind this is clear and simple (once it has been explained). When someone introduces themselves, they shake with their right hand. The line of vision will automatically follow the arm and stop at their name tag, making it easier for identification.

I should thank the little lady of the house for that bit of information. I can’t take credit for everything. Now can I?

Pushing up Daisies 

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Every day brings a new adventure, or at least a change of pace. From the moment you crawl out of your warm and comfortable bed, a full day of life and adventure lays ahead.

Some days you bounce out bed and are ready to face the world, and whatever challenges are thrown your way.

Then there are other days where no matter what you do to try and motivate yourself, you feel as flat as a pancake. On these days, no matter what you do, you just can’t kick that low down funk.

Just remember, it’s better to be down in the dumps for a day or so, and not pushing up daisies.

The Past Does Not Dictate Our Future

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No matter what we do in our lives, we will always have a past. Our past may at times come back and haunt us for the things we did when we were young and foolish.

Other times our past lingers in our thoughts and weighs heavily on our minds. The mistakes we made are exactly that. Mistakes.

We need to forgive ourselves as we are only human and we are here to learn from our mistakes. And that is something we need to do a lot better. But we are slowly learning that we can forgive ourselves.

We are born to make mistakes. To err is human, to really screw things up requires a computer.

It takes longer for us to forgive ourselves than it does for others to forgive us for our blunder. We are much harder on ourselves than our friends and loved ones are.

No matter what we think of ourselves, others see us in a different light, they see all our flaws, but they also see the things that shine bright in us, the things we are unable to see, or don’t want to see. Or are to scared to see.

The past does not dictate out future. We are the only ones who can shape our lives after our mistakes. We can’t turn back time, so let’s live with the future.