The Recovering Farmer

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Are You Serious

I am serious. It is the beginning of September. The weather is nice. Sun is shining. I should be golfing. Unfortunately I am not. It appears like I have developed a classic case of pneumonia. Sure wonder where that came from. So I am trying to get better by medicating and resting. Given me too much time to watch TV.

Raise your hand if you are already sick of the upcoming election. Seriously. The stars must be lining up. We have the American election coming next year and so we have a host of people vying to be leaders for their parties. We have the Canadian federal election campaign well under way. And already a hint of our provincial election coming next spring. Personally I am getting somewhat tired of the political rhetoric coming at us from all directions.

How about Donald Trump? Isn’t that enough to make one lose faith in anything political. And to think he is on top of the polls for the Republicans. His “bull in a china shop” approach is mind numbing and discouraging. From insulting anyone that gets in his way to some of his ideas that he wants to implement, a leader like that is scary. Just as walls come down in many countries he is suggesting building a wall between the US and Mexico. I wonder where that wall was when his ancestors came over. And now it has been suggested that a wall be built between Canada and the US. Are you serious?

In our federal election we seem to be hung up on hair, or shifty eyes, or anger, or beards, or. . . . Seriously? That is all we have? I have asked it before and will again. Where is there any substance to what we as a country need to build and grow? And to think there are more days in this campaign than we normally have. So hang on. Only 41 more days till this is over. Only 41 more days till you can cast your ballot. Trust me. It will feel like forever.

Of course we could start thinking ahead to Christmas. It is only 4 months away. But that only brings a host of other issues to worry about. Snow. Cold. Short days. Not pleasant me thinks. After all we are still enjoying summer. At least trying to.

There you have it. Perhaps now that I have written about the frustration of anything political I won’t have to think about it. Yeah right. Only if I bury my head in the sand. Perhaps take some advice from a dog. See, I told you I could come up with more animals to write about. Saw this the other day and thought how applicable. “Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can’t eat it or play with it pee on it and walk away”. I like that. Now you know what I am doing with the election. At least until election day. At that point I must do my civic duty.

Perhaps I am to negative. I should not be. Summer has been good. Golf game was improving. My mental health is better. I have so much to be thankful for. So enjoy it. Each day is something to be treasured. Make it count. And as far as politics go, what would we complain about if politics were to disappear. And Christmas, with the snow and cold, is coming. But not something to worry about just yet. So here is to the rest of the summer. Seriously! Make it a good one.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

To Err Is Human

I came across some information on the internet that I think teaches a valuable lesson. Actually I did not come across it; my daughter in law sent it to me. Notice, I just made a mistake. Fortunately I caught it and was able to correct it quickly before it became an issue involving others. Unfortunately I am seldom that quick at realizing when I have screwed up. And for the most part my mistakes, my screw ups, my stupidity hurts others. And, ultimately, make my life worse as well. Except, of course, if I realize and understand the mistake and do my utmost to make it right.

FUBAR is a term first used many years ago in the military. I remember the first time I heard that word. It was during a game of Trivial Pursuit at a church youth function. You would think a family game such as that would not create a problem during a wholesome church event. The question asked what the word FUBAR stood for. As the question was asked the pastor was hovering around our table watching the activities. Needless to say when the answer was given there were some red faces around. For those that don’t know FUBAR “is a term that originates as a military acronym for "fucked up beyond all/any recognition/repair/reason/redemption". My apologies if I offended anyone with the use of the “f” word. I plead ignorance as I was just quoting someone else. In fact it being an important historical military fact I plead innocence.

I often use the word, FUBAR that is, because most of my gaffes fall into that category. That is just simply me. Yes, I am trying to change but at my age change can be slow and tedious if it happens at all. Nevertheless I digress. The point is we all make mistakes. How we deal with the mistakes, whether our own or someone else’s, becomes the challenge. Following is what my daughter in law shared with me.

“In a certain African tribe, when someone does something harmful, they take the person to the center of the village where the whole tribe comes and surrounds them.

For two days, they will say to the man all the good things that he has done.

The tribe believes that each human being comes into the world as a good. Each one of us only desiring safety, love, peace and happiness. But sometimes, in the pursuit of these things, people make mistakes.

The community sees those mistakes as a cry for help. They unite then to lift him, to reconnect him with his true nature, to remind him who he really is, until he fully remembers the truth of which he had been temporarily disconnected: “I am good.” Shikoba Nabajyotisaikia!

NABAJYOTISAIKIA, is a compliment used in South Africa and means: “I respect you, I cherish you. You matter to me.” In response, people say SHIKOBA, which is: “So, I exist for you.”
(author unknown)

As I alluded to earlier I make my share of mistakes. More than once I have needed what is described above. As I struggled with certain issues earlier this year my wife, my kids and my family did what the African tribe did for their own. For that I am appreciative. For that reason I am able to function today. Perhaps we can take this mantra with us and use it with others. After all, and again I quote, “It is natural for humans to cooperate, help and share. Individuals may be callous, inept, and defensive; but true malevolence is rare”. Make it a good one.