All of us know someone who perennially laments their condition. There are others who bear their lot with gentle stoicism.
To appreciate what they go through, we too must — swim?
I know people who have a full day and yet never complain. They are so much in control and make it all look so simple. I also know some who complain about the same incidents/issues years after the fact.
Do you know anyone who falls into either group?
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Tomorrow No Post 🙂
Sunday
Fallen Grace continues —
Join Daniel on his journey of discovery
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Thank you, Eric, for your inspiration…I wrote the following poem after I posted my comment above. http://ingridfoster.com/Your_Legacy.html
Dear Ingrid,
I read that poem. It is sad and yearns for what could have been. Many parents a generation ago behaved likewise, I reckon.
If I might share a tale:
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The attendant in the Nursing Home chided the old man. “Why are you so harsh? She rushes over to spend what little time she could spare and you reward her with scowls and anger.”
To which the old man replied, “I’m dying and when I’m gone, I don’t want her to pine for me.”
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Not the same situation but perhaps captures one viewpoint. Each to his own, I guess. It’s not for anyone to judge.
Peace, Eric
Nice haiku–reads well and says so much.
Glad you found it so.
Thank you for your visit and comment,
Eric
Yes, to both of your questions, Eric, and your haiku also shows a wonderful contrast to them both! Wishing you a happy weekend, my friend! xx
Hello Lauren,
If I might share something for all:
The mundane chores of everyday living – washing, laundry, cooking, lawn mowing, children, etc. Some take it in their strides while others —
As a kid, I recall the free ranging chicken we reared. Whenever one laid an egg it would cluck so loud the whole village got to know. Whereas, cows gave birth with no more than a low moo.
Okay, a little colourful and exaggerated perhaps, but when I hear people go on and on, I can’t help recalling the chicken 🙂
Thank you and all good cheer for the weekend,
Eric
P/s I made a mistake and posted this as reply to another commenter but retrieved it – need my morning tea.
Dear Eric, you are crackin’ me up! 🙂 I love your little bit of exaggerated color this evening (my evening) and I’ll also remember the loud chicken, but may we all be like cows and only hear each others’ low moos! Heehee! Okay, maybe I’m really tired, so that was a bit corny! Okay, get your tea tomorrow morning; don’t forget! I’ll have my coffee and have a happy weekend, my friend! 🙂
Eric, this one made it into my private file of poems I like well enough to want to read again. Beautiful words, paired with perfect imagery. Blessings, Peg.
That is lovely Peg. There is much that Nature teaches us – what a nurturing mother she is!
All good wishes, Eric
I think it has everything to do with personal perspective. I may “ache” right now (I don’t btw) but later I’ll be fine and right now, I have no time for aches and pains. Growing up, my family was very stoic, so I learned to be as well. But, even stoicism has it’s limitations. My father lived a long, unhappy life, keeping his anger at his parents bottled up. I learned from him to not do the same. I’ve found it’s best to vent and take care of myself rather than ignore the hurts which can ultimately led to physical ailments and diseases, like it did with my father.
Hello Ingrid,
You and other commenters referred to “hurts”. Venting helps, as long as we don’t end up unduly burdening others with our “vents”, I reckon.
You relate something quite sad. And yes, we learn from our parents what to do and what not to.
Peace and blessings,
Eric
Do women in stilettos always leave punctuations marks on their victim?
Watching people people watch is a favourite past time of mine/Sitting on a sidewalk bench it’s not easy to decline/The invitation granted to sit and just observe/What some people indulge in – Really they have some nerve.
Some couplets in reply:
A people watcher too I am, their antics sometimes a treat/
Some are quick to light a match, though they cannot handle the heat
After a while, they complain and beat a hasty retreat/
Quite often, after stuffing in their mouths their smelly feet
Laughing, onlookers bounce off from their seats/
For some never learn their mistakes repeat
Excellent, Eric I must say/Have yourself a wonderful day/As it’s the weekend I suppose/ Time to relax forget about prose/Start back back on Monday in our prime/ I just might have something that will rhyme?
So, let us stop here my friend and consider this as complete/
The last thing we need as you said is to start a new compete
Beautiful and so very true. The extreme effort to present a calm grace to the world while dealing with the daily battle of life is something I strive to achieve every day. I don’t always succeed, but it’s a goal. Just like the genteel southern ladies written about in the years past.
As always, you say it so eloquently. Happy Friday Eric.
Hello Susan,
Many don’t even bother and rant at all and especially at the ones who love them most. Others, you and I included, try and sometimes we fail. No matter, because there will be a flood of opportunities for us to try and try again 🙂
Thank you for your ever encouraging words about my post,
Eric
My parents often tend to make things simple. I’m learning and trying to learn that amidst my busy schedule 🙂
Oh, I also meet the person who complains. Three persons and I can’t stand it to be with them. Only one I told the person nobody is perfect. The other one I seldom contact. The last one is headache though when she is not in here I feel at rest
Your parents are wise.
Regarding the three pebbles in your shoe – when you feel the discomfort, it’ll be a good time to pray and reflect, I reckon.
Yeah, time to pray and reflect 😀
I know people in both groups. But I also know, listening and watching, some we need to complain to feel better. 🙂
Hello Gys,
Very true – some people feel better when they let it out and it is good I reckon. And as friend Jasey said – balance.
Have a great weekend,
Eric
Eric — I love this one! It captures the serenity and frenetic thrashing we often deliver in the IT world 🙂
Well Bill,
I’m so glad it took you back to your IT days – how exhilarating those times must have been!
Have a great weekend ahead,
Eric
P/s Say hello to JD for me 🙂
As always a reflective and insightful journey to your mind – I relish your thoughts and REALLY need to spend time here – I must do so this week!
Thank you, dearest Eric, for writing and sharing your world with us! Lots of love.
Hello Shaheen dearest,
Glad my post plucked some strings on the instrument and released some thoughtful music.
Return and look around when you have the time. No worries.
Luv and hugz,
Eric
Swan is usually associated with grace but an aching swan is really comical – silently saying “aiyoh, aiyoh..” like a woman struggling on stilettos..LOL.
Looking at this in the literary sense, for me with our modern day living, grumbling and nagging is a package. It helps to alleviate tension. Struggling quietly may be detrimental to health – probably stroke or depression. There is much to cope. Graceful balancing like the swan perhaps is the ideal.
Yes, LOL indeed > “aiyoh, aiyoh..” like a woman struggling on stilettos.
Grumbling and nagging helps alleviate – I see, so that’s why some spouses do that. Good for them, but what about the recipients, I wonder 🙂
You are right – as usual, balance is the best.
Luv and hugz,
Eric
Have missed your work Eric. Hope to stay active here again.
Hey Steve 😀
You’ve dropped off for months. Glad you’ve started blogging again. I too took a hiatus for five months last year and returned in mid-January
Very good to have you back.
High five, Eric
Thanks Eric… good to be back. Been extremely busy no spare time. getting a little breathing room again.
Eric, You continue to amaze me – great message and poigant delivery.
Cheerio, Jane
Thank you Jane – for your ever kind words. Peace, Eric
True contrast.
Thank you.
Have a great weekend,
Eric
A positive approach to life so neatly penned down with the example of a graceful swan. lovely!
Hello Padmini,
I was just about to leave when I saw your comment come in.
Thank you dear – yes, when I visit the Botanic Gardens and watch the swan – I can’t help but wonder how hard their feet are working below the surface.
Cheers, Eric
Good thought to ponder upon, Eric. Yes, we, too must swim — to feel the “Swan Ache on the Lake”. I know people who fall into either group, and I think people do switch from one group to another, depending upon experience and behavioral learning. The ideal is to switch from complaining to being serene, although the reverse also happens in the course of the dynamics of life.
You always fill in the blanks for me and I’m ever so grateful for your visit and comments, Dee.
Glad that you’re well settled after your trip and back to blogging. Loved that “burst of colours”.
Peace and blessings,
Eric
P/s You caught that not so subtle pun on Swan Lake 🙂
Another of your wise observations.
LOL! Yes, I usually write based on observations.
Someone told me that as aspiring writers, we must be keen observers. Not wanting to sound self-centred, but I’d always been a keen observer long before I even thought of writing. We can learn as much from others as from our own tumbles.
Cheers, Eric
I believe that. There is even merit in listening to what detractors say as one gets a point of view they may not have thought of before. I wrote an article once called “In defence of dissent.”
Ian, it is interesting that you and I think along the same lines on most matters.
You’re right in that, detractors can be off-putting but I behave like a cow – taking time to stand alone, chew and slowly the juices sink in and I discard the swarf.
“In defence of dissent” sounds familiar – was it a blog post? If so, please let me have the link as I wish to read it again.
Cheers, Eric
P/s Got to leave in a short while and I’ll probably read it later.
No, “In defence of dissent” was actually written in Singapore for our corporate newsletter there. I’ve had three long distance moves since then and not sure if I have it now but will take a look.
We almost always write what is bothering us or should I say bothering me. The daily reinforcement of our condition only confirms more and the more digs the hole deeper.
That is an interesting thought. I suppose personal ‘bothers’ can be catalysts for writing and reinforcement.
Thank you for the visit and sharing. I appreciate this,
Eric
Very beautifully depicted!!! So true, Eric…. some hold themselves very well under stress and pain.
Cheers!
Aparna
Thank you Aparna,
Nice to see you here,
Eric