Sofia's Choice 5...Just Smile

A relaxing place

Just chillaxing

                                                                     Howde Folks,

For our fifth choice we have selected a post from May of this year where Lady M clearly outlines the numerous problems in today's society but concludes with wonderful advice and that is the   message we want to give you... Just smile. Remember, folks, one day you'll be where we are. In a place of love and happiness but wondering why you wasted so much of that thing called 'time' being miserable while you were on the earth. Smile and be happy!

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I recently declared myself the founder member of the TOPO club (Tired, old and pi**ed off). Then I added an ‘L’ (lazy) making it the TOPOL club. The next milestone in my life is 70. I am in the twilight years of my life or, as many refer to these years, the ‘waiting for God’ years. If I am honest I would not like to be a youngster in today’s world.

I look around me and listen to the news, usually in despair, although today there is some sunshine of happiness as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex show the world their new born son; seventh in line to the throne and the Queen’s eighth great-grandchild.

What do I normally see and hear? I recall the 1960’s when my generation wanted to change the world and make it a better place. Alas, it is far worse than it used to be. Where did it all go wrong? Brexit is a disaster, I never thought I would be embarrassed to be British, but that day has arrived. Knife crime is rife. It is no longer safe to walk on our streets. Homelessness is on the increase as rents and property prices soar. Youngsters, if they are lucky enough, stay at home because they cannot afford to move out. I left home at the age of 18 to go to college paid for by a grant from the Government which did not have to be repaid. Today’s youth frequently reject that option because they do not want a student debt around their neck for the rest of their life.

Industries, once the last bastions of society, are failing through rising costs and lacking sales. Who remembers Woolworths? That famous High Street store? It closed its doors over a decade ago and was followed by many others… BHS, MFI, Toys ‘R’ Us, Brantano, Poundworld, Habitat, Comet, HMV, Staples/Office Outlet, Debenhams In fact, an online check indicates that over 470 store names have failed in the last 12 years. The problem? They usually say it’s due to Internet marketplaces. Technology now rules our lives but does not protect our livelihood which leads to insecurity and daily fear of job losses for individuals. In turn, this leads to stress and high anxiety over how to pay the bills.

Recently, two jets have fallen out of the sky due to a malfunction with the software. Apparently, the captains were unable to override the computers on board the new jets. So, are computers now controlling us? Originally, man/woman or in this ‘PC’ age maybe I should say ‘human’ controlled the computers on board and were able to fly manually in the event of computer failure. On these two occasions that was not possible.

Have you ever been at the bank, garage, store, library or in fact anywhere when the computers are down? What happens? Nothing apart from chaos because everything ceases. We are brought to a halt by inanimate objects.

Am I the only person left who does not walk around with a phone attached to my ear? It seems that in this new technological age people are unable to do anything without a mobile/cell phone. Apparently, many are losing sleep because they are afraid of missing an important text. Yes, I know I’m using a computer now. I also am on social media sites and I have iPads, but could I live without them? Yes. On holiday, I frequently do. I only log on occasionally to flick through emails and give updates on FB for those of my readers who wish to share my holiday experience.

Last week I wrote about us being in a third world war. This week I am looking at another problem in our society. In the fifties there was excitement over the new jet age as people began flying around the world. Since, those days everything has speeded up and materialism has become an essential part of life. Everyone seems to want the latest expensive gadget yesterday regardless of whether they are in the financial position to afford it. Money is the commodity by which our society functions. For most, it is acquired by work.

Alas, when work is under threat and redundancies or closures are an every day fear; anxiety, panic and depression creep in. Survival is a problem; despair takes over. Mental health is now a serious issue although unheard of in my youth. Each dawn just brings another headache and something to be endured.

Is there a solution? I’ve no idea but a smile will ease the pain, make you feel better and more able to face the dreary day ahead. Think of each day as a holiday. Give yourself a mantra, “I’m happy”, “I’m lucky”, “I feel great… or whatever.

Wear a smile not a frown. Smiles are infectious. Take it on yourself to smile and make the world a better place.

Just smile! 😅😆😇😉😊😍😎

I've added a few pretty pics to help you.

Lady M

Just be sensible

 

Hello everyone

Lady M still here. This will be the last post on her impromptu series of Just. She hopes you have found them uplifting and helpful through any daily traumas. She's decided to conclude with being sensible. She's decided to cheat slightly and popped into the archives for a post she wrote at the beginning of the year. She's wondering if idiot has realized that they have been plastered all over the Internet. No, she has never seen idiot again as she has never had reason to drive along that road.  However, most peeps know that Lady M is a believer in karma and is aware of numerous occasions when peeps who have upset or crossed her in any way reap just desserts. Karma is her friend so perhaps idiot has received theirs. 😜



What will she be posting next week? She is reminded of a comment the great Charles Dickens made when he was writing Nicholas Nickleby. Originally, he wrote this work as a series for a paper and it was published in installments. An eager reader espied him and asked, "Mr. Dickens, what will Nicholas do next week?" His reply, "Madam, I don't know I haven't written it yet."

Outrage on Cooper Street

On Saturday, 8^th December, I attempted to get my car from Treddles Lane onto the main road. I am driving along Cooper Street as a car is coming up Park Street and wanting to turn left so I continue along Cooper Street and turn right into the final small section of that road. There is a parked vehicle at the top on the right, one half way down on the left facing me with the engine running ready to move. Another car is parked at the bottom end on the right. So, I proceed, overtake the middle car, move back to the left and try to pass the parked car at the bottom of the road. By now, there is another car behind me and the one I’d overtaken has been able to leave the street. Unfortunately, the bottom car was too near the middle of the road for me to pass. I gesticulated expecting person to move over so that we could both move and the one behind me as well. Person sat in car like a statue. I try again. Person still like a statue. Weird! 

Then, person gets out of car comes over to me and shouts, “You just had to push through, didn’t you.” WHAT! How was the car in the middle going to get out if I didn’t move down? Fly over me and the other parked vehicle? Was person serious? I am a little stunned. Next, person locks car and says, “I’m going home. I only live there.” I’m thinking, shall I do the same? I could walk round the corner and leave my car. Now. I watch Judge Rinder and that word he uses frequently comes to mind… STUPID! Anyway, why would I want to be as childish as person?

I get out and talk with lady in the car behind me. She asked why person didn’t just move over; she wanted to call the police. Then person would probably have got either a caution or £60 ticket for blocking the road. I explained that I lived round the corner and this type of situation was a regular occurrence. It would take time for them to arrive and by then our roads would probably be at gridlock. I suggested it would be easier if she reversed and went down Park Street. She was silent, probably thinking why should she. I pointed out that I was totally blocked in and couldn’t go anywhere. She, being sensible, took the reversing option and I followed her. When person saw me moving person came out of house, probably thinking how clever they had been. But has a person who cannot see the whole road situation even got a driving licence? There’s a thought!

The law in the UK states that we wear seatbelts while driving and I am law abiding citizen. So, after reversing I stop conveniently by person’s off-road parking area. Now, I’m a senior citizen and can be a little slow. Seatbelts have to be fitted correctly. Person has now pulled up behind me so I look in mirror, wave and smile. I don’t think person was very pleased because person got out of car and proceeded toward mine presumably thinking of giving me another bol….ing! Oh dear, I drove off before person got opportunity, waving and smiling. How to deal with stupidity!

Btw, I’m the one who has emailed the council requesting yellow lines in our streets before a child is injured or killed when leaving the local school.

So, peeps be happy, lucky, nice, smile but always be sensible and between us we will make the world a better place.

Love Lady M

                                                                                   

Just be happy!

                                                     

The beauty of nature, Sandwell Park Farm

Hello Everyone,

Lady M still here and admits that most of the things in her life happen by accident or do they? During the last few weeks she has been moved by the tragedy on Easter Sunday and then disillusioned with our international situation declaring that we are in a third world war. The only way to fight negativity, depression or despair is to fight back with positivity. She realised that she has begun her last two postings with the word 'Just'. She has decided it should be the current theme. Just smile, be positive and now happy.

Happiness does not solve problems anymore than smiling or positivity but combined with those two it makes the day brighter. Each morning, when she wakes she thinks of each day as a holiday and a blessing. To be more precise, she doesn't wake up until mid-morning, brunch or coffee time. She is a night owl and seldom goes to bed before the bewitching hour. She finds it difficult to sleep before two a.m. 

Her father had a phrase which she frequently recalls, "there's always someone worse off than you." You may feel like disagreeing if you are going through hard times, bereavement or some form of distress but if you are reading this then presumably you have either a mobile/cell phone, laptop or computer. What about all of those refugees, homeless or peeps who do not have access or cannot afford it? 

She remembers those good old days of the sixties and her life in Derbyshire. One of the annual events was the Bakewell Show; the family went along. Sometimes her father exhibited livestock  and won many prizes. He was so proud of all the rosettes he acquired over the years. There's one long lasting memory of the year he took her into the flower tent and stood for some considerable time admiring the blooms. He smiled and was particularly moved by the beauty of the chrysanthemums, gladioli,  hydrangeas and nature. He radiated happiness as he said, (I paraphrase because it was a long time ago) "Just look at that beauty, think of how its grown, it makes you think about what is beyond the universe and doesn't it make you glad to be alive."

Different things radiate happiness to different people. If the sun is shining it is easier to feel the warmth and happiness. Still, thinking back to the sixties where Lady M seems to live, the great late Ken Dodd had a hit record Happiness, to quote just a few of his lyrics, got no silver, got no gold, but happiness in my soul; happiness is the greatest gift that I possess; I thank the Lord that I've been blessed with more than my share of happiness.

There are no winners in the game of life so do whatever makes you feel happy and enjoy this short sojourn which we have on the earth. Make time for yourself … walk in the rain, enjoy the beauty of nature, visit the cinema, go to the beach, read a book, take up a hobby... or do whatever puts a smile of your face.

Until next week... be happy, smile and be positive. Below are just a few pics of things which made her happy and they do not all cost money.

Lady M xxxxx

Blackpool Pier

Afternoon tea at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool

Sunset in Paphos

Ice cream!

Tram riding