A balancing rock, also called balanced rock or precarious boulder, is a naturally occurring geological formation featuring a large rock or boulder, sometimes of substantial size, resting on other rocks, bedrock, or on glacial till. Some formations known by this name only appear to be balancing, but are in fact firmly connected to a base rock by a pedestal or stem.
Three things have literally saved my peace of mind and my sanity:
Friends
Humour, and
The love of family
In these trying times, is humour an escape or a mask we wear, or should we just be angry?
With a global pandemic, Russia, China and North Korea plotting to destroy us all and Lord knows what’s going to be sent to test us next, we should be angry!
I should be angry!
The last few years have been a nightmare for me.
First, I was diagnosed with secondary cancer in my lungs and stomach and it took six terrifying months to find out what it was.
Then I bought a business and, after three years of unremitting stress and heartache, I sold it having lost a ton of money.
Worst of all, I’ve been really struggling lately – haunted by bad memories, past failures, trapped in a constant round of self-flagellation – feeling I could’ve, should’ve, would’ve dealt with them better and terrified this could’ve, should’ve, would’ve was leading me to ruin.
But the thing is – it’s hard to be angry when you’re lucky!
My first stroke of good luck was learning the cancer I have is a low grade, indolent form of lymphoma – no symptoms, no treatment needed and the likelihood old age will see me off first – and we know old-age is nothing serious!
And the business that so bowed me down is someone else’s burden and I wish them better luck with it.
With a global pandemic, Russia, China and North Korea plotting to destroy us all and Lord knows what’s going to be sent to test us next, we should be angry!
I should be angry!
The last few years have been a nightmare for me.
First, I was diagnosed with secondary cancer in my lungs and stomach and it took six terrifying months to find out what it was.
Then I bought a business and, after three years of unremitting stress and heartache, I sold it having lost a ton of money.
Worst of all, I’ve been really struggling lately – haunted by bad memories, past failures, trapped in a constant round of self-flagellation – feeling I could’ve, should’ve, would’ve dealt with them better and terrified this could’ve, should’ve, would’ve was leading me to ruin.
But the thing is – it’s hard to be angry when you’re lucky!
My first stroke of good luck was learning the cancer I have is a low grade, indolent form of lymphoma – no symptoms, no treatment needed and the likelihood old age will see me off first – and we know old-age is nothing serious!
And the business that so bowed me down is someone else’s burden and I wish them better luck with it.
Well what’s the three things that really make me lucky?
Gary showed me I was crucifying myself between two thieves – regret for yesterday and fear of tomorrow.
He reminded me happiness exists at just one time – now!
He helped me realise I have everything I need and for me that means riches beyond measure.
I’m also lucky I can make people laugh. I know I can and often do. It’s not a mask I wear to conceal the real me, it’s one of my greatest pleasures and I’m grateful for what I see is a gift.
And my luckiest gifts, my treasures – a beautiful wife, three truly amazing daughters and three sensational grand-kids and through them I gain inspiration, consolation and pure joy every single day.
When I told Gary I was racked with guilt that I could’ve, should’ve, would’ve provided for them better, he asked me, “on your death bed, would you rather say – I bought them a house each, or I gave them all the love in my heart? “
My daughter Lucie is a singer/songwriter. she wrote:
- Friends like Gary Walker
- Humour – and above all else,
- The love of family
Gary showed me I was crucifying myself between two thieves – regret for yesterday and fear of tomorrow.
He reminded me happiness exists at just one time – now!
He helped me realise I have everything I need and for me that means riches beyond measure.
I’m also lucky I can make people laugh. I know I can and often do. It’s not a mask I wear to conceal the real me, it’s one of my greatest pleasures and I’m grateful for what I see is a gift.
And my luckiest gifts, my treasures – a beautiful wife, three truly amazing daughters and three sensational grand-kids and through them I gain inspiration, consolation and pure joy every single day.
When I told Gary I was racked with guilt that I could’ve, should’ve, would’ve provided for them better, he asked me, “on your death bed, would you rather say – I bought them a house each, or I gave them all the love in my heart? “
My daughter Lucie is a singer/songwriter. she wrote:
"birds don’t know they’re singing,
fish don’t know they’re swimming,
we don’t know we’re living."
The song came from a Ted Talk she saw by Lucy Kalanithi, “living is more than just being alive “
A fish is swimming along and encounters another fish. he says to the other, “doesn’t the water feel great?” The other fish replied, “what water?”
We don’t even think about the air we’re breathing. we’re so busy living we take for granted the very thing that keeps us alive.
If you’re angry over your failures or regrets, your could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, or the world seems dark to you, look where you’re standing; look around you; think of the things that amuse and delight you.
You’re alive in a beautiful place and with that comes great fortune in the form of the people you have in your orbit – your family, your friends – you are very lucky.
It’s hard to be angry when you’re lucky.
As Lucie said, “birds don’t know they’re singing” – but we do, don’t we?
A fish is swimming along and encounters another fish. he says to the other, “doesn’t the water feel great?” The other fish replied, “what water?”
We don’t even think about the air we’re breathing. we’re so busy living we take for granted the very thing that keeps us alive.
If you’re angry over your failures or regrets, your could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, or the world seems dark to you, look where you’re standing; look around you; think of the things that amuse and delight you.
You’re alive in a beautiful place and with that comes great fortune in the form of the people you have in your orbit – your family, your friends – you are very lucky.
It’s hard to be angry when you’re lucky.
As Lucie said, “birds don’t know they’re singing” – but we do, don’t we?
