Lessons Learnt the Hard Way

For a couple years now, I haven't really read a book - as in properly - as in with the respect it deserves. Without distraction, with a cup of tea, without my mobile in close proximity, but with my favourite cushion giving support to whatever part of my body that needs it.  It was not due to a lack of books. Indeed, I have a healthy pile of all sorts of books waiting to be read: mysteries, self-help, thrillers, classics - you name it. Was it perhaps a lack of will power? Whatever it was, this tiny mountain of books would nag at me whenever I'd open the cupboard to grab an extra pen. Sitting pretty on the shelf, they would seem to nag at me, jeer at me and taunt me for being weak. The door would quickly and adamantly be shut and that would be that.  Then it all changed. Unexpectedly.  With my young niece and nephew having recently moved in with us, and with me being an English teacher (trumping me being their aunt in this matter), it was incumbent upon me to instil within them t

 ... are tipped slightly against us. No one in their right frame of mind would or could doubt that. It is this very notion that makes life interesting - worth living. What good is the prize if its right there for the taking? What sweetness would be got from low hanging fruit?  When we raise children, an age old tested method to get them to do something is to make them work for something they want. It develops grit and enables a child to gain a deep seated appreciation for hard work. (Something being lost as time goes by, but that is another blog for another day.) I remember dangling novels in front of my daughter for doing her chores. Sure some might call this bribery but I beg to differ.  However, one must always resort to making people work to get at something (call it bribery if you will) in moderation. You can't dangle candy in front a baby and then quickly take it away. Wouldn't sit right with anyone. You want to keep it at a distance, laying in the far corner nonchalantly

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This age, I think, is The Ticket to adulthood. There's no denying it at anymore. 21 and you're a full fledged, professionally acclaimed, undeniably, absolutely, an adult. Is it a good thing? Yeah, it is.  Now people have to listen to you and you actually have an 'adult' voice. The ID card and driver's licence just adds to the 'bigness' of the moment.  Is it a bad thing? Kinda, yeah. Because now you have a voice and a measure of freedom. Choices. Decisions. Independence... and the zeal, zest and vigour of what can yet be. No bitterness, no resentment. Just an inexplicable and boundless energy that reverberates in your every drop of blood and every bone: you know you are going to make the world a better place. To those who have just turned this magical age: write down your life ambitions and then revisit this vision 10 years from now. If and when life fails you, which it undoubtedly will, just open that piece of paper and you will remember that you have it in