WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 62

A Useless Life

A farmer got so old that he couldn't work the fields anymore. So he would spend the day just sitting on the porch. His son, still working the farm, would look up from time to time and see his father sitting there. "He's of no use any more," the son thought to himself, "he doesn't do anything!"

One day the son got so frustrated by this, that he built a wood coffin, dragged it over to the porch, and told his father to get in. Without saying anything, the father climbed inside. After closing the lid, the son dragged the coffin to the edge of the farm where there was a high cliff. As he approached the drop, he heard a light tapping on the lid from inside the coffin.

He opened it up. Still lying there peacefully, the father looked up at his son. "I know you are going to throw me over the cliff, but before you do, may I suggest something?"

"What is it?" replied the son.

"Throw me over the cliff, if you like," said the father, "but save this good wood coffin... Your children might need to use it."

Source

5 MINUTES WITH - JACKIE CARTIN

Jackie Cartin lives on the border of Muff and Derry and is originally from the Brandywell in the heart of Derry. She is a specialist in Natural Nutritional Education and Consultancy. Her company Pure Products and Services, is an umbrella for her many different activities. Jackie designs and delivers cookery classes and workshops on healthy living and lifestyles for local community groups and schools. Jackie enjoys introducing practical, user-friendly alternatives to junk food to people. One of the classes is a Natural Approach to Weight Loss where one satisfied client lost eleven stone over the course of one year. Jackie finds the classes in the schools have a positive impact on the children and she hopes that her natural approach will help in the long term with diabetes, obesity and mental health. Also under the umbrella group is her fresh and frozen ready meals catering for vegetarians and vegans. Check out the full menu on her website http://www.pure4life.org/ or you can contact her on (0044) 7742922543 or on myspace.com/pureproductsandservices

Jacqueline lives with Martin McDaid and their children Sam, Leah and Seosamh. You can also get a chance to see Jacqueline at Natural Health Fair on the 21st March at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, which is on between 10am and 4:30 pm.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
The new remastered Astral Weeks by Van Morrison, which was originally recorded in 1968. I am also enjoying Grainne Duffy (from Castleblaney in County Monaghan). It is bluesy soul music and I am also listening to some classic jazz from Imelda May.

What books are you reading?
I read anything on nutrition and have a lot of reference books from when I was studying for my Nutritional Therapy exams. I use them a lot. I have a cook book by Nomi Shannon called The Raw Gourmet, which I dip in and out of. I also have a book called End the Struggle and Dance with Life by Susan Jeffers, which is always floating around the house somewhere. I like to browse through it as it keeps me focussed.

What was your favourite childhood game?
I loved being out of doors and cycled a lot. I come from a very large family of 11 children and I shared a bedroom with 5 sisters. We could always rustle up a rounders team.

What was the last film that you saw at the cinema?
Perfume – It’s a story of a man with a superior sense of smell who attempts to create the ultimate perfume and how his world takes a dark turn in his quest.

What would you never throw away?
I don’t have anything left from my childhood… everything was worn out. It would have to be the memory of my first pair of Wrangler Dungarees with their wide flares. The dungarees have gone but the memory remains…

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Coming from a large family, we had lots of embarrassing moments so I was well seasoned to them from a young age. Things like that tend to wash over me.

Favourite TV programme?
This could fall under the heading of “Embarrassing moments” I like Desperate Housewives, the X Factor and a bit of reality TV like Big Brother. I can’t believe I have just admitted to that…..

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be a nurse and I suppose I am still going down the caring route with my training as a nutritionalist.

Any holiday memories?
Martin and I decided to go away for a week to the Island of Rhodes. It was a total chill out on a hired a motorbike. I was riddled with guilt afterwards though and I still remember the look on my children’s faces as we left them behind with family for the week. We have taken them with us ever since.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Barbara Wayne, the founder of the College of Natural Nutrition in Bristol, Bob Marley, the Dalai Lama and Van Morrison could give us a song.

What do you do for a special treat?
More than I realise when I think about it… 15 friends and I had a pampering spa weekend in Enniskillen recently. We love to go out and about in the campervan and as we have to test new food for our vegetarian takeaway business, it’s a good excuse to have a lot of friends around to sample the food. That is a real treat as we love cooking.

Favourite animal?
I love animals but couldn’t keep one, as I would feel guilty keeping it enclosed.

Biggest thrill?
The Dragon Khan in the Port Adventura Park, in Salou in Spain. The ride is the longest in Europe and the name is based on Chinese mythology. The Dragon Khan was the reincarnated spirit of the evil Prince Hu of Beijing. His fury was unleashed each time a human dared to climb onto his back….scary stuff…

Biggest Challenge?
Going back to school. I started from scratch seventeen years ago.

What charity would you support?
I give to charities that have holistic approaches to overcome problems. I give to Aware Defeat Depression.

The world’s most irritating/most useful invention?
Although I love the juicer, it does tend to be very difficult to clean. I have some great seed sprouters that are my favourite at the moment. They are glass jars with metal lids that sit on their side so the sprouted seeds don’t sit in water… they are very easy to wash…

Best birthday present?
I had a wonderful surprise 40th birthday trip to Paris.

Favourite past-time?
My daughter is really interested in baking at the moment so I spend a lot of time with her in the kitchen. We enjoy coming up with tasty new recipes for our take away business. If I get a chance I like to get on the bike and go for a cycle too.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
For the music and the fashion, it has to be the 1960’s

What do you have for breakfast?
I have a fresh slice of lemon with inishOh! Water followed by porridge and green juice made from celery and cucumber.

Do you have a favourite cartoon character?
I love puppets…When I was young I watched Andy Pandy and the flower pot men.

What was your first paid job?
I worked in a chip shop called Wheelers in Derry when I was 15 years old. I worked until 1.30 in the morning and got paid 96p and hour.

Worst household chore?
All of them… I am not very domestic.

What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
The worst is “Take these tablets.” The best advice was “Listen to your first instincts.”

Personal philosophy?
Live not to eat but eat to live… Natural nutrition fuels your body….

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - 34

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

(By Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).


I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more ‘I love you’s’ More ‘I’m sorry’s.’But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it, live it and never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!



Don’t worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 23

Thanks to Scoil Naomh Padraig school for the image.

The Dalai Lama’s Outlook on Life

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules, so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.