A test for the competitive ones amongst us. What is missing from this photo? A little hint for the slower risers this morning. Swimmers. The few who ventured in were severely stung by bluebottles so most of us, like me, opted for coffee. While the more adventurous like Drinksy and the A team opted for the harbour.
Times like these remind me of Rumi from the Guest House.
‘Be grateful for whoever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.’
So, I ask, as you probably are, how can I be grateful for bluebottles and what message from beyond are they echoing? For me I am grateful for the company of Bruce and Bones Boylan in enjoying blueberries on my porridge at Bluewater– there are two blues there. And for the message? You can ask the same question and get different answers.
I like to think of answers that are happy for me and useful to others. When the Dalai Lama was asked ‘What is the secret to life?’ He answered, ‘Be happy and useful.’ No need for a retreat in Tibet to get the wisdom of that. Blue can mean feeling down and flat, or it can mean the boundless sky and ocean that you only have to open your eyes to enjoy. As Wayne Dyer said ‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’
And blue reminds me too of my Dad’s favourite song, Blue Skies, I can hear Frank Sinatra now:
Blue skies smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies do I see
Blue birds singing a song
Nothing but blue skies from now on
Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
When life gives you bluebottles, think blue skies.
Have a bright blue day folks.
Pete Anthony
This year, if you’re taking part in the event, you can choose to fund raise for Royal Far West, our local charity, which is supported by Bold and the Beautiful throughout the year. By choosing Royal Far West, you’ll be helping to raise funds to help vulnerable country kids access the specialist developmental and mental healthcare services they urgently need.
If running is more your thing, you can also fund raise for Royal Far West in the 10km Sun Run from Manly to Dee Why on Saturday 6 February.
However you choose to fund raise, we’d love to have your support!
2 comments
MicheleFranks
February 4, 2021 at 11:34 am
Thanks Peter for making the blues positive.
Srah aka LSA
February 5, 2021 at 12:27 am
Thx Pete, you make me feel grateful for my early morning freezing swim in the dark, murky waters in Hong Kong where at least there are no blue bottles and the sky is blue these days with so very little pollution:) Miss you all!