Ruminations (I)

 I am confused.

There are numerous books which tell us how to get what we want – visualise, meditate or just say ‘f**k it’ (the actual title of a very well written book!). And it all sounds eminently doable … just follow the recipe.

The other advice/school of thought is that we each have a blueprint for our lives and that everything, give or take a few good or bad choices, is predetermined.

[Please note that there is no disrespect meant to any of the authors in the paraphrasing.]

Combining these two concepts rather gracefully for me is the serenity prayer (by Reinhold Niebuhr). It has adorned many inspirational cards and is used as part of the 12 step program of AA:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

I was perfectly happy with this and nodded sagely whenever the prayer entered my orbit, because all of it was just so … true.

That is until recently, when I finally realised that there is a sting in the tail. And perhaps I am the only person who didn’t grasp this until now, but here is the thing.

I’ve always been a doer and therefore the fact that one chooses to take action or stand down, depending on the particular circumstances, was always perfectly acceptable. And, obviously the wisdom to know the difference. So logical. Actually doable.

Or not?! 

The crafty bit is that all of these are silent on the issue of timing if not dictated by actual happenings. So when do we have the courage to initiate that big change or follow the dream? Conversely, when is the right time to not chase the dream and accept that something may never happen? Serenely accept that the answer may actually be “no”.

Not so elementary, my dear Watson.

Coffee trail (II)

Let me state upfront – an important decision has been reached regarding the photographic evidence of the coffee trails to come. In future, photos will be captured using a cell phone rather than the Canon 6D. Neither Husband nor myself are comfortable with the idea of jumping up in a restaurant or coffee shop with a camera and lens (even with permission) to take photos. People seem to get fidgety when the equipment appears, leaving us feeling rather like intruding eejits.

The site of the second trail - Boston Bistro. The restaurant forms part of a few shops strung together at the end of a suburban block. In fact, the umbrellas outside provide the only clear indication of a culinary presence as the sign is also quite subdued.

The interior therefore comes as a bit of a surprise – it is warm and welcoming and not quiet at all. The entrance way is lined with a hodgepodge display – jewellery, baked goods, scarves and figurines. On the other side of this creative room divider are the tables. Shelves scattered along the walls are filled with bottles of wine and bags of coffee, while a mishmash of paintings forms a focal point on another section. The hand written menus along with laid back, French sounding (I profess to not knowing what Boston music sounds like) music completed the relaxed ambiance. 

We both ordered the chicken livers and this is a taste experience not to be missed – well spiced and just right! Our meal was rounded off with coffee and moist, not-overly-sweet carrot cake. Which we shared. Just saying… lest we get accused of gluttony.

The verdict - great food and atmosphere, good value for money and an enticing lunch menu which will guarantee our return. Definitely a keeper.

Sadly, the trip did not yield the coffee grail, and so the search will continue - hopefully with more regularity in the post-election phase.

Herewith some of the now ‘casually-but-carefully-taken-by-stealth’ photos...

PS: The wisdom-on-sugar-sachet also made us smile:
Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing.
Euripedes