Sometimes all there is to do is … nothing
by Greg Arthur on Jul.01, 2010, under The Talk of the World
We live in a world where everyone is trying to fix something. There is self-help and life coaching to fix people’s broken lives. There is international aid to “fix” the downtrodden. And there are the interventions to “fix” the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
And then there is the view of British scientists that the best thing to do with the oil spill is…nothing. Yes, nothing. Do nothing. According to an article published in the Mail & Guardian (Doing nothing might have been best for BP oil spill), chemical intervention to break up the oil faster does more long-term environmental damage than the oil itself. The drive to mop up is more driven by the politicians’ need to be seen to do something than what is actually best for the environment.
How much of a need is there for us to be seen to be doing something to better ourselves? (continue reading…)
How my opening game was different to others
by Greg Arthur on Jun.18, 2010, under The Talk of the World
A little while back I wrote a piece on the South African psyche of not having faith in our ourselves that we will get things right (see Greg’s View on Fun). We always look forward and assume that we will mess it up, which the media then laps up and spews out there.
The pendulum has now swung to the other extreme. Now no negative press is tolerated by South Africans regarding the Soccer World Cup. We are now in a panacea of perfection and efficiency, despite actual experience. My experience is an example. I am aware that my comments may be seen by some as “afro-pessimism” or negative but it is a factual account of what happened. I also must point out a feature of my personality where I get frustrated when I see that things designed to achieve something are not being utilised properly.
Here is my experience of the opening game. (continue reading…)
Truly Adam Lambert
by Greg Arthur on Jun.02, 2010, under The Talk of the World
I was chatting to some friends the other day and they were commenting on how proud they are of Adam Lambert because of how he has been himself despite criticism from the public. He has been himself? It’s very telling of how few of us can honestly say that we are being ourselves. How many of us actually know anything about ourselves? We are so quick to follow what people say: we adjust our diets when scientists tell us something is unhealthy; we buy new clothes in order to follow fashions being put forth by “them” over there in some other country; we change jobs when a consultant tells us we are not well-suited to what we’re doing. We’re always quick to follow others but would we know who to follow if we were the only person around? Do you know what food you would eat because it makes you feel good and your body responds well to it? What would you wear if it were entirely up to you; what would make you feel good about yourself? Do you know what job you would do that would make you bounce out of bed every morning? Who would you be? (continue reading…)
It’s a happy birthday…really
by Greg Arthur on May.26, 2010, under God has a life too
Every year I make a big thing of my birthday. I use the opportunity to see all my friends and to throw them all together at a function that is all about me. And I love it! I always have.
Birthdays are also about change. Each birthday heralds the start of my own new year. Numerologists will tell you how the number of the year you are in, which influences your challenges and experiences, clicks over one notch on your birthday. I feel that notch click over and sometimes that feeling is a little uncomfortable. This year is no different. I feel like I am standing on the edge of a cliff and only have to throw myself off to realise my dreams. So I see my dreams and that makes me excited but there is also a cliff that I have to throw myself off of first. Shit.
So I have decided to take my birthday week off (yes, I always celebrate a birthday week). Well, pretty much. I think the experts would say I’m frozen in fear. Or they would tell me I’m procrastinating but, you see, I am always way to hard on myself so I’ve decided that this is a perfectly good thing to do when there is chaos: sit in the midst of the chaos and be still. Oh, and then throw a party. It has been a very emotional space so, to be honest, working would be difficult given the frequent breakdowns. Okay, I maybe exaggerate a little…but only a little.
I know I will jump. I just want to turn 35 first! 
Happy birthday to me.
Greg’s View on Mediocrity
by Greg Arthur on May.25, 2010, under Greg's View on the World
We all do it. We convince ourselves that what we have is fine and so there is no reason to pursue anything else, even though we dream of something else. We keep those dreams locked away in the confines of our imagination and sell ourselves the comforting thought of mediocrity. Mediocrity keeps us safe and allows us the pleasure of not having to strive for anything nor to stand out in the crowd.
How many of you have filled a romantic void with someone who is “sweet and lovable but definitely not for the long term”? Do you relate to going to movies with friends who you didn’t really want to see because the other option was to stay at home alone? Perhaps you play a sport you don’t really enjoy because the team needs you? (continue reading…)
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