IMO

‘In My Opinion’ or ‘I Might Offend’. Enough. Already
Is it just me?
No let me rephrase that, I’m sure that it isn’t just me that thinks… the world has gone crazy.

As I approach my 65th birthday there has been much reflection, some reminiscence, and now bewilderment. Not because I’m losing the plot, but more because I have no idea what the plot is! I’m not sure I ever did really, but that’s another story… maybe even a whole book!

What is going on people? We have power-mad men (mainly) making poor decisions not only for us, but for the future of our planet. How do these people get into such positions of power?

I’m afraid it simply baffles me… where is democracy?????

There has to be change… this is One World, Planet Earth, Gaia or whatever you would like to call it.

This Orb or Sphere is spinning at approximately 1000mph and orbits the sun at about 67000 mph… and supports a human population of around 7.8 billion people. Incredible no?
And rather like electricity, few people really understand why we don’t all fall off, or how the moon makes the tides rise and fall, ebb and flow.

But one thing that is for sure… is that no one has escaped the effects of Corona Virus or Covid19. It is a pandemic.

So why so much ignorance and indeed misinformation about the virus? It’s simply because it’s all new to us… an unknown, you can’t see it, and that in turn, creates fear.

I want at this point to give my heartfelt condolences to anyone who lost a friend, family member or loved one to this virus. It is a stark reality that Covid19 can kill. May they R.I.P.

No amount of blame or finger pointing can bring them back… and that is where we have a problem.

As I see it, Covid is here and will be present in some form for a long time.
So when people say ‘ I’m looking forward to things getting back to normal‘, I shudder. It simply is not going to happen.
Nothing is going to be quite the same ever again. There is no ‘miracle’ cure.
So we have to adapt. As Charles Darwin said…

I would also add, that it is not the ones with the most money!

This is an invisible enemy, I wonder if those irresponsible people who flout the restrictions, refuse to where masks etc, believe it’s a conspiracy… or simply are in denial.
I wonder if it were raining bombs outside whether they would still want to ‘carry on’ as per normal.

I doubt it. Perhaps they should ask their Grandparents or Great-Grandparents!

JUST WEAR A MASK ffs.

Now at this stage I want to add that I for one, do not believe that we should live in or be controlled by FEAR. This is a method that has been used by many ‘religions’ and regimes for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It is much easier of course to subjugate the masses this way. So there lies another problem…

Fake News!! What is that all about? Who do you believe?

I’m afraid I simply do not have the answer to that conundrum… but I do know that we can get through this, by simply staying safe, being sensible, caring and compassionate. It’s not about rules, it’s about all the above I.M.O.

So in Darwin’s words we have to ‘adapt’, and re-evaluate.

And that is where community comes in, like the S.H.A.C. community, a large group of like minded folks, brought together by Barbara and Clarity, who are keeping themselves sane and safe with Art and Craft.

Now that my friends is the positive power of the internet! Not Fake, but very real and tangible.

I do believe Dear Reader that we can get through this with Community, Concern, Compassion and Care (not forgetting Craft )… That perhaps something good can come from all of this.


As I try to make sense of a senseless world
To fathom the unfathomable
To see light in the dark
Hear quiet in the noise
The chatter of no consequence
That to me makes no sense
I am left speechless, and still.

And still I seek,
The way and the path
Not lost, but true, gentle and more
To follow on, treading lightly,
Where others have trod,
To stand with hope, at a distant shore.

DJR . MMXX.

Stay safe… Dave xx

Clarity – The Home of Art, Craft and Well-being.

15 thoughts on “IMO

  • 14th October 2020 at 1:01 pm
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    Someone voted for them and then didn’t hold them to account. Or couldn’t be bothered to vote, which is worse. Dancing in the street when 90% of critical care beds are full in your city is rude to those suffering, selfish to those staff who will look after those you infect and stupid, not denial. It is not just the deaths but hundreds of thousands of people with long term disability in the UK because of punctured lungs, brain damage, hearing loss, chronic fatigue and all the other things the virus brings. It is the NHS staff having nervous breakdowns because they have watched people die every shift, often colleagues. You only have to read the BBC website to get informed, so there’s no excuse for believing you are not at risk. Wear a mask now because you won’t have a choice in ICU. You have no right to kill and cripple other people.

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  • 14th October 2020 at 2:59 pm
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    Oh Dave, I agree with all you and Ali say.
    In January when we first heard about the virus we both decided on our forward plan. Hubby has heart, lung and liver problems and I am a 76 year old who has recovered from cancer and has breathig difficulties caused by the chemo so we decided to self isolate. We bought in some masks and people looked askance at us as few people were wearing them at the time.
    By mid February we went into voluntary lockdown just before it was announced by Boris. Where we went out 2 or 3 times a week before I cut it down to one weekly visit to the supermarket at 7am when almost nobody was about and only the NHS staff and elderly were admitted. Our butcher delivers our meat and charcuterie so we never run out of food.
    By March/April we knew this virus was not going away any time soon. Hubbies hospital appointments were first delayed then cancelled.
    The government has given so many mixed messages it is no wonder many are confused and some ignore it or are in total denial. For instance – why on gods green earth do they announce on a Thursday that a new set of rules will apply from the following Monday? This encourages idiots to go out and mix in hordes to spread the virus further.
    Fortunately we both have many hobbies to keep us occupied,love reading and enjoy each others company. We now have no family members to worry about which is a massive relief and I feel so sorry for those who have large families they cannot comfort in these trying times.
    So finally i would like to say THANK YOU to Barbara, you and all at Clarity Towers for your continued inspiration and service which is second to none. The blogs, YouTube, Shac Shack and TV programmes have brightened many of my days.
    Stay safe everyone.
    Love and hugs to all 🍒🍒🍒

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  • 14th October 2020 at 5:08 pm
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    Hello Dave
    I agree. I will take precautions but I refuse to be ruled by fear.
    Love
    Roz.xxx

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  • 14th October 2020 at 5:26 pm
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    Dave and Ali have summed it up perfectly.

    The idiots dancing in the street or breaking the rules, well, I would sentence them to do community service on a COVID wards – I bet that would change their attitudes.

    As for the Americans and their morally and financially corrupt president, they are idiots to let him get away with it and I hope will regret ever voting him in xx

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  • 14th October 2020 at 6:47 pm
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    What a wise man you are. Thank you. X

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  • 14th October 2020 at 7:17 pm
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    Thanks you for such a thought-provoking blog Dave, and your verse is spot on. I totally agree with all you say, but I don’t blame the government for the second wave, I blame the idiots who think life is now back to normal and they’ll do as they please. No-one really knows how to contain it and I feel most governments are doing the best they can , taking advice from all sides.
    I am exempt from wearing a mask, but managed to get a plastic face shield (from USA) that is just as good, if not better. Before that I didn’t dare go out at all. Even now, it’s only for medical and related appointments that I venture out and haven’t been in a shop since March.
    Like so many others, I find Barbara’s Shac a godsend and have been there every day from day 1. She deserves an award for all she is doing and I hope it is recognised by someone ‘high up’ !!

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  • 14th October 2020 at 7:35 pm
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    You and Ali are both right.

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  • 14th October 2020 at 8:21 pm
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    Very thought-provoking blog Dave and your piece of prose is spot on! Unfortunately I fear you may be preaching to the converted cos as a rule reading the clarity blogs and sharing Barb’s SHAC sessions most of us seem to recognise what we need to do to stay safe and protect others….but as you rightly say, it’s falling on deaf , nay may I say, ignorant ears! I find it incredible that the message for all our protection is simple and the only reason some claim confusion over it is largely in their endeavours to find a loophole so that they can continue to do what they want , when they want it…I despair for humanity at this rate.Perhaps you and Barb, along with the fine staff at Clarity of course, should run for Government…..you’d certainly get a strong following backing you!👍

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    • 17th October 2020 at 2:21 am
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      Agree with everything matey. I av got to the stage where I just cannot look at any more news or read anymore columns. If I’m appy with what I’m doin, following rules (or not, some are very confusing) , let’s be honest it’s not rocket science to work it out. One day there maybe a vaccine IMO only then will it end.

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  • 14th October 2020 at 9:16 pm
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    Hi Dave I so agree with all said
    Poor World J X

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  • 14th October 2020 at 9:47 pm
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    Well said Dave.
    We have to learn to live with this virus and adapt. It will be with us for a long, long time and we should all look after each other.
    Thanks to Clarity and to Barbara for all her tremendous work in the SHAC Shack. She’s a treasure. xx

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    • 19th October 2020 at 10:24 am
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      I agree people have gone mad, going forward and adapting is the only way, some people are crazy and have no thought for others, but i can do my bit keeping safe, mask ,hands and space easy to remember and carry out if you choose to. Love the poem x thank you
      Ps- the shac shack helps me too thank you all at clarity.

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  • 17th October 2020 at 12:21 pm
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    Very wise and deep words Dave – Thank you 🙏
    And yes change is here and change always create that shake to our existence
    we should always remember this quote written By Thomas Merton:
    You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.

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  • 21st October 2020 at 1:47 pm
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    Wise words indeed, although I think many people use the phrase “back to normal” in a rather different sense than simply back to the way it was before. I know when I say it, I mean it as more of an acceptance (by government as much as anyone) that this is here to stay and we have to learn to live with it. Back to a new form of normality, in effect, despite the obvious contradiction in terms. Most of us do what we can to behave sensibly and with consideration for others, but we would do that anyway without government intervention. Those who don’t, and who therefore put everyone at risk, would do so regardless because they have no consideration for anyone but themselves and their own pleasures.

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