Do you live on the Edge....?

When you hear the expression “Live on the Edge” what do you think?  Living dangerously? Extreme sports? Taking risks?

If you Google it you get this....

live-on-the-edge. Verb. (third-person singular simple present lives on the edge, present participle living on the edge, simple past and past participle lived on the edge) (idiomatic) To have an adventurous or perilous lifestyle; to behave in a manner which creates risks for oneself.

Well I was Living on the Edge yesterday, but not in the way you are now thinking.

I was a volunteer for “Aware” and “Daughters of Tomorrow” - organisations that work together to bring awareness through experience to companies about poverty. It is via a role play, and the scenarios are based on real life stories from around the world - I’m not sure it matters where in the world you are, poverty is poverty, the main difference being how cold it is maybe...

This is a youtube of Living on the Edge in Canada....
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As volunteers we were assigned roles - there was the Housing Authority, Medical, Job Agency, Supermarket, Religious Organisation, Pawn Shop, Loan Shark, “model agency” and police ( I think others too....)...

I was assigned as Police Officer, to keep law and order, take underage children into detention if left unattended and of course arrest people.

The simulation started, each round signifying a week in life.  The first round was a figure it out round, quite chilled.  

Round Over

The next week was more hectic as they realised they had to get things done.

Week Over

3rd week - signs around necks of “homeless” and “I’m starving”...

My heart sunk and all I wanted to do was give them some food or money.


That's the reality for many in this world.


Although I wasn’t playing as someone living in poverty, it was interesting to see it from the outside as others put themselves into the roles - different ages and family backgrounds and how they each responded to what was happening.

It made me think of some of the volunteering I’ve done and how this is reality..

Afterwards is a debrief for the ‘players’ who stay in the role first and then a group debrief back as themselves.  I could only stay for the smaller groups but here’s some of the feelings that the simulation evoked:-

Helpless
Frustrated
Trapped
Never ending
Shame
Sad
Powerless
Numb
Desperate
Stressed
Irritated and let down by society and the system
Scared

Education became less of a priority as the teenagers needed to work

However families felt they really pulled together to support each other.

Can you imagine living day in day out feeling that way?


Anyone reading this blog is unlikely to be under the bread line, but it could happen in the future - there is no way of really predicting.  There was a ‘tramp’ in the UK who gave his millions away when his Wife died, yes his choice to be homeless but you never know.

The question I ask the most about this and other things is “how to change it” -I know legislation is needed but if governments don’t/can’t/won’t or take sooooo Long -what can we as human beings do to help each other. 

The divide of wealth in the world is insane - 

The world’s 10 richest billionaires, according to Forbes, own $505 billion in combined wealth, a sum greater than the total goods and services most nations produce on an annual basis.  Taken from https://inequality.org/facts/global-inequality/

How can that really be and do we need that much money to live?  

For me the answer is no, what comes to mind is the lady who has 200 Hermes bags that was posted on Facebook the other day.... seriously!!!


There is only so much each of us can do and continue to live our lives - but there are things we can do and I'm still in the process of figuring out what!...

A couple of YouTubes I came across as I searched a bit, and some interesting comments about them - what is the solution..?
Thanks for reading.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvlozhvQPJw&app=desktop  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofsncCF9O_U&app=desktop 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPm0M6zDC_g&app=desktop  

Not quite plogging although the 2 can be combined....

I have discovered a love of walking, I stopped running for a while when I twisted my ankle and hence the weight vest training an​d I really enjoy it!  I'll still run (ankle issue to fix) but there is something blissful about strolling along.

As you watch the same thing 4 times (so I could talk more!!) - you'll see how a change my legs a bit, swing arms hugely or not so - give having a bit of fun and craziness as you stroll along.!!!

Some ideas:

Long strides
Small stride
​Really bent knees
Big arms
No arms
Wide legs
Cross legs
Side step
One arm swing
Arms overhead
Arm swings to sides (please don't hit anyone)
Step together walk
Diagonals

And anything else you come up with!!!

The blog was inspired as I was at Pulau Ubin on Saturday, 4 years in Singapore and I'd not been.  A visiting friend gave me the perfect reason - not that I need one in the future.

It's a lovely little island, rent a bike or simply wander around on foot (with silly walks.)

I actually collected trash (of course you did you say) - it is very clean but there is always that stray bottle, or tin that you can find and when you're looking for it and it's in the forefront of your mind, you see a lot..

Now that is something to ponder for life, keep what you want to achieve in the forefront of your mind!!..

Anyway, we walked heaps - lovely lovely scenery and as we returned I wanted to do my wacky walk on Ubin rather than Singapore side off the ferry..

In my infinite non-road sense I was sure we could walk back a bit (post a beer) from Changi Village and get a cab somewhere along the way...  took a bit longer than I'd anticipated - what can I say don't trust me when it comes to "it's not far...".

By the time we got back, I had done about 40,000 steps!  Kinda funny if you don't have blisters (sorry Nick)

Below a selection of pics taken plus the trash.....

Go out, walk, have fun, explore and smile - it brightens everyones day!
x
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And all the bottles in the mud?  My friend went "Lisa don't even try.....".. LOL
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Not the best video, but you'll get the idea of what plogging is!!!!  I'm not totally crazy...

Living in Singapore has so many pluses - one of which is its cleanliness.  I often go barefoot down the park, or even in to a coffee shop because I know I’m unlikely to step on anything.

When plogging was recommended to me my selfish gene kicked in first and I thought how it would interefere with training....  One change of mindset later and I ran off with my bag in hand, thinking there wouldn't be much to collect, just some bits and pieces strewn about.

As I walked, the fact I was looking for rubbish kept me more present, if not how would I spot anything?  I would see something glistening in the light and there would be a straw, or small piece of plastic there.

Part of me thought “why bother with that little bit”… 

Then I stopped and remembered 'The Plastic Ocean' movie and how they pulled a straw from a turtle's ‘nose’. 

I picked it up.

Bottle tops, straws, cartons, beer cans, cigarette packets, plastic curry bags all went into my bag.

Why bother at all you might wonder.

I love this Earth, it’s stunning and water is our life force (hence the Ocean thought). 

Each time we destroy part of this planet, I believe we also destroy/hurt part of ourselves.

This talk really helped me understand the water cycle plus a possibility for the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX3M8Ka9vUA&feature=youtu.be

Yes it’s long, totally engrossing and he makes the most sense I’ve ever heard - the comments made about his talk were a mix bag - I felt he offered a solution for the future generations.


What about the now though - how do we do our part?

As I walked along the beach picking stuff up, there was a group of lads sitting about and in the water. As I neared, one of them got up and picked up 2 beer cans ( I assume they were theirs)…

YES!!!

If by doing what I do, however small it might seem to me - it influences someone and that influences another - then we start to create the change in mindset that is needed.

Someone said to me that they felt that if they don’t do anything as it doesn’t make a difference.

It does

IT ALL DOES.


Every piece of trash that doesn’t end up in our oceans, helps this planet.  Maybe that trash will be incinerated rather than recycled? - is that the lesser of 2 evils?  I would rather it be incinerated than kill innocent sea life and land animals, or cut open your child's foot because I couldn’t be bothered to throw it away properly. (Best option is of course not to use in the first place…)

Every time I don’t use a plastic bag, or a takeaway cup or straw, or leave rubbish about - I make a difference.  I make a difference not only to the planet, but also to my sense of well being and how I connect with the world around me.

And it doesn’t take much effort at all. Carry a plastic bag around, it’s better than binning it  - use it for shopping or a trash walk.  Yes a cloth bag would be better, but make a start somewhere however small.

And please please please - share.

​Liking posts is great, but it doesn’t get the message out there.  I appreciate some people might not like sharing, but if you’re going to like - then why not share as well…thanks  

We all have the power and opportunity to make a difference, and sometimes it’s hard to say what we think/feel and voice opinions - I know some things I blog I ‘worry’ about and do my best to say things in a way that invites people not pushes away (not so good at that in person when I’ve had a drink…..) - but I try.  And if I don’t say what I’m thinking, I’m not being true to myself….

Anyway - join in plogging, get out the gym and on the streets and parks, our natural playground - post what you collect - be the change and let’s make a difference together…

thank you..

One last thing,  if you walked your dog and he/she trod on a can and hurt his paw, or swallowed some plastic that made her sick - what would you think about the person who left the rubbish there?? Then next time you walk, if you saw rubbish would you pick it up??...

A spine freeing workout that you can do at your desk.

Sitting all day does our bodies no good, so if you can't move about much, or take regular breaks then these movements will at least keep your spine freer and keep your energy up....

Let me know how it goes, get the whole office involved....!!

​Look after your spine
Thanks

Fun to have someone to appear on the video with me !!!

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And the usual blog,my Philippines adventure.... 

First of all apologies there was no movement video over the weekend - this blog explains why.  

I went on a little adventure to a place called Daila Farm in Tagaytay, 70km south of Manila.  To get to the farm I had to get the plane, then a cab to a mall to get the bus to Nuvali then a jeepney to the farm.  When I told some people I was doing this "transportation" trip they found it quite amusing!  I didn’t see it as anything that far out, English is quite well spoken, it was going to be daylight and I had been given great instructions….  What did their amusement say either about me,  or the trip I was about to embark on.

Flight (1:50am) - check - 3 seats to me sleeeeep. (freezing cold plane, must remember that with Scoot)
Cab to mall - check - easy peasy
Bus stop…….

Ermmmmm….

Walk block - ask policeman - wait here ish….  erm ok.

Holiday Inn - love them (gave me a free coffee), no real bus stop wait on the corner near the booth (payment booth it turned out to be).

Mmmmm when’s the bus?

Holiday Inn said between 5-8am!!  LOL what the..  Booth man - 7.30am.  It was 6am.

Coffee Bean opened and I sat and read and watched the morning sun come up.

Bus - pretty much on time - front seat and off we go.  Traffic and lights gave me a chance to scan the land - malls and commercial buildings with ramshackle wood and iron huts in contrast.

So interesting and extreme.

Bus stops - cross road - find Jeepney…

erm

Where?  Somewhere ‘here’…

One came - not for me..
Few more
Then Tagaytay

Yipppeee on I hop; the only white face but not looked at in any way other than yup another person.

I edge my way closer to the driver, watching people pass their money down.  How much was I to pay!!..

I glanced to my right - woooohoooooo a guy reading an English book! YES.

He was fab, told the driver my stop - I gave my peso to him and got some back, how much!!... not sure but not a lot!

English reader got off - driver mmmmm  methinks we were ok.  Every now and then he’d stop and ask someone where the Steakhouse was, my landmark.  Sign for steak place - not yet not yet!!  little while longer and off I hop.  The farm was just next door, and woooohooo I made it!!

It was fun, it took me out my comfort zone, I had no other option than to be patient and wait for whatever form of transport was the one I was to get.  Very little wifi meant I couldn’t keep checking my phone (let’s be honest we all do too much….).  In the moment and I loved it.

The farm, not what you might imagine, not sure what I expected - photos attached for you to see.  The main thing I want to say is that it was peaceful, calming, quiet, in nature, happy people, chilled and the air was fresh as it was higher towards the highlands.  I was greeted warmly by the staff and met up with my friend to see what he was up to!

We sat, chatted and after an amazing breakfast of banana, fresh coconut, cacao and nuts I was put to work!  Well I wasn’t but I helped basically - sticking labels on bottles.  Yup it was like being a temp again on a production line!  He has a line of local produce - coconut oil, cacao, coconut sugar, ginger tea and coconut chocolate ice-cream - YUM…  He had an order to deliver the next day hence our sticking.

I admire those who are determined to set up their own thing - it takes a lot of work and thought and confidence in a way to keep going when it seems uncertain - or maybe faith is a better word?

Break time - I wandered up the road, found a stunning lake in the distance to be told later that was the volcano area.  I sat in a ‘bar’ and had a quiet beer, lost in thought.  Down the road - of course no pavement, small stalls road side selling the same foods or brushes or plants (diabetes plant anyone??)!!  Plastic here and there (too much), dogs wandering the streets and tricycles honking for business.  It reminded me of Thailand and Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur and the bit of Vietnam I’d been to.

I got back and bottles done, dinner eaten - the BEST banana heart dish and eggplant something or other - ongoing chats about the world and the future of it and life as we knew it.

I slept in a nipa, a traditional hut with a wonderfully warm blanket!  I was a bit worried about rolling over and falling onto the floor, but you’ll be please to hear I stayed on both nights.  I’d heard a rustling the first night, no idea what it might be. The second night as I walked up the ladder I knew - there in the middle of my floor was a frog!  He hopped away not to be seen or heard again. Can frogs jump down far??..

Mornings were crisp and fresh, the second one was a stunning blue sky - in the movement video you’ll see it.  Up and move, more bananas, chill, and off to deliver the oil.

We drove into Manila ( much quicker than my journey!!) - dropped things off, met up with the family,  had coconut meat noodles (yum), meeting with a website to sell the products and a long drive home.

Traffic - unreal. Friday night mayhem. 4,000,000 cars in out and the city each day!! what the.  Now the traffic is okay right not such a big deal - singalong, chat etc.

BUT

Let me explain - in the car were 6 adults and 3 children all under 2….

It’s a biggish car, but erm - Singapore for 4 years where that sort of thing doesn’t happen.  2 slightly grumpy children with very loud voices made some of the journey a tad unpleasant and amusing at the same time!  Finally it quietened and we had a great singsong to get home.

My last day was me on a workshop about women’s hormones - a stunning warehouse setting in the middle of a concrete village and a guy building his wood house outside.  Contrast.

It was interesting and I met a cool lady (not one for networking I tell myself but seems I am) and hope something work wise will come out of it and learnt a few things about my hormones I didn’t know!

Off to meet a friend recently moved from Singapore to Manila to walk around in civilisation known to me - streets lined with shops, decent pavements and the return of the humidity.  So many people but weirdly not crowded.

Time to leave - one last adventure to be had though….

My friend googled which terminal - 2 says guru google.
Cab - T2 - 2 hours just before.
In the terminal - no Scoot.
ALL Philipines Air.
Bugger

T1 - shuttle bus - fab
erm what time?
30 minutes

mmmm

‘street’ cab - 750 peso WHAT!!!  arsehole (plus I only had 500)…
‘proper’ cab - 300…
done

T1 : 8:20pm flight 9:35pm
phew

I’m in - through immigration -coffee and chocolate in hand - chill

“Dear passengers on Scoot flight blah blah blah to Singapore, the flight is delayed….”

LOL

No idea how long until we got on

1 hour
sigh
What else to do but laugh…

Flight - freezing - home - 3am
sleep

Great trip - loved every minute even the babies crying and the delay and the Philippines is one cool place full of contrast and extremes - stunning wild scenery, friendly people, great food and an overall chilled vibe.

I will be back there for certain; to see my friends and it slowed me down.  I was reminded to take time and not be in a rush to do do do….

That life is what it is and some things are just not worth bothering about.
And that life is what you make it

Thanks to the Philippines for having me.


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If you are wondering what business he is setting up it’s

Kayumanggi Organics …
Beauty, Truth and Goodness….

Fascinating TED talk - funny and helped me stop and ponder and think this is my next step..!!  Singing lessons maybe! or speakers circles .. learn to change my voice, not necessarily my opinion!!!

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​As a kid I was quite outspoken, I said what I thought often in a very argumentative way and I believe I earned a reputation for being so and was told frequently by others, including family that I could be awkward and I rubbed people up the wrong way.  oooppsssss

For a long time I didn’t give a sh*t - I really didn’t and I also never learned how to voice my opinion in a calmer way for a long time…. or to listen to others (I still don’t always I know… - work in progress)..

When I was 28 I met a guy, fell in love and slowly over time I changed.  He hated my discussing ways, thought I picked arguments (I play devils advocate) and to void conflict I stopped doing it and became a shadow of myself.

We split after 3 plus years and I was left having to figure me out again - sound familiar to anyone..

The other day (15 years on) I was talking to a flatmate who said “well you are outspoken”….It stopped me in my tracks and I had to smile as it seems I have become so again, and not realised it and the change I made to being me again.

It was a great “yes” moment for me,  having been put down and criticised for my opinion and not doing it for fear of not being liked, I once more do say my thoughts out loud... 

That fear by the way still exists.   That if I say something a friend/colleague doesn’t “like” or it hits a nail on the head that they won’t like me anymore - another thing that I work on.

My flatmate went on to say about the recycling I have started in the flat, it is an effort for me as my condo doesn’t have a bin, we leave it in the stairwell (people were putting normal rubbish in it...) Anyway, he didn’t quite 'get' that one person doing this DOES make a difference.  If no one did make an effort, I dread to think what state the world would be in - I can’t believe it would be for the good.

Saying my piece and voicing my thoughts is not inferring I am right, it is my current opinion with the knowledge I have and I seek to find out more.

Am I passionate about certain things??..

F**K YES.

Do I get frustrated that others don’t seem to care the way I do about these things..???

F**K YES

But I am realising, with help from friends and coaching and TED talks (I love them) - that we all have different cares and none are wrong or right - unless they harm others or the planet, that’s my opinion by the way….

If something is put to me that irks me, it means it hit my nail and I need to think about it and what it means to me.  If I irk someone else - same thing.   

It took me a while to get my voice back, it was difficult to speak up, I honestly believed I was boring and had nothing to say.  I started reading the news again a while ago and feel better knowing more what is going on in this world which I am part of.

Everything that happens everywhere, effects us all whether that is to the oceans, the sky, the trees, animals, birds, reptiles and humans - we are intricately linked and that’s what I care about the most - what we are doing to each other.

And my voice can make a difference, I may not be warmly embraced by it by some and that’s ok - I am speaking my truth the best I know how at the time and certainly not with the intention of hurting anyone or thing.  Now to learn to put things across better, I get that..

Do I get it wrong and will I in the future..

F**K YES!!!

I say things the wrong way accidentally, I get caught up in my passion and go too fast and don’t listen and speak over others and don’t phrase things the right way.. Totally do !!! I’m human… And I’ll likely do it wrong again - all part of the learning process.
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From the TED talk - we all effect each other, which brought me to this quote from Alan Watts:

thank you.
​x

A beautiful setting for this workout - lucky with where I live.  It was a stunning sun rise and a lovely breeze and a few mosquitoes to keep me company....

Please take care if you have had or have back issues and seek advise first before you do this workout...

It's bliss to be outside, by the water and feeling the sand in between my toes - and it's free happiness!! 

I appreciate not all reading will be able to go to the beach as easily as I can,  if possible just a walk on the grass barefoot - connect with the earth beneath you...  thanks..

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