THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MAY 1994
Page 17
KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE TIDES OF TIME
By ROBERT HENDERSON
Today's most prized possession in our westcoast society doesn't sparkle or gleam. It isn't diamonds or gold, it ticks. In the Nineties, the goals of wealth and a wonderful body have faded and the object of desire is time.
We have shifted gears and more and more people in our society are in the business of supplying services — our diapers, shirts, lawns, cars, children, dogs and homes are being taken care of by others.
Yet, while it is important to keep the economy moving, what are we doing with this time saved? Is it just putting in another hour at work? It is important to spend time in our career, as well as our family, friends, and leisure time. But what about books, walks, gardening and taking the time to actually enjoy cooking a meal?
It is necessary to take some time out for ourselves—to slow down, relax, think. Despite all of our many relationships, it is vital today to spend time with oneself. We need to understand that solitude and loneliness are not the same thing.
Solitude is something that we
need. It is a time to be alone and think...about the past (problems), the future (how to make it better) and most importantly, the "now".
On reflection, one often finds that some of our problems aren't really problems at all. And of those which remain, the question to be answered is "this is a problem relative to what?" The need for more can consume far too much of our time and what better topic (problem) to dwell on than focusing on our lack of income.
No matter how much my financial condition improves, the number of things outside my financial reach remains constant. Each time my income increases, a new boundary forms and I still experience a sense of lack. I believe I would be happy if only my earnings were increased by so much and I could then give or do those few things I can't quite afford. But when my income does increase, I find I am still unhappy because from my new financial position I can see a whole new set of things I don't have.
Hugh Prather in Notes to Myself suggests the solution to this is the realization that happiness is a present attitude and not a future condition.
Now that we have discussed dwelling on problems of the past and being satisfied in the present, what about a creative way to help us manage our present and future more completely?
Let me suggest using quiet times of solitude in an intuitive mode. We live in an increasingly complex world, where the sheer amount of uncertainty and number of decisions we're faced with in our work and personal lives can overwhelm our best efforts at logical reasoning. Resourceful people are turning more and more to the one quality that can help them master uncertainty — their awn intuitive voice.
Ron Schultz in Unconventional Wisdom says that in interviews he conducted with over 60 high achievers, in fields ranging from medicine to entertainment, everyone credited the quiet, often elusive, distinctly irrational intuitive sense for their success.
Gut feeling, chemistry, good /bad vibes, or sixth sense — by whatever name, intuition has been my guide in life. The times I have followed my intuition, I have been right, when I have fought it, I have been wrong — and I
have been wrong on several important occasions. I knew that I was wrong but greed or fear or some other emotion overcame my intuition and I was the loser for it.
For many of us, the ability to hear the intuitive voice when it speaks is mainly a matter of exercise, preparation and practice. The ability to trust it comes only by acting on it. For several years now, I have kept a book with me and have recorded the intuitive flashes that I am open for. This does two things: reminds me always to live "right now" and makes me aware of my own creative ability. These abilities are within all of us.
The past is gone, the future has not yet arrived. The only time we have is now, so enjoy every moment. Time is our most valuable commodity.
•
Robert Henderson is a financial advisor with Vantage Securities Inc. To receive his complimentary bi-monthly newsletter filled with current tax and investment ideas (plus some great stories) please call his assistant, Christina Richards (604)683-5802.
RELECTIONS FOR MAY
Almighty and merciful God, we most humbly and heartily ask your divine majesty for your living kindness and tender mercies. That You have heard our humble prayer and graciously vouchsafe to deliver us from our trouble and misery.
Grant us, we beseech You, your helping grace. That we may obidiently walk in your holy commandments and lead a sober, righteous and godly life. Ever remembering your mercies and blessings You have undeservedly bestowed upon us. That we may continually offer You the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amem.
Hymn to the Blessed Mother: (May is considered the month of Mary) We fly to your patronage, O Virgin Mother of God; do not despise our prayers in our afflictions,
but deliver us from miseries, you, who alone are pure and blessed.
(Taken from a Byzantine ritual book) Fr. Josaphat Tyrkalo, OSBM St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Vancouver
John MacBride An Irish Patriot
(Continued from page 22)
Boer flags, singing "Who fears to speak of '98. That night, the celebrations ended with the singing of "God save Ireland."
When the war with Britain started in 1899, he offered his services to the Boer government along with those Irish already in the Tran-svall.
A vast meeting, chaired by MacBride, was held in Johannesburg and he was offered the position of commander, which he declined — due to lack of military training. Instead, he became second-in-command, with the rank of Major.
On October 6, 1899, the anniversary of Parnell's death, the Irish Brigade saddled up and started for the front. The green flag that was made specially for the expected Rising in Connaught in 1867 was held proudly aloft as they marched into British territory.
They reached the town of Newcastle, where they hauled down the Union Jack, and hoisted up the Vierkleur. Over the camp of the Irish Brigade flew the green flag of Ireland.
After various engagements, which included Moddespruit and Colenso, the standard-bearer Tommy Oates from Killarnev was the first member of the Irish Brigade to be killed at the Siege of Ladysmith.
The British Army, with its rules and regulations, were no match for the extraordinary mobility of
the Boers. As Winston Churchill, then a young journalist for The Morning Star reported, "The individual Boer, mounted in suitable country, is worth from three to five regular soldiers."
But the British poured troops into South Africa as fast as possible, under the command of — ironically — Lord Roberts, who was Commander-in-Chief in Ireland and Lord Kitchener, a Kerryman and veteran of the Sudan War.
At Dundee, the Irish and Dublin Fusiliers fought against their own countrymen, the Irish Brigade — a sad engagement which nas occurred so often throughout history, particularly in the American Civil War.
The main entrance to Stephen's Green Park in Dublin is known as Fusilier's Arch and was erected in 1907 to commemorate the memory of those Irishmen who died fighting on the British side in the Boer War.
The sheer force of numbers inevitably turned the progress of the war in favour of the British, who eventually relieved Lady-smith, Kimberly and Mafeking. President Kruger fled Pretoria and the Orange Free State collapsed, as the Boers — using hit-and-run tactics — continued to conduct a guerilla war.
The Irish Brigade was disbanded and provided with transport to Trieste, from where the Boer Government paid their passages to the United States and elsewhere. MacBride received two official letters of gratitude before he set sail for France.
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