A few posts I read over the last few days as well as posts on Face Book had me contemplating life….
We live as though we have no end and probably never consider that our number could be called tomorrow, or today, for that matter… This had me wondering if I was prepared for such an event…
More to the point, have I done all I want to? Well that is probably easy to answer, No. But have I enjoyed what I’ve done up to now? Also easy to answer, Yes. Am I ready to go? No.
Then how does one do all you want to do before the clock runs out? and where do you find the money to do it? … If anyone can answer the last question, please let me know the answer, I still have so much I want to do, but the Bank Manager thinks I’m going to die before I can pay back what I want to borrow…
Here are two photos of the Malachite Kingfisher I captured recently in Upington… enjoy…
Beautiful little fellow… only 5 inches from tip of beak to end of tail…. so now you know not an easy bird to get a good photo of…
More important than talent, strength, or knowledge is the ability to laugh at yourself and enjoy the pursuit of your dreams.
You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.
Two sayings I found on the internet that I just love…. enjoy your week….
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Very thought provoking post – I agree that we should try to accept that things don’t always go our way and make the best of what we have. Find pleasure in the small things and just imagine what a horrible responsibility it must be to have to maintain a huge mansion or run a Ferrari…(that’s what I tell myself, anyway!!)
Thanks for the comment… I’m normally a very contented person with what I have and with my life… just getting sick of news of people my age passing on… I’m too young to go and still have tòo much to do
Its a tough question to answer but the answer always lie in your heart. Money and Time will pose a challenge, its how you conquer them that will help you find the answer.
I agree taking pictures of a kingfisher is very difficult for they never let you close. Im still in search of a good shot for that noisy little fellow.
Very inspiring quotes bulldog. Love the Kingfisher pics. I haven’t seen one in the wild. All one really has to be concerned about is living longer than the money lasts, although with plastic money these days, I suppose one can make a plan. 🙂
Ah, money, money, money! (as Abba would sing) It’s a rich man’s world. But I measure wealth by a different stick. If you are loved and healthy and find joy, than you are rich, my friend. Sure some money buys comfort, but when you have the basics, the rest just complicates life exponentially. (Spoken like someone who isn’t filthy rich and still loving life, eh?)
Love the King Fisher (or is it Fischer)? So colorful. Now there’s a rich bird!
Yep, good advice in those sayings….how come we don’t realize it until we’ve wasted so much time?(giggles – and a sigh)
What a gorgeous little fellow, I adore Kingfishers. Are they as rare to catch sight of there as here Bulldog? I was blessed to see one on my birthday a few years ago, during a short river trip in Bath. I was thrilled to able to snap a few, but they didn’t come out as clear as yours. Still, I couldn’t believe that it stayed still long enough for me to do that. I had only ever seen a flash of blue of one while on the Norfolk Broads many years ago, so I was thrilled, the perfect birthday present 🙂 As for life, well, I hear you. There is so much I want to do but time and money conspire against it, for now. I don’t have the answer either but I think you came mighty close with your great quotes at the end. Thank you for the reminder to enjoy the journey. That is so important. You have a great week too Bulldog, I’m certainly hoping for a better one 🙂
These little fellow are like chicken teeth.. very difficult to find…
There seems no answer to my questions, so I will just have to continue enjoying life as it is… but then I suppose if one could have everything, one would probably not enjoy that which we do, as much as we do now… sounds Greek but I think you know what I mean…
I know just what you mean…trust me 😉
We all think about life specially when we get older. I have the same problem I have all my dreams and not enough money…money trees don’t grow here…. Still Live in the moment and enjoy them as they are to the full!
Wish we could find the money tree… but then if we were rich the chances are that we would not enjoy all we could do…
Exactly , having no money tree makes us appreciate more what we do have and enjoy more when we buy something new. Occasionally it would be handy to just do something extra ordinary!
It’s all we can do…just enjoy the moment because we never know. Take care, and have fun!
Thanks I do just that…
Yes, it seems everywhere you look lately, people are contemplating their existence. It may have something to do with reading things written by baby boomers? or perhaps the downturn in the world’s economies has prompted every age group to reassess what’s truly important! Probably a combo of both!
Anyway…my favorite quote about all this is something from Lao Tzu:
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
I love the quote you’ve shared… thank you
Thank you!!
This is a conundrum I have pondered from time to time. Perhaps some classes on salesmanship could give pointers on how to convince the bank manager 🙂 (if it works let me know, lol).
Your kingfisher is so pretty blue, ours are about the same size and have proven to be a challenge to photograph as well although I have one this year that seems to like my camera.
To hell with the Bank Manager… I kissed his tiny hiney many years ago… and will never do so again… he can now kiss mine… what ever the answer is it will happen… a child hood friend of mine lost her husband suddenly this last weekend… she now sits alone pondering the future… hell I’m alive and happy why should I worry about the future or what it holds, I enjoy life as it is, should I want more? NO…
I love the kingfisher, it’s such a beautiful bird. I can’t answer the million dollar question (but really wish i could) xxx
Thanks Dianne… who gives a hoot about the answer… life is great and I continue to enjoy all that I’ve been blessed with… the Bank Manager last saw me 15 years ago, and will never see me on my knees again… I’m happy with what I have…
Great photos as usual Rob. I can share your thoughts on contemplating life. Last weekend it was my mother’s 93rd birthday, but my father died aged just 52. And just a few months ago, my brother in law past away aged 53. There appears little logic in the end game, which makes it impossible to cover all the angles as hard as we might try. And then the tax man is waiting to take his share.
How right you are Brian… a childhood friend of mine lost her husband last weekend which probably got me thinking… hell I have so much more than so many others and although money is not plentiful, I live and get to visit some of the best places in the world.. so I’m happy…
Beautiful photos Bulldog. I think you’ve just raised the bar for yourself with these 2 pictures!
As we get older, it seems that 2 of the biggest struggles are money and health. Personally, I would like to have both … but I’ll settle for good health 🙂
I have a roof over my head and food on my table, I also get to visit some of the best places in the world so really I’m actually blessed…. and I’m happy and laugh every single day, what more can one want… the health must just improve a little quicker…
I think you summed it up perfectly … especially the part about laughing every day. It’s importance cannot be emphasized enough 🙂
You are so right…
Gorgeous little Kingfisher. Probably about has difficult to photograph as our tiny hummingbirds who are always on the move. Contemplating life bulldog? Preparing?? Well here’s my two cents worth – live each day as if it’s your last and don’t worry about the money or preparations – so much easier on your blood pressure!! Sorry I couldn’t do better 😉
Thank you, yes a very difficult little guy to capture photos of…
Yep Life must go on and be lived to the fullest possible, and that is what I do… I have a childhood friend who lost her husband over the weekend, far too early if you ask me when in your 60’s… and this had me contemplating if we can anticipate this event, it seems not .. so I continue to live my life to the full and enjoy every minute of it… at least I’m still alive…
That great attitude will keep you happy bulldog 😉
Thank you..
They are great sayings and something actually been talking about with guests this week. I know strange thing to talk about with complete strangers but when traveling half way round the world, we were talking about just doing what you want and not giving up on your dream. Sometimes you have to make things happen for you rather than wait. Agreed though more often than not for the most of us we need a little help from the bank manager and he isn’t so keen to help us…… we laugh and live in hope though eh! Love your photos as always – can’t believe the little fella is so small.
Thanks jan… the Bank Manager last saw me 15 years ago, then I was on my knees, never again… what I can’t pay for out of my pocket I don’t get… but hell I get to visit some of the best places in the world and photograph things I love, what more should I ask for?
A childhood friend lost her husband this past weekend, in his 60’s like me, and one wonders if one can anticipate these events, probably not, so I continue in my happy way and dream of that which, if I’m honest with myself, will never be able to do… so I will continue to dream… like trying to visit there with you on the West coast of NZ..
I like the sayings you found, and of course, the photos are beautiful as always. I imagine you standing close to the birds (or at least close enough for a good zoom shot) and I’m envious of you (and happy for you).
I was only about 10 metres away from the bird, but it being so shy I had to sit still and hope I was getting good shots before it flitted away…. I am actually privileged to be able to capture what I do and should be thankful….
I really like your second quote you found. This is a good post.
Thanks Cee
I’ve done some of the same contemplating…Got to keep reminding myself to squeeze more out of “the moment”. xxx Great thoughts Bulldog. My best to Linda 🙂
A childhood friend lost her husband this past weekend, he was in his 60’s and this had me wondering…. I tend to loose sight of how privileged I am with what I have and what I can do.. sure money is an issue, but I get to see some of the most beautiful places in the world in my own country, what more can I ask for…?? Anyway the last time I kissed a Bank managers backside was 15 years ago, he can kiss mine now… if I can’t do something out of my pocket, then it is simple, I can’t afford it… Hell I’m happy and alive what more do I need, and anyway I’ve got Linda
I’m so sorry to hear about your friends loss. It is life altering when we start hearing about those in our own age group, losing their lives.
You are blessed to see and experience so many beautiful places, I agree…and you’re blessed to have “the eye”, the eye that appreciates these things so very much..riches that we can hold in our hearts, not in our hands.
I’ve been hearing about the loss of loved ones from a lot of different directions lately, and it made me stop and re-evaluate. Took me most of my Florida trip to get my head “back in the game” of the here and now.
Wise words from the one on the roost.
I agree Frank…
Lovely little bird Bulldog! I know what you mean about doing all we want to do before our time is up. We want to start traveling internationally and will never get to all the places on our list. Are you still considering getting an RV?
Yes LuAnn… Linda and I still have the dream, but need to sell our house to do it… the market is not right at the mo and we refuse to drop our price, so it is still in the pipe line…
Selling real estate is a challenge in many parts of this country as well. I hope one day you two can experience the freedom of this nomadic lifestyle.
What a cute little birdie bulldog! I like those two saying very much. I know the second one with the word playing instead of laughing in it. Same difference really, both suggest fun, right? ❤
Diana xo
That they do and that I live by… a childhood friend lost her husband this past weekend in his 60’s like me, and one just wishes we knew the when and where…. but hell I have a good life what more do I want… a roof over my head, food on the table and even money for chocolates every now and then… I must be considered privileged when compared with many others….
So sorry for the loss suffered by your childhood friend bulldog.
Diana xo
Laughing and living beats the hell out of the alternative! Just do what you can as you can. As long as you do!
Thanks Teri… that is just exactly what I do and thank the Good Lord I’m alive and can do the things I do….
Go forth and conquer! And as far as those Black Rapid Straps are concerned they have a model that is a slide over both shoulders holds two cameras at same time model that might suit you 🙂
Thanks for the tip off, will do a little Google work…
Here ya go: http://www.blackrapid.com/products/double
Thanks
Bulldog, have you looked at the end of the rainbow for the pot of gold 😀 Pawkisses for an Enjoyable Monday 🙂 ❤
I keep trying to find it, and luckily it takes me into the bush where I get all my photos….lol
There will always be something else to do. Just keep doing what you love.
Thanks pat… exactly what I do… that which I love…
Pragtige Kingfisher. Bly maar ‘n kleurvolle voeltjie.
That it is Spokie… not easy to capture though…
My personal motto: If you cannot have the best, make the best of what you have.
My mission: To always smile and laugh while I’m in the retirement village and to avoid moaning minnies.
I love what you live by and do just that… the moaners I avoid like the plague…
Isn’t that the million dollar question. I just look at what is really important to me in life and what my absolute goals before I die are and I start working toward them…money be damned. I usually start by doing the research on the subject, narrowing down exactly how to pull it off. My intention and certainty of them happening is unquestionable, timing sometimes is unpredictable. Eventually the last part…funding, takes place. So far, that strategy has worked for me well. I have never been a success at gambling in the traditional sense like winning the lottery. But, in terms of core importance, my gambles always pay off.
I like your comment Mrs P. all so true… just had a bit of a confusion when a childhood friend lost her husband, he was in his 60’s like me and I wondered if we could predict this event if we would live life differently… I probably wouldn’t , hell I’m privileged to do what I can do and am happy, what more do I need??
The unpredictability of the end is one of the reasons I strive to do what I want to do. Then I won’t worry about what could have been. Fortunately my greatest pleasures come from the simple things in life, not the physical ones.
I have done a lot of things that I never thought I would do, but I really have the travel bug now and not enough money to go to all the amazing places that I want to. However, my trip last year was something I never, ever thought I would do, so I am reliving those memories all the time until we can save up enough money to go somewhere else :).
You are so right, like our trip to America, it was a dream that we realised would never happen, till it did… and those memories can never be erased… hell I’m actually privileged to have done what I have in life… so should be very grateful… which I am and hell I’m happy and laugh every day, what more do i need??
Your sense of humour is the most important thing of all as far as I’m concerned. It’s important to dream and strive for more but also to laugh and be content with what we have. Keep laughing my friend :).
That I will always do
Lovely bird and very photogenic.
(….and since I have severe Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, I suppose tomorrow could be my last day, but my Cardiologist assures me that since I’ve made it to 60, retired and live a very slow, simple and relatively stress-free life, I’ll probably die of something other than this inherited heart condition. I told my brother once, I’m not planning to pass away until I’ve taken the perfect photo 😀 ).
Thanks Vicki…
Now that is what one should be wanting from life… the perfect photo… Yes Vicki, life is unpredictable and the events we wished we knew the answer to we will never know, so I remain happy with what I have… a childhood friend lost her husband this last weekend, he was in his 60’s like me… had me thinking….
Sad to hear, Bulldog, but when your time’s up (your time IS up).
There is only one certainty in life and that is that we will all die one day. The most important thing to me is to live the best I can with what I have at this very moment, but it took me over 50 years to learn that.
gorgeous little bird! & yeah – keep laffing 🙂
Thank you… That’s all I can do….
yep 🙂