I was flipping through one of those free local magazines that these days drop through the letter box like 1960s pop stars falling from grace, when I came across a page full of horrendous banalities of the kind that seem to be the twenty first century equivalent of the cry of the snake oil salesman. "You can become mindful at any time you like just by paying attention to your immediate experience and situation", it would appear. "Research", it seems although the precise nature of the research is left to the imagination, "indicates that living in the moment can make people happier, because most negative thoughts concern the past of the future". The entire saccharine-fest is topped off with the following little jingle:
I do apologise if anyone has had to read that having just consumed their breakfast, the words are enough to make anyone feel a little nauseous. I have obviously been living my life all wrong for the past sixty-odd years (and some of those years were very odd), believing that we have a duty to learn from the past and plan for the future. But no, the past and the future are seeped in negativity - let us all live for today and to hell with the consequences.
My picture was taken way back in 1966 during a parade for the annual Halifax Gala. The building in the background is the Victoria Theatre which still stands, I am glad to say. Whether it will be standing tomorrow is a different question - but, who cares? Such thoughts are not mindful.
My picture was taken way back in 1966 during a parade for the annual Halifax Gala. The building in the background is the Victoria Theatre which still stands, I am glad to say. Whether it will be standing tomorrow is a different question - but, who cares? Such thoughts are not mindful.
I'm trying to remember the source of the following quote. "The past is dead, the present stinks, and even the future isn't what it used to be."
ReplyDeleteNew Age woo always drives me crazy, too! I suspect the perpetrators of this kind of drivel are probably still in their twenties, when youthful enthusiasm tends to blind one to surrounding environmental conditions. My idea is that no one should be allowed to author aphorisms until they're past the age of 55, when life has had a chance to be lived and has taught us a few needed lessons.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately they are not all in their twenties. I know plenty here in California who continue with this nonsense until old age. Of course, California is the land of fruits and nuts! I am a realist. Teaching high schoolers reinforced this. I like this quote much better: "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." -- don't drag into today what went wrong yesterday.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful building. Its shape alone should keep it from the wrecking ball.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. There's a terrible lot of drivel passes for journalism these days. And a woman I know has just written a book (written up in today's G2 if you please) called something like Why Men Like Stripes and Women Like Polka Dots. And she an alleged professor! We are all going to hell in a hand basket but with any luck that'll teach you not to read freebie tosh in future.
ReplyDeleteSorry. Feeling a bit low. Went to a memorial service for an old friend today who created and single handedly wrote 120 issues (4 a year) of our local newspaper. He was a stickler for proper English usage, no silly jingles and definitely no snake oil.
Some people march in the parade. Some stand and watch it go by. Others scurry off and give it no notice. And a very few take a picture of it all.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know someone else shares my view of some of the naff drivel and homilies that are served up these days. They're mostly well-meaning, I suppose.
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