Good Morning from Warren Grove, Prince Edward Island,
I hope everyone had a ‘happy’ week.
Thank you for joining with me every Saturday.
The toll of a stressful summer is catching up. I find it hard to think of anything to communicate that doesn’t sound whiny.
In the words of everyone’s favourite irreplaceable game show host, Alex Trebek, "It's very important in life to know when to shut up."
James Clear has created one of the world’s most popular newsletters. Sent weekly to over one million people. The 3-2-1 Newsletter is “The most wisdom per word of any newsletter on the web.” Below is a sample of the clarity of style he shares.
How to Be Unhappy:
-stay inside all-day
-move as little as possible
-spend more than you earn
-take yourself (and life) too seriously
-look for reasons why things won’t work
-always consume, never contribute
-resent the lucky and successful
-never say hello first
-be unreliable
Invert for happiness:
-get outside each day
-move: walk, exercise, dance
-spend less than you earn
-view life as play
-be the one who looks for solutions
-develop a bias to contribute and create
-learn from the lucky and successful
-be the first to say hello
-be reliable
~ James Clear
Sign up for his newsletter here.
"For me, success is not a public thing. It's a private thing.
It's when you have fewer and fewer regrets." ~ Toni Morrison
Grandmothers Wisdom
During difficult times, you move forward in small steps
Do what you to do, but little by bit.
Don’t think about the future, not even what might happen tomorrow. Wash the dishes.
Take off the dust.
Write a letter.
Make some soup.
Do you see?
You are moving forward step by step.
Take a step and stop.
Get some rest.
Compliment yourself.
Take another step.
Then another one.
You won’t notice, but your steps will grow bigger and bigger.
And time will come when you can think about the future without crying.
~ Elena Mikhalkova, “The Room of Ancient Keys.”
There was not a lot of time/energy to read this week, but here are a few things which managed to catch my eye.
Positive News...
Indigenous-led resistance to fossil fuel projects in North America has prevented emissions equivalent to 400 coal-fired power plants from entering the atmosphere in the last decade.
The Indigenous Environmental Network and Oil Change International, analyzed the impact Indigenous resistance had on proposed fossil fuel projects in the US and Canada. They studied 20 cancelled or delayed following protests.
The shelved projects would have spewed out the equivalent of 25 percent of the US and Canada’s annual emissions, the report’s authors estimated. Their findings are welcome news. Read report here.
(sad news) A record number of environmental activists were killed in 2020.
“Indigenous communities resisting oil, gas, and coal projects across their territory are demonstrating true climate leadership,” said Kyle Gracey of Oil Change International. “Respecting and honouring the wisdom and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples is a key solution to the climate crisis.”
It seems the big-dollar wars are about oil, money and control. The little dollar battles staged by the committed are about saving the sacred, our earth.
Denmark, Costa Rica seek an alliance to speed up the end of oil and gas. Dig Deeper into this article from Reuters.
“...the care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.”
~ Wendell Berry, The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays.
"Double down on your best relationship. It's the investment with the highest return." ~ James Clear
I hope you have a wonderful weekend of laughter.
Laughter is the virus that infects you with humanity. And if you sit with somebody and laugh — not at them, but laugh with them, wholeheartedly, how in the world can you get up from that table and say, “Pssh, those people”? You can’t. And if you’ve laughed with them, you’re going to cry with them, too. That laughter is a very dangerous portal for humanity.
~ Luis Alberto Urrea
If you didn't catch it the first time...try this one.
With love from Prince Edward Island.
Bruce + Millie
ps. Your Morning Smile
I was walking past a farm, and a sign said, 'Duck, eggs!'
I thought, "That's an unnecessary comma..."
And then it hit me.
Comments
Pat said:
Bruce, I look forward to reading your blog every weekend. Whiny you are not. Inspiration is what you give to so many. Thank you
September 20, 2021
Debbie Wynne said:
As one who reads this blog faithfully Bruce, I can assure you, you never sound “whiny”…encouraging, inspiring, hopeful, honest, caring, empathetic….those are my descriptive words for your blog. Your kindness and love for humanity shines thru every week and we all so appreciate it.
Keep going bud….you make this world a better place. Deb
September 18, 2021
Kay said:
Thank you for your Saturday morning blog, it’s something I look forward to each week.
Loved the children’s video. Best wishes to you & Shirley.
September 18, 2021
Julie MacKenzie said:
I loved today’s blog, especially the video of the kids singing & giving thanks to all frontline workers. I look forward to your blog every weekend. Thank you Bruce.
September 18, 2021
Paul Kneebone said:
Thank you, Bruce, for such a positive ray of sunshine you wrote to all of us today! The stresses of keeping your business thriving must be immense during COVID – this never-ending pandemic. My wife and I had the privilege to visit your spot in mid-August. We bought our usual supply of jams and sauces – both for us and our family members back in Ontario. We then spend a lovely hour meandering through your beautiful gardens and stopped a few times to just sit and take it all in. THANK YOU for all you and your staff do - it is a very special business that you have developed with hard word and dedication through the years. We took some very special photos in your garden of our two grand daughters (11 & 15) and they just love it as well. Hopefully we will back again next summer from Whitby, ON for another visit. Until then -—- only the very best to you, your family and all your employees there at The Preserve Company!
September 18, 2021
Sharon Kalich said:
Sometimes it can be exhausting to be "up " , positive and perky all the time. Trying to keep others from being down. Permit yourself to be grumpy and sad sometimes…we’ll still be here for you just as you are for us.
September 18, 2021
James Walters said:
Thanks for your blog..
I’m in Arkansas, USA.
All of us are not bad people.
September 18, 2021
Nancy Hammerton said:
Bruce, it’s no wonder you’re needing a breather…but look at what you’ve been able to do: Kept your business going during this long pandemic. Attracted new customers who now send your wonderful products to others who will become regular customers. Published your Saturday blog with grace and much needed humor and encouragement—who knows how many lives you’ve touched positively?
Businesses are demanding and hard work. Sometimes what keeps business owners going is positive responses from their customers. This is my first time to respond, but I hear the weariness in what you wrote today and would be very remiss to not respond with thanks—for your products, of course, but just as much for the way you care !
Blessings to you and Shirley, and some small moments of respite.
Thanks for you, your wonderful products, and lovely memories from being able to visit a few years ago.
Nancy Hammerton
Wayland, MA USA
September 18, 2021
Allan Parker said:
Sign in our village this week: Flee Market
September 18, 2021
Judy said:
Thank you for sharing our little corner of the world in San Marcos. We are all connected. Thank you for connecting us every Saturday morning with inspiration and reflection.
September 18, 2021
Arlen said:
Thank you for your Saturday morning blog – I look forward to your inspiring words each week. Today’s video of the children singing was just beautiful. And of course today’s chuckle was priceless!
September 18, 2021
althea said:
morning, bruce. hahahaha. a memory. some 60+ years ago, walking to school with classmates in HK; sunny day, suddenly a shout: ‘duck. ball coming’. all three of us ducked and the tennis ball sailed over our heads – coming from the boys section of our school. thanks. much needed this lightness after rough week. blessings and love.
September 18, 2021
Stephanie Vargas said:
Thank you for the morning smile! I hope you have a lovely weekend!! <3
September 18, 2021
Jack & Lillian Paul said:
Thanks for another great read. The world really needs “love” as there is so much racism about. We truly are all God’s children.
Lillian
September 18, 2021
Anne Gillis said:
ahhh…. the importance of a comma. Yet again, I laugh and smile when I read your message.
September 18, 2021
Janice Langford said:
Good morning Bruce, thank you for the quote from Alex Trebek, how true, and the link to James Clear and thank you for your weekly blog. Have a good week.
September 18, 2021