Money?
The love of money is the root of all evil. It is a potent, corrupting drug which, because it can be allied to power, can undermine any institution no matter how well protected and noble its principles may be. It rots virtue.
The poorest need it, but cannot access it. The richest have it, but cannot slake their thirst for more. Those in the middle think they deserve their place on the ladder of wealth and cannot see through the ‘Myth of Meritocracy’.
How would you describe yourself to someone?
This is difficult to answer, I think, because there is a temptation to say what we hope we are. Or wish we were. Or, the person we aspire to be and occasionally achieve on our good days.
And there’s also a danger in defining ourselves by our roles, our work, or our hobbies. I’m a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a friend, a cyclist, a musician, a cook, a writer, a blogger, and other stuff. They are what I do, but the ‘I’ behind all that activity remains distant or obscure.
Having read the above, it’s safe to assume that; 1. I think too much. 2. I’m a bit pretentious. 😀
Generation Gap
What traditions did your parents have that you have dropped? My parents grew up during WWII. I was born in 1959 into a rather different world. We used to talk about the ‘generation gap’. This described the seismic fissure that took place between the culture my parents grew up in and the one I did.
The big difference was money, as in disposable income. This led to me enjoying much more varied; entertainment, holidays, clothing, restaurants, music, education opportunities, etc, than they could ever access. I grew up in a different world, and a lot of the wisdom they could have passed on became dated.
Yet, the important lessons of family life and good parenting are immutable. Personal sacrifice, nurture of children, real love, a sense of humor, the importance of honesty, and faithfulness. I think (I hope) I have been true to their inspirational examples, even in a changed world.
Growing Up
I don’t believe there is a moment in life after which you are ‘grown up’ and before which you weren’t.
Maturation is incremental. Of course, big experiences move us on. They can be pivotal but, equally, reflecting on them after the event is key to growth.
Anyone who claims at a certain point, ‘Aha! That’s it. I’m there. No more growing up to do’ is suggesting life has nothing more to teach them, which I don’t think could be true. They may have given up on life, which is very possible.
What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?
I think it might be the word ‘things’? Or, maybe it is that I can’t answer this question very easily. I can’t reliably go for one activity and say ‘Ah! That makes me happy every time’. The truth is, everything is a little different each time experience it. To take an example.
I am learning to play classical guitar. I play it most days but, whilst I often enjoy the learning process, it is also difficult, and I get frustrated with my mistakes. Also, it’s hard. It’s rare I play a piece and think that I played it spot on, and that made me happy. I enjoy performing in public, but I haven’t done that for a few years now. I think because I can’t be bothered.
The company of my wife often makes me happy. We make each other laugh. The same goes for my son. But, of course, we may worry about our loved ones from time to time. I like a nice beer, and I’m going to have one in twenty minutes while I’m making pizza. And I do like pizza? Sometimes more than others. I like cycling, but I prefer going down hills to up them. I like a nice cup of tea, but I wouldn’t say it brings me happiness.
A beautiful view! Yes. That always makes me happy. I never tire of beauty in nature. One down, four to go. I’ll dig out a photo of Valtos beach in Parga, Greece. Now for that beer…
John Poulton: Books 