Category: Grandpa’s Way

Measure Twice, Cut Once

What’s a conspiracy theory you actually find believable?

There is always the temptation to believe what we want to believe.

My father once told me that he and a friend stood outside a shop staring into the sky. There was nothing to see. They just stared. Soon, a crowd had gathered, pointing, and whispering, “There it is. Can you see it?” Meanwhile, my father and his friend just walked away and laughed at what was happening.

Never believe conspiracy theories without question. Aim to confirm everything yourself from reliable resources, preferably multiple sources.

Use the Sherlock Holmes principle. When all other options have been proved wrong, what remains must be the truth, even if it’s not what we want to believe.

And remember that some people create conspiracy theories just for fun, to be able to laugh at others.

Embrace Uncertainty

How do you deal with uncertainty?

We cannot plan for everything. Therefore, we have to accept that life is uncertain.

Last week, I had my Thursday planned. On Wednesday night I ran over a triangular piece of brick while turning into my street. I heard the thud of air escaping. 100 yards farther along the street, as I parked outside my house, I could tell I had a flat tyre. It was dark, and late, and I went to bed.

Thursday morning, I could see that my plans for the day would have to be changed as I went to get the irreparable tyre replaced.

Was there any point in making a fuss? No. I had no choice but to spend the morning changing the wheel and waiting at the repair shop while my tyre was replaced. It wasn’t money I’d planned on spending. But what choice did I have?

So my son and I changed our plans and still enjoyed ourselves. Why?

Because we embraced the change; we embraced the uncertainty; and we got on with life. It was a challenge, but it was also an experience. It gave me the opportunity to show my son how to change a wheel, something I haven’t done since I can’t remember when. Now, although he hasn’t done the full job, he knows how the process works. It was a learning experience for my son, and an opportunity for me to practice equanimity.

We learned, and we enjoyed. No panic, no histrionics. Just enjoy end journey, embracing the uncertainty.

Growing Up

What’s a moment when you realized you were officially an adult?

Taking my wife into hospital in labour with our first child. It was like a switch was suddenly flicked and the realisation hit that childhood freedoms were gone, and real responsibility had kicked in.

None of us completely give up our childhood ways. But we modify them as we supervise our little ones’ faltering steps as they explore the world that we once inhabited.

Be Yourself

If you had a time machine and could send just one message to your past self, what would it say?

I would tell myself to be who I am, not what I think others want me to be. Because when you try to be what others want you to be, they’re never satisfied. They won’t like you and you won’t like yourself.

So, cherish the people you’re with, but cherish who you are, too. As long as you’re not harming anyone, just be yourself.

Oh, yes. And stress is very over rated!

The Gift of Ice Cream

What’s a moment when a stranger completely restored your faith in people?

I’d taken my two teenage kids out for a meal. While we were waiting for our meal to be prepared we got talking with an older couple on the next table.

To be fair, my children are as frustrating as any others at home. But I’m proud of how polite they are outside. So, they got talking to this couple very politely, especially noting the ice cream sundaes that the couple were enjoying!

The couple paid and left while we were eating.

When we had finished, the children both commented that they were full and ready to leave. I went to the counter to pay and the waitress said, “Oh. The gentleman on the next table was so impressed with your children that he paid for ice cream sundaes for them.”

The children ate and enjoyed the ice cream.

And I learned that there are still good people out there.