The world lost a unique individual with the death of Michael Jackson. A brilliant dancer, singer, recording artist, he epitomized what it was to be a star. An incandescent talent, so brilliant he burned out long before what the world would have wanted of him could eventuate.

Unfortunately he wasn’t the first brilliant talent whose life was snatched away long before his time. It happens so often I am tempted to think that talent such as his could have been just too much to bear.

Or perhaps the fact of precocious talent is more of a curse than a blessing. So often stars seem to attract the destructive; like moths to a flame. How many times have we seen such people attach themselves to the star like leeches, sucking the lifeblood out of them.

How often has the talented individual been forced to live in a world of fantasy, divorced from the reality we all know and accept. The fact of their stardom makes it impossible for them to do simple things like buy a hamburger, or walk down the street and drop in somewhere for coffee. I saw part a an interview Michael did with Barbara Walters where he stated this very thing. He couldn’t do what normal people did.

The rumours of his dependence on prescription drugs is an all too common story for these individuals who pay the ultimate price for their fame. They lose their identity and are forced to live the fantasy they create. How tragic.

I admired Michael Jackson for his brilliance. I felt for him as he struggled to emerge from childhood. I don’t know that he ever succeeded.

If there is such a thing as reincarnation I wish him happiness in his new identity.

Live well
Ollie Lind

PS I shall now write a poem to try to express my perspective on a remarkable human being.

The Man

The crowd is tense, the stage is bare.
They look to see, no one is there.
A light snaps on, he stands chest bare.
A wraith like image, they catch his stare.

The music starts, a pulsing rhyme,
His body sways and moves in time.
His hands are raised, his voice, it soars
The crowd ignites, as one it roars.

His dancing, moving like no other,
sends daughters screaming for their mother.
He gives his all, his heart and soul
His music makes the young feel whole.

The lights go dim, he moves away,
To show his magic another day.
The toll it takes no one can see
To be the best for you and me.

All his life he’s had to bear
The load of always being there.
To give his life, his heart and soul
Exposed to all, as in a bowl.

No chance to simply be himself,
Forever being on the shelf.
He cannot do the simple things,
Like simple folk, no joy it brings.

Why should he be the one to pay
The price of fame, to fade away?
So very soon before his time
Too soon, for him the bell did chime.

Star

People who read The Man also read:

The Artist
There are some people I know who tell me they are not creative at all.
To those people I can never explain the joy you feel when you create something. Well, this poem may go some way to answering that.

Softly
When I was a child I pondered occasionally on death (if you are honest, we all do at some time or another) and I wondered what death, if he were an individual or entity of some sort, would think. The following poem offers a perspective.

Virtue
I have always found it ironic how we tend to judge others on our personal views of virtue. We rush to criticize and yet, so often, merely reinforce our own prejudice.

Listening
There comes a time in every man’s life where he is alone. Sometimes this is a time of peace and reflection. Other times it is anything but.

Torment
Everyone on the planet has a dark side. Occasionally we have low points in our lives which threaten to overwhelm. Sometimes, in the darkest hour you gain great clarity, sometimes only despair.

Poetry is not always about beauty. We need, at times, to see darkness to appreciate light.

She, her husband and two children are the most delightful family you could wish to meet. I know them through my gym and squash club. Both of them are avid squash players and the husband, Nick, has be playing competition for years. I look after the squash at the gym and have had many pleasant encounters with them. I would not be classed as a close personal friend as we have no other contact than that.

They have, however, contributed much to the club by their presence and I have personally benefitted from their company.

It’s funny, but it’s only when you are about to lose something that you stop and really appreciate the value of that which is soon to depart. Life is a bit like that, isn’t it? We take so many things for granted that make significant contributions to our lives and sense of wellbeing. Perhaps we should celebrate our existing relationships and recognise their real value.

Today the wife of Glenn McGrath, recently retired Australian fast bowler passed away after a ten year battle with cancer. I cannot begin to appreciate his great loss and the grief in his heart at this time. I can only wish him well in his future life and suggest that he be grateful for the wonderful relationship he had. Many people never ever get to experience love in their lives. At least he had that.

Live Well.

Ollie Lind

Today, the branches are almost bare and the thinning branch extensions, thin and spidery, reach for the sullen sky. It looks as if it might rain, yet I feel a sense of anticipation at the change in season. It brings to mind something I read many years ago. It was called “The Hymn of the Dawn Child.” Written in the Veda, one of the oldest known written documents. It describes the inevitable change from day to night to dawn and another day.

It was rumoured to be part of the beginnings of the Bhuddist Wheel of life. I don’t know about that, but I do know the effect this piece had upon me all those years ago. I felt it had a message. Basically, to me, it said that each day is new and, as such, is a chance for renewal.

I thought about that as I entered the gym and started my Sunday routine of sweating and straining. It brought back to me the reason I get up early on a Sunday (not only Sunday) and come to the gym to knock myself out. I have a purpose in this activity and many other of the things I do.

Anthony Robbins, the world famous motivational speaker and Jim Rohn, the American business philosopher have both said you become what you create. Robbins said, “You can change in a heartbeat.” Jim Rohn speaks of our power of decision. “You become what you decide.”

I am inspired when I read or hear such things. Back to my  hymn. Each day is a new day and, as such, has within it, the seeds of whatever you choose to be, do or have in that day and every other day in your life. Why not take the opportunity that is presented every day and decide to change what you don’t like about you or your life? Why not look to do something better, just for today?

If you really can ‘change in a heartbeat,’ why not make some small change for the better today? If you make something better in your or someone else’s life each day, what do you think that will be worth in a year?

As the Mastercard ad says, “Priceless.”

Live well,

Ollie Lind

I wrote this poem a while ago to provide a perspective to share. In my many years of consulting, counselling and coaching, I have always had a sense of urgency, an awareness of the need to use my time to the utmost. Yet, there must be time for solitude, musing or simply contemplation of the beauty that surrounds us on all sides.

Please read and enjoy.

Live well,

Ollie Lind

Time

What is the nature of this beast
pursues us all as if to feast
on every single thing we’ve  done
and make each separate doing one?

When life begins there’s time to spare
to grow and live as we desire,
experience of love to share
to even more we do aspire

to do something significant
our fellow man to inspire
to higher deeds, magnificent
time passes, sinking in the mire

our dreams and hopes, our aspiration
we have not time to do the deed
to crystallize our inspiration
and serve our fellow in his need.

It seems that time’s too easily spent
on little things of no import
substantive action’s our intent
others simply treat as sport.

When all is said and all is done
and we want to measure worth.
Our service to the other one’s
the rent we pay to stay on earth

They say that time all wounds to heal
and decide our final fate.
Time is enemy, our life to steal
there is no time, don’t wait, don’t wait

Make each moment one to savour
to your blessed heart’s content.
So you can taste of life’s flavour
and live life full, do not repent

your deeds or acts as you have done.
Time will take your actions read
as moments past, they blur to one
live life now, we are long dead.

How is that that, in the midst of beauty there is always someone who can manage to find something negative; some inconvenience to their ordered existence? To me, each day has the potential for all seasons. With the dawn comes the spring of the day. Faint light, fresh hope perhaps, and endless possibility. In the heat of battle at work comes summer, exhausting yet satisfying. The cool of the evening brings autumn, the time to mix with others, recreation and reflection on the day. Then night, with the closeness of your loved ones and preparation for bedding down in preparation for the next day.

The next time you come across some inconvenience in your life, look at it as part of the season, experience it and move on, as the seasons inexoribly move on. Time is precious and time to live and share experiences is priceless. You never know how much time you have left on this beautiful planet of ours; cherish it.

Live Well,

Ollie Lind

I note Mugabe is now railing about British imperialism to deflect attention from his own criminal conduct. As Shakespeare is quoted, “Ah the tangled webs we weave when first we practise to deceive.” Was there ever a more relevent  and timeless writer in the history of literature?

It doesn’t take a Rhodes scholar to work out the game plan. Reverse the opposition majority, suspend the constitution due to ‘British Imperialist threat’ and rig the rerun for president. I’m already thinking of a title for the poem. Perhaps, “The fraud.” or “Truth according to Wotan.” Any suggestions?

Live well,

Ollie Lind

Was I lonely? No. I recently read a book by Deepak Chopra regarding meditation. Please don’t rush to think I simply accept what others say and immediately become a disciple. I carefully considered what he had to say, and I must say I am attracted to the eastern idea of spirit, mind and body.

In a way, that is why I do martial arts. The discipline of controlling one’s mind and body is fantastic to experience. So to Friday.

I got up, had breakfast and did all the necessary things we do to ready ourselves for the day. I turned on my computer and started editing some of the writing I have been doing on my novel. It’s a story about a young man’s journey to find out who he is, literally.

I finished that and did some reading. Then I sat back, closed my eyes and contemplated the noise inside my head. It is amazing the stream of thoughts that flash through your mind. It reminded me of a piece I read on the ‘net a few days ago where the writer contended that we really have no control over our thoughts.

I have trouble with the concept that we don’t have any control over our thoughts. if we have no control over thought, how can we have control over our life and living? I have been teaching others, for years, that the one significant difference between humankind and other creatures is our power of decision.

So, I deliberately cleared my mind of the clutter and directed my thoughts to my innermost goals and desires. I don’t know how long I did this. It seemed like forever, and I have to say that without any outside distractions, locked in my own universe, if you like, I experience a clarity of thought and feeling I hadn’t had for so long.

I ‘came to,’ so to speak, refreshed and more convinced than ever that it is right and proper for each of us to devote some time just to ourselves and, in so doing, become more able to focus on the concerns of others.

The next day was a top day and I felt really grateful for the friends and acquaintances I met with that day. It’s great to be able to relate to others and have a real concern for them.

Live well,

Ollie Lind

Anybody who says he has never failed either has never attempted to do anything, or is very careless with the truth. We are all “work in progress.”

I was at the gym this morning doing my Sunday morning workout. I was puffing and sweating as usual when a thought crept into my head. I have been playing competition squash for many years and have had a real problem with my forehand.

My trainer, who is an expert squash player (the guy can do anything!) Gave me a lesson the other day, so I thought I’d jump on the court and hit a few balls. I know a great deal about learning and you’d think I’d be pretty expert and taking on a skill.

Well, I kept in mind the instruction he had given me and started hitting up and down the wall. After about fifteen minutes I was hitting the ball pretty well and began to congratulate myself at licking the problem. I took a break for a couple of minutes and started again.

I was right back where I had been. My muscle memory had taken over and I had to go back to conscious effort to correct it.

It just reminded me that the journey is never ending and it is on the journey that life happens. All life is “work in progress.” The living part is where we make the effort to do it better and actually experience the ups and downs.

We really are a “Work in Progress.”

Live well,

Ollie

His name is Aleks and he is a Sales Manager. I have trained and mentored him for a while now and we have a really good relationship, not only professionally, but we have a deep regard for one another as individuals.

We were talking the other day about one of his consultants, in particular the progress he was making in developing a can do attitude. The talk drifted to Alek’s own challenges in recent times. A couple of years ago he was diagnosed with cancer.

He fought it and won. All trace of the disease had disappeared. Last month, after one of his regular check ups a trace was found. It was too small to do anything about yet. So he has to wait a while and then have another operation.

This guy is amazing. After his last bout he lost a considerable amount of weight. He laughed when he told me about the weight loss, as he needed to lose the weight. Then the weight started to come back on.

He is now on a fitness program and strict diet and is looking fitter than I have ever seen him. He is dedicated to the welfare of the people who work for him and they are just in awe of him and his work ethic.

Anyway, the conversation got to his last diagnosis and I asked him how he felt about it. What he said just blew me away. It went something like this.

“I know plenty of people who are a lot worse off than me. I at least know the challenge I face. If I am told I have twelve months left, look out, it’ll be the best twelve months I can make it. In the meantime I simply live my life each day as it comes and try to do the best I can for as many people as I can.”

Then his last comment almost brought me to tears. He said, “After all, aren’t we here to help each other?”

I have spent many years trying to communicate just such a message to the people I train and coach, but the simple dignity of this young man far outstrips anything I could say.

Aleks, I am proud to know you and call you friend.

Live well,

Ollie Lind

Weekends are normally very busy and this weekend was no different. Early Saturday morning I have a martial arts class which is both a challenge and exhilarating. Before the class I had occasion to speak with a few of the students. Normally some of them ask me questions about some of the subjects we have covered in the workshops I have done.

This time it was different. I was the one who asked the questions. I was simply curious about various of the guys. I listened carefully and displayed genuine concern. They just opened up and I learnt a great deal about them. The spirit of friendship that blossomed felt great.

After martial arts I went to the gym and squash centre. I organise the competition teams and we are a couple of weeks away from the Autumn competition. Inevitably there is a little tension before the teams are graded and the competition gets under way.

Sometimes I have to place people in teams that are appropriate to the player’s ability. Some individuals have an unrealistic idea of their skill and are unhappy with their grading. I was facing such a situation on this day and I simply asked the person what he really wanted. I made it all about him.

To my surprise he indicated that he would fall in with whatever was best for the group. I responded warmly and the issue was resolved. There was another potentially difficult situation when a player who had been absent for quite a while turned up. I had paid his fees in the last season and I’d had trouble getting the money from him.

I saw him and came off the court. The first thing I did was congratulate him on the recent birth of his daughter. I then went back on the court to finish my game. He came onto the court and asked me to accept the money he owed me.

Later that evening I had some quiet time and I looked back over what had been a very pleasant day. I realized that the difference was that I had focussed my attention in every situation on the welfare of the other person. The response from everyone was amazing.

I keep saying to people “It’s all about the other person,” and I try to adopt that viewpoint. Like us all, I am a work in progress, but when I get it right, the results are spectacular.

I just wanted to share the day with you. Live can be a pleasant activity if you focus on what you can do for others.

Live Well

Ollie Lind