Sometimes, the truth hurts. That's why it is so important for us all to tell lies. After all, we do not want to cause one another pain! Reprehensible misrepresentations of reality are, of course, only ever the result of the most laudable, socially-conscious motives. Oh, and by the way, the moon is made of green cheese!!! We can all justify anything if we set our minds to the task, but words will never be more powerful than feelings. Our instincts know the score even when our brains are being blinded by science.

On the eve of my birthday, I am now getting to see a picture that had previously been hidden from me. The experience is slightly sobering but incredibly positive!

11:29 PM

My Dad always tells me : If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again.
My response is normally : And if you still don't get anywhere?
Dad : Try something different. That's not copping out or buckling under or giving up or letting anyone down, that's just being intelligent.

He is perhaps right, but once I get an idea in my head I am reluctant to drop it. Taurean tenacity is legendary and admirable. Every so often though, my determination becomes myAchilles heel. I guess, it is important to be fleet of foot and not let yesterday's big idea become the ball and chain that stops you from reaching a brighter tomorrow. Maybe it is true what folks say : Flexibility is a virtue, not a vice.

Once we know how to do something, we always know. We may require a little refresher if we have allowed our skills to grow rusty, but we never have to start all over again from scratch. And of course, lessons, even for the keenest of students, are not always easy to learn. So, by and large, no matter how much we may claim to seek a life of challenge and growth, we end up sticking with the devil we know. We may flirt with the foreign but we only follow through with the familiar. And then we wonder why our lives lack excitement.

Why are we always being told to put the past behind us? Why can’t we put it in front of us so that we can keep an eye on it? The past, after all, is a notoriously wriggly thing. It changes shape more shamelessly than a comedian. It answers its questions according to what mood it is in or who happens to be doing the asking.