layin' low

Been layin' low for the last little while. I've had my head stuck into work, Performance Appraisals for my staff, and home renovations. It's actually been very helpful to get my head out of the computer world more often that I've been able to in the recent past.

The coolest thing to come along is this, the Emerald Night Collection train from Lego. I have always wanted a Lego train, and this one is the lastest one on the block. (no pun intended). I ordered it right away and received it a little over a week ago. Well, it's just about the most wonderful Lego set ever. I ordered it with extra track, and the Power Functions package as well. It was expensive, but worth every penny.

I've written in this blog about Lego in the past. Lego supply the highest quality product with unquestionably the best customer service department in the world. It's a pleasure to actually have a problem with your Lego, to be honest, because dealing with their customer service is a breath of fresh air. They actually care. Really, they do. There was nothing wrong with the Emerald Night Collection, so I didn't have to engage the customer service department, but if I had it would have been a wonderful experience.

I've also been focussing more on something called 'being present'. Some of you probably associate this with Eckhart Tolle. I've never read any of his stuff. Some work friends have been involved with Landscape Education, which teachs the whole concept of 'being present', and 'contexts'. Well, I think it's great stuff to think about, but I'm not sure there aren't some tried and true cliches that don't cover it all. 'Don't cry over spilled milk', 'Walk a mile in another's shoes', 'What's done is done', 'Live today for tomorrow may never come'. All those sayings we have pushed in to the junk drawer as being old-fashioned, or over-simplifications. Well, that may be so, but the Eckhart Tolle's and the Landscape folks seem to me to be selling dressed-up versions of those old axioms.

I am speculating here; going on hearsay, even. But I am not convinced there is anything new to be discovered in the world of 'self-discovery', or 'self-awareness', or 'being present'. I think people need packaging to be convinced of something's worth, and although there is nothing wrong with that, perhaps a little self-reflection would reveal to them that they already have the tools they need.

On the other hand, I suppose most people not only need to be led to water but also shown how to drink. That is not meant as a criticism; these are deep emotional waters that we are taught from a very early age to stay away from. This is tough going, and it is only the rare few that navigate safely on their own. So buy the books and take the courses. It will help you. But remember to bring your own wisdom to these things as well, or they will have no value.