If...

I've noticed at work that the least happy people are those who criticise most. Sometimes the criticism is justified, as is the case with Karen this morning, but generally I'll need to remind myself not to get dragged into and perpetuate it...or I'll have to suffer the consequences.

From memory these words come to mind courtesy of Garbutt via Kipling...

If you can keep your head when all around you, are losing theirs and blaming it on you.
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too.
If you can wait and not be tired of waiting or being lied about, don't deal in lies.
Or being hated, don't give way to hating, and yet don't look too good nor talk too wise.

Okay, I've had to check how the rest goes. I do remember the last verse however. I once saw and heard Vin Garbutt put this to music and sing it in a room no bigger than 12' x 12' and I was right up close. It was live music, the hair on the back of my neck stood up, and it was so powerful. I've always managed to recite it from memory...until now.

to continue...thanks to copy and paste from google...

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and DisasterAnd treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spokenTwisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginningsAnd never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinewTo serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in youExcept the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minuteWith sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Today I'll be as bright, breezy and positive as Lizzie a few desks over.

tbc...with an update on how I fared.

I haven't been following it this year, but I was amazed to hear that Lance Armstrong had come out of retirement to compete. He's been out of it for four years yet comes back and claims 3rd place. It's nothing short of a miracle. What an incredible man.

I'm still at work and coping quite well in terms of remaining positive...another miracle, given what's happening at the moment.

Yes, I did okay. It's nice to be in control.

I'm home and have had an evening of painting while Bev helps Ash and Amber over at Blidworth. I'm not allowed anywhere other than my studio. It's nice to be in control!