Advertisement 1

DeJONGHE: Just do you!

Article content

I have said it before but it’s worth revisiting in these days of stress, tension and agitation.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

What we do doesn’t have to be monumental, awe-inspiring or even noteworthy. But each of us in our own way can make our world a happier place.

I am encouraged by the numbers reports from our health units regarding the reduction of COVID-19 cases in our area. That’s a really good thing. I just hope we don’t get complacent, too confident or so proud of ourselves that we forget to continue doing what got us here in the first place.

Article content

I don’t have to share any information regarding COVID-19 because there is definitely enough being distributed by scientific and medical experts and those who think they are experts. Can’t help you there, but what I can do is wear a mask and stay home.

Neither the prime minister, premier nor even the mayor have called to ask for my opinion on policy, strategy or course of action, therefore I have very little influence on what they do. I expect most of you are in pretty much the same boat. There are plenty of smarter people than me willing to lament and explain how things should be done.

Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content

I don’t have enough money to have much of an impact on our economy but I can shop local/Canadian made, live within my means and pay my bills.

The environment, climate change, farming practices, labour woes, industry/manufacturing concerns, the state of our medical system, etc. are all worthy and well-known concerns but my ability to do much about any of them on any significant scale is non-existent. What I can do is turn off lights, conserve water, compost and recycle, stay healthy and donate when I can to help those who need it. There are more brilliant minds than mine who will explain what we should do.

I don’t do doom and gloom well. Accusing others for all your misfortune and misery is taking the easy way out. I like to think most of us are better than those who dwell in fault finding, blame, criticism, excuses, recriminations even though those are the voices most often heard.

Advertisement 4
Story continues below
Article content

I think what can be of some benefit is to offer a different perspective or point of view, maybe provide some amusement and share personal experiences and observations into what all of us are most affected by – the relevant, everyday business of life. What I have to say may seem useless to some but to others can be of some value if for nothing more than a few moving boxes, a giggle, a bit of optimism and a few new words.

Puerile: childishly silly and trivial; juvenile

Gazumped: raising the agreed to price of a property after accepting a lower offer from the same buyer.

Gunged: clogged or obstructed.

Crepuscular: of, resembling or relating to twilight; of an animal appearing or active in twilight; occurring or active during twilight.

Emalgator: emulsifying agent; emulsifier; whipper.

Spurtle: a wooden Scottish kitchen tool used to stir porridge, soups, stews, broth.

Tittle: the dot above an i or j.

twocentsworth40@gmail.com

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    News Near Tillsonburg
      This Week in Flyers