Have you ever berated yourself with the question ‘Why did
I...?’ or as important ‘Why did I not...?’ I have and I guess you
would be no different. But maybe one should rather try the French approach of « Pourquoi
pas ? » or ‘Why not?’
Let me try to explain.
“Cinnamon... bitter
and sweet... just like all women...” Such is the view of director Tassos
Boulmetis of “A Touch of Spice”. It is a biography of his life – deported from
Turkey as a child, growing up in Greece and going back to claim his childhood
sweetheart.
The lesson: Do not forget to put a little bit of spice in
your own life before it is too late.
My mom told me “Never
regret a journey. It brought you where you are today.”
I can live with that.
I can live with that.
Or be like Edith Piaf who sang « Non, je ne regrette rien » https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFtGfyruroU
“No, I do not regret anything.” Now that’s a tough call!
Contemplate on this when you are not sure what to do
next:
« Parce que tu me parles avec des mots, et je te
regarde avec des sentiments. »
“Because you speak
to me in words, and I look at you with feelings.”
Anna Karina, 1940-2019
Do you get it? Then get on with it.
Another famous actress says it so well:
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm
possible'!”
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for
beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the
knowledge that you are never alone.”
“Anyone who does not believe in miracles is not a
realist.”
“Paris is always a good idea.”
Audrey Hepburn, 1929-1993
Gregory Peck asks "When
do we stop learning? Maybe never." I would say ‘Definitely not ever.’
Here is wisdom from a famous French artist that I for
one, need to heed.
« Il y a des fleurs partout pour qui veut bien les
voir. »
“There are flowers
everywhere for whoever wants to see them."
Henri Matisse 1869-1954
A children’s rhyme goes like this:
“What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and all things nice.
That’s what little girls are made of.”
And I say ‘Big girls too.’ Take your time, a glass of good wine, a woman to reminisce over... And tell me if I am wrong.
Then get onto the dance floor when the opportunity presents
itself.
Donna: “I... I think I’d be a
little afraid.”
Col. Frank Slade: “Why?”
Donna: “Afraid of making a
mistake.”
Col. Frank Slade: “No mistakes
in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple.
You make a mistake, you get all tangled up... just tango on.
Why don’t you try?”
This sounds like the right attitude to have: Try. Learn.
Fail. Carry on. But try!! Right now.
Photo credits:
A Touch of Spice – Anton Blignault
Notre Dame de
Paris – Google images
Bloubergstrand & Table Mountain with Karine Mancel – Anton Blignault
© Anton Blignault, Cape Town, May 2020
