Phil version 2.0

  “ ... his wife could eat no lean ...” For reasons that I hope, will become apparent, this title and picture (believe it or not), is actually, of some relevance!   What I am concerned with today, is really just an extension of last week’s topic. In that post, I talked about an application of flexibility, in the selection of a course of action. In this one, I am looking at the related issue of flexibility in the way that I think about things. As you know, Phil v2.0 has a tendency to see the dark side of matters, to the exclusion of brighter interpretations (or other possible and more positive thoughts). This is really just a “note to self” - “get working on this ...”   Returning to Mr and Mrs Sprat: Irrespective of any health issues, perhaps Jack Sprat and his wife ought to have thought about their dietary incompatibility, before getting married - it certainly has scope for matrimonial strife!   BUT   Don’t forget the rest of the rhyme ...   Looking at it more positively, their respect

  “ Oh, the weather outside is  frightful ... ... Let it snow! Let it snow! ” The fact that recent snow has now melted, is an apt case in point, for the purposes of this post. I was planning to use a photograph of very recent, snowfall, but now need to include a picture of some that fell a little while ago (replete with snowman - which is not of my own creation!)   The original motivation for this post, was that snow can (and being visually impaired, for myself, often does) necessitate a  change of plan . Similarly, its current absence has required the use of an alternative picture  - another change of plan.   Perhaps needless to say, but a  change of plan  (and putting it into effect) requires a degree of  mental flexibility  - and that is what I am going to say a few words about, today.   In short Phil v2.0 isn’t too good at applying this.   Unexpected changes, can catch me out and leave me rather, flustered (and sometimes , upset).   I also struggle, to identify and weigh up options

“ There's resilience inside my face  ...”   (Everything but the girl (1996))   Today’s post is about the issue of whether  I am sufficiently  resilient  to deal properly, with my post-accident,  adversity ?  Or, to put it in other ways:   ·        Do I exhibit  and actually have  enough fortitude to do this? and    ·        Do I have the strength and “courage to come back”?   So - “come back” to where?   In all fairness, “come back” isn’t an ideal expression, as I can’t return to Phil v1.0.    What I am actually doing,  is motoring on  towards an  acceptance of adaptation . I am striving for contentment with the genesis and ongoing development of Phil v2.0 and his lifestyle.   I am only seeking to “come back” to feelings of happiness and of pride.   This can at times, feel like a very uphill struggle, and it begs the question:   “Do I have enough resilience to commence and keep up the fight?”   I think that an application of resilience, is more than a one-off exercise. It is needed

  Today, I’m going to say a few words about   loss .      “Oh, here he goes again - Listen to Mr. Miserable.”     On the contrary, though. This (short!) one is actually, quite upbeat!    Phil v2.0, has had a tendency to focus on his apparent, losses and to grieve for Phil v1.0.   Sometimes, he has considered life to be made up of little more than, a long list of things that he no longer possesses, nor can undertake.   BUT   Let’s step back for a moment - are things really quite as bad as they sometimes seem to be, in this respect?   On reflection -  no!   I think that there are, at least two reasons for this. First:   ·        All is not lost ...                  Phil v2.0 is not the same as Phil v1.0, but it is only the version number, that has changed.                  T he word “Phil” remains .   There is quite a bit, left over from the “old days”. For example, many of my pre-accident leisure interests remain in place. In some instances, my present, situation renders a degree of ada