I’ll have you know I’ve been called an anachronism on more than one occasion. The first time someone called me that, I gleefully showed my appreciation of the compliment and went straight home to look up the meaning in the dictionary. It helped me to understand why I never felt like I fit in. Those ancient greeks knew what they were doing when they defined words.
ana – “against” + khronos “time”.
I knew it wasn’t simply because I couldn’t grasp existing in this modern world – the dictionary confirmed that I was something out of harmony with the present.
I’ve been fighting the battle ever since.
I’ve done many random and spontaneous things in my life, although some would say they were bordering on the ridiculous. I’ve packed up my bags and flown, trekked, bussed, tuk-tuked, karaoked, swum and eaten my way across 42 countries, built houses in rural Cambodian villages, spent my life’s savings to make a difference, directed a 13 part tv series about MS, lived in Lerwick and the Akrotiri, worked in politics, retail travel, project management and philanthropy, hung out in slums, challenged others to dig deep and once climbed three of China’s holy mountains in one week.
If you only knew one quarter of the ridiculous things I have done, the places I have found myself sitting and the people I have shared conversation with, you’d understand how the most interesting/exhausting/special/consuming/intense and memorable times I have experienced, have been quite random, ridiculous and on the odd occasion, raunchy.
I remember random book lines. As the fox said to the Little Prince, “On ne voit bien qu’avec le couer, l’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux”. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
To really have the best chance at living this life, you really need to understand what the essential is. What makes you say you bloody ripper.
Identify it.
Live it.
For me – I definitely need to give. I need to be able to show compassion and passion in everything I do. I’m smart. I’m an ideas person. I can do many things. But it’s making the difference that is important. Travelling. Learning. Writing. Creating change. Challenging and being challenged. Seeking adventure. I don’t go very well sitting in a room by myself. I need to connect. Ask lots of questions. Dig out the passion. Get rid of the cant’s. And I need to make sure I say you bloody ripper as much as possible.
We don’t always need to complicate things.
There are also those ridiculously simple times in our life that we feel utmost joy. A gentle touch. Rain. The smell of fresh bread. A first kiss (I hope it gets raunchier than that). A great meal. A simple choice. Then there’s the shopping trolley burnouts. The rash from your first biathlon. The sticky fingers from a big pile of fairy floss. A cold winter swim. The shower karaoke. The car karaoke. The tram karaoke. The randomness of life.
It’s the here. The now. The past. The memories. Those which are inflicted. And those that we create.
Isn’t play dough so much more fun than a barbie or ken? Because it’s up to us to shape it.
If it looks like a demented ancient phallic symbol rather than the grand castle we were trying so hard to create, all we need to do is mush it back up and start again. Barbie and Ken just get to be perfect forever. Where’s the fun in that?
And the simple joy?
I’ve never been good at commitment (although I will tell you that he’s out there and it will be one hell of a raunchy, random and dare I say, ridiculously exciting adventure) but I’m committing to YBR to write, photograph and share all the small things that combine to make life the vivid journey that it is. I commit to YBR until I randomly decide none of us need it in our lives anymore.
Why?
I believe I need it in my life to help fight the battle.
And because I believe there’s something awesome in being able to recognise and remember what awakens our senses each and every day.
If what I write helps someone to appreciate one small thing about their day, their life, their relationships, themselves: you bloody ripper!
Living cannot be owned, travelled to, earned, worn or consumed. It is simply the experience of awakening the senses and filling our life with choice, purpose, action, laughter, passion and commitment each and every day. Life: you bloody ripper!
Tina
16 Responses to Tina
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YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO FOLLOW
BLOODY RIPPER TWEETS
You’re a bloody ripper in so many ways. I mushed up the big pile of turd – you’ve inspired me to start again. Life that is. But it’s the little things I’ll focus on. You’ve reminded me. Thank you.
You keep it simple. And that’s what is important! Thank you for the reminder. Don’t stop writing – you make people smile. Me anyway. I think everyone else has forgotten.
Most people wear masks in private. Going public is you bloody ripper! You’re awesome, funny and still hit the spot. Keep the world inspired on what’s important – you do it so well!
Considering what’s happened, you are really showing how focus and perspective can make all the difference. You are an inspiration as you don’t just remind everyone about the little things, but that attitude and commitment to what you love is what will win the battle. Don’t stop! You already know can’t is not in the dictionary
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About bloody time you started writing again is all I can say!
So glad you’re back. I’ve missed you and the world needs you.
Since becoming an internet junkie a few years ago I’ve developed the habit of checking my email as soon as I get up in the morning. That’s when I saw your message and I have to tell you that the moment I saw it, and felt the delightfully warm feeling of anticipation of something really special, it was a totally bloody ripper for me!!! You’re doing a really good thing here. There are so many people in the world who need something like this. Thanks for making my day, especially at the very beginning of it. (via email)
So great to see you focussed on what you’re good at and should be doing. I’m sure the journey to this point has not been easy but you’re not one to let go of your passions. And now that you’re back, you will reignite more.
Hoo yah! She’s back!
I can’t wait until the raunchy gets fired up. I’m glad you’re firing and showing us all that it truly is the simple things that make us smile. And doing what we love. Keep doing it for as long as you can you bloody ripper. Don’t let anyone put you in a box – especially yourself. You’ve got too much joy to give.
Tell me again why you’re working a 38 hr week in an office shuffling paper? You should be out helping to shuffle lives. This is a start. Don’t let it be the finish. You owe it to yourself and you owe it to all the people you’ve encouraged, inspired and challenged.
Why aren’t you out there doing what you were born to do – inspire. You changed my life four years ago by reminding me that attitude and perseverance were missing from my life. I went out and found them again. Persevere with this forever – you have a simple way of reflecting on all that is important and beautiful in our lives. It’s time you received in return for all that you have given.
To one of the most engaging humanitarians I’ve ever met. Your commitment to not only your own life but to others in the pursuit of choice, strength and self is rare. You find a spark in the smallest ember, create laughter, bring joy and an incredible depth of genuine compassion and engagement to all whom you meet. Never let the light out. May it continue to shine on all you meet.
In an office I hear? You have a story – go and share it and continue to enrich the lives of others. Your energy and enthusiasm for life is infectious – so get on the contagious bandwagon before you become like the rest of us.
I just checked out youbloodyripper and my, I am indeed impressed. Again, touched by your passion, initiative and courage for stepping in and making a mark. You indeed take my breath away. Congratulations!
You are an amazing person, and have done amazing things with your life to help others and I admire that. I would love to bring my kids up that way xx