Instructions for life in the new millennium

1.      Take into account that great love and great achievements involves great risk.

2.      When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

3.      Follow the three R’s: Respect for self, respect for others, responsibility for all your actions.

4.      Remember not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5.      Learn the rules so you know how to break them.

6.      Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7.      When you realise you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8.      Spend some time alone every day.

9.      Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.

10.  Remember that sometimes silence is the best answer.

11.  Live a good, honourable life. Then when you are older and think back you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12.  A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13.  In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.

14.  Share the knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.

15.  Be gentle to the earth.

16.  Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.

17.  Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18.  Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19.  Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Wise words courtesy of the Dalai Lama.

Did JT end Rio Ferdinand's International Football Career?

It's with interest and amusement that I note the continuing saga of the Ferdinand and Terry footballing icons. Rio Ferdinand's only crime was to support a brother allegedly racially abused by John Terry. This is the same Rio Ferdinand voted as one of the most outstanding defenders in the world in his initial World Cup in 2002 in South Korea and Japan. From the England squad only Sol Campbell shared the honour of making the world eleven. John Terry was a player that had not even been heard of whilst Ferdinand was making a name for himself.

In defending his brother Rio got left out of the England football squad for footballing reasons when a clear choice had to made by the England manager if the pair could work together in the England squad. Terry was chosen for footballing reason by Roy "honest man" Hodgson.  

Asked on a train journey from the emirates stadium by an England fan if Rio Ferdinand still had an England career, he carelessly replied : Rio's England career was over. What a way to learn your career was over after having given your all for your country! 

Hodgson was forced into embarrassingly having to explain his unguarded remark to the press. Once again, his explanation was for footballing reasons. 

Amazing isn't it that your brother allegedly gets abused by a stellar character like John Terry and your reward is the end of your international footballing career. 

It gives new meaning to: Am I my brothers keeper.

So, what do you think, did JT end Rio Ferdinand's international football career? 

A racist usually assumes a position of power hence they think they are better or you are inferior. However, when you drill down into the racist you normally find the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree. A key point is to look closely at JT's father and his family and the truth becomes evident.

Remember: runningwater is fluid and sustains you,..all of us including the racist.

I once read that,...

I once read in a newspaper or was it on the news. There was a young African man who had dropped to earth from the sky. He wasn't looking to break the sound barrier like the individual in the news this week. Looking more into this in greater detail I discovered to my amazement that the unknown individual had attempted to flee his country for a better life by sneaking into the undercarriage of the airplane. 

At the time I heard this news I merely filed it away in my mental rolodex. Recently, it came to mind and I must confess recalling the issue, some reactions by the popular media was that he was a stupid man, lacking in education and any modicum of sense.

However, I see it differently. Can you imagine what the unsub would have been trying to leave behind in order to find a better life. For him to decide the only option was to latch himself to the undercarriage of an airplane.

 Can you imagine how he must have suffered in the elements as the reality and consequence of his action began to dawn on him. What horror! But you know, I see only bravery. Bravery is all I see.

 Consider for a moment that in the very countries he was desperate to reach, and the jobs he hoped to get and the many that may have depended upon him back in his home country. Those same opportunities which the youth of the countries in which the unsub was seeking refuge and hope. Those opportunities are sneered at, what with the get rich now culture and fast track to fame. Real jobs involving sweat and effort are looked upon with disdain in the hope of being discovered for having absolutely no talent. I despair, some of the youths of today are a generation who have not had the value of work ethics drilled into them. These are the youths on whom our future will depend!!!!

I would the unsub who fell to earth had by some miracle had survived his perilous travail. I will leave you to work out why.

Remember: runningwater is safe to drink, have you ever wondered why its called runningwater? It has a lot of people to get to.

My Bug Bears!!!

Oh boy have I got many!

Where do I start?

1. Why is a child of mixed race parentage always considered black? Even when the child's father is white? 

How does the paternal parents family feel? Key example: President Obama is considered a black man but his mother is as white as the driven snow!

2. Why do supposed learned journalist, commenters always brush together BLACKS with lesbians, homosexuals, and minorities. Skin colour like Caucasian white, Chinese, Hispanic brown isn't a matter of choice at birth. If this isn't the point they make when they brush the colour black with every minority,...then why don't say white is alike being gay? If it isn't a matter of choice??? Uhn!!!!

3. Why if I called a policeman a pleb or swear at him will I be cautioned and probably arrested. Yet certain Tory ministers walk free?

4. Why, when we scour the planet for living signs of poverty, the UK has over 20,000 people sleeping rough every night.  British people. The average family here now feed hand to mouth. Yet we give billions in foreign aids? It's called stockpiling for the future. However, for many in Britain the future is real and it's here NOW!!

5. Why there is a tv licence fee in a civilised western democracy? When statistics shows that less than 25% viewing public watch those channels or listen to those radio channels, what with the plethora of available station thru satellite, broadband.

6. Why a country considered inferior to GB uses traffic controlling measures to cut speed. Let me explain. Over 15 years ago, Portugal introduced a traffic light system that slows you down to red for speeding. No matter the car, If you shoot off, the next light would go red, stopping you again. These system were introduced along the coastal roads initially. Given, not a revenue collector but it can honestly claim to save lives. Now contrast that with the millions made in revenue in every western city like london and Zurich with their speed cameras. They argue, the money will be invested in road safety and improvement. Who do you believe?

These are just a few of mines. Do you have any? Is there anyone listening? Log in and send me yours.

Remember: runningwater, slips and slides and is a force of nature. Be good to the planet and the rewards are great. Isn't it ironic last week, Spain needed the rain to quell the forest fires but it was another part of Spain that got the deluge!!!

Be kind to the planet, we all have to use it.

Does it matter?

In the grand scheme of things, what really matters to you?
Think
About it,...

Don't get caught up in the hype
Be yourself,...
And if you can't,..
Be better.
Fight your demons
And never sleep with the devil
Because,...
One day the devil might want to f...!!!

Remember: set your mind free and your ass will follow.

Does the Prophet Mohammed Need Defending?

Does the prophet Mohamed need defending?

Forgive me but I am a new Muslim and I am often asked questions like:

Am I Sunni or Shiite?

Do I read the Hadith ? 

Do I follow any movements ? 

Or listen to any modern day preachers?

I always answer these questions in one vein. And that is this:

The prophet Mohamed was a prophet of Allah and the pronouncements delivered to him are internalised in the holy qu'aran . The living word of God. The qu'aran is available for ME to read and interpret and was given so I did not need an interpreter between me and my God. 

I am not Sunni nor Shiite because these are issues of succession by man after the death of our beloved Mohamed. May his holy name be praised. It's has caused more division than any other issue in our beautiful faith, while we forget the contents of the qu'aran that gives us all we daily need to survive.

I am asked, do I not read the Hadith of the prophet Mohamed? I always answer in this vein. Can a man who lived in the 7th century have a relevance in today's world? And my answer is yes. 

But, the Qu'aran is the word of Allah, the Hadith are the words of our prophet Mohamed, and other wise scholars. Living in the times in which he lived. He observed things from his simple and humble back ground and sought to change the world within the basic environment which he found himself, his people the rulers and tribes,  and decided to put in place remedies to cure that society. 

Those remedies were required then and it changed a society in turmoil and gave the world a beautiful faith in its purest form backed by observations of a true leader.  But, that's all the Hadith were in my humble opinion. 

I am asked if I follow the numerous Islamic leaders or scholars? But I always answer in this vein.  I find that most scholars, leaders and charismatic leaders have an agenda behind their agenda. I may have been fortunate that my parents gave me the the biggest gift in life. EDUCATION. This education allows me to examine things in details and not to be so easily offended.

This brings me to the issue of our beloved prophet Mohamed needing defending???

For those who don't understand,  our prophet was a man who lived among us, had issues in his personal life from a very early age to manhood and although may not have lead a life most perfect,...rose to give the world it's greatest faith as delivered to him by God. He has never claimed to be the father, the son and the holy spirit. He never assumed more importance than God, who used him as a messenger for all people.

This is why I am particularly at a disquiet when something as banal, at best insensitive as the film innocence of Mohammed would make Muslims respond so violently. By killing people, each other and essentially finding they need to defend the holy prophet Mohamed. 

The prophets work is done, he resides today with Allah, a journey we all hope to make, inshallah. Allah abhors violence in any form. 

Many may wonder why I am not condemning the actions of the people who made this film. But, my answer is simple. Their actions, in the global world we live in, I cannot be responsible for. I can only be responsible for my actions. My response is to show tolerance for the ignorant who chose to cause upset often in parts of the world where other Muslim brothers and sisters only have access to news that has been sanitised for their consumption.

 I believe if you follow the words of the qu'aran and you submit as our name means: those who submit.  You cannot go wrong. Why then would I feel offended by the assumption and collective nonsense of a few???

Why would I burn houses and fight my brothers when the people who planted seeds of destructions enjoy the laughter of a brotherhood that is intolerant.  I also mistrust leaders in the Muslim world who hide behind such news to hide the real problems we have in our individual countries. 

I guess the point am trying to make brothers and sisters is that almighty Allah is all we need and his divine words as given in the  Quran makes us complete.

Remember: runningwater never assume as to assume makes an ass of u and me.  These are the rumination and thoughts of a simple man. I mean not to offend nor to be misunderstood. I only hope to foster love.

What if I told you I loved you?

What if I told you I loved you?

What would it inspire in you?

Would you succumb?

What if I told you that from afar I've wondered and imagined 

What it would feel like to taste your lips

Secretly imagining a life fulfilled 

With you.

What if I told you that in a heartbeat you changed the course of my life?

And how I wonder how I've survived this long without you

Parce que,..toi sans moi

C'est pas possible!

What if I told you that I loved you?

Would your juices flow

Or would they gush? 

In moments I imagine you and me

Our present and future written

As only God could script it

There are no reasons for doubt

Is there?

What if you heard what I said 

And all became apparent

It all starts to make sense 

Pieces falling in place

My quiet whispers

My overburdened look

The never ending reply to a simple question asked

What if I told you that I loved you?

Would it inspire poetry?

I wish I was brave enough

Strong enough

To admit that,..

Your spirit fills me

Thoughts of you provokes me

What if I told you I loved you?

remember ~ runningwater never runs dry
with belief there is relief ~ never stop believing.