SOLO ACTIVITIES-DO YOU ENJOY YOUR OWN COMPANY?

I love being married, don't get me wrong. But there are many times that interests vary and it is more enjoyable to go to an activity alone. Like last year's quilt show. Adolph would have been bored. So I find events that interest me and away I go. The Jazz in the Plaza series locally on Tuesday nights has started again. Two hours of live music then hubbie picks me up at the little strip plaza across the street. I was told once by a young niece, what a loser for going to a movie alone. Only losers do not have someone with them. Really, perhaps the opposite is true. To be afraid to be alone or to go to a function alone, is a sign of what. Not enjoying one's own company.
The first time I travelled by myself- I was 11. I took a trip to see family in Edmonton. So the beginning of trusting my own company. My mother even let me go to the dentist alone at 10 but that is another story.
Yes people can be alone in their own homes and get things done. But travelling, dining out or going to a movie alone takes a willingness to like oneself. Why stay home? Of course there is take out or home delivery when eating alone that works too.
There is also the realization as one ages that the partner may no longer function as well or even pass away. Adolph and I have these discussions as we are aging. One of us may end up alone without the other. So does life end if one loses a partner. No, but being willing to carry on and enjoy life is good too. So having together and separate interests allows for personal growth and satisfaction. Alone time, couple time, family time and friend time is always a good way to continue to enjoy the wonderful things that life brings to the table.
Enjoying one's company does mean that enjoying others can be had too! Why I like my own company? Because I do not say anything that bugs me nor do I have to placate any discussion that is annoying. I can have my own opinion and well keep it to myself. I do not get questioned nor evaluated. For example, do people really need to comment on what I am wearing. I like to match my clothes and wear as little black as possible year round. I like colours. Is it an old foggy thing? Sometimes when I get- you are so colourfu! Oh your clothes match! I wonder. So if alone, and you do not know me I do not need to hear anything positive or negative. Enjoying my own company means I need no validation, no compliments, no negative interference. Yes I can observe the world, the couples, the friends and the so called friends that start to gossip as soon as someone leaves their group. I could do a study on group behaviour but I will not because well I am enjoying the event and my own company! How about you? What do you think? Do you enjoy your own company? When do you like to be with others?

WINNING AT ANY COST-IS IT WORTH IT?

As we watch the Olympics and root for our country, it is always wonderful to see the best and those who do their personal best. Canada making it to number 5 from 8th in Women's Gymnastics was amazing. The little swimmer from Lithuania winning that gold for a country that does not come first. Concerns about cheating again in the pool is a reminder of the 1972 Olympics. We Canadians with our terrible Ben Johnson scandal makes us more vigilant to take ownership of cheating with drugs or doping. Besides the continued use of any drug could compromise the longevity of a person. Is it it worth it for a moment of glory to die before your time? Does anyone really want to face that consequence? There are enough events and medals to go around that can be shared by athletes of the world so many nations can be proud of their heroes. Olympics give incentive to todays' children and youth to try to excel in sports with lifelong benefits. We are told exercise has many wonderful possibilities for good health. Good clean competition is wonderful to see. May the best man or woman win in each event. But is pushing your athletes to win just a gold as a silver or bronze does not count  seem somewhat barbaric? State run programs work in some countries. However taking young children from their families in their childhood to live elsewhere denies them a chance, well to have a family. Does it give the emotional grounding needed to live as a well rounded adult? Where do you belong? To the state or to your family? We Canadians saw what such a move did to our First Nation people a couple of generations ago when young children went to residential schools. It was a blight on our history that we are still correcting. Winning is good but with the support of family, the immediate community, friends then comes the nation. I would not want to sacrifice one child for the sake of a Gold medal if it meant an adult without an identity. One moment of glory often does not account for decades of living out of the spotlight. What do you think is winning at any cost worth it?