The International Writers Magazine: Optimism 2015

So who can one look to for inspiration in 2015? I had a lesson in that, late December, when asked to look after Mr Trouble for a week over Christmas.

Mr Trouble is a Cocker-Poo. He’s naughty, doesn’t take well to discipline, will chew everything – Christmas cards, hats, gloves, carpets, slippers, shoes – whatever he can grab he will rip to shreds. But out on the beach he is this wonderful optimistic playful creature where he expects every dog to be his friend and invites them to chase him.  If they show willing he turns and bolts as fast as he can and reverses the situation on the turn.  Mr Trouble loves life, gives a huge amount of affection and keeps going for hours and hours and hours.  Trouble expects you to love him, walk him, feed him and he just doesn’t really think about any consequences of any misdeed he will inevitably get up to the moment you take your eyes off him.  He is completely deaf to the word ‘No’.

I know, it’s a dog.  How can you be inspired by a dog?  Especially giving all the problems coming down the road ahead.  Well simply put – it’s wonderful to be part of something, someone, a dog in this case, that simply loves being alive and expects everyone to be as enthusiastic about life as he is.  I don’t always look forward to the next day, I am pessimistic about the life ahead, but Mr Trouble doesn’t look ahead. He lives in the now and the now is amazing every day.  So for 2015 – my aim is to have more regard for the now and less fear of the days ahead.  I am hoping that it will induce a modicum of happiness and well-being.  If it doesn’t I can always go back to fretting about Milliband, Junker, Putin and Jeb Bush as if they actually matter.  Happy New Year - may this year be the best you ever had. © Sam Hawksmoor & Sam North Jan 1st

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