WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 12

Maybe…

An American Indian Chief was skilled in interpreting events. One day for no reason his horse ran away to the plains. Every-one tried to console him. “What a pity” they said.

“Maybe” the chief replied.

Some months later the horse returned with a splendid wild stallion. “What great fortune” the people congratulated him.

“Maybe” the chief replied.

Their household was richer by a fine horse, which his son loved to ride. One day he fell off and broke his hip. “How sad, ” the people said with pity in their eyes.

“Maybe” the chief replied.

A few weeks later a neighbouring tribe declared war and every able-bodied man went into battle. The tribe lost nine of every ten men. The son was not able to fight because of his injury.

Blessing turns to disaster and disaster to blessing; the changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.

5 MINUTES WITH - NOELINE HAYLETT

Noëline Haylett lives just outside Westport in County Mayo and originally comes from South Africa. Noëline first came to Ireland in 1978 and works caring for people with special needs. She founded Mayo Animal Welfare, which takes in injured wildlife from all over the country. And, on top of that, she supports a community in Ghana. Her reputation has spread to Inishowen and local people have sponsored orphans and made donations to support her work.

Noëline has been raising money and sending containers out to Ghana for the past twelve years including four ambulances, a bus and a tractor. Known as ‘Mama’ to the locals in Ghana, Noëline has set up a sewing school, a bakery, she has built a school with her SSIA money, several health clinics and bore holes for fresh water. Her next container is being sent out in June and she is hoping to find a boat with an outboard engine to send over to the inhabitants of Dwarf Island. This is located in Lake Volta, the world’s largest man-made lake. Every year a large number of people drown in the small ferry boats that travel to the island. If any-one could donate a boat or lifejackets, or for more information contact Noëline on 09841484

What kind of music do you listen to?
I like ethnic drumming and folk music. But when I am on the move I listen to Marian Finucane on radio 1. I enjoy the human-interest stories and interviews.

What would you never throw away?
I would never throw anything away! If I break a plate I would use the pieces for a mosaic. Everything has its uses and if I can’t use it, someone else can.

What books are you reading?
The life of Edith Stein. Edith was a German Jewess philosopher, who became a Carmelite nun. She became a martyr and saint of the Catholic Church. She died in Auschwitz. In the bathroom I have books on gardening and antiques.

Have you been to the cinema recently?
I have been 5 times in the last 30 years! I was taken to see Happy Feet recently, before that I was taken to see Babe.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I have no time for reading papers. I use them for wrapping things!

What is your idea of a great night out?
Meeting people and cultivating them to work on the project I run.

What makes a great meal?
Sitting around a campfire in South African bush, roasting large chunks of meat with watermelon. This would be washed down with good strong coffee made on the fire.

How do you relax?
I rarely do -but I have been known to spend two hours in the bath!

What is the world’s most useful invention?
The Swiss army knife. They are even standard issue on space shuttle missions.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to run away to the circus to be a lion tamer. Then I wanted to be a jungle doctor and vet.

Do you go anywhere nice for your holidays?
In 2006 I went over to Ghana to aid the school and borehole building programmes in Ho. Before that I last went away in 1983. With £150 in my pocket I hitchhiked to the Artic, which was a fantastic experience. I slept in boatyards, cemeteries and forests to keep the cost down.

What is your idea of heaven?
I believe in reincarnation so I wouldn’t be there long! I am sure it will be inhabited by animals as well as humans.

What famous people would you invite for dinner?
Nelson Mandela, Ghandi, David Attenborough and Thor Heyerdahl, the adventurer who sailed a raft called Kon-Tiki 4300 miles from South America to the Tuamoto Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

What is your favourite animal?
Dogs and wolves for their loyalty and personality. I have 15 dogs and they are all so different. My favourite animal baby has to be an otter. They are so cute!

What is you biggest fear?
Bicycles, drowning and going blind. I don’t like the thought of being dependent on anyone to get around.

What is your biggest thrill?
Being alive. I nearly died at 26 so every day is a new adventure.

What is the world’s most irritating invention?
Ghetto blasters that play loud music, we don’t want to listen to!

Personal philosophy?
I have three. S**t or get off of the pan, if you think positively, positive things happen and live simply so others may simply live.

What is your idea of a good night in?
Uninterrupted gardening in summer and in winter I like to have a long soak in the bath after all of the animals are fed.

What was your favourite childhood game?
I liked survival games in the bush. I would always have a bag packed full of bandages, dried food, aspirin and a wind up gramophone (with a Strauss LP) I used this for my expeditions and I was always prepared if anyone made a kidnap attempt on us.

Any last words?
I believe in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. Treat others, as you would like to be treated.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 11

Any pleasure

There was a man who died and found himself in a beautiful place, surrounded by every conceivable comfort. A white jacketed man came to him and said, “You may have anything you choose-any food- any pleasure- any kind of entertainment.”

The man was delighted, and for days he sampled all the delicacies and experiences of which he had dreamed on earth. But one day he grew bored with it all, and calling the attendant to him, he said, “I am tired of all this. I need something to do. What kind of work can you give me?”

The attendant sadly shook his head and replied, I’m sorry, sir. That’s the one thing we can’t do for you. There is no work here for you.

To which the man answered, “That’s a fine thing. I might as well be in hell.”

The attendant said softly, “Where do you think you are?”

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 10

If Children

If children live with criticism,
They learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility,
They learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule,
They learn to feel shy.
If children live with shame,
They learn to feel guilty.
If children live with tolerance,
They learn to be patient.
If children live with praise,
They learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness,
They learn justice.
If children live with security,
They learn to have faith.
If children live with approval,
They learn to love themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship,
They learn to find love in themselves.

5 MINUTES WITH - GERALDINE GRAHAM

Geraldine lives in Muff and runs the Lenamore Stables and Training Centre. The stable is a Centre of Excellence and it one of the only few places in the North west where people can train to become a qualified instructor in the profession. Geraldine has been in the equine industry for nearly thirty years. The stables not only instruct on horse riding, they stable horses and breed sport horses as well. The young sport horses are also trained at the centre and go through a four-year programme to get them ready for the discipline. Lenamore stables are preparing for a busy season starting this Easter. There will be a trek to Grianan, pony club games and treasure hunts. There will also be the ever popular –Own Your Own Pony For a Week Course! Here you can learn everything there is to know about what it entails to keep a pony of your own. Registered show jumping also starts on Easter Monday and will run every consecutive Sunday for four weeks, so it’s all go at Lenamore! For further details about booking riding lessons or any of the forthcoming events phone 9384022 or check out the website on http://www.lenamorestables.com/


What music are you listening to at the moment?
I am enjoying the Westlife CD ‘Home’


What would you never throw away?
Horse rugs. My mother at the age of 89 still mends them for us at the centre.

What book are you reading?
I have a book by the side of my bed and I wouldn’t be without it. Daily Reflections for Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey. All I do is open it at a page and read.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
The Bucket List with, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The plot is about two terminally ill men who escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I always go to the stars section. I enjoy the horoscopes!

What is your idea of a good night out?
Give me champagne and smoked salmon…with a bit on the side!

What is your idea of a great meal?
I love Swiss cuisine especially a variation of Rösti, a potato dish. I make mine with chicken although the original recipe has veal in it.

How do you relax?
I enjoy being pampered in a spa. I go down to the Ballyliffen Lodge sometimes to treat myself.


What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I always wanted to work with horses. I got my first pony when I was nine years old and never dreamt of doing anything else.

Did you go anywhere nice for your holidays?
I had the most fantastic time in Dubai this year. I received an invitation to go to the Jameriah Beach Hotel, which is the only seven star hotel in the world! You couldn’t wish for a better present!

Your idea of heaven?
I have been over to St Lucia in the Caribbean a couple of times. It is so relaxing.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Jos Lasick. He is the World Show jumping Champion. I am sure we would have a lot to talk about and he could teach my son some riding techniques.

Favourite animal?
Anyone who comes to the stables will see Ralph, my dog. He is nearly seven and he is adorable.

Biggest fear?
Senile dementia in old age.

Biggest thrill?
Swimming on horseback in the Caribbean. Fantastic!

The world’s most irritating invention?
It will have to be like most peoples, the mobile phone. I do have one but I wish I didn’t.

Personal philosophy?
Anything can be done if you put your mind to it.

What is your idea of a good night in?
Sleep!

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
I am very happy with the present day, thank you very much.

World’s most useful invention?
A handy man!

Any last words?
C’est la vie.