Paul Mitchell

It's the context, not the content of gifts that counts. 20241210

On a good day, enjoy yourself. On a bad day, examine your conscious. God arranges for both kind of days, so that we won't take anything for granted. 23/8/22

Take some fresh milk and eggs, cook, boil some rice and mix, if execute properly you get a dish called Kedgeree, executed poorly by a school boy in home economics, you get life longer version to fish, and rarely you want to give a second chance.

On my local church we just finished the sermon series on St. Paul's letters to the community of Philippians, generally accepted to be letters of encouragement. On the last part on Sunday the issue of happiness verses contentment arouse, and through that presume I've been reflect on this week.

Recently I walked through a door that we walked through thousands of times, sadly this time, the door was closed, as I was trying to go through it, I smashed it. The result, glass everywhere, a wound on my wrist that required to be stitched. I literally regretted not taking more care to realise the door was closed, but such outcomes cannot be changed, what’s done is done.

I don’t think David’s Jab would mean anything to you but it’s the one for the future. Nigeria born David moved Aberdeen at young age, a talented athlete then went to America to play high school basketball, with a dream of playing professionally. Despite his effort he was told he wouldn’t make it, however his athleticism didn’t gone unnoticed, and a coach suggested he give American football a go, it was a suggestion that was to change his life. You won’t find a better example of old cliche, “when one door closes, another one opens.” From having no ideas about the rules, David adapted quickly, recruited to play college football Michigan 2021 was his breakout year. Michigan were likely to play for national title, now that’s a big deal believe me, while David’s play has projected in early round in NFL draft pit, he’s passed success in the professional game. But I last spoke with David, I was struck by his strong faith and his ever present gratitude that when one dream ended, somehow someone was at hand to show him a different path.

I’m coming off a busy week, full broadcast of four days spell, it’s something I’ve done before, but it’s a little different this time. You see I have a temporary crown in place at the moment, I have to battle the fear that anytime when the temporary tooth decide to part away from my mouth will introduce a whistling sound to my voice. Thankfully, all went well. You may think this was an unreasonable worry, but given that the first temporary crown fall out before I left the building, I was concerned. I should acknowledge this happened only after sterling work removing a broken post.

It's often said you never stop learning, I certainly hope that's the case. During lockdown my new learning includes subjects as diverse as musicals, the history of the city of Berlin, as well as reviving interest in European football. I'm a person that's needs to engage to learn. When I was study for the professional qualification, I'm a qualified banker, parts of the course revolving others, such as contract law, I couldn't see far enough. Contract used to be simple, they defined as written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, seal the tenancy that's intended be enforceable by law. One of the world's top footballer has a contract dispute, he signed a 6 years deal in 2018, but he believes there's a loophole exist, a gentlemen's agreement with the club chairman to leave the summer. It brings to mind the saying, a verbal contract isn't worth the paper that's written on, typically attributed to movie producer, although it's likely a misquote.

The year 1978, the match, Peru vs Scotland, we lost. It was too much for a 9 year old me, my stomped off to bed vowing never to watch Scotland again. Of course I was drawing back in. WorldCup in Spain Mexico and my favourite Italian 90 were irresistible. While I follow Scotland professionally 6 year, the high watch of our country was often punctured by the sting of defeat. So forgive me if I'm not optimistic about our prospect against England later today. I turned down the chance to cover the game as I'm BBC commentary duty for other game. Then the focus will switch to The Game, a small nation against its large neighbour. A chance, the team projected to get out its group, to hand a shock to one of tournament favourites. The fact we share a border, a language, a government, just adds to the mix.

We entered what's others called Business end of the season, while the Scottish football plays off for promotion underway, under the top division while the lead is decided, the spec of relegation looms for three clubs. It's both an exciting time for fans and nervous one. Players and managers have the ability to affect outcome, fans simply don't have that luxury. They have to watch on the sidelines, current the electronic ones, while hoping and praying for the best. Parents of children setting exams this time of year finding themselves in similar situation. They can provide their offspring with encouragement, but the act at the exam or assessment at this time of the year, you have to sit back and watch.

The biblical book of Proverb contain sage advice about words and how we use them, in likens of our prudent choice of words in certain situations to that of life being given water, providing nourishment. But it also says words can be like swords, wound, We are taught those who use words wisely, not only bring assistance to others but blessings on themselves.

See the sunshine on TV made me long to be there. The decision allow 25000 people into stadium that holds 66000 is met by some opposition. But the crowd provided an atmosphere for players and viewers alike. To see a Super Bowl is in my bucket list, I’ll get there one day.