A neighbour’s last ten years has been particularly stressful, including litigation and court cases as she fought what she considered exorbitant charges claimed by her landlord. Last month she had a stroke which has left her paralysed and speechless - there is no hope of recovery, she has now been transferred to a nursing home. Undoubtedly the stress had a detrimental effect on her health. While others shrugged their shoulders and paid up, it was her nature to fight. I am left wondering was it all worth it?We get caught up in events, which at the time we consider so important. If my neighbour knew that in ten years time she would be lying in a bed helpless, would she have put herself in such a stressful situation.
Some years ago there was a photographic exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, on the topic gardeners and gardening.
One of the photographs was of the aptly named gardener, Alan Bloom, underneath was a quote:
“I have reached an age at which peace of mind and harmony are the most precious of all life’s blessings”
I copied it into my little book of sayings, which I periodically take out to contemplate.
