Destiny leads the willing but drags the unwilling

'There's a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will' wrote Shakespeare in Hamlet.

There are major trends in our lives that surge on like mighty rivers. We can go with the flow or try to paddle across or up stream. When energy flags the current pulls us back down the river.

The thinking behind this idea seems to be that much of the course of our lives is fixed, probably as a result of our DNA plus when and where we were born. "It is written in the stars" is a common expression reflecting a belief in destiny. A knowledge of the cycles of the Heavenly bodies can enable predictions of when and where they will appear. Likewise, many of the coming events in our lives "cast their shadows" before them and can be anticipated.

Wise people can learn to read the signs, and forecast the likely outcomes and adjust their behaviour accordingly. But if you try to deny your nature and circumstances, fate is likely to outwit you.

If, until recently, you thought that it was your destiny to be rich, and now find yourself one of the "credit-crunch poor" perhaps you have been dragged into your true destiny and need to carefully rethink your life strategy and goals.


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How to write a Limerick Edward Lear improved Part 1

How to write Limericks Edward Lear improved Part 2

Fair words make me look to my purse

If someone wants something out of you they know that the gentle art of persuasion is the best method of getting under your radar.

Conmen perfect the ability to convince you that they are your friend by saying the right thing and making you feel good. Mostly they like to get you tempted into a situation where you might feel you are getting a slight advantage over others - even bordering on the wrong side of right. This accounts for the saying that a totally honest person can't be conned. Well, conmen would say that wouldn't they? Salves their conscience, what little of it they have; but there is an element of truth in it.

The important thing to remember is if you feel you are being flattered, seduced and persuaded, carefully scrutinise your own conscience lest you are being tempted by the Devil. There are times in your life when you are more vulnerable, so be on guard.

The present credit crunch came about because people being offered mortgages they couldn't afford were being conned; the shareholders in the corporations providing the finance were being conned; the pushers of fair words were only interested in emptying your purse.



The human race has one really effective weapon and that is laughter. - Mark Twain. This book will arm you:
700 Limericks & How to Write Them by William Clark

Escape for a while from everyday reality with this verse adventure story from James Hogg abridged by William Clark.
Queen Hynde of Berigonium, Scotland by James Hogg & William Clark

Truth hath a good face but bad clothes

Honesty is genuine and not given to pretense. There is a classic image of the poor but honest individual who might not present themselves well but have hearts of gold. This is a person you can trust and rely on. They will share their humble crust.

Their opposite is the typical con man who is an expert on presentation. He knows and understands human weakness and his trade is exploiting it. He seeks to impress by dressing well and developing a charming manner. If you are taken in you pay dearly for the charm.

The people who caused the present credit crunch did not have bad clothes though they could be said to have taken the clothes from the backs of the poor. Come to think of it, look closely at their faces and they are not a pretty sight.


Escape for a while from everyday reality with this verse adventure story from James Hogg abridged by William Clark.
Queen Hynde of Berigonium, Scotland by James Hogg & William Clark

Put your finger in the fire and then say it was your misfortune

This appears to be a variant on play with fire and you will get burned.

We are all tempted by situations that have an element of danger - a little adrenaline boost perks us up and makes life seem exciting. When we find we like a little of something there is a logic in thinking: if a little gives a buzz a bit more will give a bigger buzz. And so many of the ills that plague mankind begin.

The drug dabbler becomes the drug dependant becomes the addict becomes the hopeless down and out. The loan from a friend becomes the use of a credit card becomes the mortgage becomes the "can't lose investment on borrowed money" that eventually goes down the pan and brings bankruptcy.

The credit crunch of today is the consequence of governments, and those who should know better, taking reckless risks and hoping that it will be someone else who gets burned -- and sadly, that is probably so.

To use old fashioned language: the devil tempts us with a dainty like a fisherman tempts a fish; once hooked we are reeled in and fried.

Don't poke your finger where it doesn't belong.

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The human race has one really effective weapon and that is laughter. - Mark Twain. This book will arm you:
700 Limericks & How to Write Them by William Clark

When God says "today" the devil says "tomorrow"

Don't put off till tomorrow what can be done today is the same idea. People have long recognised that humans have a tendency to procrastinate. The trouble is that having made a decision you then have to live with the consequences for good or ill. It is therefore tempting to put off a choice till the last moment.

Those who study these things and offer advice will tell you to make lists, prioritise have a routine, be positive and so on. It is so easy to give well-meaning advice -- and even easier to ignore it.

If you wake up one fine morning and rise determined that today it will be different -- you will be decisive and efficient -- you just might be starting on a whole new way of life.

If you are naturally pessimistic and cautious your decisions will be mainly to do as little as possible and be safe. If confident and energetic, you will boldly go on to fame, fortune or disaster.

There are no perfect guarantees in this life.

The ills that have come upon us as a result of the credit crunch mean that many people will be faced with difficult decisions. Now is a good time to get your house in order.

Like a ship heading for battle or stormy seas it is a good idea to batten down the hatches and clear the decks for action. Only you can know what that means in your own life, and how to transfer the metaphor to practical actions.

You are the captain of your ship of life and your decisions will affect the outcome for good or ill. Be prepared.

"The human race has one really effective weapon and that is laughter." - Mark Twain. This book will arm you:
700 Limericks & How to Write Them by William Clark

Those who starve together stick together

Adversity tends to form a common bond: in dangerous occupations like mining and soldiering people have traditionally formed strong supportive communities. The men become a band of brothers and the women support each other -- never knowing when a husband will be lost or a child need help.

To a family on the breadline, survival is uppermost in their minds, and they recognise the need for each other. When everyone is poor there is no jealousy, no reason for envy of other's possessions. You share what you have and others share with you.

When good times come and people have plenty they become more selfish as they are not dependant on the support and sympathy of fellow sufferers. Driven by envy and greed each strives to beggar his neighbor and keep up with the Jones. This kind of behaviour can lead eventually to a community failing -- reducing everyone back to basics where they can relearn the value of co-operation. Their credit gets crunched along with their big heads.



This book will help you write your own verse, romantic or otherwise:
700 Limericks & How to Write Them by William Clark