Daisy, blissfully peaceful while paying attention
“Winner takes all” celebrates the first to cross the finishing line. In any race it is relevant. In much of life, as we measure it, the first come first. But not, I suggest, if you want joy, beauty, happiness or to relax the tensions of effort. These valuables demand thought and appreciation. A cow may not be the best mental model but when sitting down, gently chewing the cud, gazing into the beyond, she is in a state of bliss. She is making her milk – for her the most important job she does. If you’ve never thought of a cow as beautiful before, please do so today.
Speed has become so dominant in our lives. It now takes second place only to money. When my British parent company was buying businesses in the United States it opted for pasta partly because the people involved thought they could sell the concept of ‘faster pasta’. No wonder it didn’t work. They’re playing classical music more speedily now to cram another piece into the concert. The mind boggles at what Beethoven’s reaction to it might have been.
BBC and other newscasters are obliged to gabble nonsense today in order to ensure that they include all the phoney courtesies (“wonderful to have you on the show”) and inject long whingeing weddings that cost very little to record. When they miss a cue for a few seconds, the newscasters’ ensuing silence is like manna from heaven. Breathe, baby, breathe!
Even the old with their knee problem and their hip problem and their balance problem, and who find physical speed is a concept long since gone, don’t have to give up. A souffle takes a while to cook. When done, it is a magnificent Dome of Doing, deserving leisurely enjoyment, worthy of a moment’s praise.
Well tended brains are as good for thinking as the best souffle is for eating.
What does tending a brain involve? First, exactly the same as tending a body only it’s all done in the mind. Curiosity to learn, determination to create, thought through appreciation and to have a view – these are Brain Bounces. But what clinches the deal is rumination.
Rather than the first thought that comes into your head, try thinking of the second and third. They may be deeper and more exciting. Conversations, even the lightest of them, should have elements of creative association about them. Such a process is easy to learn.
Most of all, make thought an exciting exploration not a dreary litany of logic. When people tell you to think straight, remember that life is not a Roman Road but a winding and twisting waterway with hidden surprises and cool corners. Sneak into them, relish their secrets, listen to their murmurings.
Above all, ruminate. As you see from the picture, Daisy does.
And she is in her paradise.
Good morning
John Bittleston
There are some simple ways to stimulate rumination. We don’t charge to tell you about them. You could try asking at [email protected]. Why not?
18 Jul 2025
