When everything important is taking a back seat to more important

I guess everyone knows that feeling when all seems OK and yet there is something hidden in the back of mind that feels a bit inconvenient, like an unspoken threat to our day to day little happiness.

It is just a feeling, nothing real that needs to be worked out at the moment. It is kind of annoying so we tend to let it sleep hoping it could sort of die. I am afraid nothing stored in subconscious will ever fade away unless it is solved. Instead, this muddle is living its own life, waiting for some impulse, prepared to pop up. When it happens many so called important things that can't never be put off are taking a back seat to the new reality. Suddenly there is much important stuff to do.
Bettina is a young woman with Swiss origins living in Australia. Sadly, she needs to cope with her grandmother's death. Her precious relative passed away only a couple of days before Bettina had moved in a new amazing apartment and seemed really happy about it. She is leaving for Switzerland for a longer time. Apparently, she has realized that some things need to be done for the sake of her family as well as for her own sake.

Lisa

My grandmother passed away a few days ago. She was very dear to me, one of the most important people in my life. She was one of the people who most influenced my life. An amazing, very spiritual, very gentle and wise person, full of love and light. She taught me so much. Her and me had a very strong bond. I cannot imagine not having her in my life anymore.

I'm dropping everything here and flying out to Switzerland tomorrow Monday for a couple of weeks. I'm feeling sad and homesick and want to spend some time with my family. I feel like I'm never there for anything- babies get born, people get married, people die, and I'm always far away. This time, I want to be there with my family, grieve with everyone and say good bye properly.

Bettina, I am so sorry for your loss. Good journey. This time you will be there as close as possible, as long as necessary.

* * *

In the touch of her Soft wrinkled hands, In the understanding Of her twinkling eyes, In her generous, Giving spirit, In the melody of "Amazing Grace" Flowing from her sweet voice. She sings to me, And I find peace, On Grandma's porch.

Sanctuary, In the rhythm of Her rocking chair, In summer chats Over lemonade, In the protection Of her tender hug, In lessons learned That made me strong. She talks to me And I find peace, On Grandma's porch.

Sanctuary, In times gone by To be no more, In childhood memories, Though precious few, In days that I Sure miss her love. In hope she gave me All those years. I dream of her And I find peace,On Grandma's porch.

(Phillip McKenzie)

New job, new horizons

I got a new job. I have been preparing myself for it for more then four years.

I still can recall that day when I woke up with odd feeling in the back of my mind telling me with a strange urge something like Start with English! Righ now! I obeyed that inner voice, without even knowing exactly the reason. I could have easily get along without English though it is better if one can understand this language. So I started that day, or better said I opened the book for self-taught persons. To my surprise my head was and still is able to soak up and digest all the new stuff.

Next week I met a young lady from Australia who moved to Prague years ago, got married and had children and made her living here giving English lessons. I asked her to teach me and we sort of struck a common chord immediately. Looking back I think this encounter was more then just a coincidence, it was in the cards to meet her and feel mutual liking. We were chating about everything, she repeatedly corrected me and I tried to study all she had explained to me.

The first year, I studied really hard, mostly many hours each day. After six months I visited England for the first time for a month to study English. It was so uplifting, so that the next year I visited that school again. And then again. I am aware that my English is simple and with many mistakes, yet I can speak about any subject and know the native speakers will understand.

About a year ago it occured to me that the main reason why all this has happened was just the need coming from my subconscious to change my job. One day I realized I don´t want to be a journalist any more but a translator. As a journalist I felt sort of burnt out, tired of all the tabloids topics even in the newspar that is trying to face a broadsheet. You know, in my country journalism has resorted to tabloid journalism more often. I used to work for the bigest Czech newspaper for more then 30 years, but enough is enough. I was just due for the mid-life career change.

In November last year I said to myself it was time to look for some new job. Two months later I found one and have been very busy since, working as a translantor for the Czech version of the US Reader´s Digest magazine. (that is the main reason of my silence). I was said my translations are more then good which is probably because I am able to edit them and put them into correct Czech shape. I used to work as a edior many years…

I feel it was worth undergoing this long and time-consuming process and that some new horizons may await. Maybe not but I am definitely opening a new chapter of my life.