Clive Bibby: Another Shakespearian Gem

"There is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune"

I make no apologies for repeatedly quoting the Bard in some of my humble offerings in the columns of this blog.

You don't need to be a literary genius in order to recognise there are much better words than the ones you could use from your own vocabulary to describe the things you want to share with other mere mortals.

The fact that the ones I choose have withstood the test of time and, as such, proven to be worthy of consideration during discussions with this generation, says it all really.

But there is something special about Shakespeare that sets his observations apart from even those we witness at the highest levels in modern society.

My guess is that he appeals to the common man as much as any who identify with his thoughts about life. He has a unique ability to accurately reflect on the experiences most members of the general public encounter during a normal 8 hour working day.

And it is during those mundane hours of drudgery that these pearls of wisdom are often capable of doing their best work.

So, never let it be said that we are always alone in our thoughts without guidance to help us make the changes necessary.

In this country, we should always have the opportunities but unfortunately, not always the inclination or the courage to find out what we are capable of.

They say fortune favours the brave and, as Shakespeare also says, "a life dwelling in the shallows can often lead to nothing but misery"

You need to not only recognise the opportunity but, probably more importantly, be prepared to accept it when it shows up.

But blaming timidity on failed fresh starts is hardly a recipe for exploring what might have been.

It's over to you.

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.