Live and Let Die

Live and Let Die

The concept of Live and Let Live has been circulating a lot in my brain and energy sphere for over a week now. Aside from being a nice bumper sticker for some,  I like the whole concept of keeping my own O2 mask on first and letting others do the same, if they choose. Too often I find myself offering “help” in one form or another when I sense potential danger or heartache or trouble down the way of someone else’s path.  Operative word “potential”.

Sometimes I just hold my breath and bite my tongue and “let live”, other times, particularly when it comes to business or those really close to me I’ll “speak out” from my sage place of wisdom and “offer unsolicited advice”.  Sometimes this is taken, other times I get the polite nod and folks go about their “living”.

Business is a trip, because I am supposed to be entrusted with people’s money and vision. Of late, when I offer suggestions that could save ga-zillions in man hours or money, the suggestions are flushed fairly summarily and they go on “living”, albeit from my perspective a bit poorer and lot later than I think they should be. Operative word “should”.

I am a HUGE James Bond fan. When I was a kid I would read Ian Fleming’s books and was thrilled when I got to see my 1^st Bond film. (BTW – Did you know Fleming also wrote Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang….neither did I…) Anyway, the tuxes, martinis, women all appealed to me and I was certain that British Intelligence would certainly want a guy like me should he ever retire.

Fast forward a couple of decades and I found myself in France on the Rivera. A short morning drive took me through the magnificent countryside with the sea on my right. Soon I shot through the last tunnels to Monaco and then into Monte Carlo, THE Monte Carlo.

I spent a day checking out all the “hot spots” including the castle, port and casinos. As I strolled through town I marveled at the architecture, couture, cars, boats and bejeweled beauties of each sex. It was a magical day, ending with sensory overload.

 At the end of the day I can offer all the suggestions, advice and guidance in the world to whoever I choose and no one is obliged to take any of it. Sometimes I forget this, despite being paid for just this “input”.  My thinking today is that I need to take a cue from 007 and give the advice only when asked, only without attachment and be prepared to ……………..“Live and Let Die”…..

Then stand back and observe what clues emerge next……………

“Red wine with fish...Well that should have told me something”