How often do we hear these words? More so as we get older and our health advisers, therapists, medical professionals et al are all at us day in day out to get out more, be more active, do more and so on and on.
Our very own Osteopath in residence Kirsty Morrison of Angel Yard Osteopaths (Page 17 in this issue) suggests in this monthโs topic the condition is eased with more use; and I know, after having quite a few appointments with Kirsty over the years, that the title of this letter is perfectly sound. On the most recent occasion I was having trouble with my left shoulder, and feared I would have to have surgery like I did with my right one. After a good 45 minutes of manipulation, she advised me to get more exercise, concentrating on that shoulder with stretching and light repetitive movements to a speci๏ฌc program. I also rejoined a Gym and attended regular yoga/Pilates type classes. It has been a while now since that appointment with Kirsty, and I have no more trouble with that shoulder. Proof positive Iโd say!
The title holds true for everything we humans do with our bodies, brain, eyes, ears, limbs, and, to my abject distaste ยญ Passwords! But that oneโs for another letter I thinkโฆ
So for what else is this a truism? Last week Tesco released its preliminary results 2023/24 (10 April), showing a 12.7% pro๏ฌt increase to ยฃ2.83bn, up more than ยฃ300m from a year earlier and outperforming expectations. Revenue reachedยฃ68.19bn, not including VAT and fuel sales, an increase of ยฃ2.86bn from the same period a year before.
Certainly, Tesco, and I donโt doubt all the other major super markets, have learnt how to entice us to keep on using them to feed, clothe and satisfy our every domestic requirement to record levels even whilst we all navigate through the highest in๏ฌation rates for decades. But love โem or hate โem they are winning the race to make us spend our money with them. The message is also very true throughout our daily lives in the communities where we live, work, play and shop. That gloriously British institution, the pub, is a battered victim of the rise of the supermarket with their massive range of drinks available at often a quarter of the price of the pub. The wonderful fruit and Veg shop has all but disappeared from our high streets.
Thereโs a new threat being aimed at our way of life from the supermarket battialions – the self service checkยญout. I will now risk the criticism of hypocrisy from our intrepid readers and admit to using M & S the other day, in Leicester. But hear me outโฆIt was the Tuesday after Easter, and Mary was having her hair done with her regular hairdresser on Guildhall Lane; Mary has taken a real fancy to some of the items from their patisserie counter. So off I trotted and selected Maryโs favourites, plus a carton of milk, and went to pay. I do not like the selfยญservice reformation at all that is being thrust upon us. I avoid them like a virus. And, it would seem I am not the only one.
In the M & S food hall in Leicester there are at least a dozen of these wretched things, and only two of the โnormalโ checkouts staffed. Only one of the selfยญservice checkยญouts was in use, and there were about ๏ฌfteen people queuing at the two normal ones. I checked my watch, and with a good ten minutes to spare, I approached one of the โnormalโ checkouts. I felt like Ned Ludd joining the army of frame breakers in 18th century Leicester and Nottingham.
So, Use it or Lose it ยญ – perhaps it can work both ways?
Steve
