With permission from the Royal Norwegian Consulate General.
This picture shows the current Nils Olav, mascot and honorary member of the Norwegian King’s Guard, making an inspection in 2005. He has just been promoted to Colonel in Chief, and the band on his right flipper holds the badge showing his rank.
Permission, Royal Norwegian Consulate General.
Olav…now Sir Nils Olav because he was knighted on August 15th…lives in the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. He and the Guards are continuing a tradition started in 1972, when the Guards adopted a king penguin at the zoo during a visit to Edinburgh for the Military Tattoo, an annual musical festival. They visit the zoo and give Nils a promotion every time they return to Scotland. (When the current Nils dies he’s replaced by another penguin who inherits the name and rank.)
More pictures of the 2005 event can be seen at the Norwegian Embassy and Consulate General site. A BBC video shows the 2008 knighting ceremony.
What does this have to do with Stress Management? It’s a great example of Stress-Hardiness Trait #5 :
They are reasonably optimistic and have a sense of humor. Even though they are dedicated to doing things well, they don’t take themselves too seriously.
Clearly the guardsmen, the dignitaries that attend the ceremonies, and King Harald of Norway…who ordered the promotion to knighthood…are playing their part well. And they’re definitely not taking themselves too seriously. They’re making this poor old world a friendlier place and reminding us to take ourselves a bit more lightly. I, for one, am grateful.
What about you? Do have some reminders to lighten up in life?
Our lives are bad when I complain about what I don’t like. If I make a funny comment instead, we laugh!
bikehikebabe,
🙂 My husband and I laugh a lot, too. That’s one of the great joys of a long-term marriage.
What a classic picture! Its both hilarious and heart-warming, and helps balance the severity of the military pose with a smile and a chuckle.
Edinburgh Rob,
I’m glad you loved it too. Another reason the story and pictures warmed my heart was my daughter spent her junior year of college at St. Andrews and I was lucky enough to visit her twice. We came through Edinburgh both times, and we also spent a day sightseeing there. Those are happy memories. Thanks for reminding me. 🙂
Jean, I really have no choice in the matter! I am blessed with my family and friends who simply refuse to take me seriously. No matter how hard I try, I can not get them to.
I must be the neighborhood’s resident comedian!
Please believe me when I tell you that I cannot get stressed even if I want to! No one will allow me to be.
rummusers last blog post..Standard Chartered Bank’s treatment of a Senior Citizen.
rummuser,
That’s great! You’re a lucky man. 🙂
This is a great post! It is so important to not take oneself too seriously! That is why my fiance and I are getting married on Halloween! We wanted it to be more fun and entertaining than anything else.
Coaching Skills,
🙂 Good for you! You made my day.