Category: Thoughts

  • Bright sadness

    Bright sadness

    I looked at some photos from twenty years ago and felt very sad. The pain of thinking back over things I have lost- the ability to walk or do all the things I used to do without even thinking about it is horrible. But what do I have now that brings the brightness into my…

  • Turn away from impossibility

    Turn away from impossibility

    And consider new approaches. I foolishly allowed myself to remember how simple life used to be, compared with this struggle to walk, transfer, get dressed, cook, among other things. But last Friday I went to see a place that tried to make things accessible, no matter how challenging basic tasks can become; 

  • Sharp turns in the road.

    Sharp turns in the road.

    I was thinking again today about how the path of life can take sudden, usually unwelcome turns. But then I was reminded that even when we find ourselves in unexpected places, new routes can appear.

  • You’ve got a friend

    You’ve got a friend

    In Exodus 17:12 it tells the story of when Moses’ outstretched arms were getting tired, Aaron and Hur held them up for him. I have seen many times of weakness like that and many times when other people have stepped in to help me out. If we can show our need, many can help us…

  • Living without hope is useless.

    Living without hope is useless.

    I have tried it (pessimism) many times but it, thankfully, never sticks. I write towards a sad ending and can never do it. I was sitting close to giving up when, as always happens, I lifted my spirits and pushed myself up. I told you about the OT last week. She told me she was…

  • Change your tune

    Change your tune

    This morning the birdsong started at around five. There was one culprit who was louder and more persistent than the rest: the wren. Known for its tiny size, it has the loudest, most varied call. Impressive for the first few times then slightly annoying!

  • The blessing of silence

    The blessing of silence

    Moving on from my ‘nothing’ post last week I’ve been thinking about silence, During the conclave the priests involved had to leave behind their phones in order to focus exclusively on prayer and listening for God’s voice. How would you cope without your phone?

  • When there is nothing

    When there is nothing

    I have had a very empty couple of weeks as a writer. Usually an idea comes for a new story, or even a post like this one, but here I am writing about nothing because I have drawn a blank! Do you ever feel like that? Are you bored with life, fed up with work,…

  • Consider new opportunities

    Consider new opportunities

    I had an existential crisis two nights ago. Most of the time I shake my head at harsh considerations of reality and the fact I am achieving very little with my life. But this time, I let the terrifying thought in and was met with the hopeful idea that life holds more for us than…

  • There is something good

    There is something good

    John 19:41 NIV‘At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.’ I have read the Easter story for forty years and only this week did I notice something very close to the one ideology I always harp on…