It has been said that a belief in an all-powerful deity is childish, unscientific and in some cases, out right harmful.
I beg to differ.
First of all I must point out the differences between faith, which is a belief in a something beyond our mortal understanding and religion, which is the belief of some humans that they can make other people do as they say, using a fear of Divine retribution as their beating stick.
I have, I hope, a fair amount of faith. I also have, I hope, absolutely no truck with religion.
To me, faith encourages kindness and compassion. The act of going to a place of faith is an act that draws the community together. When that happens friendships and concerns are shared, people become more inclined to help their neighbours and people are encouraged to learn the art of conversation with those they don't know. In short, the best part of communal worship is just that - the community.
If one is encouraged to take this if view of faith then it becomes a way of breaking down barriers and encouraging co-operation. Makes me wonder what would happen if our national leaders were made to express their professed faiths together.
And finally - if there is not a God, those of us who believe in him have lost nothing. However, if there is a God...
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Successes
Having just received some very good news, it puts my in mind that many writers complain about the rejection letters, so I thought I'd have a review of my past submissions.
So far I have submitted forty five pieces of my work. Of them I have only had five successes. Of the other forty I have only received two rejection letters, both within the last two months. That means thirty eight submissions without a please, a thank you or a whistle down an exhaust pipe.
Therefore, I say to the people receiving rejection letters - please spare a thought for those of us who are wallowing in the realm of ignore-dom. If you have been flinging your work into the ether for so long without a reply, that you are on the verge of giving up all together, a rejection letter is a good thing. It means that you are moving away from the place were the adjudicator/agent/publisher takes one look at your work and throws it out without a word.
If you take this point of view, a rejection letter is only one step away from being successful.
So far I have submitted forty five pieces of my work. Of them I have only had five successes. Of the other forty I have only received two rejection letters, both within the last two months. That means thirty eight submissions without a please, a thank you or a whistle down an exhaust pipe.
Therefore, I say to the people receiving rejection letters - please spare a thought for those of us who are wallowing in the realm of ignore-dom. If you have been flinging your work into the ether for so long without a reply, that you are on the verge of giving up all together, a rejection letter is a good thing. It means that you are moving away from the place were the adjudicator/agent/publisher takes one look at your work and throws it out without a word.
If you take this point of view, a rejection letter is only one step away from being successful.
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Thoughts on Snow
Just had a snowy beginning to the week and once again England is in chaos with everybody complaining about the roads, the rails, the airports. I agree that once again the system has messed up, however one must consider the point of view of British Air.
(Sarcastic speech). Preparing the airports for snow, which may not arrive, is costly and time consuming, thus irritating to the share holders. Therefore, it is much better, financially, to not prepare for the snow and just deal with it when it does arrive. After all, if lots of passengers are booking in but their flights are cancelled, not only do you claim the money from their tickets, they also spend money in your airport, thus providing you with a greater profit margin. In short, the share holders prefer airports that do not prepare for snowy weather because it gives them a larger quarterly statement.
(Sarcastic speech). Preparing the airports for snow, which may not arrive, is costly and time consuming, thus irritating to the share holders. Therefore, it is much better, financially, to not prepare for the snow and just deal with it when it does arrive. After all, if lots of passengers are booking in but their flights are cancelled, not only do you claim the money from their tickets, they also spend money in your airport, thus providing you with a greater profit margin. In short, the share holders prefer airports that do not prepare for snowy weather because it gives them a larger quarterly statement.
Monday, 30 January 2012
Christmas: A Time of Year or a State of Mind?
My sister and I were away in Oman December 2011 visiting our father. Because of that we could not celebrate Christmas with our Mother in England for some very obvious reasons. Therefore we are celebrating Christmas 2011 now. Starting from the twenty fifth of January we have been celebrating our Christmas at home and I have to say that so far it has been one of the best Christmases we've had in years. This fact made me start thinking.
There are lots of songs that are played around about the Christmas season that include lyrics about how good it would be if Christmas could last all year but many people seem to put a lot of effort into making one specific day a year special 'family' time and let it go the rest of the year. Having been made to celebrate Christmas a month late has made me realise that Christmas is in fact not a question of a time of a time of year, rather it is a question of care, compassion and forgiveness. In short, Christmas is the time of year when we are inclined to share time with our family, putting aside all the grievences that we normally harbour and going the extra mile to make sure other people are happy before we look to our own happiness. Whether this time of year happens to be the twenty fifth of December or the first of June should, to my mind, matter not at all.
So here is a new challenge to my readers. This year try, with other putting up the decorations and giving presents, make a Christmas day every month and just see how it affects the way your family lives together. I hope that you are pleasantly surprised.
There are lots of songs that are played around about the Christmas season that include lyrics about how good it would be if Christmas could last all year but many people seem to put a lot of effort into making one specific day a year special 'family' time and let it go the rest of the year. Having been made to celebrate Christmas a month late has made me realise that Christmas is in fact not a question of a time of a time of year, rather it is a question of care, compassion and forgiveness. In short, Christmas is the time of year when we are inclined to share time with our family, putting aside all the grievences that we normally harbour and going the extra mile to make sure other people are happy before we look to our own happiness. Whether this time of year happens to be the twenty fifth of December or the first of June should, to my mind, matter not at all.
So here is a new challenge to my readers. This year try, with other putting up the decorations and giving presents, make a Christmas day every month and just see how it affects the way your family lives together. I hope that you are pleasantly surprised.
Friday, 13 January 2012
Respect
Just had a highly interesting and fun Christmas holiday in Oman and it got me thinking. One of the best things about Oman is that, as long as you wear a T-shirt that covers your shoulders and chest and longish shorts, they don't mind women not wearing the complete body cover and as long as you are not obscene in public, they are very tolerant of other peoples customs. Their attitude is 'they do what they do, we do what we do'.
It appears to me that if more people in the world would cultivate this attitude in themselves and others, we would stop fighting so much about our differences and start talking more about our similarities. It would also mean that we would have more access to some of the beautiful places in the world to visit. However, part of this idea rests on people being tolerant and respectful of other peoples beliefs and attitudes. This means not forcing our beliefs and ways of government on other people. If we give respect, eventually respect will be give in turn.
To start this change in the attitude of the world, the first place to look is your own home. Do you give respect to the other people of your family?
It appears to me that if more people in the world would cultivate this attitude in themselves and others, we would stop fighting so much about our differences and start talking more about our similarities. It would also mean that we would have more access to some of the beautiful places in the world to visit. However, part of this idea rests on people being tolerant and respectful of other peoples beliefs and attitudes. This means not forcing our beliefs and ways of government on other people. If we give respect, eventually respect will be give in turn.
To start this change in the attitude of the world, the first place to look is your own home. Do you give respect to the other people of your family?
Monday, 19 December 2011
Christmas Ideas
Tips for surviving this Christmas:
Two days before Christmas ask the kids what they are up to and listen to their answers.
Christmas Day turn off the TV. Instead ask the kids to help you with making the dinner. Accept if they say no but make sure you've flipped the circiut breaker controlling the TV socket.
Talk to them about what they have been getting up to. Ask if they have had any luck with what they were doing two days ago. If they ask why you are being so nosy tell them that you are trying out some tips from the internet. Don't Swear!
After dinner get the old board games out or maybe a jigsaw.
Keep talking! About anything, everything. And listen to what you kids say. That means shutting your mouth and opening your ears. Treat you kids as equals and they may just treat you the same way.
If this doesn't work this Christmas then make turning of the TV a thing every Sunday. Regular dinners eaten at the table, instead of the TV, also helps. If you get your kids use to being a family the whole year through, they are less likely to buck against it come Christmas.
Two days before Christmas ask the kids what they are up to and listen to their answers.
Christmas Day turn off the TV. Instead ask the kids to help you with making the dinner. Accept if they say no but make sure you've flipped the circiut breaker controlling the TV socket.
Talk to them about what they have been getting up to. Ask if they have had any luck with what they were doing two days ago. If they ask why you are being so nosy tell them that you are trying out some tips from the internet. Don't Swear!
After dinner get the old board games out or maybe a jigsaw.
Keep talking! About anything, everything. And listen to what you kids say. That means shutting your mouth and opening your ears. Treat you kids as equals and they may just treat you the same way.
If this doesn't work this Christmas then make turning of the TV a thing every Sunday. Regular dinners eaten at the table, instead of the TV, also helps. If you get your kids use to being a family the whole year through, they are less likely to buck against it come Christmas.
Friday, 2 December 2011
Christmas
I would like to know please, why people keep celebrating Christmas if they don't believe in Christ. Why celebrate the birth of someone you don't believe in?
I have notice also that in many cases the so called 'Christmas specials' in shops are degrading in quality. Many people would prefer it if, instead of spending your money buying them something, you spent your time making something for them. It requires a lot more thought and effort to make something for someone than to buy something for someone.
Also, to all those people who try and force their family to be a family at Christmas time and then find that all sorts of nasty little tensions come spilling out - a family is for life, not just for Christmas.
I have notice also that in many cases the so called 'Christmas specials' in shops are degrading in quality. Many people would prefer it if, instead of spending your money buying them something, you spent your time making something for them. It requires a lot more thought and effort to make something for someone than to buy something for someone.
Also, to all those people who try and force their family to be a family at Christmas time and then find that all sorts of nasty little tensions come spilling out - a family is for life, not just for Christmas.
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