The Meaning of Life?

The Meaning of Life?http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/en-EUhourly82000-01-01T12:00+00:00The Meaning of Life?http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/c9/3049666dc794c605951dadeb1bc4a1_160x200.jpgWhat do you want to do before you die?http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2007/09/28/what_do_you_want_to_do_before_you_die~3053247/2007-09-28T13:43:35+02:00 Now there's a happy subject for a Friday afternoon! I saw an article listing 30 things to do before you're 30. I'd done a few (I'm closer to 40), but some of them just seemed irrelevant or meaningless - buy a bottle of wine over £50 (I don't drink), go to Paris (why?). It got me thinking about what I would consider important things to have done before I die. Here's my list: - Get married - Spend time with and get to really know my parents, siblings and grandparents (really glad I did this, as I've only got one parent and one grandparent left) - Find out what makes me really happy - and do it! - Find my vocation in life, my service to others - and do it! - Realise that money, power and status are not the most important things in life - Learn about, discover and absorb knowledge of this amazing world around me - Read, read and read some more I'm pleased to say I'm doing quite well with this list. One area I'm considering quite a lot lately is vocation. I'm thinking about putting myself forward for ordination to be vicar (I'm already training in Lay Ministry as a Reader). Now that might be something that most people find hard to grasp or get their head around, but to me it feels right. Just trying to work out how I know if this is what I'm being called to do. It would be so much easier if God just called you up on the phone, sent an email or even a text message! Any clergy or clergy in training out there who have any advice? <a href="http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2007/09/28/what_do_you_want_to_do_before_you_die~3053247/#comments">Comments</a> Now there's a happy subject for a Friday afternoon!

I saw an article listing 30 things to do before you're 30. I'd done a few (I'm closer to 40), but some of them just seemed irrelevant or meaningless - buy a bottle of wine over £50 (I don't drink), go to Paris (why?).

It got me thinking about what I would consider important things to have done before I die. Here's my list:

- Get married
- Spend time with and get to really know my parents, siblings and grandparents (really glad I did this, as I've only got one parent and one grandparent left)
- Find out what makes me really happy - and do it!
- Find my vocation in life, my service to others - and do it!
- Realise that money, power and status are not the most important things in life
- Learn about, discover and absorb knowledge of this amazing world around me
- Read, read and read some more

I'm pleased to say I'm doing quite well with this list. One area I'm considering quite a lot lately is vocation. I'm thinking about putting myself forward for ordination to be vicar (I'm already training in Lay Ministry as a Reader). Now that might be something that most people find hard to grasp or get their head around, but to me it feels right. Just trying to work out how I know if this is what I'm being called to do. It would be so much easier if God just called you up on the phone, sent an email or even a text message!

Any clergy or clergy in training out there who have any advice?

Comments

]]>At What Point Do We Have Too Much??http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2007/03/22/at_what_point_do_we_have_too_much~1954253/2007-03-22T16:37:51+01:00 Hi Watching Comic Relief on Friday night was very entertaining, but the short films of the people they are trying to help made me feel quite uncomfortable. Yes, I give to charity out of my pay, I sponsor a child in the 3rd World and I give ad hoc to several other charities, but is it enough? As I sat watching a family of 14 in a one room hut, often with nothing to eat, that pair of trainers and trousers I'd bought that day, seemed a bit excessive. I've worked for my money and I'm fortunate enough in that I have no debts to pay other than my mortgage, so am I wrong to want to spend it on myself? I don't go mad, but it makes you think about what do you really need to buy when you already have clothes to keep you warm, food to eat and a roof over your head? <a href="http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2007/03/22/at_what_point_do_we_have_too_much~1954253/#comments">Comments</a> Hi

Watching Comic Relief on Friday night was very entertaining, but the short films of the people they are trying to help made me feel quite uncomfortable. Yes, I give to charity out of my pay, I sponsor a child in the 3rd World and I give ad hoc to several other charities, but is it enough?

As I sat watching a family of 14 in a one room hut, often with nothing to eat, that pair of trainers and trousers I'd bought that day, seemed a bit excessive.

I've worked for my money and I'm fortunate enough in that I have no debts to pay other than my mortgage, so am I wrong to want to spend it on myself? I don't go mad, but it makes you think about what do you really need to buy when you already have clothes to keep you warm, food to eat and a roof over your head?

Comments

]]>I'm a Human Being, not a Human Doing!http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2007/01/15/i_m_a_human_being_not_a_human_doing~1558115/2007-01-15T17:25:22+01:00 Hi I've not been around for a while. I've been working through some stuff and not felt able to write. I get rather bad attacks of anxiety sometimes and they pretty much knock me out for a while. I'm doing much better and wanted to share my thoughts on life for today. Something I've often struggled with is the need to do stuff all the time. I can find it hard to sit still and just chill out. I have various written 'to do' lists as well as mental ones, that keep me busy. I realise that a lot of the stuff on the lists is pretty daft and doesn't actually need worrying about now, but it's hard to fight your programming sometimes. Anyway, someone once told me that we are human 'beings', not human 'doings' and something I like to remind myself of that every now and again. I rush about trying to do everything and forget that sitting and 'being' is a very nice pastime too. (See I do listen to you Mark x). For all those other suffers of 'to-do listamania' remember the old adage 'what do you want to be remembered for when you die?' Do you really want it to be that you always had a clean house, never forgot anything and always baked the cake, never bought it? Forget after your dead, what do you want to look back on when you're older - the clean house and meticulous filing, or the fact that you spent time with loved ones, took time to stop and look around at this beautiful world and enjoyed life? Now if I can just practice what I preach.... <a href="http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2007/01/15/i_m_a_human_being_not_a_human_doing~1558115/#comments">Comments</a> Hi

I've not been around for a while. I've been working through some stuff and not felt able to write. I get rather bad attacks of anxiety sometimes and they pretty much knock me out for a while.

I'm doing much better and wanted to share my thoughts on life for today. Something I've often struggled with is the need to do stuff all the time. I can find it hard to sit still and just chill out. I have various written 'to do' lists as well as mental ones, that keep me busy. I realise that a lot of the stuff on the lists is pretty daft and doesn't actually need worrying about now, but it's hard to fight your programming sometimes.

Anyway, someone once told me that we are human 'beings', not human 'doings' and something I like to remind myself of that every now and again. I rush about trying to do everything and forget that sitting and 'being' is a very nice pastime too. (See I do listen to you Mark x).

For all those other suffers of 'to-do listamania' remember the old adage 'what do you want to be remembered for when you die?' Do you really want it to be that you always had a clean house, never forgot anything and always baked the cake, never bought it? Forget after your dead, what do you want to look back on when you're older - the clean house and meticulous filing, or the fact that you spent time with loved ones, took time to stop and look around at this beautiful world and enjoyed life?

Now if I can just practice what I preach....

Comments

]]>What's it all about?http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/07/24/what_s_it_all_about~983682/2006-07-24T09:48:29+02:00 Hi Feeling a bit odd today. Everything's going along fine, but suddenly it all feels a bit hollow. It's hard to explain, I suppose it's the age old question - 'what is the meaning of life?' and before you tell me, I know it's 42 (sci-fan here). Don't you just get that way sometimes, you've got the job, home and partner, (I have chosen to not have children - is that the reason?) but you start to wonder whether there's something else you're missing? This is not where it turns into a sermon, but the fact that I'm a Christian makes it more worrying as a question for me. I go to church, volunteer and I'm about to start to train as a Lay Minister, but am I still too comfortable? To truly be living life to the full, should I be giving up everything I have and travelling the world helping others? I don't think the world would work if everyone did that, so where does that leave those that are left to get on with everyday life? Lots of questions, but precious few answers. If I find any I'll let you know! Here endeth the lesson!! <a href="http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/07/24/what_s_it_all_about~983682/#comments">Comments</a> Hi

Feeling a bit odd today. Everything's going along fine, but suddenly it all feels a bit hollow. It's hard to explain, I suppose it's the age old question - 'what is the meaning of life?' and before you tell me, I know it's 42 (sci-fan here).

Don't you just get that way sometimes, you've got the job, home and partner, (I have chosen to not have children - is that the reason?) but you start to wonder whether there's something else you're missing? This is not where it turns into a sermon, but the fact that I'm a Christian makes it more worrying as a question for me. I go to church, volunteer and I'm about to start to train as a Lay Minister, but am I still too comfortable? To truly be living life to the full, should I be giving up everything I have and travelling the world helping others? I don't think the world would work if everyone did that, so where does that leave those that are left to get on with everyday life?

Lots of questions, but precious few answers. If I find any I'll let you know!

Here endeth the lesson!!

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]]>And Relax...http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/07/10/and_relax~948124/2006-07-10T11:01:10+02:00 Just had one of those weeks where all routine goes out the window and before you finish one thing, you preparing for the next. I've been away for work, had a day out, helped out at a gala day (fitting in baking cakes and muffins somewhere along the line!) and then had an induction day for my return to college in September. All very enjoyable events, but when I planned at least the first few, they didn't appear to all hit me the same week. My feet ache, I could sleep for England (not much change there though) and just need to stop and take a breath. However, I got to travel to new places, meet new people, give something back to my local community and get fired up about starting my course, so maybe on balance the tiredness and aching are worth it!!! <a href="http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/07/10/and_relax~948124/#comments">Comments</a> Just had one of those weeks where all routine goes out the window and before you finish one thing, you preparing for the next.

I've been away for work, had a day out, helped out at a gala day (fitting in baking cakes and muffins somewhere along the line!) and then had an induction day for my return to college in September. All very enjoyable events, but when I planned at least the first few, they didn't appear to all hit me the same week.

My feet ache, I could sleep for England (not much change there though) and just need to stop and take a breath. However, I got to travel to new places, meet new people, give something back to my local community and get fired up about starting my course, so maybe on balance the tiredness and aching are worth it!!!

Comments

]]>Grow Up - What For?http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/05/31/grow_up_what_for~844498/2006-05-31T20:13:07+02:00 <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=590727"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/727/590727_ae117ef0dd_s.jpg" align="" alt="STEVE01" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> Hi I indulged my inner child this weekend. There's a shop where you can pick a teddy bear, have it stuffed, give them a voice and then buy them outfits. I may be thirtysomething years old, but something inside kept crying out for one of these little chaps. So the latest addition to our family is Steve; up to now he has an England tshirt, jeans and trainers, a tshirt that says 'Whatever', a wizard (Harry Potter style) outfit and a postman outfit. Maybe he's my substitute child, I don't know, my hubby thinks I'm daft, but what's wrong with being a bit daft every once in a while? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"> <a href="http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/05/31/grow_up_what_for~844498/#comments">Comments</a>

I indulged my inner child this weekend. There's a shop where you can pick a teddy bear, have it stuffed, give them a voice and then buy them outfits. I may be thirtysomething years old, but something inside kept crying out for one of these little chaps. So the latest addition to our family is Steve; up to now he has an England tshirt, jeans and trainers, a tshirt that says 'Whatever', a wizard (Harry Potter style) outfit and a postman outfit.

Maybe he's my substitute child, I don't know, my hubby thinks I'm daft, but what's wrong with being a bit daft every once in a while? :crazy:

Comments

]]>What would you wish for?http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/05/21/what_would_you_wish_for~818058/2006-05-21T19:58:22+02:00 I've been watching a programme today (Xfiles) and there was a genie granting everyone who found her three wishes. However, every time someone wished for something it didn't turn out as they expected - Mulder wished for world peace and the genie just got rid of all the people. It made me think - if I had three wishes, what would I wish for? Money, my late father, special powers? I don't think any of these would bring me true happiness in the end, even without the inevitable catch - and there's always a catch. When you think about it, it's not a very easy question to answer is it. What would you wish for??? <a href="http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/05/21/what_would_you_wish_for~818058/#comments">Comments</a> I've been watching a programme today (Xfiles) and there was a genie granting everyone who found her three wishes. However, every time someone wished for something it didn't turn out as they expected - Mulder wished for world peace and the genie just got rid of all the people.

It made me think - if I had three wishes, what would I wish for? Money, my late father, special powers? I don't think any of these would bring me true happiness in the end, even without the inevitable catch - and there's always a catch. When you think about it, it's not a very easy question to answer is it.

What would you wish for???

Comments

]]>Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/05/15/always_look_on_the_bright_side_of_life~801472/2006-05-15T15:41:37+02:00 I was dreading today. I finished work on Friday thinking today would be awful however, as it turns out it has all been fine, great in fact. So my words of wisdom for today are 'always look on the bright side of life!' It's rarely as bad as it seems and even if things do go wrong you might as well be happy beforehand. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> <a href="http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/05/15/always_look_on_the_bright_side_of_life~801472/#comments">Comments</a> I was dreading today. I finished work on Friday thinking today would be awful however, as it turns out it has all been fine, great in fact. So my words of wisdom for today are 'always look on the bright side of life!' It's rarely as bad as it seems and even if things do go wrong you might as well be happy beforehand.

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]]>Hi!http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/05/09/hi~786874/2006-05-09T15:22:05+02:00 Well, I've taken the plunge and signed up for my very own blog. Don't know much about them yet, but I'm sure I'll pick it up. The first challenge will be to find a photo that won't scare you all away! As my profile says, I've been happily married to Mark for 15years. We've no kids, but several animals. As well as four cats, I have a hamster called Lex. I sadly lost my rabbit, Gracie earlier this year. I enjoy reading, walking, arts and crafts, and I've just joined a gym. I'm a bit of a hippy and I love Sci Fi. My favourite shows are Charmed, Smallville, Invasion, Bones and Doctor Who. I've also just got hooked on Lost. Anyway that's all for now. CL <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> <a href="http://cat-lady.blog.co.uk/2006/05/09/hi~786874/#comments">Comments</a> Well, I've taken the plunge and signed up for my very own blog. Don't know much about them yet, but I'm sure I'll pick it up. The first challenge will be to find a photo that won't scare you all away!

As my profile says, I've been happily married to Mark for 15years. We've no kids, but several animals. As well as four cats, I have a hamster called Lex. I sadly lost my rabbit, Gracie earlier this year.

I enjoy reading, walking, arts and crafts, and I've just joined a gym. I'm a bit of a hippy and I love Sci Fi. My favourite shows are Charmed, Smallville, Invasion, Bones and Doctor Who. I've also just got hooked on Lost.

Anyway that's all for now. CL :wave:

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