When navigating, it is obviously important to know where you are to start with. This seal has climbed out of the sea for a rest – its navigational skills are not in question but it looks as if it is asking the question, ‘Who am I?’. Likely, it was probably asking, ‘Who are you taking […]
Most of us like a project of some kind so long as it is not overwhelming. Somehow it is more satisfying than a routine chore like hoovering or washing the dishes. Ideally, a project needs a plan with a timeline, the right tools and materials.
With the vision for it taking shape, there is a sense of purpose and pending fulfilment. There are bound to be distractions and probably some difficulties to overcome.
The world-famous Kew Gardens holds many wonders from the natural world which are easily missed because there are so many of them in one place. It also has beautiful and thought-provoking internal exhibitions within the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. This photo shows one of them – thousands of tiny metal intricately shaped trees are placed in sand. On one side they are black. As you walk alongside, they become invisible, but when you pass them and look back you see each one is painted in colours.
Life on the edge is where explorers, astronauts and extreme athletes choose to live. It is demanding and risky which is why they are so admired. Yet in another sense, we all live on some edge – it could be financial constraints, health limitations, emotional well-being or our personal abilities. These all will ebb and flow like the tide through our lives. The edge is always on the move. There is another more important edge – the edge of eternity. All human beings share one thing – we are all one heartbeat away from knowing if eternity exists beyond the grave.
There’s a pithy saying: ‘If in doubt, don’t!’ That is the safer way to play it, especially if it comes to working with electricity as you may have discovered. Rewiring a house is a job for a trained electrician and not for a willing amateur! The opposite approach is taken by some with likely dire consequences: ‘If in doubt, do!’ If you look at the bigger picture of ‘do’ and ‘don’t’, everyone needs something to do.
We like to be seen by a professional such as a doctor, accountant or lawyer. It is reassuring to know that they are experts in their field with letters after their names. They bring specialist knowledge and experience to advise us in our need. In fact, the more senior they are and the more letters of distinction, the better we feel. Amateurism is a word that conveys weakness and uncertainty, for can an amateur really be trusted? Here’s a variety of views, some of which are amusing, thought-provoking or deeply challenging. If you research the backgrounds of any here you don’t know, it certainly adds to the interest! Hegel finds something to share as he considers shoes!
It has been said that our plans amuse God! We can all certainly think of plans made at different stages of our lives that have come to nothing and perhaps seem foolish or naïve in retrospect. Compare the innocence of lambs which have no plans to those which litter the graves of every human being! Does that mean to say that it is wrong to plan? Have we not been given brains to weigh up options, consider priorities and find the best solutions to problems? It is the direction and motive behind every plan that is of greatest significance. Is the goal solely to satisfy self, even at the expense of others or perhaps in some way to have disregard for God’s ways?
