Saturday, 27 December 2008
To us a child is given
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Christmas traditions
Two thoughts occurred to me. Firstly, with families come traditions – some good, some… well, let’s say stuck in the past. We had our first family Christmas celebration yesterday with the Fish Wife’s family in Fishtown. It didn’t go entirely smoothly! The events of the day served to remind us that as we are now firmly embedded in our middle age, so her parents are now old… and things will have to change in the future.
The second thought was prompted by an entry over at A Sideways Glance, which prompted the thought that there is a community aspect to Christmas. This could be about the office parties, church events, or just friends getting together. Now if we read the biblical accounts of the first Christmas, it was basically a community event. There was no extended family for Mary, Joseph and Jesus – they were joined by fellow travellers, working shepherds, wandering magi.
Is there a point to all of this? Maybe it’s just to say that our traditions are not always what they seem (a theme that I’ll return to some time soon), but let’s make the best of them and
Have a happy Christmas.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
My favourite Christmas card
I hope I don’t offend anyone by singling out one of the many Christmas cards that we’ve received, but I really liked this one. The picture is called
It’s actually a corporate card - from one of the professional associations that I belong to. Usually I find that this type of card comes with some sort of ‘tinsel-ly’ version of the corporate logo, fit only for the recycling pile. There are two reasons why I liked this one. Firstly, it was sold in aid of a charity which provides independent advocacy for young people who are in residential care, and I think that it’s a good way for my association (The Association of Directors of Social Work) to spend money if they choose to send Christmas cards to their members.
But the main reason that I liked the card was the image on the front of it. It seems to fit with the way that I feel about Christmas this year. It’s alright to join in the festivities of the season (provided we don’t behave excessively in any form of consumption). At this time of year it’s good to have some fun and relax. This is a long-standing tradition in the dark, chilly northern winters. Yet, it seems to me that there is another message in this card – that while the festivities and Christmas lights might be in the foreground, there is something cosmic happening in the background. For many people, that’s how it will stay. But for me, as we approach Christmas Day, the emphasis is changing. I’m taking the time to focus on the cosmic aspect, to meditate and reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth. This may sound a bit trite – but I’m happy that I’ve found a way to bridge the gap this year… and not to be seen as the Christian killjoy moaning about the commercialisation of Christmas.
Christmas is what we make it – either a time of fun, relaxation and rejoicing or of stress-filled moaning and negativity.
Earlier this week I found this quotation, and while it’s out of context… it does seem to fit the bill.
“In the midst of the noise, rush, distractions and soul-neglect, we make space for God to speak to us and renew our relationship with him.”
Friday, 19 December 2008
Sunday, 14 December 2008
The Christmas party dilemma
Then the day of the party comes around and I really don’t want to go, and I promise to myself that next year I’m definitely NOT going. There are some convincing reasons why I shouldn’t go – it’s an additional commute only at the weekend; it disrupts family time; since I’m driving, I don’t drink – which means that I see and remember things more clearly than most of the others.
But really these are just excuses, as I attempt to justify my future non-attendance to myself.
Does the attendance of the boss boost morale or put a damper on the enjoyment of others? I don’t know – maybe a bit of the former. But for my staff group the latter seems to be completely irrelevant, which is great!
So, last might I duly went, and had a fairly good time. The food was mediocre, and the behaviour was boisterous. But I’m glad I went, and I did enjoy myself – staying much longer than I had intended at the start of the evening.
I consider myself to be very fortunate to have the staff group that I do. All of the teams mingled freely during the evening, there was much laughter and fun, three people who left us during the year came back for the party, and I didn’t feel like too much of a party-pooper.
It’ll be interesting to hear some of the tales on Monday, although I recognise that I will only hear the edited highlights!
Will I go next year? Almost certainly. Who knows I might even try to forget that i'm the boss, and just have some (sober) fun!
Friday, 12 December 2008
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Mundane, whimsical anarchy
My favourites were the Clangers - funny pink creatures that lived on the moon and spoke in whistles. Or so I thought, until I discovered that the whistles were used to represent English words. Postgate got into a bit of trouble with the (then) uptight BBC for the clip below. Now I don't usually think that swearing is big or clever, but I do like this clip for it's realism and Postgate's subversive streak in including it on a children's programme for Auntie Beeb.
They certainly don't make them like they used to!! (And yes, there is more than a little irony in Jonathan Ross' presence on that episode of QI!!)
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Fire in the sky
Friday, 5 December 2008
Bellwethers and self-awareness
I was interested to discover the original meaning of bellwether – it’s the leading sheep of a flock, with a bell on its neck. So now you know too!
Of course it’s the other meaning that we tend to focus on nowadays – the indicator of a trend concept.
Why was I thinking about any of this in relation to self-awareness and developing daily disciplines? Well, over recent years I’ve identified a few triggers that indicate that I’m a bit off form. I don’t mean anything dramatic, just little things that happen ordinarily when I’m OK, but somehow slip away when I’m not. I use them as wee warnings that I need to take some time to work out what’s going on. Sometimes it’s simply physical (for example, I’ve had a cold recently), but it’s harder to recognise when it’s emotional. Of course, the change in demeanour doesn’t (usually) happen overnight. Hence the bellwethers, the wee things that might show you that everything’s not quite hunky-dory.
Some of the things that are indicators for me include:
- Reading the newspaper every day
- Trimming my beard regularly
- Polishing shoes
There are others, but it’s quite a dull list – those three are the highlights!! The point of this entry – if there is one – is to suggest that developing these bellwethers might just help you to spot that things are heading south, as early as possible.
Of course, once you spot it you need to do something about it!
Bellwethers and self-awareness
I was interested to discover the original meaning of bellwether – it’s the leading sheep of a flock, with a bell on its neck. So now you know too!
Of course it’s the other meaning that we tend to focus on nowadays – the indicator of a trend concept.
Why was I thinking about any of this in relation to self-awareness and developing daily disciplines? Well, over recent years I’ve identified a few triggers that indicate that I’m a bit off form. I don’t mean anything dramatic, just little things that happen ordinarily when I’m OK, but somehow slip away when I’m not. I use them as wee warnings that I need to take some time to work out what’s going on. Sometimes it’s simply physical (for example, I’ve had a cold recently), but it’s harder to recognise when it’s emotional. Of course, the change in demeanour doesn’t (usually) happen overnight. Hence the bellwethers, the wee things that might show you that everything’s not quite hunky-dory.
Some of the things that are indicators for me include:
- Reading the newspaper every day
- Trimming my beard regularly
- Polishing shoes
There are others, but it’s quite a dull list – those three are the highlights!! The point of this entry – if there is one – is to suggest that developing these bellwethers might just help you to spot that things are heading south, as early as possible.
Of course, once you spot it you need to do something about it!