Reflections are worth looking at..

Time has been passing and I've failed to look at what's going on personally, no journal or pictures for a few weeks - it's time to rectify it and look back and forward.

I will try to restart and perhaps catch-up (where appropriate).

First

Christmas (the challenges)

Nice to have a present

Christmas has to me felt even more interminable than usual -it does pressure many (me not so much), the cost is both emotional and financial to those who can often feel unreasonably and unseasonably strained.

Pre 'The Big Day' had a bit of a tidy up and found presents from last year that were still hanging around and I expect High Street Charity shops will be on the end of a bonanza of stuff - seems maximum consumption may have been reached in some of the  western/developed economies.

 

[Looking at this I find a reminder of what government should do to get their domestic economies' moving (should they choose to) which is to give money to the poor who will spend rather than the rich who will save.

   

Speaking to people I meet the reports of how much they enjoy their winter holidays - have been surprised that some have developed strategies that help them manage their particular issues - and goodness knows what those who take their cues from Social Media will feel at their perceived inadequacies.

 

Christmas (the payback)

Well to be fair it isn't all bad news  - we (or many of us anyway)  do get a chance to spend time away from the treadmill and have a bit of a digital detox.  

A time for 'kids' of all ages in Portsmouth

Not real snow..

Of course Christmas (the gift giving bit anyway) is for children and there is pleasure there in gifts, games and too many sweets.

 

We had a weekend in Portsmouth to buy some gifts (in theory) and there are Christmas markets all over the place at this time of year.

Of course the way that Christmas runs into New Year also lets us reflect what we have done and how we might improve in the New Year.

For my part I'm back on the Philosophy Trail (see below) and also going to try and write a story.

Looking Back

Am happy to report I've made some efforts to improve my diet (less Meat and Sweets) and (perhaps) less alcohol.

Looking Forward -Philosophy/Religion  (The Natural World)

A couple of years back I worked through a Marcus Weeks book and I did start  another (similar one) called  'Religion in Minutes' which I'll  try to work through again)- I'm now much drawn to Stoicism and would recommend  subscribing to Daily Stoic. 

 So the first thought/ subject is The Natural World - as Man moved to group living and sometimes had excess he/she became able to spend time working out more about existence, life was dominated by nature and  the heavens appeared mysterious - society looked for order and existence narratives.

Media

Sad to hear that Sister Wendy - Art expert has died, yesterday I listened to her (and also E H Gombrich) editions of Desert Island Discs - both inspirational and serious people, I hope to take some time to follow similar directions to them and read my copy of The Story of Art - Sister Wendy spoke of how she used to read 2 books every day!

Me

Photo's as before on Twitter daily