by emma | Feb 16, 2009 | Everything Else
Read an interesting article on BJP about the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (an ammendment to the Terrorism Act 2000), which allows for the arrest and imprisonment of anyone who takes pictures of police officers ‘likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism’.
It covers members of the armed forces, the intelligence services and police officers, and if found guilty you could be facing up to 10 years in jail.
What do you guys think about this? I have some thoughts, but I’d like to hear your comments first…
by emma | Feb 15, 2009 | Faith, Musings
I took off a few days last week and headed on retreat, unplugging from the wider world for a couple days. I feel so much better for it! I disciplined myself to no email, no twitter, no internet… and honestly, it was harder than anticipated. It doesn’t seem to bother me so much when I’m abroad, but when I know it’s there & I could use it if I wanted to… it’s a lot harder not to. I think that time was an eye opener for me, that as much as I love the technology, to never let my worth come from my use of it. Nouwen wrote that as we embrace silence, we quickly discover how dependent we are…
“When we enter into solitude to be with God alone, we quickly discover how dependent we are. Without the many distractions of our daily lives, we feel anxious and tense. When nobody speaks to us, calls on us, or needs our help, we start feeling like nobodies. Then we begin wondering whether we are useful, valuable, and significant. Our tendency is to leave this fearful solitude quickly and get busy again to reassure ourselves that we are ‘somebodies’. But this is a temptation, because what makes us somebodies is not other people’s responses to us but God’s eternal love for us.”
[Henri Nouwen]
These words always hit me hard between the eyes, as I try to live them out and know how miserably I fail. I guess that’s why there is a constant refrain ‘to remember’ in the Bible; God calling us back to the root, to being somebody in his eyes alone. In that knowledge, I long to re-enter daily life with a slower pace; a more relaxed attitude. The world does not fall apart if I check out for a few days. God’s still in control.
I feel like I worked some holy margin back into my life over the last few days; like I gave myself a little space to dream, to play, to be again. I need that little bit of margin in my week to give me space to breathe and dream and create; that somewhat paradoxically actually increases productivity by taking time off. I know that’s been missing lately, and I desperately want to cling onto it this time round.
So tell me, what works for you guys? What rhythms, if any, do you have for your days & weeks? For those of you who often work weekends, when do you take time off?
by emma | Feb 14, 2009 | Photography
Last week I got to see a photography exhibition by Sam Taylor-Wood, at the Mitchell Library.
“Portraits For Maggie’s” is a touching glimpse into the life of the Maggie’s Centre in Fife, a drop-in centre for people affected by cancer. Seventeen people came in & had their photograph taken by Taylor-Wood, who conveys their stories with sensitivity & grace.
Find out more about Maggies Centres.
The exhibition runs 26 Jan – 20 Feb at the Mitchell Library, Glasgow.
by emma | Feb 11, 2009 | Everything Else
I’m taking off on retreat for a few days. Need some space & time to decompress and just unwind a bit. Unplugging from email, twitter, facebook, all t’internet, mobile…
See ya Saturday.
by emma | Feb 10, 2009 | Film
Went to see Revolutionary Road last week with a few girls from housegroup. Not an enjoyable film to watch, but a very good one.
I was intrigued by how the only person speaking any sense was the one that was considered insane.
I was challenged to not give up on my dreams.
I was reminded that every choice has a cost.
“It takes backbone to lead the life you want, Frank.”
[April Wheeler]
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