History is littered with tragic celebrity deaths - Kurt Cobain, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, Karen Carpenter, Amy Winehouse to mention a few and then, last weekend Whitney Houston.
Is it the pressure, attention (that they so often initially seek) and money that can be seen as the root cause? It may be so but I actually think that it is a reflection of human life. Emotions are part of our human make up and we often wouldn't be without them. However many people in life suffer things they struggle to cope with resulting in addictions, mental health issues and worse. This is not unique to celebrities.
At the end of the day, there are people whose lives provide them with the intervvention or diversion that they need that helps them cope and there are those who either do not find this or do not grasp it when it comes along. Within the last month, James Corden has spoken about how fame affected him. He describes his behaviour 4 years ago as "spoilt and brattish" and says he was feeling lost until he opened up to his parents and took the decision to listen to them and the advice of friends.
At work as a pharmacist, on a daily basis, I see patients who suffer. It may not be so publicly but we are all vulnerable as humans. I draw inspiration though from the heroin addicts that I see that embark on a methadone programme and come out the other side. It may not always happen, but it can happen.
And yes - famous or not - we like to blame addicts for "getting themselves in that situation" but how many of us truly would choose to wake up tomorrow and be an addict? My advice: keep talking to your friends and be a true friend to those you know. Having a support network and being a support for others will help with the tough times that we will no doubt have ahead of us at times. Let's make sure we celebrate and appreciate the good times too!
Monday, 13 February 2012
Why blog and what to blog about?
Having not written in my blog for over 6 months again, I really wanted to make another entry and get it kick started again. I then started wondering what to write about and from there, why am I actually blogging? Is it for my benefit or other people's?
Am I thinking this too much, well maybe!
Some blogs seem to be people talking about social issues / current affairs and trying to challenge the thinking of their readers. Some blogs seem to be a kind of diary. Maybe the reason my blog needs a kick start is because I'm not sure of which kind my blog is.
I think mine falls into the third category though - a bit of both. Why I didn't come to that conclusion earlier who knows - after all the blog is entitled "Blended Girl"! I feel my blog will sometimes be cathartic and a way of expressing myself and other times may speak about issues that I feel strongly about. I have come to the conclusion that this is absolutely fine. Selfishly my blog will be for me - an oultlet from the business of life and some valued reflection time. If other people choose to read my blog, I am flattered and hope that they will find some benefit - whether it be entertainment or a different view of life.
Here goes a new chapter in the life of Blended Girl!
Am I thinking this too much, well maybe!
Some blogs seem to be people talking about social issues / current affairs and trying to challenge the thinking of their readers. Some blogs seem to be a kind of diary. Maybe the reason my blog needs a kick start is because I'm not sure of which kind my blog is.
I think mine falls into the third category though - a bit of both. Why I didn't come to that conclusion earlier who knows - after all the blog is entitled "Blended Girl"! I feel my blog will sometimes be cathartic and a way of expressing myself and other times may speak about issues that I feel strongly about. I have come to the conclusion that this is absolutely fine. Selfishly my blog will be for me - an oultlet from the business of life and some valued reflection time. If other people choose to read my blog, I am flattered and hope that they will find some benefit - whether it be entertainment or a different view of life.
Here goes a new chapter in the life of Blended Girl!
Saturday, 30 July 2011
The caterpillar and the butterfly
So how did that happen? It's the end of July already and this is only my second blog entry for 2011!
If there's anything that 2011 has shown me so far, it's the fragility of life combined with the strength of spirit. For many people I know it has been a tough year. Even this week, a family I know have suffered the loss of their teenage daughter to cancer. So very heartbreaking and tragic and yet I know in years to come they will be comforted by her smile and particularly her fortitude.
Also this week, I found out that an ex-work colleague had died. I knew she'd been fighting breast cancer for a few years. In the end though she fell down the stairs and died from the resulting head injury. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason and no sense.
I saw this quote a few weeks ago and thought it was a beautiful slant on the fragility of life: "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly".
My faith cannot explain tragedies or losses. It cannot explain why, in Norway, someone would instigate two attacks on innocent people in a day, killing over 80 people. I have to allow myself to question but also to trust in God's love. A love that allows us free will and choice, a love that doesn't smother but a love that sets us free and allows us to be more of ourselves. In return, I will strive to make the most of every day - to focus on the important things in life rather than the passing material things or the things I have no control over.
In the meantime, who knows what is around the corner? But I hope to face each corner or bend in the road with strength, fortitude and faith, no matter how challenging. Life is fragile but it is also filled with excitement and amazing people. I also need to remember that it's worth taking a few risks in life - give it a go. If it doesn't work out, you'll get by but if you don't even try, you'll never get there.
If there's anything that 2011 has shown me so far, it's the fragility of life combined with the strength of spirit. For many people I know it has been a tough year. Even this week, a family I know have suffered the loss of their teenage daughter to cancer. So very heartbreaking and tragic and yet I know in years to come they will be comforted by her smile and particularly her fortitude.
Also this week, I found out that an ex-work colleague had died. I knew she'd been fighting breast cancer for a few years. In the end though she fell down the stairs and died from the resulting head injury. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason and no sense.
I saw this quote a few weeks ago and thought it was a beautiful slant on the fragility of life: "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly".
My faith cannot explain tragedies or losses. It cannot explain why, in Norway, someone would instigate two attacks on innocent people in a day, killing over 80 people. I have to allow myself to question but also to trust in God's love. A love that allows us free will and choice, a love that doesn't smother but a love that sets us free and allows us to be more of ourselves. In return, I will strive to make the most of every day - to focus on the important things in life rather than the passing material things or the things I have no control over.
In the meantime, who knows what is around the corner? But I hope to face each corner or bend in the road with strength, fortitude and faith, no matter how challenging. Life is fragile but it is also filled with excitement and amazing people. I also need to remember that it's worth taking a few risks in life - give it a go. If it doesn't work out, you'll get by but if you don't even try, you'll never get there.
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Happy New Year!!
Well today is 1-1-11!
Another year has been and gone and here we are at the start of 2011.
I was asked a few days ago what my hopes were for the coming year. Initially, all the usual things came to mind - happiness, success, health and wealth for me, my family and friends.
After a few minutes though, I changed my answer. I think I spend too much of my life living for the future and for what I wish to achieve / happen.
My resolution this new year is to take the time to enjoy what I have in the here and now. Only on Monday was this brought home to me even more by the tragic car accident that killed Declan's cousin along with 3 others.
I'm really going to try in 2011 to keep things in perspective and appreciate what I have each day. (Hopefully I can do that though whilst enjoying happiness, success, health and wealth with my friends and family!)
Another year has been and gone and here we are at the start of 2011.
I was asked a few days ago what my hopes were for the coming year. Initially, all the usual things came to mind - happiness, success, health and wealth for me, my family and friends.
After a few minutes though, I changed my answer. I think I spend too much of my life living for the future and for what I wish to achieve / happen.
My resolution this new year is to take the time to enjoy what I have in the here and now. Only on Monday was this brought home to me even more by the tragic car accident that killed Declan's cousin along with 3 others.
I'm really going to try in 2011 to keep things in perspective and appreciate what I have each day. (Hopefully I can do that though whilst enjoying happiness, success, health and wealth with my friends and family!)
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
You can make a difference!
A few weeks ago I heard the following quote on the radio: "If you think you're too small to make a difference, you've clearly never been in bed with a mosquito!"
Really made me think. It's very easy to feel insignificant in the big world we live in and I find myself reminded of this frequently - whether it be stuck on the motorway with hundreds of other cars or travelling on the tube in London, wandering round the shops or even looking at the number of people who blog!
I was then reminded again this week of the importance of following through with beliefs and convictions and the wider difference that can make, when I read the story of Edna Wallace, who sadly died last week at the age of 89. Along with her husband, she changed military history and made a difference to the lives of thousands of people.
Edna's second son was 17yo when he died in 1965 while on duty with the Royal Anglian Regiment, three days after beginning a posting in Yemen. Edna and her husband, Jack, received this news via a telegram which told them that their son was presumed drowned after a swimming accident and to find out more, they could contact the War Office between 10am and 4pm Mon-Fri.
The couple were advised that the funeral would be held within hours. No consideration that the family may have wanted to be present at the funeral. They did however gather the money together for a flight and made sure they were present for the funeral.
When they returned to the UK after the funeral, they focussed their energies on changing the way the war dead and their families were treated. After a campaign of thousands of letters and an appeal to the Queen, in 1967 it was announced in the House of Commons that in future, news of a soldier's death would be broken to the families by a senior officer from the regiment and that soldier's bodies would be brought home.
Then later, during the Falklands War, Edna also wrote to Margaret Thatcher, reminding her of the law change following the then Prime Minister's declaration that soldiers killed in conflict would be buried on the island.
What an amazing woman! One who stuck by what she believed to be right to ensure a change. We could do with more people like her in the world and I hope in some small way, some day, I may be able to have a positive impact that will benefit others.
Rest in peace Edna
Really made me think. It's very easy to feel insignificant in the big world we live in and I find myself reminded of this frequently - whether it be stuck on the motorway with hundreds of other cars or travelling on the tube in London, wandering round the shops or even looking at the number of people who blog!
I was then reminded again this week of the importance of following through with beliefs and convictions and the wider difference that can make, when I read the story of Edna Wallace, who sadly died last week at the age of 89. Along with her husband, she changed military history and made a difference to the lives of thousands of people.
Edna's second son was 17yo when he died in 1965 while on duty with the Royal Anglian Regiment, three days after beginning a posting in Yemen. Edna and her husband, Jack, received this news via a telegram which told them that their son was presumed drowned after a swimming accident and to find out more, they could contact the War Office between 10am and 4pm Mon-Fri.
The couple were advised that the funeral would be held within hours. No consideration that the family may have wanted to be present at the funeral. They did however gather the money together for a flight and made sure they were present for the funeral.
When they returned to the UK after the funeral, they focussed their energies on changing the way the war dead and their families were treated. After a campaign of thousands of letters and an appeal to the Queen, in 1967 it was announced in the House of Commons that in future, news of a soldier's death would be broken to the families by a senior officer from the regiment and that soldier's bodies would be brought home.
Then later, during the Falklands War, Edna also wrote to Margaret Thatcher, reminding her of the law change following the then Prime Minister's declaration that soldiers killed in conflict would be buried on the island.
What an amazing woman! One who stuck by what she believed to be right to ensure a change. We could do with more people like her in the world and I hope in some small way, some day, I may be able to have a positive impact that will benefit others.
Rest in peace Edna
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
The Only Way is Up / I Want to Break Free / You Raise Me Up
It is August since I last posted on my blog. It seems a long time - too long.
It was also in August that the mine collapsed in Chile - trapping the 33 miners since 5th August. Their incarceration is about to end. What they must have gone through in these last weeks is unthinkable.
I find the media circus incredible but thinking about it, this is a story of disaster turned to hope and - we all wish for - ultimately a successful rescue. I am sure that in a few years there will be a blockbuster film but in the mean time, the experience of these 33 men and their families is being played out for the world to see. They have been shoved into the forefront of international media through no choice of their own. There are 1000 members of the international media gathered around the rescue shaft - what a sight for the miners as they are freed!
I also find the attitude of the President of Chile incredible - the rescue attempt is not to start until he is personally present and this is all timed to coincide with the main evening news in Chile.
The strongest miner is to come out first - hopefully paving the way for his colleagues to follow within the next 30 hours. On the 5th August, these men were ordinary miners and they will now emerge to the world as some of the biggest celebrities of 2010. Let's pray for a successful rescue and adjustment to their new lives back up on the surface!
It was also in August that the mine collapsed in Chile - trapping the 33 miners since 5th August. Their incarceration is about to end. What they must have gone through in these last weeks is unthinkable.
I find the media circus incredible but thinking about it, this is a story of disaster turned to hope and - we all wish for - ultimately a successful rescue. I am sure that in a few years there will be a blockbuster film but in the mean time, the experience of these 33 men and their families is being played out for the world to see. They have been shoved into the forefront of international media through no choice of their own. There are 1000 members of the international media gathered around the rescue shaft - what a sight for the miners as they are freed!
I also find the attitude of the President of Chile incredible - the rescue attempt is not to start until he is personally present and this is all timed to coincide with the main evening news in Chile.
The strongest miner is to come out first - hopefully paving the way for his colleagues to follow within the next 30 hours. On the 5th August, these men were ordinary miners and they will now emerge to the world as some of the biggest celebrities of 2010. Let's pray for a successful rescue and adjustment to their new lives back up on the surface!
Saturday, 7 August 2010
Kitchen Extension
Well we are now about half way through the building works that will result in our new kitchen :)
The blocks are up and the roof is almost complete. Windows still to be fitted and then the floor to be done and the actual kitchen units and gadgets to be fitted!
This is what it looks like at the moment:
The range, fridge-freezer and microwave are ordered and so are the oak units, sink and worktop. I just can't wait to have it all completed!
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