Mostly I’m unconcerned that I have no influence on the world around me. I can function perfectly well in most situations, especially as my day to day life does not demand significant interaction with others. But every now and then, when attempting to assert myself, I feel I have no control at all, which causes …
It’s funny that while we feel the need to forgive or be forgiven by some, others we simply forget completely. In secondary school, I was tormented for nearly five years without pause by boys on the school bus, every single evening on the journey home. But today I can’t remember them at all: I don’t …
Following the news this week, it would be impossible to ignore that great illusive term: markets. Yes, for the markets have just crashed, wiping billions off the value of, well, just about everything. In a state of panic, investors started selling off pension funds, forcing the Bank of England to intervene to stabilise the situation. …
Alas, we can’t be there, but at least we have video streaming to our phones. The wonders of technology. Until teleportation has been invented, nearly the next best thing.
Apart from those who occasionally surface to like or comment on a post, I have no idea who reads my blog. The basic hosting tier I have provides very limited usage stats; to integrate Google Analytics, I’d need to pay more. I can’t see your IP address. I can’t even view granular geolocation data.
Why do I think the best of people I have no reason to think the best of? Am I hopelessly optimistic or simply extremely naïve? Why do I imagine them to be pure of heart, their motives clean? Is it merely wishful thinking, or have I truly read them right? I suppose I have a …
On Friday, I received a phone call from myself. I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business, when my mobile started to ring. When I glanced down, it showed me a slice of cake, which is my profile picture, and my name. I didn’t answer as I was a bit spooked. What if …
If just days ago I was suffering house-envy, this morning listening to the radio, I can’t help feeling grateful. Grateful not to be still repaying a mortgage as interest rates skyrocket in response to the economic policies of our new overlords. Grateful for a roof over our heads, however supposedly detrimental to our social status.
Catch hold of that lifeline when it’s thrown to you, and don’t let go. I think I can identify four lifelines in my life, though no doubt there were uncountable more. The first would be my faith. I was drowning when I grabbed hold of that rope. It didn’t turn my life around immediately, but …
I realise now that even if I wanted to remain anonymous, it is impossible, for I have left too many breadcrumbs behind me. Every decision, however long ago, to publish under my name, whether in print or online, points back to me. So I am found out. Not that it was ever really a secret; …
Some battles are not worth fighting. Especially if they’re battles at work. In those scenarios, you have to recall that it’s just a job. Do your best. Do what you have to do. Fulfil your responsibilities. But don’t go busting a gut in pursuit of your ideals and principles. There will always be that team …
The self-congratulating activist, revelling in his mastery of identity politics, can’t help but boast of his radical hatred of the Muslim convert — those irritating upstarts everywhere held in contempt — rallying against their pretence of belonging or their claim to the prophetic inheritance. Real Muslims are sick of Muslim converts, they remind us to …
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel hostility with the better deed; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity will become as though he was a devoted friend. Quran 41:34
You would think our activists, supposedly so rigorous, would think to themselves: “I have tens of thousands of impressionable followers on social media. I really must ensure the information I’m sharing is true.”
Who says you can’t domesticate an old donkey? This afternoon I’ve prepared two dishes to last the family the week. I can’t promise they will taste nice, but at least they will be fed.
