We don’t have a perfect relationship. Nor would we claim to. We both have a propensity to wind each other up and disagree at times. Relationships are often about making compromises and overlooking each other’s foibles. And, more than that, remembering our own faults and shortcomings before dwelling on another’s. In the end, it might …
People criticise me for not learning to speak Turkish properly. But, honestly, I’m perfectly content, as it keeps me out of all-consuming family feuds. Well, that and living 2,700 miles away. I recommend that everyone keeps their inlaws at a healthy distance. Even if I could speak Turkish fluently, I’d still play dumb.
“Where are all the good men?” she sobs, lonely and afraid. Dare we break this to her? There are no good men. We are all compromised in some way. None is perfect. You’re just going to have to settle for a “trying his best” man. He might be kind but not wealthy. Or wealthy but …
Is Andrew Tate really to blame for an alleged rise in sexism and misogyny amongst young men, or is he just a convenient scapegoat for society-wide issues? Not long ago, I noticed a worrying shift in a young man’s attitudes — misogynistic language creeping into his speech. He doesn’t have access to Andrew Tate’s content, but …
“Help your dad,” says his mum. “I will, I will,” he yells back. Though evidently not while I actually need help. He’ll come to my aid after I’ve finished. Maybe.
Funnily enough, I occupy the role of interpretive layer between the techies of IT and the non-techies of the rest of the organisation. I’m the intermediary who tries to explain in simple terms what each side is talking about. Who knew a Simple Simon could be so helpful?
Is our faith relevant to the times we live in? For many of our detractors, of course, the answer is a hard no: it is irrelevant at best, if not outright harmful. But is that really so? One of the central principles I have learnt is that in moments of uncertainty, our faith teaches us …
Live with them in kindness, says the Quran. But many of us have inner impulses that are anything but kind. Our test is in how we respond. Do we feed them and make them real? Or do we subdue them, recalling a better way to live our lives? Only we can determine which side of us …
You say, “What I want to do is permissible for me.” I say, “Yes, but is it kind?” For kindness is a quality that beautifies actions. Its removal a thing that spoils them. Perhaps you desire a thing but it is bad for you. Perhaps you can do better than that.
Dear family, I took the liberty of ordering my birthday present from you on your behalf. It’s the only way I can justify buying nice stuff for myself. Don’t fret, I remained a spendthrift. And I used my own money (who else’s would it be?). Cheers! P.S. I still need socks if you want to …
Isn’t it strange that some people are stirred by their conscience to make amends for relatively minor events in their lives, while those that kill and maim thousands indiscriminately appear not to feel a thing? About ten years after graduating from my Masters degree in Scotland, a former student somehow got in touch, desperate to …
I think it was raising children that made me wish away the years. I didn’t see the decade whisper past until yesterday when I looked in the mirror and noticed my beard turning white. Am I growing up at last?
Back to work after a week off. Only 150 emails in my inbox — not bad — and fortunately, most of them were workflow notifications. It’s always a relief to mostly go unnoticed. How I live my life.
From our old allotment with our old neighbours.
Coping with your teenager
