A brief reflection on Winter

For the past two Sundays Jim has been preaching on how to overcome the (literal and metaphorical) Winter Blues. I was in church yesterday and was inspired suddenly to write this, because his words were so relevant. It seems I'm not the only one who has reacted with writing, judging from posts on my friends' blogs. Anyway, this is my take on Winter, as for me, it is more than a literal season right now.

Winter

Snow makes for a silent world. There is no wind to stir these laden branches, bowed with their burdens. All is covered, muffled under this blanket that leaves nothing untouched. I ball up snow in a gloved hand and laugh with the rest of them, but after a while, it becomes impossible to ignore winter’s chill. The cold creeps through my shoes, steals between my buttonholes. I find relief in hot tea and cosy feet, but the sky is still iron. Winter is still dead, and Spring is far away.

But I am learning, in the winter of my life, that it hurts, but it’s going to be OK. There is no Spring without Winter. My circumstances get noisy, clamorous; jabbering at me from all sides, and sometimes God seems as silent as the snow. But something is happening underneath the soil, and I know it will blossom into something beautiful, because that’s who God is, the God who’s notice does not escape a single sparrow falling to the ground.

My God knows. Everything. And He is passionately interested in my life. He is the Author and Finisher, and He will see me through to Spring. Every time I lose sight of Him, He steps in, picks me up again, and reminds me that He is so, so good. He has not forgotten me. He has not left me to harsh, cruel Winter, and He will not send me into the cold without bundling me up in His love first. 

2012- thoughts on this year and hopes for the next

Nobody is going to find a summary of my year all that exciting, unless you’re the type who loves receiving Christmas cards with those family newsletters attached. I’m mostly writing this for me, to remember everything I have to be thankful for and to figure out what I want for the future. But if you are reading this, I hope it brings some encouragement.

This time last year I was off to the cinema before ushering in 2012 with the firework display in town. It sounds ridiculously corny, but I remember being with friends, watching the glitter of those fireworks and feeling really good about the year ahead.

It actually got off to a rocky start. I didn’t know whether I even wanted to be at University. The first week back after Christmas, I was a mess of indecision. I put on a brave face, but inwardly I couldn’t have been more miserable.

Help came in the form of very patient parents and good friends, and by the end of that week, I had my answer. I was walking through campus and I suddenly knew I wanted to stay. God showed me where the problem lay, and He showed me what I really wanted. Since then, I focused on everything that was good about my uni life, and though I was still homesick and hating the house I was in, things got better.

Within a fortnight of deciding to stay I’d started volunteering at ‘Kidz Klub’, joined the belly dancing society, and generally made peace with my situation. One of my best friends told me that if I stayed, I’d ‘grab the bull by the horns and really make the most of things’. He was right.

Perhaps best of all about those two weeks was that five other girls and myself found a house for 2^nd year. From the moment we saw it, we knew that house was a gift from God. Everything about it was right, and somehow we managed to be the first viewing of the day and beat several other interested groups to signing the contract. I remember we prayed this house would be a joy and a blessing, to ourselves and to anyone who walked through the door, and after having lived in it for a term, that prayer has been answered in such an obvious way.

Through good and bad (and there were many bad days), God was right there, whether I recognised it or not. With every passing day, I learnt something about myself. Romans 5 v 3-5 says this: ‘But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.’

First year passed; the hardest, strangest, and actually most blessed year of my life so far. Suddenly I was back home, bored after suddenly having nothing to do, and realising I was in desperate need of a job. That prayer was answered too, and I got more than I bargained for with a full time contract in a madly busy office. The job was pretty rubbish really; complaints departments are never fun, and when money is the cause for complaint, you can be sure people are going to be very upset, often obnoxious, and sometimes rude. For an inexperienced temp I had more responsibility than I’d imagined, but also, for an inexperienced temp I was well paid. That job gave me the money I needed to finance a whole term of rent, so with my student loan I was independent of my parents for the first time in my life. (Not sure how next term is going to be financed, but God will sort that one out too).

The most summer holiday I got this year was three days in Northern Ireland to visit a friend, but hopefully next year will be different! We can’t have it all can we?

Eventually September came, I left my job, and Uni started again. The first term of second year was amazing, with countless laughs with my lovely new housemates, growing closer with friends, enjoying my course, and most importantly deepening my relationship with God. I am so so thankful for every friend, every good thing I experienced in the past few months. So happy to be a part of the church I go to. Yes there were low points and difficulties, life is like that, but overall I had a great term.

And suddenly the year is over and I’m sitting contemplating it all. Since coming home for Christmas out family has been hit with a few obstacles, but I know God has good things to come! Since being home I’ve really been seeking him and rejoicing in what he’s done this year, and it’s made me even more excited about next year! And of course, I’m going to Berlin in September! A year ago, I would never have been brave enough to make such a decision.

So what do I want for 2013?

Above all things I want to know Jesus more. I want to go where he leads me, love others the way he loves me, be a blessing to others the way he has blessed me. As of yet I have no other resolutions, because everything good comes from focusing on him. All my hopes and plans are in his hands. Proverbs 16: 3 says ‘Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.’ Not got much to worry about then really.

Well that was my year. I’d love to hear about your’s (and I mean that honestly, I’m one of those people who love reading about other people’s experiences). 

Joy to the World?

Apologies for my silence of late. I’ve been busy with essays and carol concerts and present shopping and social events, etc etc. This time of year is a bit mad for everyone, isn’t it?

Well, I’m back now after having spent the past few days finishing off festive preparations and catching up on much-needed sleep. I’m profoundly grateful to be home for a few weeks as I really need the rest, but if you’re a student you probably know what I mean when I say that coming home is a bit weird. For one reason or another, it’s never quite what you think it will be; expectations don’t quite align with reality, but I’m readjusting.

I’m trusting God will provide a solution to my every problem and concern. Taking one day at a time and 

remembering to be thankful for every good thing (and there are so many) really makes all the difference.

What I’m about to say was coincidentally (or not!) pretty much summed up at church this morning by our speaker, but after jokingly telling him he stole my thunder, he told me that there’s no copywright on what I wanted to share.

This time of year is my almost favourite- I love Spring best of all, but the Christmas and New Year period comes pretty close. There’s so much to enjoy- from family, friends and food to decorating the tree, watching silly films and singing carols. And yes, I do quite like presents too.

None of these things would have any real purpose if we took the true message of Christmas away. I think if we truly grasped how ridiculously amazing the Christmas story is, we would be celebrating with ten times more enthusiasm. John 3: 16 tells it in short. God sent his own son Jesus Christ, to be born amongst men in a messed up, broken world. Born in the most humble of shelters, to an ordinary teenage girl, in a small town in Israel. Jesus, wholly Man, related to us, sharing in our sufferings, and yet was wholly God, healing the sick, showing compassion to the unloved. Through Jesus, the world got to hear the Good News- a Saviour born to free us from the punishment of separation from our Father. On a wooden cross, Jesus paid that price, and rising from the tomb he conquered sin and death.

This is God’s love for his creation; through Jesus, the relationship between God and Man, broken by sin, was mended. This is the greatest gift that ever was and ever will be given. John 10: 10 says ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly’. This ‘life’ includes Freedom to know this God, from whom everything good comes, and the promise of returning to the one who created us, who knows and loves us completely, for an eternity in a realm of perfection.

Maybe you’ve heard all this before and know it in the depths of your soul. Maybe you’ve heard it before but never really believed it was true. Maybe you think it sounds completely insane.

You might be asking how this could be such great news when there’s so much suffering on Earth. The recent Connecticut shootings. War. Poverty. Loneliness. Sickness. For many, many people, Christmas is not a time of joy.

So how can we really enjoy Christmas when there is all this pain in the world? A large part of it is being grateful for what we have; fully appreciate the food on your table, the presents under your tree, and the people around you. God loves to give us good things, but the richest blessings come when there is a thankful, rejoicing heart.

Several weeks ago, the pastor at my church spoke about the Kingdom of God, and how it is Here and also Not Yet. Jesus came to bring salvation, but he is coming again to make all things new. To make right a hurting world. Suffering is a part of this life, and we cannot make it all go away.

But. 

The Kingdom being ‘here’ means that though Jesus is not walking the Earth as Man any longer, the Holy Spirit dwells among us, working to free us from pain, from oppression, from guilt. And with that freedom comes the opportunity to love as we have been loved, to help ease all that suffering just a little bit.

This time of year does highlight the extremes of joy and pain in this world. The difference we can make to the lives of others may not seem much in the face of so much sadness, but let that never be a discouragement. Let’s be generous where we can, be it with time, money, patience or love. Not ‘because it’s Christmas’; there is always need. But if Jesus is truly Joy to the World, let’s respond to that message accordingly.

The happiest of Christmases to you all.

C.

Love, love, is a verb; love is a doing word.

Being an English student can be a wonderful thing. Fellow course-mates left, right and centre seem to be overflowing with creativity; ideas coming fast and exploding into poetry, short stories, even novels. It’s great to see that. Unfortunately I often feel a little left behind.

Having a blog is my way of forcing myself to be creative when I feel like I can’t. As a child I had such a huge imagination, but university is busy and much of the time I’m exhausted and I have no idea how to translate my life with all its mundanities and absurdities and blessings and trials into something beautiful that people would want to read about.

So I write my blog, when I feel just a little bit more inspired and little less blah, and though it may not be poetry it’s still my life organised in a way I can make sense of, regardless of whether others gain from my posts or not.

There is always the challenge of deciding what to write about. I was in a boring and slightly irrelevant lecture yesterday, so I used my lack of concentration to my advantage and asked myself, ‘what do I love? What am I passionate about? What’s been important to me recently?’ Because if I could figure that out, I’d have something to write about, right?

Well as I thought about it I realised that this term so far has been largely about love. Love given, and love received.

Before you start making faces at the screen, let me clarify. I don’t mean the romantic kind, with the big sweeping orchestra and the flowers and the fuzzy feelings.

I mean the type of love that is a reflection of the infinite, overwhelming love that Jesus has for those he has created.

This kind of love is ultimately a decision, not an emotion. Those lines from Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ popped into my head suddenly as I sat in my lecture yesterday: ‘love, love, is a verb; love is a doing word’.

On Sunday I stood in church and once again was so moved by the free, abundant love that is shared among God’s people. It was the end of the service and people were praying for one another. As the worship team continued to play, people stood with a hand on a friend’s shoulder, praying blessings over each other’s lives. 

There were people with their arms around one another, groups laughing together, others supporting those in tears. I am so very grateful and blessed to be part of that.

But loving is not always as easy as it is on Sunday morning when we’ve all been worshipping Jesus and are feeling fresh and pumped up. What about those days when you are swamped in work, or haven’t had enough sleep, or are just generally feeling rubbish? What is love then? Certainly, it’s not a girly, flowery, pink loveheart feeling.

See, that’s where love becomes a conscious effort. Love is gritty. Love is stubborn. It breaks through how you’re feeling. It gives to people who might not be giving it back. It is patient and persistent with friends who let you down and drive you up the wall. It makes time for those who need it.

Let’s be real here- that kind of love is hard.

When you choose to love someone, whether they are a friend or a stranger, you take a risk. It takes a huge amount of vulnerability to really be there for someone, to listen, to support them and expect nothing in return.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8- this passage right here sums up what real love actually is and how we should be living it out.

You might be thinking that all this self-sacrificing nonsense is a bit of drivel. Maybe you’re thinking that the God I serve doesn’t want me to be happy, if He is commanding me to love in this way. That includes loving people who might not deserve it.

But see, Jesus loved us first. (Read this post - http://beccathinks.tumblr.com/page/7  by my awesome friend Becca for more of that). None of us deserve the depth of love that Jesus has for us. Jesus didn’t have to die for me. I sometimes look at myself, the real true self that I can keep hidden from everyone else, and wonder what God sees in me, that He should love me so completely.

Having known that love is what enables me to pursue this radical life of loving others. I fail quite spectacularly time and time again; but instead of letting guilt make me feel inadequate, I lean on God. Because God always, always provides.

This is the thing. God knows that I need to receive love just as much as the people He commands me to love. I might not get the same love back from the people I give it to. But the right people are there at the right time, often unexpected but so valued. They probably have no idea how much I needed that smile, that hug, that word of encouragement.

Sunday mornings, evenings laughing with my housemates, a chat with my mum on the phone, small group, coffee dates with friends. Whenever I feel discouraged, I think of these things.

The best thing about choosing to live this way is that sometimes, loving others isn’t hard at all, because those people are loving you right back. 

The Insecurity of the Introvert

Inspiration comes in the most unexpected of places, and in this case it was on the train last night as I travelled home for my mother’s birthday. I’d been wondering recently whether inspiration was going to strike at all or if my blog was just going to end up like another project I’d started and abandoned somewhere along the way. Of course, I don’t expect it to last forever, as there is a time and place for these things, but it would
be a shame for it to end after only a few months.

Sometimes I get those days where I just take things too personally and assign negative motives to everything everyone says and does. (In other words, sometimes PMS just affects me really bad).

Even on normal days, though, this feeling rears its ugly head now and then- the insecurity that comes from feeling misunderstood.

Insecurity is something that affects everybody to a greater or lesser extent, and feeling like no-one understands you is probably something a lot of introverts experience. Being one myself, I hope any reading this can identify.

Firstly, the word introvert is often used incorrectly. Being an introvert does not necessarily mean you are a) antisocial, b) shy, or c) have no friends. It just means you gain energy from having time to yourself and doing solitary activities, whereas extroverts are stimulated by more social interaction. Introverts think a lot, but they may not say much. Introverts often express themselves better in writing than verbal communication; they may hate small talk but enjoy deep discussions.

Secondly, most people are not extreme examples of either end of the scale but lean more to one side than the other. This means an extrovert might still value some alone time, and introverts don’t hate all parties.

When I discovered this insight into introversion/extroversion, I finally understood and accepted myself a whole lot more, but sometimes I still get insecure about the way I come across.

Because being an introvert in today’s culture is not really seen as a desirable thing, at least in my experience. In school, I was constantly told off at parent’s evening for being ‘too quiet’. I was made leader of a group project and then told I did ‘surprisingly well’, as though my quieter nature was expected to equate with no confidence or leadership abilities. (I eventually became a House Leader, so that theory was disproved). The louder, more talkative kids in my class were given more attention than those who spoke less. Being an introverted university student can also be difficult- if you’re not massively into partying, you can end up feeling isolated. There seems to be a lot of pressure on people to be very social and outgoing, when that can actually go against their true natures.  

As somehow who is quite introverted, I’ve often felt misunderstood. I am by nature reasonably quiet. I’ve been blessed with an encouraging family and many opportunities to develop confidence, and I’ve reached a point in my life where I can comfortably say I’m fairly self-assured. So when others mistake me for being shy and withdrawn, I get really frustrated.

I don’t always say much, but with a tendency to blunt-ness and no-nonsense, I worry that people think I’m standoffish. I can come across as too serious and I worry that people think I’m boring, but if I try too hard to be more light-hearted I just tire myself out. I’m naturally friendly, but then people expect me to want to be chatty all the time, which isn’t the case at all. Sometimes all I want is to read a book and be left alone.

The above is surefire evidence that I worry too much. I don’t need to feel validated by anybody. God thinks I’m wonderful, so it’s silly to waste time trying to please people.

Introverted traits can be misconstrued, but there is a value in quietness. Sometimes I need to remind myself that my quietness is not a flaw but a strength.

I shouldn’t have to feel a need to apologise for who I am, what I enjoy doing or who I enjoy spending time with.

Well now that that rant’s over, I feel much better.

Any other introverts who’ve had trouble accepting themselves, or wanting to be understood?

Hopefully the next post will be less moany!

(Just to clarify- in no way is this post meant to make introverts look better than extroverts. We are all needed and valuable, and I envy you extroverts with your ability to get on with everyone so easily without needing to crawl back into your bed and watch a film afterwards). 

It's that time of year- some words of encouragement.

This isn’t meant to be a long post, nor a particularly meaty one. I hope though that some will find it helpful.

For adults without children, there is probably nothing significant about this time of year, but for many, it marks change.

Parents watch their four year olds disappear inside school gates for the first time. Nervous pre-teens don smart uniforms and brave the big scary world of high school. School-leavers start jobs or look for employment; others choose Sixth Form or college after their GCSEs. Thousands of students are driven to their new accommodation in cars jammed full of luggage.

Even if you’re just returning to school/college/university for another year, this time of year is probably a bit strange. Change always is.

I’ve been feeling a bit odd these last few days, which is likely a culmination of having finished my job- therefore giving me time to think- and having mixed feelings about going back to uni this weekend.

Mostly I’m really looking forward to it. I’m excited about living in my new house with some lovely girls. I can’t wait to see some friends I’ve missed terribly, and just sit and talk for hours. I look forward to my studies, to going back to Kid’s Klub, to Canterbury Vineyard, and to being in that pretty town again.

Of course there is always apprehension of the unknown though, and I dread having to say my goodbyes to my family. Goodbyes are terrible aren’t they.

But I think mostly what is bothering me is the memories of how I felt this time last year. Last September I was an emotional wreck the week leading up to uni, and when I got there it was even worse. Things are a million times better now, but I can’t help but be reminded of that time- a whole year ago, unbelievably.

These memories make me think of those who are starting/have started uni this year. If you’re reading this and that’s you, I hope these words will be of some encouragement.

My advice to you is simply this: don’t give up. It might be bewildering and overwhelming to start with. You might feel that nothing is worth feeling the way you do right now. I promise it gets better though. There is no cure for homesickness unfortunately, except going home, which is not really a viable option, and time. And when the homesickness goes away, or at least lessens to a point where its bearable, you’ll appreciate all the great thing your uni has to offer. You are where you are for a reason, and yes, you might be faced with some really tough times, but those will shape you and you'll come out stronger for them. 

Psalm 46 says this: “God is our refuge and strength,

    an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam    and the mountains quake with their surging.”

Let God be your strength in these coming days and weeks. This is for those who have started Sixth Form or college too, or have gone back for another year and are finding it tough. He won’t give you more than you can bear, and He has such great things in store for you.

There's a beautiful song by 'The Fray', whose take on Psalm 46:10's 'Be still and know that I am God' is absolutely lovely. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nUuBjz4Vhc

Also, if you haven't heard Bethel's 'Come to me' yet, where have you been? 

The lyrics are just perfect- "I am the LORD your God. I go before you now. I stand beside you, I'm all around you."

I hope those are of some comfort.

To all you new second or third years out there, let’s have an amazing year! I’m excited to see your faces.

Love, C.

A True Lady- Part II

Following on from my post on Proverbs 31, I want to share my thoughts on something that for the most part seems to have gone from society, and that’s the idea of being a ‘lady’. We women often complain about how there aren’t enough gentleman in the world, but I think if we want to retain the right to complain, we need to make sure we’re looking at ourselves first.

This post links in nicely with the last one I think, though no doubt some will find it controversial. 

Oh well. If you disagree, let’s discuss it.

A True Lady- Part I

This post is going to be in two parts, because the points I want to make are sort of separate but linked, if you know what I mean. This is definitely a post for the ladies amongst us, though any gentlemen who are curious are free to read on.

About a month or so back, one of the guys at my home church did a series of sermons on Proverbs. One of the sermons were based on one of my favourites- Proverbs 31- the last chapter in the book.

Many people tend to criticise the bible for subjugating/suppressing women, but for me this passage really contradicts that kind of thinking.

Before you start scratching your heads in confusion, firstly let me clarify that this is NOT a post about marriage, because I’m not exactly qualified in that department, har de har... Someday? I hope so…

I do think that Proverbs 31 is great though because it gives a fine example of what a woman should aspire to be, married or no. And why should we aspire to be so? Well, because it makes the world a much more pleasant place to live in, is one simple reason.

Anyway as I said, I really like this passage, and the sermon on it highlighted some things about it I’d never picked up on before.

How busy are we really?

If you ask the average British citizen how their day has been, chances are the answer will be short and to the point: ‘Busy’. We are a nation of busy people. A world of busy people, really- though our culture is considerably more hurried than others. Our lives can be so busy that we burn ourselves out with ‘doing’, becoming exhausted without really noticing because we’ve downed enough coffee to keep us awake for the next hour.

The fundamental question though is this- is busy a good thing?

Sometimes, it's OK to not know.

One of the most frequent questions a teenager will get asked is the one that can seem the most daunting: ‘So, what do you want to do with your life?’ I have been asked this countless times, by teachers, family, friends, and well-meaning friends of the family. The answer is always the same- ‘I don’t really know’, and then I proceed to offer a couple of potential options so that I don’t come across as someone who is clearly wasting her time and money at university.

The Beauty of Uncertainty

There are times when I get these inexplicable urges to write and honestly I don’t know exactly why. It seems though that as I spill words onto the page, my thoughts rearrange themselves and become clearer in my head; the unconscious becomes conscious, which sounds very Freudian but I believe there is some truth to that idea.

I was looking back on my blog as it is so far and realised that with the exception of a few posts, there is little that truly reflects my own feelings and thoughts as they are now, rather than simply lessons learnt from the past (and of those there are many). So I felt that it was time to give you a little insight into the real me, as I am, right now.

It’s always difficult when it comes to writing for a blog- how much of yourself should you reveal to your readers? You all deserve honesty from me at the very least, for sticking with me thus far, but obviously I cannot go into too many specifics so I hope you will bear with me and not feel as though I’m deliberately speaking in riddles.

Modesty- it's not about looking like a nun, it's about respect

This was written a while ago. I have been avoiding posting it for some time (well since I started this blog really), because I know it is a controversial topic and people have differing opinions on the matter. But this has been on my heart for a while now and I feel like I need to share my thoughts. 

I’d like to add that I am not trying to make anyone conform to what I think. The only standards a Christian should be following are God’s, and it’s up to you to decide what you feel constitutes modest clothing. If you’re not a Christian, you might wonder why it's even a topic worth discussing in the 21^st century, so if you’re curious, you may want to read on for some food for thought. The bible specifically tells us not to judge others, so I am not here to tell you I don’t agree with your lifestyle, nor do I wish to offend. I urge you not to read this as though I am writing to condemn, but rather to reinforce the truth that you as women are valuable and worthy of respect.

Disclaimer out of the way, let’s move on.

Appreciating the small things

Have you ever found yourself having the loveliest day, even though nothing particularly eventful has happened? Maybe you were already in a good mood, and lots of small things happened and made your day more than the mundane. The weather was beautiful. The parcel you ordered arrived a day before you expected it. You didn’t run into that person you were avoiding. A friend said something that made you feel really valued.

Life is made up of those little moments. When I’m away from home, I find it’s sometimes the little things I miss most. Sitting in my favourite chair in the conservatory on a sunny day, with a coffee and a good book. Being able to have a bath. My white bedroom walls that are so much prettier than my uni room’s red wall and orange curtains. The thing is, I never fully appreciated those little things until I had to leave them. Similarly, I didn’t realise just how fortunate I was to have some wonderful friends here until I went home for Christmas and missed them. Being at university is definitely teaching me to be grateful for the seemingly insignificant things, because there are times when those things are enough.

Someday I want to see the world, to have an awesome job, to have a family, etc. I’m not saying we shouldn’t want things or have hopes for the future. But there will be points where we can’t have those things that we want, which is why it’s so important to treasure what we do have. In the film American Beauty, Ricky says ‘There is so much beauty in the world’. And as important as it is to be aware of war and poverty, corruption and suffering, it is also vital to look for the good in life. For me, taking note of the good things can really put my life into perspective; I realise that things are not nearly so rubbish as I thought. I know that sounds awfully like Maria Von Trapp- “I simply remember my favourite things, and then I don’t feel so bad”- but I’d rather be cheesy than miserable, let’s be honest.

We can get so wrapped up in minor problems that we lose sight of the truth, which is that there is still plenty to be thankful for. Last week we had an awesome joint small group meeting, and during the worship time we sang one of my favourite songs. The lyrics are so true- “Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise…. You give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Lord blesséd be your name”. This song demonstrates what it is to have a joyful, thankful heart, despite the circumstances being less than desirable. It’s not always easy to have this thanksgiving attitude, but I feel so much more joyful when I take the time to appreciate the good stuff and thank God for it, and thank God anyway even when things aren’t quite going as I’d planned.

I’ve been wanting to write a post about this for some time now, and on Friday I stumbled across this lovely website- www.justlittlethings.net . Every day they update with a new example of a small thing that brings us joy, from a hug from a family member to the smell of fresh laundry. It really made me smile, and I hope you all find some pleasure in it too, even the most jaded and cynical among you!

That’s all I have to say for this week; I have two exams in the next couple of days so I’ve been revising like crazy and haven’t had much time to write for the sheer fun of it! Hopefully next week my brain will be a little clearer.

Have a great week everyone! To those who have exams, may they be manageable, and may you never forget that they are not the most important thing in your life.

Love,

C. 

It was never between you and them- thoughts on focusing on yourself

Hi everyone, here’s hoping you had a good weekend and you’re feeling refreshed and ready to take on the week. If you aren’t, you have my full sympathy; I’m up to my neck in revision at the moment and I’m less than full of energy, which is why this post is a little shorter than previous ones.

Thoughts on Gossip (because I can't think of a more interesting title right now)

Evening lovelies! Hope your Mondays are good.

Today’s post is going to be on something that was spoken about at my home church a few weeks ago- gossip. It’s something that really winds me up but something we all do instinctively. It’s so easy to do, but why do we do it? My guess is that we are curious by nature, we like to hear about someone else so we can feel better about ourselves, and we often forget just how harmful it can be. Thankfully I don’t come across gossip as often at uni as I did when I was in school, but it still happens. And I really can't say just why this bothers me so much; I suppose we all have those pet hates or gross injustices that we react strongly to.

I’m not suggesting for one second that any of you have a problem with gossip because honestly I have no idea, but I do think it’s good to be reminded of its consequences sometimes.

ETA: I realise that this post definitely carries a somewhat angry tone (if you're surprised, please don't be, I'm not always sunshine and rainbows cheerful). But equally please don't be offended.

Less like them, more like you: Thoughts on comparing

Hey everyone, hope your Mondays have been good and you all had a lovely weekend! First of all I want to thank you for sticking with me so far, hopefully these posts are not getting annoying just yet. I appreciate every one of you who takes the time to read my ramblings.

Anyway, today I feel like writing about the issue of comparing ourselves to others. We all do it whether we want to or not, and I definitely do it far too often. We can tend to measure ourselves based on how other people look, how much money they have, what they’re good at. And depending on the person we’re comparing ourselves with, we either feel better or worse about our own appearance, our finances and our abilities. This is made to seem pretty normal in today’s society. The media is constantly comparing celebrities to one another- which one is hotter, which one looks better in that dress, which one makes the biggest headlines. Magazines even compare us to celebrities. They tell us we can have Beyoncé’s body if we do this workout or buy that brand of diet pills. They tell us we can buy the same handbag that Kate Moss was carrying- which of course, automatically will make us just as cool as she is...
While this kind of thinking can inspire us to work harder to improve on ourselves, it can also be really damaging to the way we view ourselves.

Thoughts on University First Year- Why Change is Good.

Whether you're coming to the end of first year, are considering university, or simply curious, here are my thoughts on what this year has taught me: