Tuesday 29 January 2008

Leona

I remember writing on these pages a year back that I thought Leona Lewis would be something of a star- which can't be said of most of the X Factor/Pop Idol talent show winners (remember the MacDonald Brothers anyone?!)

Well, I've been listening to her first album 'Spirit', (yes I know I'm sad) borrowed from my daughter, and I think it's great. She has an amazing voice. Interestingly she also seems to have a Christian faith. The first 'thank-you' at the end of the album notes reads 'Thank you to God for all of the blessings you have given me and for the opportunity and gift of singing and song. Thank you for the love, comfort and strength you have given me.'

In addition, one of the tracks is called 'Footprints in the Sand', based on, I guess, the Christian poem. Intriguingly that particular track is co-written by Simon Cowell, and the only one that is. Hmmm.

Tuesday 22 January 2008

Ice Cold in..... St Pancras!

I met a couple of old friends at the new Champagne Bar at St Pancras Station last night. Not only can it claim to be the longest champagne bar in Europe, I think it can also claim to be the coldest!

In fact, here's a money saving tip to the owners- don't bother to put the champagne bottle in a bucket of ice, just leave it on the table- it will be colder still!

Despite the temperature (the bar is in the open station area, hence the coldness) the bar was full. Needless to say, everyone kept their coats on! I enjoyed it, and am sure I will go back again. July time.

Sir Edmund Hillary, conqueror of Everest

On the day of Sir Edmund Hillary’s funeral, it seems appropriate to record a couple of his mountain climbing quotes. Whatever our mountain, I trust we will continue to conquer!

“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

“People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.”

Friday 18 January 2008

See you on the other side?

I knew I had to make a choice. As Huw Edwards introduced the report on last night’s BBC news, I knew it was going to be hard hitting. The reporter, Fergal Keane is one of the best. He has a way of getting under the skin. I made the choice- I decided to leave the TV on.

The report was introduced by way of a link to Gordon Brown’s current thinking in possibly banning ‘suicide web sites’. These are generally chat sites for young people thinking of committing suicide, often with advice and ‘help’ on how to achieve it.

Fergal Keane was talking to the father of a boy who took his life. They went through the web-chat before he died, including the telling line from one of his ‘suicide friends’; ‘see you on the other side’.

What makes young people so desperate they want to end it? I felt such a deep sadness as I watched the report. And an anger that in the name of freedom of speech such sites exist. I don’t suppose the banning of these sites will stop a determined suicide, but maybe it will just save one life. And even if it’s only one, it’s worth doing.

I finished watching the report last night almost in tears. Such loss of life. Such sadness. Such a young age. Most of us live a sheltered existence. We have no idea of the depth of despair some people face. But maybe I can help. I’m not sure how exactly. My first stop would be my local church. If I can reach just one person and help them through, that’s one less statistic, one less broken family, one life saved.

I’m glad I left the TV on.

Monday 14 January 2008

For their tomorrow we gave our today

At Richard Bartrop's funeral on Friday, Alan Scotland spoke of Richard's selfless giving and quoted the lines from a monument in Nagaland, India (and copied by many other war memorials). The monument was an epitaph to the many Indian soldiers who died fighting the Japanese in the Second World War. It reads:

"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"

May we all have that attitude, reflected in Richard's life- that we give all we can today so that there will be a tomorrow for the next generation.

Friday 4 January 2008

New year, more mountains

At this time of year, many of us make new year resolutions. And many of us forget them within a month!

So how can we keep on track? One of the most tried and tested methods is to keep a diary or a journal. I started writing a daily diary in 1977 - and I'm still going! It's been so helpful in forcing me to reflect on the day, to think about what I'm going to be doing the next day, and to remind myself of those changes I want in my life- those resolutions I made.

Maybe a daily diary is a bit daunting. But how about a journal you keep with you and jot down your thoughts on an occasional basis? Just list 3 or 4 things you want to do this year, maybe a few things you want to change. Keep the journal with you, or next to your bed and remember to look back at it as you write in new stuff.

There will be more mountains for all of us this year. New challenges, good and bad. Times we have to push on through. Times we have to force ourselves to the top of the mountain. Enjoy the climb!