Priorities

Have been thinking a bit about death recently. This past year, some of my dad's family have been really ill, or have died. My husband's cousin died just after Christmas. Customers of our office have died over Christmas, and most recently, my mum's younger sister died unexpectedly.

It's hard living across the pond and having to prioritise my flights back to the UK when something has happened to a member of my family.

One of the things about working in the US is realising just how good I had it in the UK when it came to vacation/sick/personal/flex-time. I get 15 days vacation a year here which also includes all personal days and sick time. So although I love living here, sometimes it sucks when I can't get the time off to get back home when I really want to. I guess that's life. Of course if something happened to members of my immediate family - my mum, dad, sister or brother, of course I would drop everything to get over there as soon as possible.

Fact. Death is a part of life. (I sound like Dwight Schrute now!) Sometimes it consumes our thinking; at other times, it doesn't even cross our mind. I guess with getting older, it becomes natural to think more about it? I remember my Gran telling me that one of the things she hated about growing older, was that her circle of friends got smaller as one by one they passed away until she was the only one left of them.

What am I trying to say today? I'm not sure...just writing down my random thoughts about life, family, priorities and death. 

I'm sure that my favourite singer/songwriter Martyn Joseph says it a lot better than me. His songs cut to the chase - contradictions in life, death, feeling helpless, joy, heartbreak, love, social commentary - it's all there. If you have never heard his stuff, check him out.

http://www.martynjoseph.com/

Enough of my navel gazing for today!!

Cheers, and thanks for reading.

Opportunity

One of the differences I see between living in the UK and living in the USA is the opportunity that is often grabbed by anyone and everyone here.


I love to write and take photographs and have been encouraged to do so. I think that if I were still living in the UK, I would be shyer about putting myself forward and sharing what I love to do.


People here seem to believe that it's OK to reach for the stars. I'm not talking about fly-by-night "American Idol" syndrome, but that if you work for it, and go for it, then the sky's the limit. I feel that sometimes in the UK (and please forgive me for this, because I love my homeland) one is criticized for trying to be more than they are.


We all have gifts and talents. I believe that God is the Father of all Creation, and if we are made in His image, then we are all creative in so many different ways. What's so wrong with sharing that with each other, and trying to make something of it?


I didn't go into photography to make money, but have found that some people want to buy my photos. I love being creative, and thank Redbubble.com for being such an awesome website where I can do this within a supportive framework. I have found so much inspiration and encouragement here. Oh, and by the way...their printing is of the highest quality.


Please visit http://www.redbubble.com/ and take a look around. I think you will be there for a LONG while. If you want to take a look at what I have done, please visit www.redbubble.com/people/jsheehy 


Thanks for reading, and have a great day!