Sunday, 28 February 2021
Tuesday, 23 February 2021
Take Ten - To Doubt or not to Doubt?
Doubt is an experience common to all people. Firstly, I find myself asking, is it possible to be human and not doubt? Is doubt not a part of my human mind doing what it was designed to do - to anticipate, to problem solve, to avoid danger. And secondly, I ask this, are faith and doubt mutually exclusive?
View Video:
Sunday, 21 February 2021
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
Take Ten - A Journey through Lent
In the Christian calendar
today is Ash Wednesday. It marks the first day of a period we call Lent.
Download Journal:
Today is Pancake Day!
Pancake Day is more formally known as 'Shrove Tuesday'
Sunday, 14 February 2021
Saturday, 13 February 2021
Happy Valentine's Day
Often, when we think of Valentine's we think of husbands, wives, boyfriends and girlfriends but, let's face it LOVE is, or at least should be, a part of all of our lives.
The following poem was written by 43 Medway students and alumni from 29 different nations around our world.
Love is ...
Love is when someone's happiness gives you fulfilment
Love is understanding
Love is beautiful and flawless
Love is the bond of two people - immersed in willingness, happiness, attraction and respect
Love is passion, love is obsession
Love is someone you can't live without
Love is ignoring superficial imperfections
Love is the life you get from every breath of air
Love is sharing your last piece of chicken, even though you feel like eating it all yourself
Love is the ultimate gift, it is living for each other
Love is a choice
Love is what lightens your day
Love is beautiful, like the wings of a butterfly - highly delicate, so be gentle
Love is untameable
Love is charismatic
Love is care for others, expecting nothing in return
Love is supporting each other in good times and bad, believing and trusting unconditionally
Love is an endless act of forgiveness
Love is respect - Love is patient
Love is always being there, both physically and virtually
Love is what holds you when you can't take it anymore
Love is sharing, caring and understanding
Love is a feeling of warmth in the midst of the wildest storms
Love is more than words, it's a feeling
Love is when the soul feels at home
Love is the natural drive to interact with each other
Love is enduring
Love is unconditional
Love is the most powerful gift one can give to and share with the community around us
Love is walking together on the journey of life
Love is caring about the other person, more than you care about yourself
Love is not what you say, but what you do
Love is the art of encounter
Love is a fireplace and a warm hug
Love is staying up all night talking about the stars
Love is like a river
Love is a warm cup of tea after a stressful day
Love is like music, you can dance, cry or smile as you listen
Love is the ability to speak with one's eyes and tell the true nature of the heart
Love is the comfort of knowing you are cared for
Love is an oasis for a deserted life
Love is beauty of the heart and soul
Love is a language ... you will understand it even if you don't know its alphabet
Love is a beautiful feeling that everyone should experience
Love is what makes us feel safe and alive
Love is sacred and eternal
My immense thanks to all those who participated (I sincerely hope I've not moved anyone to the wrong country ππ):
Yamama (Palestine), Tano (Italy), Adanonso (Nigeria), EunYoung (South Korea), Ahmad (Egypt), Manuela (Italy), Souad (Lebanon), Troy (Grenada), Sonali (Sri Lanka), Jeff (Sri Lanka), Adam (UK), Kishan (Nepal), Aiste (Lithuania), Pattamanan (Thailand), Michel (Egypt), Yihan (Taiwan), Arman (Italy), Veron (Italy), Anastasia (Cyprus), Aryan (Iran), Khaled (Lebanon), Dominika (Poland), Marcel (Germany), Jose (Ecuador), Jaspher (Uganda), Katie (USA), Kuntal (India), Vijesh (India), Peter (Nigeria), Nikki (UK), Nefeli (Greece), Dilyara (Russia), Rhandi (St Kitts & St Nevis), Jerminah (Lesotho), Meron (Eritrea), Joy (Thailand), Veroni (Sri Lanka), Afaf (Jordan), Adnan (Syria), Obinna (Nigeria), Amira (Egypt), Nilupa (Sri Lanka), Elawarasi (Malaysia)
Thursday, 11 February 2021
Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival is celebrated in numerous East Asian countries. The origins of this celebration go back thousands of years.
Prior to the festival, people clean their houses thoroughly in a custom called 'sweeping the ground', to remove any bad luck that might be lingering in the house. They also display good wishes outside their homes, either side of the door post.
The festival begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon, some 15 days later.
Fireworks and family celebrations mark this holiday, which culminates in the Lantern Festival. On this evening colourful lanterns light up the houses and traditional food is eaten, such as, yuanxiao (sticky rice balls that symbolise family unity), fagao (prosperity cake), and yusheng (raw fish and vegetable salad).
2021 marks the Year of the Ox
People born in the Year of the Ox are considered to be strong, reliable, and conscientious. They inspire confidence in others. They are also known as patient, methodical and trustworthy.
Oh how I miss our World Cafe π’π’π’ and the opportunity to do our Chopstick Challenge. Here are a few images to take us down memory lane ...
Tuesday, 9 February 2021
Take Ten - Five Love Languages
Author and counsellor, Gary Chapman, identifies what he calls 'The Five Love Languages'. Identifying our own primary love language will help us to understand how we are wired, and how we both perceive and receive love from others.
Sunday, 7 February 2021
Friday, 5 February 2021
TABLEtalk - How to Bake a Lazy Cake
It was all about FOOD at TABLEtalk last night ππ
Our evening culminated with a somewhat cultural, vaguely food related quiz ... trying to guess the meaning behind various Cockney Rhyming slang phrases. This was a language used in east London, largely among the market stall holders, and also possibly amongst criminal gangs. I wonder if you can guess the correct word? Remember folks, it's all about the rhyme!!!
1. Bread & cheese
2. Loaf of bread
3. Mince pies
4. Brown bread
5. Tea leaf
6. Jam jar
7. Currant bun
8. Apples & pears
9. Bread & honey
10. Baked bean
See answers at the end of this post π
Prior to our quiz though ... our catch up question of the week was based around the question: "What is the most awful thing you've ever had to eat?"
As we talked about some of our responses to the ice-breaker, which varied from liver and marmite to chickens feet and durian (stinky fruit).
Aiste led us through how to make a lazy cake. Several of us were in our kitchens, complete with laptop, apron and ingredients, ready to follow along.
Here's an image of mine ...
ANSWERS
1. Bread & cheese - sneeze
2. Loaf of bread - head
3. Mince pies - eyes
4. Brown bread - dead
5. Tea leaf - thief
6. Jam jar - car
7. Currant bun - sun
8. Apples & pears - stairs
9. Bread & honey - money
10. Baked bean - queen
Wednesday, 3 February 2021
It's Time to Talk!!!
February 4th is 'TIME to TALK' Day.
In these difficult and trying times more and more people are faced with challenges to their mental wellbeing.
Too many people facing mental health challenges struggle alone. They feel ashamed and worthless. Let's start TODAY to help break the stigma of mental illness.
TOGETHER
we can make a difference!
TOGETHER
we can talk and listen.
TOGETHER
we can breakdown the stigma and biases related to poor mental health.
TOGETHER
we will get through this.
Remember - each of our Universities at Medway have excellent Well-Being Teams, and you can always chat with the Chaplain. DON'T struggle alone π
Find out more:
Tuesday, 2 February 2021
Take Ten - Failure is not Final
View Video:
Take Ten - Failure is not Final
Failure, or even the threat of failure is challenging for most of us and it comes with a whole array of emotions - shame, embarrassment, anxiety and even anger. We may need to adjust our thinking, in order to see failure for what it truly is - a temporary bruise, not a permanent tattoo!