Life – What A Fabulous Theme!

I…like many other bloggers really enjoy the challenges created by   aguycalledbloke

…and this week he has created another “Game On” challenge, as he explains in the post below:

https://aguycalledbloke.blog/2018/08/14/game-on-series-2-life/

I really like the fabulous theme “LIFE” so I am going to grab the opportunity, while it is out there, to get involved in this challenge.

The Rules …

1] Leave the Permanent Questions [PQ] always in place please.

2] Reblog should you so desire

3] If you do reblog, a ping back would always be welcomed so l don’t miss it.

4] This is a non tagger/non nomination game.

Daily Topic Subject – Life

Q1] What do you value the most in your life today?

I have a treasure chest of extraordinary memories and extraordinary friends I have met while working as a volunteer.  I am so proud of the projects I have had the privilege to be part of and the incredible qualities and characters I have seen in the people I have met.

I love nothing better than opening up this treasure chest and sharing something wonderful with someone else.  Special…makes me feel richer than I could ever have imagined.

Q2] Have you ever set yourself any ‘life goals’ and achieved them, what were they?

When I was at high school, I knew I wanted to become a full-time volunteer.  I was able to become heavily involved in volunteering as soon as I began my study leave for my GCSEs.  I spent 20 hours each work working on an unpaid basis for local charities and 20 hours working for the Head Office of a major retail chain.  I learnt to live modestly.

After ten years, I moved to the south of England to an area where it was expensive to live, and there was a desperate need for volunteers.  During my three years there, I was able to expand the amount of time I spent volunteering.

I was then invited to become a full-time international volunteer.  My dream came true at the age of 29!

Q3] Have you published any posts about people who have inspired your life?

Lots of posts about my parents, but these are some other sources of inspiration:

• Catrina And Catbells
• Lucy… Showed What She Would Do If Only Things Were Different
• Expect Nothing…Appreciate Everything

Q4] Have you made someone smile today?

My sister, my landlady, my next door neighbour, the cashier in Sainsburys supermarket, a tourist who was lost and asked me for directions, the gardener who was clipping the hedge and Goldfinch.

How did I do it?  A mixture of smiling at them, doing something to help them and trying to be Little Miss Sunshine.

PQ5] Using no more than 100 words – if this was your last day on the planet what message would you leave to the world?

A message to the whole world???  Hmm…

I am going to sleep now.  The dream that has been comforting and inspiring me for most of my life is that of a human family completely at peace, no hatred, no greed, no racism,  nothing sinister or evil.  I hope I am remembered and that I wake up to find my dream has come true.  What a party we will have!  I look forward to getting to know all of you, my wonderful family of fellow humans.

Q6] If you could compile a recipe for a good life, what would you include?

PQ7] What is the best feel good film you have seen – please provide link.

I like feel good films…I have seen lots, but recently I saw this one when I stayed at my younger sister’s home:

Q8] How would you describe yourself in six words only?

A CHILD IN AN ADULT’S BODY.

I feel as if I only just left school, I am not sure what I am doing here in an adults body.  My brain tells me that I should be out climbing trees, playing football with the other kids in the street and going swimming.  But people turn to me for advice and expect me to help out with their problems.  I seem to be the one to play mum everywhere I work and everywhere I live.

I guess that’s because like the good kid, I am doing what my mumma and dadda have told me to.

Q9] What have you learned about life to date?

Q10] What advice would you give a younger you of ten years ago?

When you feel your life has become a pea-souper…and you are lost in fog so thick that you can barely see your foot in front of you, without knowing how you became so lost and not knowing how to get out of this pickle – do not despair.

Look up – even in a thick fog you can see the stars.  Take the next step in front of you. Then take another small step. Someone can see exactly where you are, how you became lost in this fog, where you have been wandering and what you need to do to get out of the fog.

Q11] Is there somebody who changed the course of your life?  What did they say or do?

Isobella…who was seventy years older than me.

She was a full-time international volunteer for sixty years, mainly in African and Asian lands.  When she was a young woman her brother told her she was a fool.  He said she would end up dying all alone, with no family to care for her, without a home or any money.

What actually happened sixty years later?  As well as qualifying for both a British pension and a South African pension, there were people who Isobella had helped arguing about who wanted to take her into their home to care for her.  Many families loved Isobella and wanted to care for her when she was in her eighties and started to struggle with her health.

Isobella was cared for in a beautiful infirmary built by volunteers, by a brilliant team of volunteer nurses and carers who showed her tremendous love and attention right up to her last breath.  She was so loved!!!  There were 1,800 people at her funeral with hundreds of others who listened in to the service at other locations.

Isobella really lived. And she was really loved.

PQ12] What is your best “quote” concerning life?

Q13] What is top of your priority list in your life right now?

I want to go home…to my career and life as a full-time international volunteer.  But first, I need to get the all clear from my neurologist.

In the meantime…to make the most of every day, because despite everything that happened, life is an extraordinary gift and even when you are not exactly where you want to be, you should make the most of what you have and make sure you enjoy life.

Q14] What would be your ideal career or if you are doing that now, what is it?

Full time international volunteer!

PQ15] Provide a link to a piece of music that best sums up your emotion on life today.

I have been yodelling all day – I have no idea why!  But it feels good!

Q16] What are you truly passionate about?

Kindness.

Q17] What are three of your worst habits?

• I bottle things up emotionally.
• I sometimes leave my breakfast dishes in the sink because my timing is bad in the morning.  I seem to need to go slowly in the morning until my painkillers stop my head aching.
• I like fresh air, so I keep my windows ajar, then when I come home after a rainy day, my window ledge is soaking!

Q18] What are three of your best attributes?

• I am willing to admit I am wrong and try again.
• I will do everything I can to make peace with someone I think I have wronged.
• I love to be obedient and disciplined.

Q19] What is the meaning of life in your eyes?

 

Live in harmony with the rest of creation, recognize that for there to be peace and order there have to be laws, love those laws.  Love life, love people, love this earth and it’s creatures.  Show appreciation for the precious gift of life.  I know not everyone believes in a Creator, but I do, so I would say glorify Him by living life in a way that makes Him proud of you and glad He has shared life with you.

PQ20] Are you deleting any questions, if so which ones?

3, 6, 11

Q21] What inspires you to be you?

Oooooh – I am just a chip off the old block – so to speak!

Lessons from my wonderful parents and other family members have shaped me.

I just want to be someone who is a delight to my parents, my family and friends and my Creator.  Someone who adds joy to the life of others!