LANE COVE COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
  • Home
  • About
  • Groups and Events
  • Blog
    • Resources
  • Contact
  • CONTRIBUTE

Thinking Aloud

It's a First World Problem

10/4/2015

3 Comments

 
If I find myself complaining about a mere irritation, sometimes I have the good sense to laugh and say, ‘But it’s a first world problem.’ This humbling perspective enables a return to thankfulness for the many blessings of my life.

First world problems are certainly real, however. Since moving to Sydney last year, I have become alarmed at the pace of life of many people here. Hearing of young Mums rising at 4.30am to attend a gym before dropping off the kids to childcare or school, working full-time and coming home to more work and a late bedtime, worries me! Where is the life balance here? Where is the time to sustain family relationships, friendships, let alone mental and spiritual health? Rent and mortgage pressures, a high value on body image, combined with workforce competition are a toxic beverage our young people imbibe.

How did life become this frenetic? Our priorities have changed and our values with them. It’s not all bad, but there is definitely room for improvement. Where did the spirituality go that anchored us with a sense of peace and balance – our own space to be reflective about life? Is it worth reclaiming? For the sake of our society, I pray the answer is yes.

Remember to give yourself permission to stop and ‘smell the roses’, speak to your neighbours, or go for a peaceful walk.

‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’ – Jesus, as recorded in the Bible, John 14:27 (ESV)

First published in The Village Observer, March 2015
3 Comments
    Picture

    AUTHOR

    The articles here were written by Peter Andrews on behalf of the Chaplaincy Team from beginning 2023.

    Articles prior to that were written by Rev. Karen Paull, previous Lane Cove Community Chaplain.

    Blogs appear in The Village Observer, and are repeated here.

    Archives

    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Location

What People Say About Us:

We appreciate all you do for our community"
​"It feels like family"
​"Thank you!"

Contact Us

  • Home
  • About
  • Groups and Events
  • Blog
    • Resources
  • Contact
  • CONTRIBUTE