Comments on: Small cogs and big decisions http://www.hazelmchaffie.com/blog/2010/07/22/small-cogs-and-big-decisions/ Hazel McHaffie's Blog Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:37:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Hazel http://www.hazelmchaffie.com/blog/2010/07/22/small-cogs-and-big-decisions/comment-page-1/#comment-3366 Hazel Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:36:11 +0000 http://www.hazelmchaffie.com/blog/?p=1344#comment-3366 I didn't intend to 'force' a declaration, Lindsay! Sorry if I gave that impression. But you've nicely captured two important points. We all need to think for ourselves, taking into account our own belief systems, family views and histories, and arrive at our own personal conclusions. And when we really think deeply about these issues, they tend to become increasingly less black and white. I'm in the business of encouraging that level of honesty and questioning, hence provocative statements in my blog! I didn’t intend to ‘force’ a declaration, Lindsay! Sorry if I gave that impression. But you’ve nicely captured two important points. We all need to think for ourselves, taking into account our own belief systems, family views and histories, and arrive at our own personal conclusions. And when we really think deeply about these issues, they tend to become increasingly less black and white. I’m in the business of encouraging that level of honesty and questioning, hence provocative statements in my blog!

]]> By: Lindsay http://www.hazelmchaffie.com/blog/2010/07/22/small-cogs-and-big-decisions/comment-page-1/#comment-3364 Lindsay Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:59:27 +0000 http://www.hazelmchaffie.com/blog/?p=1344#comment-3364 I didn't think I would get away with what I had written but it was late last night and I couldn't find the right words to say any more. I guess there are at least a couple of points to make. Firstly the whole situation is complicated by the fact that we have, in most cases, our families and those who we love and are loved by to think about. In the cold light of day we might, as family, know what is 'right'. But again we know that people are less sure when faced with ultimate decisions. The second point is that I agree that there are worse things than death, especially when we have strong beliefs that death is not the end. A belief in God, or not, can be a big factor in our decisions. I believe in God and that alters my outlook. Whilst I would like to share my beliefs, and hence some decisions, I would not try and impose these decisions on those who do not share my reasonings. Sometimes I think that my belief in God makes things easier and sometimes harder! I didn’t think I would get away with what I had written but it was late last night and I couldn’t find the right words to say any more.
I guess there are at least a couple of points to make. Firstly the whole situation is complicated by the fact that we have, in most cases, our families and those who we love and are loved by to think about. In the cold light of day we might, as family, know what is ‘right’. But again we know that people are less sure when faced with ultimate decisions.
The second point is that I agree that there are worse things than death, especially when we have strong beliefs that death is not the end.
A belief in God, or not, can be a big factor in our decisions. I believe in God and that alters my outlook. Whilst I would like to share my beliefs, and hence some decisions, I would not try and impose these decisions on those who do not share my reasonings. Sometimes I think that my belief in God makes things easier and sometimes harder!

]]> By: Hazel http://www.hazelmchaffie.com/blog/2010/07/22/small-cogs-and-big-decisions/comment-page-1/#comment-3356 Hazel Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:58:47 +0000 http://www.hazelmchaffie.com/blog/?p=1344#comment-3356 Yes, I know, uncharacteristically opinionated, eh? I'm afraid I don't know what made Richard change his mind - he wasn't able to explain. But the interpretation put on it by several commentators was that when it comes to the crunch life itself is very precious. It is; but for me personally there are worse things than death. What do you think? Yes, I know, uncharacteristically opinionated, eh? I’m afraid I don’t know what made Richard change his mind – he wasn’t able to explain. But the interpretation put on it by several commentators was that when it comes to the crunch life itself is very precious. It is; but for me personally there are worse things than death. What do you think?

]]> By: Lindsay http://www.hazelmchaffie.com/blog/2010/07/22/small-cogs-and-big-decisions/comment-page-1/#comment-3351 Lindsay Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:34:06 +0000 http://www.hazelmchaffie.com/blog/?p=1344#comment-3351 Wow Hazel, no punches pulled this time! I did not see all of the programme you refer to but it seemed to confirm a thread of your two latest books. That is that we don't actually know what we will appreciate as our life changes. I well understand that, given your current life experiences, the thought of pleasure from life with a mind trapped in an inactive body is beyond contemplation. So how come Richard, who seemed to think in a similar to you before his accident, came to a different conclusion when his personal circumstances changed? Not that I think that you are wrong, just a bit surprised at your certainty! Wow Hazel, no punches pulled this time! I did not see all of the programme you refer to but it seemed to confirm a thread of your two latest books. That is that we don’t actually know what we will appreciate as our life changes. I well understand that, given your current life experiences, the thought of pleasure from life with a mind trapped in an inactive body is beyond contemplation. So how come Richard, who seemed to think in a similar to you before his accident, came to a different conclusion when his personal circumstances changed?

Not that I think that you are wrong, just a bit surprised at your certainty!

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