What was the best compliment you’ve received?

My mentor – a college lecturer called Jim, once told a class of his, that I was visiting, that I was good at philosophy. It meant so much to me.

On a lighter note, my wife sometimes refers to me to third parties as “he who thinks.” 😎

To respond in kind, I sometimes call her “she who knows.” 😄

You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?

The answer from my younger and fitter self would be bike. I once set off from the north of England on a planned bike trip to the Mediterranean coast of France. I got as far as Paris, and ducked out by catching an Air Inter flight to Montpellier.

Now I have a dodgy knee, hip and back, my preferred method of transport is train. I have an ambition to go around the world, but realistically, I don’t think I’m physically up to it. Not presently.

Below is a crude drawing by me of a bike from memory.

Who is the most confident person you know?

Our cat.

What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?

I think negativity is a fact of life for many people. But there is an antidote, and that is forgiveness. We must forgive people, including ourselves.

Negative feelings are corrosive, and they hurt the person who is feeling them most. It has been said that to harbour a grudge is like drinking poison yourself and expecting the other person to get ill.

So it’s good to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness. Personally, I can’t do it alone, I have the help of my faith in Jesus.

Below is a photo of our local cemetery. I think it’s an abiding tragedy of mankind that people die harbouring a lot of negativity. It’s just a lot of bad karma. We should endeavour to make peace with the world and ourselves. Before it is too late.

What activities do you lose yourself in?

If asked this a few years ago, I would have said hill walking, but now my physical state of health precludes that avenue of enjoyment.

Nowadays, I like to do things with my hands, like servicing and repairing computers, woodworking, or just generally pottering about. I believe happiness is absorption (in a particular activity.).

I’d love to have a shed. At the moment, I’m sans shed because they’re not allowed where we live. But in our next move, we plan to have a private garden with a shed.

The photo is of me on top of the mountain Helvellyn.

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

The French thriller, Nikita, is a favourite. But I don’t watch movies or TV series much these days. I tend to spend more time on t’internet.

Are you superstitious?

On reflection, I would say no, I’m not superstitious. But I believe in the supernatural. I definitely believe in that, like the Holy Spirit.

Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?

He had lots of qualities. He was loving, friendly, sympathetic, generous, thoughtful, loyal, liked a cuddle, had good table manners, and took regular naps.