Welcome

Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does. Everything has been figured out, except how to live. One always dies too soon or too late. And yet, life is there, finished. The line is drawn, and it must all be added up. You are nothing other than your life. There is only one day left, always starting over. It is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk. We do not know what we want and yet we are responsible for what we are, that is the fact. When you live alone you no longer know what it is to tell a story: the plausible disappears at the same time as the friends. You let events flow by too.Suddenly you see people appear who speak and then go away; you plunge into stories of which you can't make head or tail. You'd make a terrible witness. It is true that people who live in society have learned how to see themselves in mirrors as they appear to their friends. Luckily, I only have a few...

Dr Shaw is a lecturer in Further Education at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk. She also offers philosophy courses at the School of Continuing Education, Lifelong learning, at the University of Liverpool. In 2015, she has completed her Doctorate in philosophy with a focus on existentialism, the equilibrium doctrine and narrative. She has worked as a teacher of English and Comparative literature and Philosophy at The American University in Cairo, Egypt where she also obtained her BA (Hons). Dr Shaw has an MA in Philosophy and Literature from the University of East Anglia where she also taught on a number of humanities subjects. Whilst working in North Wales in Further education, she gained a PGCE aimed at teaching in FE and HE sectors. Dr Shaw moved to Liverpool in 2010 where she now resides.

Interests: Existentialism, Narrative, Comparative Literature, Feminist Thought, Public Speaking, Arab Existentialism, Philosophy of Education, Art, Music, Film and Theatre, Greek Mythology, Existential counsellor and psychotherapist.

https://liverpool.academia.edu/ShereenHamedShaw


Wednesday 15 May 2013

I think I'll have a heart attack soon...

Lately there has been too much going on that I realized suddenly how much I always put people before me.
It is certainly not doing me any good and I feel like I will at any moment collapse. So I decided that from now on, I will say to myself "it is NOT my business" "it is NOT my problem" If people are capable of causing the problem surely they are capable of undoing it too, right?! My good, how people can be a pain sometimes. I always hear Sartre saying in my head "Hell is Other people" he is so right. This month I turn 29 and it is something that is making me wonder about the future too much. Yes at 29 it is making me worry- wait till I hit 30 aye! It upset me the most when the advert with Antonio Bandarez comes on and I think to myself how much he aged and how age is a real B**** There is no stopping for age, it is a powerful thing that hits us all, humans, the most. I don't think animals worry or notice even, it is just a natural cycle for them. Oh well, pardon my pessimism but if there was any sense in this world, our purpose would be a bit clearer and our path would be easier. I sat the other day in a doctor's waiting room full of sick babies and all I can think of is where is God's mercy and why is he allowing this? Is it wrong of me to ask? Maybe. But as my eyes watered thinking that thought I could not find the right answer or at least one that satisfies me, not even close. In fact, when my own son sleeps on me as I am on the rocking chair and he flinches, frowns or wakes suddenly crying, I wonder what could have possibly disturbed his easy peaceful life? I can only wish when this happens that I am present in his dreams to push bad thoughts away or whatever made him that scared or upset. But I guess there is only little that a parents can do.

Apologies for the scattered ideas here, it is that time of the day where I cant help myself but think. I wish I could "unplug" myself....again, if only it was that easy.