A couple of questions

Jo Robinson has got me thinking. She is one of the first bloggers I ever followed, some 7 years ago. She lives in South Africa (and was in rural Zimbabwe when I first encountered her in the blogosphere, which fascinated me), where she writes books in the realm of fantasy, science fiction, and other genres. I knew that Jo was not into limiting herself to one art form, but it still came as a surprise to me when she posted a few years ago that she was about to be published not as the author but as the illustrator of a children’s book. Now that’s broadening your scope! And the author of this children’s book, Myrtle the Purple Turtle, was a Canadian writer, Cynthia Reyes, who has also written adult books that I have enjoyed immensely. Their long-distance collaboration is about to produce a third book in the charming Myrtle series.

As announced in her blog post yesterday, A couple of questions and a cover reveal, Jo is now completing a non-fiction book, to be called The Secret Life of People. Her post included a list of questions she put to her audience, inviting her readers to share their responses and thereby provide further input to her final chapter. The questions intrigued me enough to think it would be fun to share them. I will include my own initial responses within.

1. Do you believe that you are living a fulfilled life?

Yes, and I feel lucky that way.

2. Do you think that people have a purpose, and if so, do you know what yours is?

Yes, but I’m going to have to think hard about what my purpose is, a quick answer would be too pat. However, this is one of the questions that drew me in to thinking hard about these questions.

3. Are you satisfied with the way the world and your country are governed?

Canada: Not completely for sure. However, compared to nearly every other country I can think of, Canada is reasonably well governed.

World: Less and less so at the moment. One can only hope that a longer view can provide some measure of hope.

4. Do you think that civilised societies today are on the right track?

In a few ways they are; human rights have made some headway in some places, although vigilance is needed even in those places in which headway has been made. On the whole, it feels like in the past few years western democracies have struggled to maintain the concept that everyone deserves a fair shake. Inequality levels have risen and public civility – even a veneer of civility – has diminished. Compassion for anyone outside one’s “tribe” seems to be in distressingly short supply. Once again I will try to take the long view and hope that this is just a bump in the road towards a kinder world.

5. If you work, are you happy with your job?

I’m retired now, but, yes, I was very happy with my job. I was lucky that way.

6. If money was no object, what would you do with your days?

I’m already in that position, since I’m retired! What do I do? Write, read, exercise, visit friends and family, travel a bit, think, contribute to my community in various ways, write some more, think some more. Oh, yes, and sleep in as often as possible. 🙂

7. Do you believe in life after death or reincarnation?

No.

8. Do you believe that there will be consequences for good or evil acts?

If this question is related in some way to #7, then no. Consequences within societies come from that society, for better or worse, and/or come from within the person/people committing the acts. This is another of the questions that intrigued me enough to stop and think about it. A full response to this question needs a lot more thought!

9. Do you or someone that you know have problems with anxiety or depression?

Yes. I can’t imagine that everyone doesn’t know someone with problems with anxiety or depression, although they may not be aware of it. More awareness in needed.

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Jo asks her readers to send her their responses to these questions if they’re willing, to help provide context to the final chapter of her book. If you’d like to help her out, click on the link to her blog above.

If you’d like to share your thoughts here on these questions or my musings about them, please comment away below! Feel free to disagree at will, although agreement is also welcome! 😉