So since December 2011 I’ve been working as a Developer (PHP+MySQL+XHTML+jQuery + a whole load of other stuff!) for a Bristol-based company called Helastel. It has been my full-time employment since, and I’m finding it quite challenging but quite rewarding.

In the background I’ve kept my self-employment going - I’ve been writing some articles for a bit of pocket money, and have also been volunteering my services as a web developer/master to a certain political party, and some other groups.

But my personal and career development has far from reached its summit, there is still a long way to go, in fact, it is definitely a life-long journey. There is so much I want to learn, so much I want to experience, so much more skill to attain and wisdom to seek.

“Know Thyself” is a teaching which I try to get to understand. I want to know myself, I struggle with it at times. The question I ask myself is not “why am I here and what is my purpose?”, but “what are my strengths and how can it change other peoples lives?”

“Onward, Christian Pilgrims” is a different song, but quite similar to “Onward, Christian Soldiers” which I believe is called St Gertrude. The term “Pilgrim” speaks to me a lot louder and clearer than the word “Soldier”, and in general I prefer the “Onward, Christian Pilgrims” hymn. I am a “seeker” - I seek the wisdom that can be found in humanity and in nature, I believe that it can guide us in life. This seeking is a pilgrimage.

On a pilgrimage we take a good direction and sometimes take a wrong direction, it all depends on our orientation skills at the time. I’ve made some good career and life decisions, but I’ve also made some bad ones. We learn from the bad ones in order to not make them again, and we rejoice in the good decisions. The road is tough, and long - but the goal drives us, and we can rejoice in that goal.

These aren’t things which are Christian specific - in fact, these are things which are applicable to everyone - including atheists, agnostics and people of all faiths and cultures. Life is interconnected and intermingled - careers/business, education, lifestyle choices, lifestyle non-choices, cultures, government, religion/spirituality/belief/disbelief. Everything influences our decisions.

Some interesting thoughts for a Wednesday morning. I would be interested to see any comments people may have on this subject.

Daniel