To be or not to be: why is that the question?

Don't worry I'm not going anywhere near Shakespeare's classics. I'm more interested in why human beings find it necessary to categorise ourselves all the time. "I think, therefore I am" to quote a much wiser man than I.

Why do we always think of ourselves and each other in terms of what we do for a living, what's sports teams we follow, what our favourite films are or even our political or religious affiliations? People's personalities are so much more fascinating than that! We all have the ability to love and hate very different things. But why does that define us?

This post is a bit different in that it's not about my opinion on this issue more that I don't know how I feel about it yet. It's annoying to think that someone will think less (or more) of me because my favourite film is Star Wars or my favourite football team is Liverpool. That doesn't mean I can't think and feel the same way they do, does it?
On the flip side of that coin, I like feeling part of a group, as we all do. I talk more with people who have the same interests as me but is that because we get along better or because we have more to talk about?

Some of my best friends over the years have been people with very different interests and ideals to me but that hasn't stopped us developing very strong bonds. I am starting a new job in January and as much as I am looking forward to a new challenge in my career, I'm also excited about meeting new people, making new friends and listening to other viewpoints on the issues I'm interested in. Hopefully once I'm settled in there I'll come back to this issue with a few more thoughts and see if I can't come to some sort of conclusion about it!

Otherwise, as usual, tell me I'm wrong or heartily agree with me (or anything in between) by leaving a comment if the feeling takes you.

Until next time :-)

Should you follow your head or your heart?

Not the I have had any training in nor have a vast knowledge of the subject of psychiatry, or cardio vascular medicine for that matter, I'm going to try and answer an age old philosophical question. When faced with a conundrum, is it better to follow your head or your heart?

Now I know that most people would respond with "it depends on the situation". I'll agree it is an entirely valid answer but isn't it really just asking another question?
I think there is a single reply that answers without posing anymore options. Drum roll for the controversy......you follow neither.

Following either your head or your heart implies that you already believe you aren't sure which course of action to take in any given situation. This isn't true. I am of the mind that we all know subconsciously what the answer will be to a question as soon as it is asked. We only complicate matters by second guessing and doubting ourselves.

Some call it intuition, instinct, a gut feeling or a hunch. Whatever name you give it, it is always the right thing to do for you. You may even end up regretting it in the future but at that exact moment, that split second, i dare you to say it wasn't the right thing to do. You wouldn't have thought it otherwise.

I know its only a quick post but feel free to moan, argue, shout or call me an idiot if you like. Oh and tell your friends and family if they want to weigh in on it too.

Who are you and who am I?

Well I'm going to be honest with you straight off the bat. I'll admit that a big white expanse covering my screen is nothing short of very daunting when attempting to write my first blog post. But it needs doing so here it is.

I've done some blog research and a lot of people comment on how important a title is for a blog and a post. Mine is both odd and simple. This blog will be primarily about people's personalities, including mine. I say primarily as I am prone to digression in everyday life and I expect this blog to be no different.

I just want to make a short introduction about myself and I will expand on my ideas and theories in the forthcoming posts. I am interesting and quite the comedian (continuing the honesty theme).

I am Anthony. I'm 27, father of 3 sons, boyfriend of 1 girl and brother to 4/5 siblings (I'll explain later). I work in an office, enjoy almost every sport mankind has invented (watching, not participating!), love sci-fi (I may be a nerd but I'm not a full blown geek), and, it seems, I like adding a few words in brackets at the end of sentences as if I'm saying them under my breath (apparently). I'll try and cut down on that last one.

So there you have it. Welcome to my humble abode on the web. Now it's done it doesn't seem so bad. I should add that although I DO NOT intend for this blog to become a diary of my life nor the rantings of a mad man, all opinions expressed herein are my own blah, blah, blah. I will try and post weekly but frankly it depends if I'm in the mood. Let me know what you think or feel about this blog, audience participation is kind of the point :-)