Philosophy has always been a broad subject and one that I have never quite mastered. Even as a youngster at university, with my window to the future ahead of me, I could only attempt to understand the theories and philosophy of our universe.

As I am getting older, I am starting to realise that we will never have all the answers. All we can hope for is an understanding of the philosophy that is relevant to our own meaning, the philosophy which defines our life and that of the people closest to us and that is what I am now trying to uncover.

What I do find is that in some ways philosophy does become easier to understanding in later life, once we have lived through certain experiences. As a youngster you cannot begin to even imagine half of the concepts as they have no depth of meaning.

As you wade through life, alternately sinking, swimming, flying and drowning, the truths about life emerge and you realise what is important. You have the experience to be able to form your own beliefs and challenge those you do not agree with.

Philosophy is a very personal experience. You can take ideas from the great philosophers and reject what you know to be untrue – you have to shape them through your own life experiences and beliefs.