This year my new years resolution is simple - fight resistance each and everyday with every ounce of my being and just do my work!
I've thought a lot about just exactly what my work is or should be in 2013. The answers I've come up have honestly suprised me. Perhaps the reason for this has been a far greater recourse to nature in order to explore the depths of my being and my relationship with the world, or perhaps its just the looming milestone of turning 40 and the inevitable mid-life crisis that that entails. Either way I've found the answers to be both enlightening and empowering. In fact, I'm actually quite excited about what life in 2014 has in store.
2013 was a year in which I came face to face with my inner demon, and fell in love with it. That is not to say that I have decided to commit to its will or worship it. Far from it. What I have learned is that I have an ability to fight it as an equal. When the fight is honest, true and aggressive. When I win and my demon submits. At that moment it reveals deep insights about life, my character and the universe. It becomes my teacher. I have fallen in love with its ability to teach and I have fallen in love with the fight, because without the fight there is no life. With a good fight, a fully engaged fight - there is true passion!
Die each day, be born again each morning - the struggle with the demon is relentless. I have felt its lust for me and perhaps even its love. Certainly this demon is one horny mother fucker! Its at the one time hughely generous with its praise, while also being vicious and demeaning in the extreme with its criticism. It has shown me the extent of my glory and the sheer insignificance of my being in a single moment as it both tempts my ego and mocks my humanity. It won't show its face or reveal its true intentions, but, has access to parts of my mind that I have long forgotten about or have yet to encounter.
But, I am not frightened by this creature. In fact, quite the opposite. I am comforted by its presence and have enjoyed the battle of wills that it challenges me to on an hourly basis.
I am convinced that my successful battle with this demon will be what defines 2014 for me. My daily struggle to overcome resistance and achieve my true potential. This is the path that will lead me to create and to love. To be in each moment what I was born to be. Free and fully alive!
This battle requires discipline, sound routine and extreme will power. It requires me not to be distracted. To stay focused. To sit down each day and do my work! This is my commitment to myself in 2014. This is my new years resolution.
Bring on the fight you horny mother fucker!
Tuesday 31 December 2013
Monday 30 December 2013
End Cannabis prohibition in 2014
Why is cannabis so expensive? Afterall it's just a weed that when let alone grows ubiquitiously in nature. In essence it should be free - but gram for gram today it's one of the most expensive commodities on the planet. Why? Who benefits from this and what would change if it was made legal?
Firstly, let's cut through all the bullshit propoganda put out there by the UK government in relation to the supposedly harmful effects of Cannabis. Pharmacologically, the principal psychoactive constituent of Cannabis is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Interestingly, in the UK you can buy a drug called Sativex manufactured by Bayer Schering Pharma that is made from THC extracted from Cannabis plants! You need a perscription from your doctor and it costs about £125 for a pack. If you take it daily this works out at about £11 a day. In the US a synthetic (man made) form of THC is used in another drug called Marinol manufactured by another big pharmaceutical company Abbott Products. Nice scam! If Cannabis was legal people could grow it themselves and it would cost nothing - big Pharma don't like that though, hence why they continue to lobby hard for it to remain illegal.
Organised crime also don't want to see Cannabis become legal. The mark up they currently get on the product is absolutely massive. Make it legal and overnight their profit margins evaporate. As Cannabis is the most widely used of illegal substances, this would instantly effect all aspects of their operations. So they also lobby government hard behind the scenes for its continued prohibition.
Last year an estimated £3bn of UK tax payers money was spent on the so called 'War on Drugs'. This at a time when serious cut backs to public spending are being made across Whitehall. So what did the £3bn achieve? Well it continued to act as a subsidy to certain pharma companies and to organised crime propping up their market for Cannabis. A market that would be far less lucrative (if it existed at all) without prohibition. The £3bn in UK tax payers money that was spent did absolutely nothing to reduce consumption, more people consume Cannabis today than ever before. It did nothing to reduce supply, Cannabis is widely available throughout the UK. I did, however, needless criminalise many young people casting them to the margins of society. It also continued to make the law in general and those who are tasked to enforce it appear ludicrous, thus undermining public respect in our system of law and justice and creating comtempt for the police.
As we enter 2014 it really is time for the people of the UK to wake up and demand an end to this completely wasteful use of our tax money! The war on drugs is actually a 'War on Consciousness'! A war primarily aganist a crop (Cannabis) that has been of medicinal use to mankind and used in religious ceremonies to induce higher states of consciousness in many different cultures for thousands of years. A war against a substance that has not had one death directly attributed to its use ever! A war that needless criminalises our young people, when we should be doing everything we can as a society to embrace them. A war that lines the pockets of big Pharma and organised crime and makes our system of law and justice a laughing stock in the process. As a nation we simply cannot afford it any more. It's time for every citizen to write to their MP's and demand to know their stance on the legalisation of Cannabis. It's time for citizens to march in the streets and demand that no more of our tax money gets wasted in this way. It's time as a society we demand an end to the needless criminalisation of your young people. This madness has got to be brought to an end - we all need to speak out! Give us our freedoms now, end prohibition, end the war on consciousness, legalise Cannabis now!
Take action today - write to your local MP and ask them for their response to the study below published in September 2013 by the Institute of Social and Economic Research looking at the cost benefit analysis of Cannabis legalisation in the UK.
https://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/2013/09/15/a-cost-benefit-analysis-of-cannabis-legalisation
Firstly, let's cut through all the bullshit propoganda put out there by the UK government in relation to the supposedly harmful effects of Cannabis. Pharmacologically, the principal psychoactive constituent of Cannabis is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Interestingly, in the UK you can buy a drug called Sativex manufactured by Bayer Schering Pharma that is made from THC extracted from Cannabis plants! You need a perscription from your doctor and it costs about £125 for a pack. If you take it daily this works out at about £11 a day. In the US a synthetic (man made) form of THC is used in another drug called Marinol manufactured by another big pharmaceutical company Abbott Products. Nice scam! If Cannabis was legal people could grow it themselves and it would cost nothing - big Pharma don't like that though, hence why they continue to lobby hard for it to remain illegal.
Organised crime also don't want to see Cannabis become legal. The mark up they currently get on the product is absolutely massive. Make it legal and overnight their profit margins evaporate. As Cannabis is the most widely used of illegal substances, this would instantly effect all aspects of their operations. So they also lobby government hard behind the scenes for its continued prohibition.
Last year an estimated £3bn of UK tax payers money was spent on the so called 'War on Drugs'. This at a time when serious cut backs to public spending are being made across Whitehall. So what did the £3bn achieve? Well it continued to act as a subsidy to certain pharma companies and to organised crime propping up their market for Cannabis. A market that would be far less lucrative (if it existed at all) without prohibition. The £3bn in UK tax payers money that was spent did absolutely nothing to reduce consumption, more people consume Cannabis today than ever before. It did nothing to reduce supply, Cannabis is widely available throughout the UK. I did, however, needless criminalise many young people casting them to the margins of society. It also continued to make the law in general and those who are tasked to enforce it appear ludicrous, thus undermining public respect in our system of law and justice and creating comtempt for the police.
As we enter 2014 it really is time for the people of the UK to wake up and demand an end to this completely wasteful use of our tax money! The war on drugs is actually a 'War on Consciousness'! A war primarily aganist a crop (Cannabis) that has been of medicinal use to mankind and used in religious ceremonies to induce higher states of consciousness in many different cultures for thousands of years. A war against a substance that has not had one death directly attributed to its use ever! A war that needless criminalises our young people, when we should be doing everything we can as a society to embrace them. A war that lines the pockets of big Pharma and organised crime and makes our system of law and justice a laughing stock in the process. As a nation we simply cannot afford it any more. It's time for every citizen to write to their MP's and demand to know their stance on the legalisation of Cannabis. It's time for citizens to march in the streets and demand that no more of our tax money gets wasted in this way. It's time as a society we demand an end to the needless criminalisation of your young people. This madness has got to be brought to an end - we all need to speak out! Give us our freedoms now, end prohibition, end the war on consciousness, legalise Cannabis now!
Take action today - write to your local MP and ask them for their response to the study below published in September 2013 by the Institute of Social and Economic Research looking at the cost benefit analysis of Cannabis legalisation in the UK.
https://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/2013/09/15/a-cost-benefit-analysis-of-cannabis-legalisation
My favourite brownie recipe
The Christmas holidays are nearly over, but, as they draw to a close I am left to reflect on what has been one of the tastiest feasts I've had in many years. The centerpiece of our table this year was a magnificent Goose. It was the first time that Goose has graced our christmas table and my first time to eat the bird, but, it shall most certainly not be the last. The meat was rich and delicious and the fat was simply to die for. In fact, I experienced little moments of extreme extascy as I bit down on the skin and the juices from the fat exploded in my mouth. Ok so that might sound a bit gay...but seriously the bird was he most lucious creature I have ever tasted. Roast potatoes cooked in goose fat along with brussell sprouts fried in butter with panchetta and chestnuts, completed our feast.
I should mention, however, that the effect of the Goose on my culinary senses was undeniably enhanced by the delicious and nutritious brownie that I scoffed about 2 hours prior to christmas dinner. This gluten free chocolate treat was made from the finest ingredients and is a recipe too good to keep from the rest of the world, so I have decided to share it here.
Firstly, one must prepare the butter and best if this is done the day before. Simply take a stick (250g) of unsalted grass fed butter (Kerry Gold) and place it in a bowl over a pot of hot water. Gently melt the butter on a light heat - do not allow the water to boil. Once melted, mix in about 10g of high quality weed and stir well. Then add a cup of flouride free mineral water and leave to simmer for about 45 min to an hour. Do not allow the mixture to boil. After the allotted time pour the mixture through a muslin cloth into a tin foil container squeezing to ensure all the mixture comes through and then place in the container in the freezer for about 30 min. After 30 min remove the container from the freezer. The butter will have separated from the water. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the container and drain off the water. Your brownie butter is now ready to use.
Now to make the most delicious brownies you will ever taste. Below is a list of the ingredients you'll require:
Specially pre-prepared butter (see above)
1/2 cup of Cocoa or Cacao plus 1 Tbsp
6 organic free range eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup of coconut palm sugar
1/3 cup of honey or agave
1/2 cup of coconut flour
1 and 1/2 cups of unsweetened shredded coconut
Preheat the oven to 325 F. Line an 8X8 pan with parchment paper. Melt the butter (just to melting, not hot) and whisk in the cocoa/cacao. In a medium sized bowl whisk the eggs, sugar, honey and vanilla together. Pour in the chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Add the coconut flour and coconut mix until combined. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until set in the middle.
Once cool these bad boys are ready to eat. They are best served on their own with a cup of bulletproof coffee (mixed with grass fed butter and MCT oil) or in a bowl with some Cornish clotted cream ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon.
My gift to you all the festive season - happy eating!
I should mention, however, that the effect of the Goose on my culinary senses was undeniably enhanced by the delicious and nutritious brownie that I scoffed about 2 hours prior to christmas dinner. This gluten free chocolate treat was made from the finest ingredients and is a recipe too good to keep from the rest of the world, so I have decided to share it here.
Firstly, one must prepare the butter and best if this is done the day before. Simply take a stick (250g) of unsalted grass fed butter (Kerry Gold) and place it in a bowl over a pot of hot water. Gently melt the butter on a light heat - do not allow the water to boil. Once melted, mix in about 10g of high quality weed and stir well. Then add a cup of flouride free mineral water and leave to simmer for about 45 min to an hour. Do not allow the mixture to boil. After the allotted time pour the mixture through a muslin cloth into a tin foil container squeezing to ensure all the mixture comes through and then place in the container in the freezer for about 30 min. After 30 min remove the container from the freezer. The butter will have separated from the water. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the container and drain off the water. Your brownie butter is now ready to use.
Now to make the most delicious brownies you will ever taste. Below is a list of the ingredients you'll require:
Specially pre-prepared butter (see above)
1/2 cup of Cocoa or Cacao plus 1 Tbsp
6 organic free range eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup of coconut palm sugar
1/3 cup of honey or agave
1/2 cup of coconut flour
1 and 1/2 cups of unsweetened shredded coconut
Preheat the oven to 325 F. Line an 8X8 pan with parchment paper. Melt the butter (just to melting, not hot) and whisk in the cocoa/cacao. In a medium sized bowl whisk the eggs, sugar, honey and vanilla together. Pour in the chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Add the coconut flour and coconut mix until combined. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until set in the middle.
Once cool these bad boys are ready to eat. They are best served on their own with a cup of bulletproof coffee (mixed with grass fed butter and MCT oil) or in a bowl with some Cornish clotted cream ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon.
My gift to you all the festive season - happy eating!
Thursday 19 December 2013
Who are you?
Who are you?
Recognise who you are and you'll understand how to motivate yourself to achieve great things.
Recognise who others are and you'll understand how to motivate people to achieve great things.
Recognise that we are all one and you have the power to change the world!
Recognise who you are and you'll understand how to motivate yourself to achieve great things.
Recognise who others are and you'll understand how to motivate people to achieve great things.
Recognise that we are all one and you have the power to change the world!
Wednesday 18 December 2013
Importance of a name
On Sunday 15th December, at the Zanu PF annual congress in Chinhoyi Zimbabwe, plans were announced to rebrand the Victoria Falls as the 'Mosi Oa Tunya' (Smoke that Thunders).
http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Mugabe-Party-Wants-to-Rename-Victoria-Falls/-/1066/2115976/-/rhlb9d/-/index.html
To be perfectly honest I'm amazed that it hasn't happened already. When I visited the Falls this year I was actually quite suprised to see that officially they were still branded as 'Victoria Falls' along with the town. I guessed that worries over a potential drop off in tourism may have been the reason why the change hadn't happened prior to now? I was equally suprised, but, at the same time glad to see that a statue of Dr. David Livingstone was still standing within the Victoria Falls national park.
Since the announcement on Sunday there has been a lot of debate online about whether the name should be changed. I feel strongly that it should and that concerns over tourism should play absolutely no part in the decision quite frankly. The Mosi Oa Tunya is the ancient name of the falls, it is a more majestic name, and it connects the land to the soul of the people. The people of Zimbabwe and Zambia had their land and identity stolen when the British formed their colony in Rhodesia. Local traditions and names where swept away as the colonists asserted their superiority over both the people and the land. The mission to rebuild the nation that has been underway since independence is about much more than just economic development. It is about a redevelopment of the people's sense of ownership for the land and their pride in local traditions and culture. Essentially, a rebuilding of the nations soul.
For these reasons I support changing the name back to its original name of Mosi Oa Tunya. Ultimately, with the right marketing there is no reason why tourism should suffer, but, even if it does experience a short term blip that would in no way detract from the major benefits that would arise from reconnecting the soul of the people with this natural wonder of the world.
At the same time, I would not like to see the statue of Dr. David Livingstone removed - why? Well becuase for better or worse the colonial heritage is part of the history of Zimbabwe and I feel that in order to truly understand itself, a nation must truly understand its history. Also, David Livingstone was actually not a colonist. He was an explorer who lived his life among the local people and had two local women as his life partners. When he died his heart was buried in Africa and his body returned to England. He loved Africa and he loved its people.
It will be interesting to see how the debate online progresses over the next few weeks and how the rebranding exercise when it happens is managed by the Zimbabwean government. Also do the Zambian government follow suit?
Mosi Oa Tunya (Smoke that Thunders) - definitely a much better name!
http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Mugabe-Party-Wants-to-Rename-Victoria-Falls/-/1066/2115976/-/rhlb9d/-/index.html
To be perfectly honest I'm amazed that it hasn't happened already. When I visited the Falls this year I was actually quite suprised to see that officially they were still branded as 'Victoria Falls' along with the town. I guessed that worries over a potential drop off in tourism may have been the reason why the change hadn't happened prior to now? I was equally suprised, but, at the same time glad to see that a statue of Dr. David Livingstone was still standing within the Victoria Falls national park.
Since the announcement on Sunday there has been a lot of debate online about whether the name should be changed. I feel strongly that it should and that concerns over tourism should play absolutely no part in the decision quite frankly. The Mosi Oa Tunya is the ancient name of the falls, it is a more majestic name, and it connects the land to the soul of the people. The people of Zimbabwe and Zambia had their land and identity stolen when the British formed their colony in Rhodesia. Local traditions and names where swept away as the colonists asserted their superiority over both the people and the land. The mission to rebuild the nation that has been underway since independence is about much more than just economic development. It is about a redevelopment of the people's sense of ownership for the land and their pride in local traditions and culture. Essentially, a rebuilding of the nations soul.
For these reasons I support changing the name back to its original name of Mosi Oa Tunya. Ultimately, with the right marketing there is no reason why tourism should suffer, but, even if it does experience a short term blip that would in no way detract from the major benefits that would arise from reconnecting the soul of the people with this natural wonder of the world.
At the same time, I would not like to see the statue of Dr. David Livingstone removed - why? Well becuase for better or worse the colonial heritage is part of the history of Zimbabwe and I feel that in order to truly understand itself, a nation must truly understand its history. Also, David Livingstone was actually not a colonist. He was an explorer who lived his life among the local people and had two local women as his life partners. When he died his heart was buried in Africa and his body returned to England. He loved Africa and he loved its people.
It will be interesting to see how the debate online progresses over the next few weeks and how the rebranding exercise when it happens is managed by the Zimbabwean government. Also do the Zambian government follow suit?
Mosi Oa Tunya (Smoke that Thunders) - definitely a much better name!
Wednesday 11 December 2013
Time to end the madness
Yesterday saw a law passed in Uruguay to legalise the growing, sale, distribution and consumption of cannabis. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25315215
Slowly it would seem the world is waking up to the madness of the prohibition of weed. A prohibition which not only fills the pockets of criminal gangs, but, also denies the truth about what effectively is a wonder crop.
History often tells an interesting tale. Back in the 30's in the US William Randolph Hearst owned a lot of newspapers and owned the paper mills that printed the paper. Hemp (the male non psychoactive form of the Cannabis plant) was competing with his paper production so he rallied his friends in power (government) and finally made it illegal in 1937. A lot of propoganda was put out in Hearst's newspapers which claimed that a new drug called 'Marijuana' (never before used as a name for Cannabis) was causing blacks and Hispanics to rape white women. When the case to ban 'Marijuana' came before congress the prosecutor (Anslinger) claimed that it caused violence, attacks, delerium, death and was used by black jazz musicians. Interestingly, when the topic came back up in the 50′s the same guy (Anslinger) told congress a totally different story. Now his tale said that it should be illegal because it caused mellowness and apathy. He said the communists would try to use it against the youth in a bid to corrupt America.
The facts about Cannabis are very different from the negative propoganda that is so often put out. Firstly, there has never been one single death directly attributed to the use of Cannabis. Not one! Secondly, there are many proven health benefits to the use of the plant which is why it was used for centuries as a medicine by people across the planet. Thirdly, the psychoactive effects are consciousness expanding and can promote personal development and spiritual growth.
It is clear that we are now witnessing the dying days of prohibition on a global basis. Already decriminalised in a number of EU states including the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Estonia, Croatia and the Czech Republic, many other European countries are also looking at the status of the plant. More importantly, in the US many states have legalised its sale for medicinal purposes and two states Colorado and Washington have made it fully legal. These are essentially the PoC's for the end to prohibition across the US. Once prohibition ends in the US it will end worldwide shortly thereafter.
So today I raise my glass to the people of Uruguay to congratulate them and ask the question - when will the British governments war on consciousness end? Legalise pot now - we want the same freedoms of those people in enlightened lands such as Uruguay!
Slowly it would seem the world is waking up to the madness of the prohibition of weed. A prohibition which not only fills the pockets of criminal gangs, but, also denies the truth about what effectively is a wonder crop.
History often tells an interesting tale. Back in the 30's in the US William Randolph Hearst owned a lot of newspapers and owned the paper mills that printed the paper. Hemp (the male non psychoactive form of the Cannabis plant) was competing with his paper production so he rallied his friends in power (government) and finally made it illegal in 1937. A lot of propoganda was put out in Hearst's newspapers which claimed that a new drug called 'Marijuana' (never before used as a name for Cannabis) was causing blacks and Hispanics to rape white women. When the case to ban 'Marijuana' came before congress the prosecutor (Anslinger) claimed that it caused violence, attacks, delerium, death and was used by black jazz musicians. Interestingly, when the topic came back up in the 50′s the same guy (Anslinger) told congress a totally different story. Now his tale said that it should be illegal because it caused mellowness and apathy. He said the communists would try to use it against the youth in a bid to corrupt America.
The facts about Cannabis are very different from the negative propoganda that is so often put out. Firstly, there has never been one single death directly attributed to the use of Cannabis. Not one! Secondly, there are many proven health benefits to the use of the plant which is why it was used for centuries as a medicine by people across the planet. Thirdly, the psychoactive effects are consciousness expanding and can promote personal development and spiritual growth.
It is clear that we are now witnessing the dying days of prohibition on a global basis. Already decriminalised in a number of EU states including the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Estonia, Croatia and the Czech Republic, many other European countries are also looking at the status of the plant. More importantly, in the US many states have legalised its sale for medicinal purposes and two states Colorado and Washington have made it fully legal. These are essentially the PoC's for the end to prohibition across the US. Once prohibition ends in the US it will end worldwide shortly thereafter.
So today I raise my glass to the people of Uruguay to congratulate them and ask the question - when will the British governments war on consciousness end? Legalise pot now - we want the same freedoms of those people in enlightened lands such as Uruguay!
Monday 9 December 2013
The xmas tree
It's the 9th of December and I still haven't put the xmas tree up. Unusual for me. As a kid I loved xmas, mainly becuase my mom did it so well. Every year the tree would go up in early December and that would kick start the magic to ensue.
Throughout the years the xmas tree has been a symbol of hope and stability in my sometimes chaotic life. I remember moving from Ireland to our new house in England back in December 2006. Arriving at a cold house before any of our furniture got there and sleeping on the floor, all that we had for the first two nights was the xmas tree which I brought with us in the car ferry. I put it up with the kids and decorated it. It stood there keeping us warm inside and reminding us all that this was not just a house, but, also a new home.
I first moved in to live with my wife and kids in late December 2001. It had been a beautiful whirlwind romance, that suddenly got a lot more serious and complicated when my wife's two kids arrived from Africa. However, I quickly fell in love with all three people and wanted us to become a family. So we moved into a small room together in a shared house that I was renting. It was a rocky start to our life together. The kids had never really experienced a European xmas, so on xmas eve I took my little daughter to the shopping mall to buy a tree and some decorations. We came back and put it up in the living room. Although we didn't have much that year and the future was very uncertain, that tree standing tall in our house reminded us all that we had each other. In each other we would find the strength to pull through, and that xmas was the first of many wonderful years together.
Despite all my memories of the joy and comfort that the xmas tree has brought, for some reason this year I've been slow to put it up. To be very honest the whole xmas spirit has not captivated me in the way that it usually does. Our recent trip back to Africa has left me feeling a bit uncomfortable with material excess and nothing glorifies material excess more than the xmas season. Our kids have also grown big now and the wonder of xmas is not what it used to be for them. Last year I had my little god daughter visit and it was fantastic to share the wonder and magic with her, but, unfortunately she won't be with us this year. Also, matters of both work and the extended family are very pressing this year - xmas just seems like a huge distraction that I could do without.
However, when I think back to the light it has shone in my life in years gone by I know what needs to be done. The tree must go up! This thought was confirmed very strongly this morning by my teenage daughter who not only wants it up this week, but, is insistent that all the family must be present for the occasion to participate in it's decoration. Once again the tree is bringing us together as a family - reminding us that above all we have each other and acting as a symbol of light and hope for the year ahead.
Life can be hard and often is uncertain. Xmas for me has always been a consistent light. A little joy at the heart of each year. It brings hope and gives courage. That is the magic of xmas and the tree is a wonderful symbol - more powerful that we really give it credit for.
Throughout the years the xmas tree has been a symbol of hope and stability in my sometimes chaotic life. I remember moving from Ireland to our new house in England back in December 2006. Arriving at a cold house before any of our furniture got there and sleeping on the floor, all that we had for the first two nights was the xmas tree which I brought with us in the car ferry. I put it up with the kids and decorated it. It stood there keeping us warm inside and reminding us all that this was not just a house, but, also a new home.
I first moved in to live with my wife and kids in late December 2001. It had been a beautiful whirlwind romance, that suddenly got a lot more serious and complicated when my wife's two kids arrived from Africa. However, I quickly fell in love with all three people and wanted us to become a family. So we moved into a small room together in a shared house that I was renting. It was a rocky start to our life together. The kids had never really experienced a European xmas, so on xmas eve I took my little daughter to the shopping mall to buy a tree and some decorations. We came back and put it up in the living room. Although we didn't have much that year and the future was very uncertain, that tree standing tall in our house reminded us all that we had each other. In each other we would find the strength to pull through, and that xmas was the first of many wonderful years together.
Despite all my memories of the joy and comfort that the xmas tree has brought, for some reason this year I've been slow to put it up. To be very honest the whole xmas spirit has not captivated me in the way that it usually does. Our recent trip back to Africa has left me feeling a bit uncomfortable with material excess and nothing glorifies material excess more than the xmas season. Our kids have also grown big now and the wonder of xmas is not what it used to be for them. Last year I had my little god daughter visit and it was fantastic to share the wonder and magic with her, but, unfortunately she won't be with us this year. Also, matters of both work and the extended family are very pressing this year - xmas just seems like a huge distraction that I could do without.
However, when I think back to the light it has shone in my life in years gone by I know what needs to be done. The tree must go up! This thought was confirmed very strongly this morning by my teenage daughter who not only wants it up this week, but, is insistent that all the family must be present for the occasion to participate in it's decoration. Once again the tree is bringing us together as a family - reminding us that above all we have each other and acting as a symbol of light and hope for the year ahead.
Life can be hard and often is uncertain. Xmas for me has always been a consistent light. A little joy at the heart of each year. It brings hope and gives courage. That is the magic of xmas and the tree is a wonderful symbol - more powerful that we really give it credit for.
Friday 6 December 2013
Long Walk Ended - RIP Nelson Mandela
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
Nelson Mandela
Last night as I watched the news break of Mandiba's death, I cried. My tears were both for the man and for the South African nation. They were tears of gratitude for a life of sacrifice, courage and integrity. They were also tears of joy and hope for the future of the South African nation. The legacy of Nelson Mandela is timeless and will span the generations.
We should never forget that above all Nelson Mandela was just a man. His achievements were not those of some godlike superhero. They were the achievements of a human being filled with dignity, wisdom and courage. A man who suffered so much and yet rose above hatred and fear to become a great leader of a great nation. A humble man who understood that "to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
The true inspiration from the life of Nelson Mandela is gained when we connect with his humanity. When we understand that within each and everyone of us there is also the capability for great courage and forgiveness and that these human attributes really can shape and create a better world. We should never give up on the power of our human spirit nor let it be crushed by life's events. Rather we should strive always for "there is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."
Thank you Mandiba for your teachings, for your sacrifice and for your leadership. I am grateful and humbled to have spent time with your here on this planet. May the universe embrace your soul and may South Africa and the rest of the world never forget the lessons you taught us.
RIP Baba and God Bless South Africa!
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Free Love
British Olympian Tom Daley posted a video on youtube this week speaking about his sexuality. In the laid back video post entitled "Something I want to say.." Tom revealed that he is currently dating a guy, is very happy, but still fancies girls. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJwJnoB9EKw
By not leveraging the mainstream media to make a big announcement and I'm sure a few quid, Tom has set what I believe is a really positive tone for future discussions. A person's sexuality should not be a big deal - the fact that it still is in 2013 is a sad reflection on the level of maturity within our society.
This week also saw Croatia, the newest member of the EU, hold a referendum on the nature of marriage. The result was a yes vote that enshrined the term marriage within the Croatian constitution as "the union between a man and a woman". The campaign for a yes vote was not suprisingly led by Croatian Catholic groups with strong support from the Roman Catholic Church.
These two events really highlighted for me the gulf that exists culturally today between Britian and many of our eastern EU partners. I'm not at all critical of the Croatian vote - they were merely exercising their democratic rights as citizens. However, surely they must have more important issues to attend to?
I do wonder when we'll actually stop as a society wasting so much energy on debating the sexuality of others and discriminating against others because of who they decide to shag or fall in love with? It's a complete diversion from the real problems that humanity faces on this planet.
Free love!
By not leveraging the mainstream media to make a big announcement and I'm sure a few quid, Tom has set what I believe is a really positive tone for future discussions. A person's sexuality should not be a big deal - the fact that it still is in 2013 is a sad reflection on the level of maturity within our society.
This week also saw Croatia, the newest member of the EU, hold a referendum on the nature of marriage. The result was a yes vote that enshrined the term marriage within the Croatian constitution as "the union between a man and a woman". The campaign for a yes vote was not suprisingly led by Croatian Catholic groups with strong support from the Roman Catholic Church.
These two events really highlighted for me the gulf that exists culturally today between Britian and many of our eastern EU partners. I'm not at all critical of the Croatian vote - they were merely exercising their democratic rights as citizens. However, surely they must have more important issues to attend to?
I do wonder when we'll actually stop as a society wasting so much energy on debating the sexuality of others and discriminating against others because of who they decide to shag or fall in love with? It's a complete diversion from the real problems that humanity faces on this planet.
Free love!
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