Better Together

The Scottish Independence debate brings identity clearly into focus. Do we see ourselves as independent or are we joined? Are Scottish economic interests better served as an independent nation or as part of a larger economic unit, the UK? To me the debate crystalises the need for us to think in a multidimensional way. There is no adequate Yes / No answer with winners and losers after the referendum. It’s now time to realise that we are both independent and interdependent. We can justly take pride in our individualism and strength in so far as it enables us to collaborate and serve in a larger community. In the human body of 100 Trillion cells each has a unique contribution to make. A liver cell cannot be a brain cell, nor a pancreatic cell be found in bone marrow. Every organ needs every other and optimum collaboration results in a healthy, balanced organism that can best serve its family and community. I can think of myself as a cell within the community of Newcastle where I live. This is not an either or choice, but both simultaneously. For years I used to think that ‘seeing the big picture’ was about adopting a superior perspective. I used to think things like – ‘First I’m a businessman, then an engineer’ or ‘First I’m a European, then an Irishman’. Today however, my thinking has evolved. One identity is not more important than another; rather, I am both things simultaneously – and very much more besides. My hope for the outcome of the Scottish referendum, is that the people vote to stay part of the UK and that all the people of that great nation have a renewed sense of pride in their cultural identity. May they be truly Scottish with further devolution of power, as they are best positioned to address the needs of their people. But may they take pride in their multifaceted identity as citizens of the UK, of Europe and humanity as a whole. All bodies work better when their separate parts are optimally healthy and work together to serve the whole. Our communities will be stronger when we are individually healthy yet use our strength to support the less fortunate, the sick and the elderly. Our world will be a healthier place when its nations seek to live in a balanced and harmonious way and to serve the whole through a joyous celebration of diversity. Nor may we continue to exploit nature’s resources in unsustainable ways. Mankind works better together and in the long-term can only work at all by working in harmony with nature.