Rumble in The Jungle February 2016

This morning the radio news programme told of the French Government’s decision to clear the migrant camp near Calais, known as The Jungle. Many families will once again be travelling in response to conditions beyond their control with all the attendant stresses that such movements bring. In his book ‘The Great Cholesterol Con’, Dr Malcolm Kendrick identifies forced relocation as the primary cause of the abnormally high rates of heart disease in Finland. Today’s wars, and the resulting displacement of millions of people, will help to deepen the health crisis facing mankind. We are creating a ‘Perfect Storm’ of adverse factors to keep us divided and sick. Donald Trump, US Presidential hopeful, is stirring the masses with messages of fear, mistrust and tribalism. He even rounded on the Pope this week for stating that building a wall along the Mexican border was non-Christian. I too will risk his wrath by further stating that building such a wall is non-humanitarian. A property tycoon who wants to build walls rather than homes, who wants America to ‘Kick Ass’ rather than seek peaceful resolution of conflict, is a dangerous man to ‘lead the free world’. He is not upholding the founding values of equality and opportunity that drew people from across the world in search of a new start and a better life. Sadly he’s not alone. Trump’s brand of poisonous invective is the MSG of the political world. It’s tasty and appeals to the masses but it’s cancerous. The UK will soon have a referendum to determine whether or not to stay in the European Community. Debates have and will continue to rage for months to come but the issues addressed are protectionist in nature. There has been no thought of what the best outcome would look like for humanity. Imagine a world where each country used its resources for the benefit of its whole people rather than to enrich the few; where people worked on the land in economies not dominated by the interests of multinationals; where globalisation meant having an awareness of the unity of all mankind rather than the rampant exploitation of the world’s resources under the protection of trade agreements. When I cast my vote it will be for the situation which I believe takes the long term health of the world into account. I look forward to a time when every nation will thrive and celebrate its diversity. Where the children of each country are educated to take their place in society and build both loyalty to their culture and live in harmony with their neighbours. We’ve reached a point where the threat of global warming is now accepted. Global temperature rise could cause our very extinction. Let us realise that the clearing of a jungle in Calais is as dangerous to humanity as the clearing of the Amazon rainforest and that the election of extremists who want to build walls can only perpetuate division. Instead of adopting protectionist practices, to build a better world for our grandchildren we must consciously reduce inflammation whether it be personal, societal, national or international. Blaming our troubles on others, on immigrants or on ‘them’ is akin to blaming cholesterol for heart disease, it blames the symptom rather than the cause. Failure to accept responsibility is ultimately a sign of immaturity. It’s your turn. Please tell me your thoughts. Tell me what action you will take to make our world a happier place.

Every Silver Lining Has a Dark Cloud

This week I’ve woken to three sunny mornings in a row – Spring is on the way! The UK’s winter has been a dull, wet and stormy affair. Almost inevitably, by late afternoon the rain has returned but the mornings have been glorious and have us smiling in anticipation of the day to come. So whether we want to present an optimistic face to the world, in spite of our circumstances, or we choose to dwell in a depressive state in spite of momentary relief, we alone are responsible for our happiness and the choices we make. There is nothing New Age about this way of thinking. As they say, ‘There’s nothing new under the sun’. Shakespeare said it simply – ‘Nothing is either good or bad but thinking makes it so.’ In the Christian tradition we have just entered the season of Lent in remembrance of the period of fasting and spiritual preparation that Jesus undertook before his death and resurrection. Everyone reading these words will respond to them in a different way; some with deep reverence, some with incredulity, still others with an open minded willingness to learn from a master who chose to be in the world but not of it. But anyone who has changed direction in life has experienced a period of adjustment, often painful, before settling on a new trajectory. 40 days is a typical time for the body to respond to challenge in a noticeable way, even though change has been happening slowly and consistently throughout. Coaching is about change. Insufficient challenge results in insufficient change and if there’s insufficient change, what’s the point of coaching? Sometimes my challenge will cause alienation, but it is my job to hold the mirror as steadily as I can so that clients can recognise that their predicament is their responsibility. Oftentimes they complain that the mirror is distorted and smashing it is always an option, (Can anyone really afford seven years of bad luck?) but the mirror is a tool which will show them what they cannot otherwise see. If they take stock of their situation and plot a course for the health they want, it’s usually achievable. Rethinking and adjusting their diet can seem a dull and stormy affair and surrendering addictions can be painful but when clients emerge from the storm of perceived deprivation, and can look back with 20:20 vision on the journey they’ve made, they know deep down that they would never go back. The Lent of my childhood has changed completely. It’s no longer about giving up sweets or not thumping my sister, but more about exploring how I can improve my overall health, Physically, Mentally and Spiritually. Calorie restriction or ‘Intermittent Fasting’ is a time honoured method of improving insulin sensitivity and so preventing the development of many chronic illnesses. Similarly, turning off the TV or Playstation in favour of a period of meditation and focussed attention on ‘what is’ will improve our mental resilience. Service to others is the surest way to grow spiritually and is available to everyone regardless of their circumstances. The job is never done. While we are breathing we are under development, but we come to realise, as Neale Donald Walsh tells us - ‘Taking better care of yourself is not merely a matter of good health, it is a measure of spiritual evolution.’ For now the dark clouds of yesterday have passed and there’s a silver lining to be enjoyed. I’ll enjoy it for a while before inviting someone else to hold up the mirror to me.