Seeing The Light

 Hello Everyone, I hope all is well with you and you're all safe, a state that's becoming increasingly more precious in the world. Before I go on, I will reiterate the point, I never write about politics, either of my own country or anyone else's-mainly because the only thing that would be achieved, in most cases, would be highlighting my own ignorance. However, I think we can all agree, things do look decidedly bleak at the moment. As an example, violence in the UK has dominated the headlines in recent weeks, there have been a number of senseless attacks on innocent people and protests rapidly turning into riots where countless police officers were badly injured. Sadly, this level of aggression is not limited to the UK, it seems to be the 'choice' of many groups of people who have no time for debate, no motivation to discuss and resolve differences peacefully. Tragically, when these incidents happen, it appears that its rarely the instigators who end up in hospital - that fate is seemingly reserved for people who played no part in the violence and yet somehow, got caught in the crossfire.

I have also been deeply troubled by the explosive tension in the Middle East, especially the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The area is fraught with division, from both within and the wider world who, for a variety of reasons, seem to be allied to one side or the other. Speaking only for myself, I sincerely hope that amid all the talk of retaliation, there are still people whose primary concern is for those who are trying to live in a warzone-regardless on which side of the border they happen to be. It's hard for most of us to even imagine the horror of trying to put your children to bed at night, fearful that at any moment, a veritable downpour of bombs and missiles could rain down from the sky. For those people, something as simple as, 'the next morning' is not a guaranteed event.

With so much happening, I think it's interesting to see how various world leaders respond, some of the more extreme are somewhat gleeful in causing so much chaos and destruction but others choose a very different approach. Many talk about hope, change, finding new ways and charting a new course, which would be encouraging to believe if they genuinely mean what they say - always slightly dubious when dealing with politicians. However, there can be no question that they are sensing the need for spreading a hopeful message rather than endless doom and gloom.

Again, here in the UK, in the run up to the recent general election for a new Prime Minister, the word 'change' was used in almost every advertisement by the party who eventually won. Clearly, the PR department were fully aware that the population are weary, tired of struggling and fearful for the future. Obviously whether any real change can occur, only time will tell, but the message was undeniably effective.

I think, most people are extraordinarily resilient, they can cope with almost anything but there has to be the light of hope at the end. We have to believe that however difficult times are now, they will get better, so all we have to do, is keep going and it will happen. As I've said in previous posts, I am a big believer in trying to hold on to hope, in my own life, there have been many occasions when it has been the only thing left. I have been in numerous situations that, on the face of it, seemed overwhelmingly awful, but it seemed to me, if I could just get through the day, perhaps tomorrow would bring an answer. 

So yes, if we look at the world today, it does seem awash with conflict, life is tough- in a variety of ways- for a huge percentage of the population. But even in the darkest of days, if we can still hope for better, there's still light to be found, we just have to look for it. Despite everything, I do believe in the inherent goodness in most people, there are countless examples of communities pulling together in the face of a natural disaster or fundraising for a worthy cause. How easy we can find it to look beyond any perceived differences! As happened when a mosque was attacked by a racist mob, and within 24 hours, people from all faiths came together and helped rebuild. Nobody was concerned about how or where anyone else prayed, what mattered was showing respect and compassion for each other-to make those who had suffered, feel less alone.

It's these times that reinforce my belief, there is always hope for the world as a whole, but also in our own lives. It really is about putting one foot in front of the other even when it would be so much easier to give up and stop -as someone who lives with severe depression, that's a feeling which is extremely familiar. As I said before, if it's for one day or even one hour, that we can keep going, that light will get closer.

Anyway, that's more than enough from me, so please look after yourselves, try hard to find some reasons to smile and, I promise, I will do the same....until the next time...

Take care out there xxxx