Author: headsup

THINK

It’s been a while! Early in the new school year felt like a good time for a new resolution and getting more frequent blogs written ought to be in the mix. So let’s see how this goes.

Over the summer break, with the fire on, sheltering from the oft horizontal, Welsh, July rain, exposure to the key sporting events of the day provided welcome relief. What with the Euro’s and the Olympics, there was much to enjoy, acknowledge and celebrate. Online coverage of these events saturated the news pages and social media alike with reports and comment as well. Here though the sporting heroics and achievements were often subject to contrasting tones. 

Articles in the press and threads on various social media platforms frequently veered away from celebration of achievement and success and carried instead levels of vitriol and criticism, damning in nature. Critical, personal attacks on individuals and teams from authors invariably shrouded in online anonymity, opting to pen poison rather than praise. Not always were these comments anonymous. Instances were also prevalent of society’s leaders slating someone or another. The very people we turn to for the example we should follow, the social standards we should live by. Shouting it’s alright to do this! Particularly disappointing when posted by political heavyweights and corporate leaders. 

The example set by our leaders influences behavioural standards in society and in our communities. We are directly influenced by and follow, the behaviours of those commanding positions of respect, whether in politics, education, or from within our own homes and families. 

How did such a potentially beneficial tool such as social media, with its capacity for connecting people globally, providing a platform for creativity, and raising awareness about critical issues for positive change and growth, become so easily and readily a corrupted platform for darker, more sinister purposes? 

I dare say the answers are many, and are complex and interwoven. Does the culture of celebrity which seems to pervade society and social media these days feature? How do influencers and celebrities shape the behaviours or attitudes in social media use among their followers? To what extent do controversial or provocative posts by public figures normalise or glamorise inappropriate online behaviour? How do family values and attitudes towards technology shape an individual’s behaviour on social media platforms? How does anonymity on social media platforms contribute to the rise of trolling, harassment, or abusive language? How does the perceived lack of real-world consequences affect the frequency of inappropriate social media use?  I’m sure there are many more questions which could be asked.

What concerns me in all this, is how the influence of online behaviours impact our children and exposes them to greater social complexities, subversion and danger than certainly I recall from my youth. I know as parents we care most passionately about protecting our children from harm. We want them to have independence, the space to discover and grow, but we want to shelter them from harmful influences as well. 

If the complexion of social media poses a genuine threat to our children, what, therefore, can we do to help them make better choices online? Changing culture is always challenging, requiring as it does a significant shift in behaviours and mind-set, but as parents, we can lead by example. If we examine our own personal online identity and practices we might learn a lot. If we can model effective and appropriate use of technology to our children then we can help ensure that exemplar behaviours are there for them to mirror and follow.

A mantra for the moment, one which has been out there for some time now, is that when we present ourselves online we ‘THINK’ first, and ask ourselves whether what we are posting is;

T – True

H – Helpful

I – Inspiring

N – Necessary

K – Kind


If we all adopted this mantra when online, and are monitoring that our children are following our lead, we might make a few small inroads into the negativity and hurt too often to the fore in social media use.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

There’s an old adage which references the clustering of positive experiences, happening in close order to each other, as, ‘all Christmases coming at once’. It implies the recipient has never had it so good. An abundance of wonders to celebrate, a cup running over with delights.

This years International Day of Peace message from the Secretary General of the UN in acknowledging the global complexion in 2021, spins that idiom on its head. Rarely has the international world shared in such an unsettled landscape of multiple challenge and threat.

The Secretary General describes this years International Day of Peace as “coming at a crisis point for humanity”.  We have been living under the cloud of COVID-19 for almost two years now, with little sign of the pandemic being contained.  Conflict and the threat of conflict can be witnessed across the globe.  The gap between the haves and have-nots is widening along with the degree of disregard. Levels of mistrust are deepening. Previously stable beacons of democracy and internationalism are straining under insidious political infection. The wheels seem to be coming off. 

Just one of these issues would be challenge enough, but inside this vacuum of humanity at its most destructive, the world is also screaming for attention. With the plethora of competing issues, environmental challenges and climate change have been forced even further from the front page of our daily concerns. 

In his message for peace for 2021, the Secretary General states that, “as a human family, we face a stark choice — peace or perpetual peril. We must choose peace”.

If all of our Christmases are to have a chance of gathering again at some point in the future our commitments need to change. We need to stop looking inward and at our feet, we need to lift our heads, open our eyes and minds and combine in our efforts to combat the challenges we face and we can address.

Mr Guterres says that by, “working in solidarity for a lasting, sustainable peace every day, we can tackle the issues facing us. We need peace to urgently deliver lifesaving vaccines and treatment for COVID-19. We need peace to recover from the pandemic and re-build shattered systems and shattered lives. We need peace to level the playing field and reduce inequalities. We need peace to renew trust in one another — and faith in facts and science. And we need to make peace with nature — to heal our planet, build a green economy, and achieve our net-zero targets.”

Is that all? The mountain seems rather steep to me. I enjoy a good climb however, so I guess we better get on with it. We can after all, only commit to do what we can. To make the difference we can, and in doing so together, maybe we initiate change.

Mr Guterres concludes by stating that  “Peace is not a naïve dream. It’s a light in the darkness. Guiding us to the only pathway to a better future for humanity. Let’s walk the pathway of peace as if our lives depended on it. Because they do. As a human family, we face a stark choice — peace or perpetual peril. We must choose peace.”

OUR-GATE & KERBSIDE

“Fasten your seatbelt says the voice

Inside the plane you can’t hear no noise

Engines made by Rolls Royce

Take your choice

Make mine…” * 

…..Our-gate and Kerbside.

When I first heard of this exotic holiday destination from a friend at school it sounded like an idyllic, Lake District village nestling in the valleys of North West England. The boy who shared his travel plans with me smugly pointed out to me however, that it meant…..our gate (the gate outside his house) and kerbside (the edge of the footpath where it met the road). He wasn’t going anywhere for his summer vacation, he was staying at home. 

Not for him, nor me either at that time either, exotic, international travel. Just expeditions and explorations of the locality; whatever was on the doorstep. Don’t extend too much sympathy to me however, for these restrictions that were imposed on me. Some of the best holiday experiences I ever had were spent exploring the very things that were a stones throw away; things I’d see every day, every week.  

I’m looking forward to some ‘down-time’, but I can’t wait to get immersed in other things too. I encourage you to do likewise, maybe by escaping into a good book; fact or fiction, inquiry or escape, maybe getting lost in a good mystery.  How about developing a love of the outdoors countryside and coastal walks, maybe with the dog and visits to the beach or discovering and investigating local histories, temples and places of interest that you walk past and overlook every day.

Take the opportunity to work on your fitness and get some exercise; running or going to the gym, yoga, swimming, aerobics classes or dancing maybe. Expand your personal interests. For me drawing and painting; I hope to spend days on end doing this!  Music is another creative outlet. Whether listening to music, playing an instrument, singing or writing music, on your own or with friends.

Whatever it is that floats your boat, do it with a passion. Keeping a record of the experience is a great idea too. Keep a journal of all of the various things you get up to….well most of them anyway.

We can really stretch ourselves, our minds and bodies, with the experiences available to us within touching distance of home. Of course the whole experience of travel and visiting new places is fantastic, but so too is taking advantage of where we are, where we live.  Whilst a trip to Rome might be genuinely appealing, we don’t have to go to Italy to sample phenomenal ice cream!

Sometimes staying at home and exploring what’s special, opening those doors to curiosity and discovery, can reap a wonderful harvest. So go on, travel somewhere exotic, enjoy the holiday and enjoy Our-gate and Kerbside.

* Majorca by John Cooper Clarke

KEEPING AHEAD IN THE CROWD

I have never been a rider of motorcycles, but I can certainly see the appeal. Their combination of style and power ooze identity. In my youth the associations with the mod or big bike cultures could be seen every summer, or bank holiday on the roads and resorts around the the UK. Leather or two tone. The rough, raw, throaty presence of the 750 Kawasaki to the Vespa’s chromed and mirrored gleam, these prized and valued accessories were as much the appendages of personality as the clothes and hairstyles; the fashion and trend. From a distance it always seemed more about identity and lifestyle, from footwear to helmet; the ‘family’ one belonged to, rather than fundamentally about transport. The exhilaration and risk of hurtling along at speed, on two wheels, is however, understandably a thrill-seekers utopia. I think I get it.

Since moving to Asia however, the presence of the motorcycle on the road has been far more evident in daily use, by all, young and not so young. Possessing a more utilitarian function, in most cases.

They are everywhere. Barely moving or buzzing and darting into scarcely existing spaces; never a second to lose, ne’er a care in the world.  Swarming to be first, to be to the forefront, cutting the edges. Seemingly always late for something. The centre of all things. Driving can be like rushing roulette; spin the wheels and hold your breath.  

In recent years, ranked the second highest, globally, in driving related fatalities, you’d think taking precautions would be high on the list of priorities. That maybe for motorcyclists wearing a crash helmet would be the first order of the day. Yet every time I drive from A to B I am amazed how few people using bikes wear helmets. How often, the driver might, but the passengers do not. Families, loved ones, children; three, four to a bike; barely a cash-hat in sight. 

Irrespective of whether the law requires the wearing of helmets, the culture would seem to dictate otherwise. The fashion, it seems, is to ‘wing it’. Fatalistic or foolhardy, with an estimated 60 road deaths a day reported across the country and 70% of these involving motorbikes, good sense appears in short supply. 

Motorcycle helmets offer protection obviously for head injuries. They help reduce the impact of wind noise, impacting the eyes and ears so reducing distraction. They improve visibility, with visors reducing glare from the sun. Helmets shield the face and the head protecting from flies and other insects, from stones, gravel, and miscellaneous debris kicked up by other traffic. Not wearing the helmet means your insurances (vehicle and health care) are also likely in jeopardy. 

If only it were cool to wear a crash helmet. If only we could influence the culture, challenge the current trends, redefine fashion. If we can start within our immediate community maybe we can contribute something positive to the cause. Whether students, itching to get out on two wheels, or parent, taking your family to and from school, please; think before you commit. The evidence is incontestable. If motorcyclists are safer wearing protective headwear their passengers are too.

KEEP YOUR HEAD ABOVE THE CROWD- WEAR A HELMET

THE FUTURE’S NOT YET WRITTEN

I am used to blank canvases. They excite me. The optimism for and potential of what might develop; the anticipation, then response. The action. The engagement. The physical act of doing, of making something. The colour that will be applied, rich and vibrant or soft and subtle, embedded with nuance. Textures, tones and tensions. Patterns, geometries and the shapes we make. Our identities, our gestures, our meaning. Thoughts and beliefs, our influences, how and where we draw our lines. Recovering from mistakes, digging in, sticking at it and resolving. Our resilience and the will, the determination to get it right. 

Grasping the opportunity to shape and model, to colour and render, to consider and create, to reflect and comment on the things that chime within us can be a tough thing to do. It certainly isn’t something I’ve ever found that straight forward. For me the blank canvas is a wonderful thing. A blank page, less so.  I find it so much easier in paint than in words. Shakespeare I ain’t! So embarking on a blog is somewhat daunting. However, if I encourage others to step outside their comfort zones, maybe it’s time for me to practice what I preach and to do the same. 

I don’t claim to have a portfolio of solutions to the personal and social challenges lying in wait for us. I doubt I have many answers at all. What will follow though, is hopefully, a reasonably regular flow of thoughts, observations, ideas, responses, opinions, suggestions and even the occasional request, driven by my experiences; what I see and encounter along the way. If ever there is any wit or wisdom struggling to get to the surface, well, I hope we can celebrate these rare moments. 

The future’s not yet written…so here we go…..