A Fearful Decision

For a man who regularly posts on the topic of fear and its challenging impact in our lives, I could not let the decision to leave the EU pass without comment.

I have been dispirited by both sides of the Referendum Campaign. Neither has sought to offer positivity, hope and potential. Each has wallowed in the negative posturing of the other’s promises and statistics. Our politicians and our media have failed us. Not in the way that the media are reporting, those media magnates have always wanted an EU exit, but in not representing the opportunities inherent in working together to the common good.

I know, I am naive to believe that this would be possible. But I choose to believe in the fundamental goodness of the human race. Together we are stronger. Together we can see how we are similar; how we both care about the same things, how we are all fearful of the same stuff. Politicians, and the media beast that serves the establishment, use fear as a weapon to manipulate and cajole us. Is this not apparent to everyone? Or are we all so wrapped up in our own worlds that we only care for our own views and opinions.

I will sit again today and breathe in the fear that riddles these isles. I will breathe out love. I invite you to join me. I leave you with the poignant words of John Donne, they seem apposite today

No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend’s
Or of thine own were:
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.