#52.21 - Ramblings

I was watching a Russel Brand podcast. The only podcast I think worth watching - it brings together questions of spirituality and politics, trying to find a meaningful and truthful way about living life which makes everything better for everyone. It was nice to see him having a good debate with Adam Curtis which Russel and Curtis argue with each other but in a good natured way - a way in which the argument is taking place so that things improve, not so that people score points which is ok for a debate in school but not ok for a debate when you are trying to improve the life of people around you. 

This pointless argument is the most reductive and brain numbing element in Western democracy. That instead of arguing towards a greater purpose the chambers have become a place where people take sides and will forever oppose each other - it is more sectarian and browbeating in its nature than improving. Why debate? You debate because you get to refine your ideas, you get to improve yourself, not so that you can say Booyah! to your opponent. Sadly this is the case now in most Parliamentary democracies. I saw it happen in Singapore of course. However, it appears that everyone is now Singapore

It wasn't to be. Greed is the prevailing emotion which is the most difficult to overcome because it is born out off a fear of famine and never having enough. So greed has gotten us. Greed and pride. Greed is the deadly sin of the rich and pride the deadly sin of the poor. Because you can be poor and the last thing you can have left is pride. This is why people in working class communities always talk about their pride. You can only be humble of you have something to be humble about. Pride is all about the puffed out chest and having faith in whatever you have. Especially if you are born to it. And who can blame them? Except when Pride then ties you to essentialism. You are proud of things which you really had no hand in - like the place you were born, the country you were born in and the colour of your skin. If nothing else, at least you share something with those who are Greedy. 

I have started taking my slippery elm and seaweed concoction every morning. And agreed to give up alcohol - the boys are giving up Xbax and watching any TV on phones. I hope we are all better for it by the end of these six weeks.

And this time i'm going to stick to it because I want to think about how great I will feel after these six weeks.  I don't know when we are heading back to school, but we are soon - maybe at the end of March, rather than the start of it.

Which means that school is returning properly in about six weeks. Yeah, I can do this. Get fit and drop the 2 kg per week, which is 12 kg. 

So many things need to be done. I'm going to have to start sorting the house in Belfast house now. This week. And the garden. 

Right. And the writing and the running. And the garden. I feel so so sad I have to say. But actually I'm ok. I'm good. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm good.