Resolution Blog - Imagine Scotland

A tonic! Health Promotion and Prevention take note

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:20:00-0400

On at Largs at 12.50pm and off at Largs at 16.50pm via Dunoon, Blairmore and Carrick Castle. It only takes a few hours on the Waverley paddle steamer to refresh body mind and soul. It also costs ?20 but cheap at the price for fesh air, sunshine as there was today, good conversation and all that water and scenery to look at. 4 days left to sample the tonic. I wonder if Nicola Sturgeon the Health Minister and any Health Prevention and Promotion folks have studied the Waverley effect. I thoroughly recommend it.

Unusual Times in Edinburgh

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:53:00-0400

Usually in Edinburgh if we see snow it's a dusting only. For weeks now we have had serious snow which has been lying and freezing. Not unusual given the state of the rest of the country. Today I notice that the novelty value was starting to wear off and an annoyance with the inconvenience of it was setting in. A bit unfair given that I am still able to get out and about and also to drive to where I need to get to. Not so for so many other folks. The elderly and the infirm are held prisoner and people in essential jobs and services are faced with the additional pressure of having to negotiate their way to work. We have had debates on radio about the safety of children having to make their way to school and criticism of schools for closing and also for not closing - they cannot win. One wise caller suggested that a simple solution was for all teachers to report to the school nearest to them and for children to do the same and that way the country could continue to function. young people would be occupied and maybe even educated, while parents could get on with their work and lives and who knows - perhaps pupils and teachers and others might come to like the idea of working closer to home. Snow has interesting and perhaps unexpected repercussions. Imagine a Scotland where we learn to live with and enjoy snow.

The Magic of Music

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:45:00-0400

Music and its power have come up recently. The success on stage and film of Mamma Mia testify to the power of the musical. Although a bit sceptical about the Abba aspect, I found myself laughing and enjoying it. Some great questions were offered at another occasion I attended that encourage us all to think about music in our lives. Here they are: "What music did you play or use as the first dance at your wedding?" "What music did you cry into your pillow to when you lost your first love?" "What music/song do you associate with your youth?" Have fun talking and sharing ideas about the music that means a lot to you and can transform you in a moment. Its a powerful thing music and can change moods of individuals and crowds of people in an instant. Imagine a Scotland full of music and dancing that uplifts people's spirit. Watch this video - it says it all. What is the best that can happen in either Glasgow's Central Station or Edinburgh's Waverley Station? Over to you T-Mobile. Join In!

Reflections on Mums and Parents

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:33:00-0400

Conversations and observations over the last few months have left me with these words. A mother's comments on what it means to be a mother when offspring often seem to be ungrateful or moan all the time. "I believe mothers are here for that purpose, also to listen and love and care for their offspring when they are down." A son of his parents who had been abroad for a number of weeks. " I am really looking forward to them being back. They keep me grounded" A quote by Adrienne Shelly (from a calendar) " It's almost a sacrilege to say becoming a mother is scary. I wanted to write a movie about these fears and give them a voice." Another quote " Remember that childhood is a time for learning skills and values that will carry us through life. If we have bad parenting and do not learn those skills early on, we may have to absorb more knocks to get them. But we still need to, and must, learn them. Parenting is important." How and where are people today learning parenting skills? An amusing youtube video on the subject of being a mother. Momsong On a more serious note a book recommended by a friend which explains why the behaviour and actions around a child in its first 6 months are so important. The book is ' Why love matters by Sue Gerhardt. Enjoy the video, digest and ponder the book. May we consider what it means for the children around us today, for their future and also for society in the future. Imagine a society where love matters a lot and being a Mum or a parent is a highly skilled role which is valued. A society where parents are given lots of help, encouragement and support.

A Great Recipe for a peace-filled life in 2009

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:48:00-0400

Recipes tend to feature over the festive season. Here is one for the New year. It sounds a good one. Lots of different ingredients. I am sure there are one or two that we all like and can take to! 1. Take a 10 to 30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. 2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to. 3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for______________' 4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. 5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts. 6. Try to make at least three people smile each day. 7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. 8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. 9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?' 17. Forgive everyone for everything. 18. What other people think of you is none of your business. 19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him. 20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will stay in touch. 22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________. 24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. 25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it. I am going to give it a try-are you? Imagine if your family or whole streets used the same recipe?

Ne'erday

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:40:00-0400

Yesterday, like many other people in Scotland, I sat down to a New Year's Day meal with my family. We were 11 in number, ranging from 15 months to 89 years, 4 generations. It was a simple meal and a simple day and yet a very special day. The first day of a New Year. We simply were together, we shared a meal, conversation, played a few games and shared thoughts re New year Resolutions. So what was special about it? Well for our family, as I suspect for many other familes in today's world, it is not that easy to be together physically because we live in different parts of the country or the world. Our gathering included people from the East and West Coast of Scotland and folks who now live in Cyprus. We gathered in a house that has been connected with the family since the 1920s when it was newly built and we have gathered round that same table for all sorts of celebrations. Ah that table- children have performed on top of it as a stage and crawled and hidden under it - it's a good sturdy old oak table. New Years day began with old and new friends in Leith where I live watching the fireworks over Edinburgh. Later in the day I was in the company of George Wyllie the scupltor. George is also a philosopher and yesterday we were talking about his 'Day down a Goldmine' production and reflecting on the world today with financial crisis and doom and gloom everywhere. George's comments? " nothing has changed" " The sun still shines" are absolutely spot on and the sun was indeed shining in Gourock where he lives overlooking the river Clyde. To be in the company of old and new friends and 4 generations of my family on the East and West coast of Scotland all on one day - and New year's Day at that is a rich experience and a privilege. It is a privilege to know and talk with someone like George Wyllie who personifies for me the Scots. The practical 'can do' ability with intuitive thinking and action. To be in the company of my family with that range of experience and knowledge from 15 months to 89 years is also a privilege but do we realise how much knowledge and information is in the room and do we tap into it? While we talked, the 15 month old was picking up a phone and making herself comfortable in a chair while she smiled and said "hi". A rehearsal for the real thing and a lesson in learning. A day rich in experiences of people and places which augurs well for the rest of 2009. Imagine a Scotland where we come together and acknowledge the contribution of all, the confidence and energy of youth with the experience and wisdom of age.

Hogmanay an a that

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:31:00-0400

Well it's that time of year again here in Scotland. It's grey, cold and misty outside. It's hard to describe the feelings that this ritual brings out in people. I believe it's quite a different feeling from Christmas but that may just be me, although someone has just expressed that to me on the phone this morning. People tend to have clear preferences for one of the other. It's the two together that tend to be a bit of a killer in terms of emotions, finances, relationships, energy levels. There is usually much scurrying about in the homes,streets and shops as people get ready to see the old year out and the New Year in with wishes for health, happiness and all to be provided for. e.g.the coal, shortbread and blackbun, not to mention the whisky being to the fore. I started my hogmanay as I do every day with some spiritual readings. The last couple of mornings I have also added a dose of Ian Hamilton from his Stone of Destiny book. Very appropriate reading at this time of year as the action takes place between Xmas and New Year in 1950 Britain which is cold,grey and icy. I recommend the book to you. A short, easy read full of action and inspiring thoughts. Here are a couple to whet your appetite. " You do not play games with the symbols of your country, whether they be man, stone or trinkets" "I am a simple Scot and I want my country to take its place in Europe and in the world. We Scots are European, not English, not British." Of himself and his companions who took the stone Ian Hamilton says " We who took the stone willed our people to defend our country. We were idealists. We were grievously young. I have never changed" I can identify with those words. The book also contains a quote from King George V1 address to the nation of Christmas Day 1940 - a great quote to see out the old year and welcome the New Year. "I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, Give me a light that I may tread out into the unknown and the man said to me, Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God, for it is better than a light, and safer than a known way" A hopeful Hogmanay to you all. For those of you in other countries around the world it would be interesting to know how the last day of the old year is marked or celebrated.

Christmas Lessons 1 Buying a Xmas tree

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:24:00-0400

This morning I set off early to purchase a tree-keen to get a good price and checked out a couple of places. A corner shop, not in my locality and a more specialised looking outfit who had set up in a carpark nearby. In the latter case the lights were on and I thought I saw movement in their hut but was not sure they were open. I called back a bit later and they were sort of open, i.e. they were there but did not look keen and also directed me to a list on the wall re sizes and prices. Then the final nail in their coffin-they said they were not really open yet, so I said that I would come back. I did not go back! I did go back to the corner shop and I purchased the tree I had had my eye on. The shopkeeper responded right away to me and when I realised that it was going to be too heavy for me to carry back to the car-he offered a solution. Bring your car to here he said pointing to an area of roadworks and I will pass the tree over the fence for you. Now feeling more happy I raced off for the car and did as he suggested. He was as good as his word and also climbed over the fence to help me put the tree in the car and wished me well. Retailing is hard and this shop I have frequented before, they are open all hours and the whole family work there The other tree sellers were from out of town, obviously did not care and were more focused on the fact that they were not open yet than their customer or their sale. Key messages for retailers and sales staff. Final lesson for me. I did not buy a Bethany Xmas tree this year which has the added bonus of having non shedding needles and also helps the homeless. I may live to regret this decision come 5th January but for now I am happy to have supported a local retailer in tough times. Imagine a Scotland where retailers and customers appreciate each other.

What older people might want?

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:00:00-0400

I sometimes deliver flowers from the local church to folks living in the area. Here in Leith there are a large number of care homes, sheltered accommodation etc where older men and women live either in small flats or rooms. In the busy lives people live these days, you might say, I do not have the time to do that - deliver flowers-and in any case -what if they want me to stop and chat!? I recall reading a letter from a care home manager pleading for those who delivered the flowers not to just drop them in but to stay a while and chat. I do that when I can and also when I sense the person may welcome it - not everyone does of course. What I have noticed is that some of those that I visit have all they need in terms of 'things' and 'food' but they welcome the company as the days can be long in separate rooms or flats. While communal living might not appeal to everyone, there might also be advantages to it in that hopefully there is conversation and interaction or something stimulating to see or respond to. Today I visited two men, both of whom have family living nearby and who visit regularly. While I go bearing a gift i.e. the flowers and hopefully a new face and some interesting conversation, I always come away with a gift or gifts! Well they do say it is better to give than to receive and these folks are living proof of that. I can come away with sweets, cakes, fruit but the gifts I treasure most are their stories. I shared experiences and stories of Wick today - of places and pastimes like fishing and buying a firkin of herring. At Christmas time we tend to be focused on gifts and I heard a couple arguing over a suitable gift for someone they did not know well. Someone expressed it well yesterday for me - " I do not want "things" as gifts. " Consumables" are better but best of all are " experiences" as they not only provide pleasure at the time but live on in the memory and can be replayed, again and again and again. It is ironic that there are lots of people whose lives are too busy and who might wish they had time to meet and talk with friends and neighbours and there are people for whom the days are long and for whom a visit , even a short one might be the highlight of the day. These two groups of people have so much to say to each other and so much to share about life. A good starting point are the people and places they care about. The gift of time and companionship is priceless. Imagine a Scotland where people have time for each other.

What dispels the gloom of dark November Nights?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:13:00-0400

Tonight I ventured out to a musical evening with a difference held in a local school in Leith. It was a qualifying competition organised by Leith Rotary Club for the " Young musician of the year" with 9 young people from Edinburgh Schools taking part. The audience were treated to violinists, a pianist, a flautist and a number of vocalists. Pieces composed by Vivaldi and Debussy alongside popular favourites like 'I could have danced all night' to 'Fly me to the Moon' and 'Lullaby of Birdland' with accompaniment from dedicated teachers. Leith Academy had an impressive turnout of 4 participants and were a credit to their school and community. This is the 4th year of this competition and I would recommend it to you for shedding light and hope for the future on gloomy November days. I am just sorry I did not take a short video so that you could hear a snippet of the talent that was there tonight. Watch for these names in future years and as the competition goes on. Sean Kernan on flute, Richard Jackson vocalist were the winners on the night with Isla Ratcliff on violin as runner up. Imagine a Scotland full of such music making.

Diamonds are for 60 or forever

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:49:00-0400

Today I was with neighbours who were celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. 60 years married and lived all that time in Leith. They have seen many things come and go, like the sheep being driven along the road outside to the docks. Some might say its flat dwellers and shoppers who make their way here now. The post office delivery works well when you are the Queen and the card is from Buckingham Palace. It was delivered this morning and the time was specified and it worked! The weather was wild and stormy outside, the perfect day to be inside celebrating with friends and family and hearing stories. Stories of weddings being arranged in a sea faring family when the ships came in, of wedding cakes being only possible because of people donating their rations. Time to pause and reflect on 60 years committment, all the things that have changed in that time. How many brides of 60 years could still get into their wedding dresses with no problem at all! Persevere is Leith's motto and this Leith couple have certainly persevered. Imagine a Scotland where people and organisations committed and persevered as much as this. Happy 60th to a fascinating couple and wonderful neighbours.

Waverley Lessons: Old and New

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:30:00-0400

The week ended with a last trip on the Waverley Paddle Steamer for the 2008 season. A cruise from Greenock to Arrochar, Loch Long and Loch Goil took in the autumn colours, sunshine, showers and lots of experiences as usual. There is a community on and off the Waverley- a love of the ship and the river that binds people together. Two of this community are the treasurer of the company that keeps this whole ship afloat and his wife who, along with a team of volunteers, keeps the on board shop stocked with Waverley hats which keep people warm and raise much needed funds. In addition to this regular community, there are people who come for the first time, perhaps the couple pictured with the rainbow. You also meet old friends. I first met Alan and Jack his son in 2004 at an event called Imagine Inverclyde in Greenock town hall. I met them again yesterday. The Waverley does that, it brings people together. Its important to introduce the next generation to the Waverley experience, so well done Alan for bringing Jack. In additon to people, the trip offers sea breezes, views of the hills and shores - contact with the environment and provides pleasure and relaxation in a way that more modern types of travel do not. Try it - mark it in your diary for next year as a MUST DO. If you want to stretch your legs , get off at Blairmore Pier and congratulate the local people who reopened the pier, run the shops near the pier and organise events in the local hall. A lively community working together to sustain and create the things they care about. Its goodbye to the Waverley until next year but the wee sea bus which runs from Greenock to Kilgreggan and Helensburgh is another possibility. Lots of ways to enjoy the river and the different perspectives that it offers. The Waverley and Blairmore Pier are only there because of enthusiasts who love what they do and care about their communities. Lots and lots of hard work are involved too. They deserve your support. A fund raising concert is planned for the end of November in Glasgow for the Waverley. A great way to end the week - on the Waverley with people like the Waverley volunteers and Alan and Jack- the salt of the earth and Scotland's future. Jointhetrip

Community Connections

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:26:00-0400

It was December/January 2002/03 that I first came accross Rabbies trailburners. Somehow-oh so easily- a colleague and I became responsible for a drama group from Chicago coming to perform and tour in the UK for the first time with venues in London and Edinburgh. I needed a way to tranport them from the airport into Edinburgh and more specifically to Leith where they were to stay. Someone I rated mentioned Rabbies to me and without knowing what I was going to say or dare ask for, I rang them up and spoke to Derek who very quickly sussed what I was about and instantly offered it. I was gobsmacked! Derek explained that he worked and lived in Leith by choice as he recognised that here was a real, live community. He understood what we were trying to do in bringing this community drama group to Leith to perform and so Rabbies trailburners collected Scrap Mettle Soul at the airport giving them a great welcome and their all important first taste of Scotland. When I later spoke to the MD of Rabbies, Robin Worsnop, I could tell that he was a 'can do' person and that that attitude ran thru his company. Since then Rabbies has grown from strength to strength and is now a five star tour company. See more at www.rabbies.com Located in Edinburgh's High Street, they are right at the heart of the action this festival time. Go see what they do and how they do it. Imagine a Scotland with more and more companies like Rabbies who are rooted in their communities and have a heart. Rabbies http://picasaweb.google.com/mewimagine/Bigbandnightatargyllsutherland/photo#5227056548565459298

The light and the dark

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:46:00-0400

Today I heard a description of a day in the life of a social worker in a families and childrens department where the top priority is child protection. There was much there that was not working well and it was not a fairy story of happy families. It also shed light on the lives and pressures on social workers doing this work. Despite it all, the person relating the story talked of their passion and love for their work despite the circumstances. Long days, stresses and strains, working with the bureaucracy and having to reshuffle diaries and arrangements when child protection takes priority. The story revealed the darker side of life and humna nature and what young children today often live with each day and have therefore as the building blocks of their future lives. Yesterday was a sharp contrast to the story today. I was involved in a barbecue and family gathering to celebrate the first birthday of a little girl who is part of a happy nuclear and extended family. She was showered with gifts and love and I sincerely hope that she continues to be showered with lvoe throughout her life. So what does appreciative inquiry have to say to us about these situations? It tells us that they both exist, they are both real, and that in each situation something works and can be built upon for the future. There are lots of people and agencies out there supporting and workign with families and children. They need whole communities helping and supporting them. We are all responsible for the society that we live in and responsible for making it a better place for the future generation to grow up in. What one small or simple step could you take today or tomorrow that would help towards that?

Prophets and Kings in the Scottish Parliament

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:31:00-0400

Came accross this link to a short session at the Scottish Parliament earlier this year and again today and its too good not to share with you. Tony Benn Its Tony Benn doing a time for reflection and it has a lot to teach us for ourselves and for the world we live in today. Its brief, its clear, it has humour and wisdom, its about experience and most of all its about lessons for life. Tony tells some stories from his past and his own life experience and reminds us that we are all brothers and sisters, he talks about religions and states and the great moral decisions. He says we have the means to address the world situation - its the choices we make that matter. As they say -its simple but not necessarily easy to do. Listen, watch and enjoy a master of communication.