I've certainly had a lot of issues on my mind this week; not my usual health concerns, but this time world events. Now look, despite worrying about the end of the World in the past, and the threat of nuclear war, especially when I was a young boy, it isn't something I tend to think about these days. The reality is, I have got just too much on my mind, to be concerned about the end of life as we know it. However, this week, World events and current affairs have been thrust in my face, in a way they haven't before. To say I am sick of it would be an understatement — the state of our planet is beyond a joke, and it is all to do with the people in charge, our so-called great leaders, Presidents and Prime Ministers. The present incumbents seem to be the worst in living memory, and that doesn't inspire much confidence for the future and the trajectory events appear to be taking us on.
Our leaders are a dangerous joke; in fact, if the planet wasn't in such a perilous state, the circumstances we all find ourselves in would be laughable. Despite everything, these evil men (Yes, they are all men) remain in situ and continue to destroy the very fabric of society. What a bloody mess the World is in, and all because of inflated ego's and psychotic ambitions; dictators rampage across the continents, asserting their authority, in a way not seen since the Cold War!
I was watching Sky News a few days ago. One of my favourite journalists was part of the newspaper review — Susie Boniface. As usual her sarcasm, wit, and concern were expertly expressed in her own unique way, but both her and her colleague were nevertheless melancholy about the desperate state all of us find ourselves in. Susie, has this knack of cheering me up, even during the darkest of news days, but on this particular occasion, reading between the lines, it is clear we are heading for an extremely volatile few years. I am sure war is around the corner, and it chills me to the bone!
Hearing newsreaders and politicians constantly referring to World War III has been pretty disheartening. More and more, we are being told to prepare for the inevitable. The UK Government is asking the public to organise an emergency pack. It should include essential items to last for several days. The British PM is talking about the return of National Service, (conscription in all but name) and sabre-rattling on the Eastern side of Europe grows ever stronger. All of these signs are a warning of what is coming; where once there was no anxiety, now there is some — I can gradually feel a sense of concern enveloping my psyche. Even my own Father, speaking on the phone, said how dangerous things feel at the moment. In his view, even worse than the Cuban missile crisis in the 1960s!
So this week, I am really just talking about the precarious state of the World. It helps me to calm my anxiety by just speaking about issues that concern me and having expressed my feelings, I do feel like a weight has been lifted. My apprehension seems to be growing daily, but having access to this blog helps me come to terms with the way I am feeling. When you are living on the other side of the World, uneasiness does tend to manifest in a way it wouldn't otherwise, especially if you were close to loved ones. I am grateful to speak to those closest on a regular basis and that helps me immensely.
On Sunday, not only did I speak to my Father, but I also managed to talk to a friend, who I worked with at Tesco. Amelia and I always had a close friendship, and she has remained in constant contact, while I have been living in Western Australia. Like me, she has many insecurities and misgivings about circumstances we all find ourselves in, but her calming nature, has always been a great source of support for me.
It is difficult being cut off from the usual networks of friends and family, especially at times of World turmoil, but I am blessed by the number of friends I do have. A Father who continues to support me, while I endeavour to build a new life down under, friends who remain in touch, offering unwavering encouragement and of course readers of Roaming Brit, who continue to contribute to this blog!
It is difficult being cut off from the usual networks of friends and family, especially at times of World turmoil, but I am blessed by the number of friends I do have. A Father who continues to support me, while I endeavour to build a new life down under, friends who remain in touch, offering unwavering encouragement and of course readers of Roaming Brit, who continue to contribute to this blog!
As a final happy thought, I have included a couple of photographs, of our cat Akira, who has taken to watching the television (even world events.) Having cats around, at the moment, is a great source of solace. Their calming affect tends to rub off on me and indeed distract me from the 'march to world war' emblazoned on our television screens. This week may well have been difficult in an overall sense, but I am lucky enough to feel well in myself, and better than I have been for many years — For me, that's all that matters.
Having a great week, y'all!
Having a great week, y'all!
