All this hullabaloo about Scottish independence is making me wonder about the motives behind the latest dialogue between the Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. The formation of the Scottish Parliament was always the first step on the road to independence, and I’m fine with that, it should be the Scottish people who decide.
The proposed referendum, now due to take place in 2014, appears to be turning into a tug o’ war between the politicians. The UK government look to be setting conditions aimed to result in a ‘No’ vote. Mr Salmond is trying to arrange things so that they turn out in his favour. But what about the Scottish people, how do they feel, are they even being told the whole story?
Listening to the news, it would appear that Scotland was ‘subsidised’ to the tune of £3000 per person last year. The SNP argue that North Sea Oil revenues should feed into the Scottish economy, the majority of remaining oil deposits lying below Scottish waters. But even with that adjustment, the subsidy would still have been around £2000 per person, so the figures don’t stack up. Scotland would also be liable to take on its share of the UK deficit.
When you also take into account the fact that Scotland would be forced to join the Euro if it were to become a member of the European Union, it is more than complicated, and less than rosy. My worry is that Mr Salmond is blinkered by his passion for independence, it has been his dearest wish for many years. I just hope that, should he get his way, he is prepared to shoulder the responsibility of his actions if it all goes wrong. A little more WCC and a little less Braveheart spirit needed here I think Mr Salmond.
So many times, we have talked about the fact that we only lose when we decide we have lost. Having the courage, patience and determination to press on, even when all the signs are telling you to stop, to give in, to cut and run, can allow unexpected results to occur.
We all set expectations, of ourselves, of others and of the outcome of situations in our lives. So it is very easy to be disappointed when those expectations are not met. What you must remember, is that your happiness is in your own hands, so being unhappy when your hopes and expectations are dashed is your own decision.
Never forget that making a decision is the beginning, and not the end of the process. In many ways starting something is the easiest part, seeing things through to their conclusion takes far more effort and patience as well as wisdom, courage and compassion.
Sometimes we have an opportunity to do something different, something that takes us out of our comfort zone and challenges our courage. At that point we have a choice to make. Do we grasp the opportunity with both hands, jump in with both feet, or do we tell ourselves that it’s more prudent to back away and take the safe route?
I have to admit that winter is not my favourite time of year. I don’t like getting up in the dark or going home in the dark, it feels, at some primeval level, rather unnatural. Maybe the caveman in me still yearns to be guided by the sun, waking when it shines, sleeping when it’s dark.
The most commonly asked questions, when people learn that I am a Buddhist, are ‘do you chant?’ followed by ‘what do you chant?’ and then ‘what does it mean?’. Nichiren Buddhists chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo in a rhythmic mantra during Gongyo, and quite often at other times, to raise our Life-State and Life-Energy levels.
Weather of biblical proportions has struck most of the UK today, uprooting trees, creating havoc on the roads, cutting power to thousands of homes and causing two fatal accidents. In the office, it sounded like the roof was about to lift off and the windows were flexing with each gust of wind.
Having slept like a log for the whole night, I woke this morning feeling great. I chanted, I showered, got dressed and went to the supermarket to get a few ‘essentials’, almond croissants for breakfast. Having started the day with great gusto, I dove into my works email inbox and dealt with the email enquiries that were waiting for me. I spoke to my Mom on Skype, I was feeling so much better.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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