From the Herald Express today.................
FRANK SOBEY: Forget the gloom, think positive .Thursday, October 27, 2011 Herald Express
I DON'T know why I start the day listening to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme because it all too often raises my blood pressure to a ridiculous level.
So much so that the other morning I wanted to scream to the harbinger of doom, John Humphrys, that we all know how bad it is but don't need his negative rhetoric early in the day to mercilessly hammer home the message.
Yet still if I am still asleep at 6am it is his highly-paid voice which bounces reality off the bedroom walls and plunges me into the day.
But it does also drives me rapidly from the bed and out of the house with my energetic dog for our daily pilgrimage to the paper shop, since it is my wife that in truth is the Today fan.
Often the wind is off the sea and I really cannot think of a better sensation than the salty air at dawn.
Of course it's not just dear old John who hammers home a message of gloom. David Cameron isn't too far behind with his daily litany of tighten your belts 'cause it's getting worse.
My worry is that both of them either consciously or unconsciously help to develop a feeling of national negativity that might unfortunately become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Sometimes we just really need a positive message to beef up flagging spirits. While we do of course need the news, we don't need a negative spin which feeds the ego of an overpaid presenter at the expense of folk fighting the reality of a new day.
When our affluent political leaders say it's going worse and that we are all in it together it we know that simply isn't true.
Those who have will not be in the same place as those who have not. They never have been.
So even though the days might seem dark that is absolutely no excuse to walk around looking glum or, as I often say, walking around with a face like a slapped kipper!
We need to buoy each other up and look for the positive rather than the negative. We should look for the best in each other and not the worst.
Let's celebrate success and hold a helping hand out when others need support. Don't count the cost or keep a score, just go for it.
Going for it is exactly what Torbay has done with the new £4million-plus Parkfield youth centre on Paignton seafront.
If you have not had a look, then do. I had a tour the other day and was simply blown away. So when people say nothing is happening in Torbay point them in the direction of Parkfield.
As a one-time climber I can tell you the climbing wall is one of the best I have seen. The BMX track is of an international standard and the skate park is simply stunning. There you go John Humphrys, start the day by telling everyone there is a new super-duper facility just opened for young people in Torbay which is breathing new life into the community.
One feature of Parkfield is the fact that all the staff will be Duke of Edinburgh's Award trained, adding to social inclusiveness.
As you doubtless know, you cannot gain a DofE Award without working as a team and helping others. For all those participating there are many older folk helping and that really does offer a brilliant shared social profile, in my opinion.
Now here is something really positive for you all to do when you have the time. At this time of year the sun rises over the sea and if you really really want to feel the energy of life get down to the beach just before dawn.
Sit quietly, wrapped up warmly in a picnic blanket, suck in a lung full of the sea air and watch the birth of a new day. Just do it.
I DON'T know why I start the day listening to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme because it all too often raises my blood pressure to a ridiculous level.
So much so that the other morning I wanted to scream to the harbinger of doom, John Humphrys, that we all know how bad it is but don't need his negative rhetoric early in the day to mercilessly hammer home the message.
Yet still if I am still asleep at 6am it is his highly-paid voice which bounces reality off the bedroom walls and plunges me into the day.
But it does also drives me rapidly from the bed and out of the house with my energetic dog for our daily pilgrimage to the paper shop, since it is my wife that in truth is the Today fan.
Often the wind is off the sea and I really cannot think of a better sensation than the salty air at dawn.
Of course it's not just dear old John who hammers home a message of gloom. David Cameron isn't too far behind with his daily litany of tighten your belts 'cause it's getting worse.
My worry is that both of them either consciously or unconsciously help to develop a feeling of national negativity that might unfortunately become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Sometimes we just really need a positive message to beef up flagging spirits. While we do of course need the news, we don't need a negative spin which feeds the ego of an overpaid presenter at the expense of folk fighting the reality of a new day.
When our affluent political leaders say it's going worse and that we are all in it together it we know that simply isn't true.
Those who have will not be in the same place as those who have not. They never have been.
So even though the days might seem dark that is absolutely no excuse to walk around looking glum or, as I often say, walking around with a face like a slapped kipper!
We need to buoy each other up and look for the positive rather than the negative. We should look for the best in each other and not the worst.
Let's celebrate success and hold a helping hand out when others need support. Don't count the cost or keep a score, just go for it.
Going for it is exactly what Torbay has done with the new £4million-plus Parkfield youth centre on Paignton seafront.
If you have not had a look, then do. I had a tour the other day and was simply blown away. So when people say nothing is happening in Torbay point them in the direction of Parkfield.
As a one-time climber I can tell you the climbing wall is one of the best I have seen. The BMX track is of an international standard and the skate park is simply stunning. There you go John Humphrys, start the day by telling everyone there is a new super-duper facility just opened for young people in Torbay which is breathing new life into the community.
One feature of Parkfield is the fact that all the staff will be Duke of Edinburgh's Award trained, adding to social inclusiveness.
As you doubtless know, you cannot gain a DofE Award without working as a team and helping others. For all those participating there are many older folk helping and that really does offer a brilliant shared social profile, in my opinion.
Now here is something really positive for you all to do when you have the time. At this time of year the sun rises over the sea and if you really really want to feel the energy of life get down to the beach just before dawn.
Sit quietly, wrapped up warmly in a picnic blanket, suck in a lung full of the sea air and watch the birth of a new day. Just do it.
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