Terry Lloyd's Blog, page 56
January 12, 2015
Martyrs.
There has been a tragic reaction to free speech cartoons that tread the borderline if in the UK of being illegal. That is inciting religious or racial hatred. To mock a political leader has generally be an every day affair the trouble is when religion is mixed with the same historic person.
There will always be radical extremists willing to be a martyrs to avenge some grievance.
It is imperative that society maintains a rational and humane composure and doesn't resort to sectarian brutality.
Religious intolerance is not something new as Catholics and Protestants have regularly slaughtered each other although they claim to have the same God and the same human values.
What is frighting that some individuals will use the opportunity to turn moderate people into prospective radical martyrs.
Mahatma Gandhi man of peace was assassinated by a radical religious believer.
May peace and reason forever be our guide.
There will always be radical extremists willing to be a martyrs to avenge some grievance.
It is imperative that society maintains a rational and humane composure and doesn't resort to sectarian brutality.
Religious intolerance is not something new as Catholics and Protestants have regularly slaughtered each other although they claim to have the same God and the same human values.
What is frighting that some individuals will use the opportunity to turn moderate people into prospective radical martyrs.
Mahatma Gandhi man of peace was assassinated by a radical religious believer.
May peace and reason forever be our guide.
January 5, 2015
To diet or not to diet.
The other day I noticed my tummy has definitely expanded and I thought diet.
On thinking about it. Why do most diets fail? I think the answer could be the nature of a diet.
That is for a period of time you force a change of food and exercise, and then revert to how things were before, and naturally the weight comes back.
The answer may be to permanently alter the volume of food, as it is much harder to exercise for the same result.
For this to work it needs a determined regime and no snacking in between meals.
The worst thing to do is a drastic cut down on the food size but a progressive reduction in the amount consumed.
Naturally results will take longer to appear but the desired result will be permanent.
On thinking about it. Why do most diets fail? I think the answer could be the nature of a diet.
That is for a period of time you force a change of food and exercise, and then revert to how things were before, and naturally the weight comes back.
The answer may be to permanently alter the volume of food, as it is much harder to exercise for the same result.
For this to work it needs a determined regime and no snacking in between meals.
The worst thing to do is a drastic cut down on the food size but a progressive reduction in the amount consumed.
Naturally results will take longer to appear but the desired result will be permanent.
December 29, 2014
Know yourself.
What do you do if you want to improve yourself as a person?
When I had this thought I realised I really did not know my self. As a book I was reading suggested that the first thing to do was work on your weakness and that would give the best result.
I found it quite hard to take an objective view of my self.
Did I really pick the biggest piece of chocolate or step back and put off things that should be done.
Under pressure would I go silent and sulk and even cut of my nose to spite my face.
It was cold and the wind pummelled my back the words of my father in his anger echoed in my head. Through my silent tears I looked down from the edge of the roof to the corrugated curved top of the garden shed twenty feet below and away from the side of the house. It was dusk and fine spots of rain began to soak in to my thin shirt.
Then the persistent voice in my head started “Do it, do it.” The reasoning part of my brain said “you could hurt yourself.” The persistent voice returned “Are you a coward ? Do it and if you get hurt it will be their fault. That will make them sorry.”
I stayed for a long time with my heart pounding and icy cold streaks of sweat down my back.
I was crouching on the edge of the roof and my leg muscles aching. I felt the surge of the wind behind in time with the persistent voice “do it.” I swayed over the gaping space before the solid concrete pathway far below. The light had gone and I could hardly see the shed roof.
I herd my mothers voice from inside the house calling “Where are you, tea is ready?”
It was not until after several years and some instants of teenage stupidity that I found a way of reasoning with my self and consider the consequences of my action.
When I had this thought I realised I really did not know my self. As a book I was reading suggested that the first thing to do was work on your weakness and that would give the best result.
I found it quite hard to take an objective view of my self.
Did I really pick the biggest piece of chocolate or step back and put off things that should be done.
Under pressure would I go silent and sulk and even cut of my nose to spite my face.
It was cold and the wind pummelled my back the words of my father in his anger echoed in my head. Through my silent tears I looked down from the edge of the roof to the corrugated curved top of the garden shed twenty feet below and away from the side of the house. It was dusk and fine spots of rain began to soak in to my thin shirt.
Then the persistent voice in my head started “Do it, do it.” The reasoning part of my brain said “you could hurt yourself.” The persistent voice returned “Are you a coward ? Do it and if you get hurt it will be their fault. That will make them sorry.”
I stayed for a long time with my heart pounding and icy cold streaks of sweat down my back.
I was crouching on the edge of the roof and my leg muscles aching. I felt the surge of the wind behind in time with the persistent voice “do it.” I swayed over the gaping space before the solid concrete pathway far below. The light had gone and I could hardly see the shed roof.
I herd my mothers voice from inside the house calling “Where are you, tea is ready?”
It was not until after several years and some instants of teenage stupidity that I found a way of reasoning with my self and consider the consequences of my action.
December 22, 2014
Christmas.
Soon it will be Christmas a time of good will to all men.
The thought came to me of the well known saying. One good deed deserves another.
But if you consider the affect of compound growth or pyramid action.
The social benefit could be astounding if instead of another good deed it was many good deeds. By a simple change of emphases in peoples thinking so many more good things could happen.
It may be an illusion. When I am driving and I have an opportunity without hindering other drivers,
I allow waiting drivers the courtesy to pull out of side roads. I sometimes see this curtsey passed on to other road users.
So every good action can be an opportunity for many more.
The thought came to me of the well known saying. One good deed deserves another.
But if you consider the affect of compound growth or pyramid action.
The social benefit could be astounding if instead of another good deed it was many good deeds. By a simple change of emphases in peoples thinking so many more good things could happen.
It may be an illusion. When I am driving and I have an opportunity without hindering other drivers,
I allow waiting drivers the courtesy to pull out of side roads. I sometimes see this curtsey passed on to other road users.
So every good action can be an opportunity for many more.
December 15, 2014
Intrigue.
The current news involves state security and the level of extreme acts to obtain vital information from unfortunate individuals. I believe there are two major problems.
If I was being tortured I would say anything to stop the procedure and I am sure everyone else would do the same. Also what level of torture would produce reliable information?
As a matter of fact a paid informant could give unreliable information if he or she knew only information that confirmed what the interrogator thought would be paid for.
Suppose hypothetically information obtained by torture was of some value. What sort of civilisation would we be protecting.
A CIA report into torture has been modified at the request of the British Government. That act can only confirm doubts and an unwillingness for the public to know the real truth about torture.
The statement National Security can be true but also conceal anything you do not want the public to know.
Mahatma Gandhi at one time was considered a threat to National Security.
Nelson Mandela was also a threat to National Security.
The biggest threat to National Security is the moral character of the people in charge of protecting it.
This reminds me of a true historical story of a boy king of England. At that time there were competing lords who wished to steal the throne for themselves. The boy king was accompanied
by a plotting lord who was not quite ready to usurp the king but he saw one of his rivals approaching. The plotting lord seized the opportunity and in a loud voice cried “traitor.” He stepped forward with his drawn sword and instantly killed his rival.
Sometimes things are not always what they seem.
If I was being tortured I would say anything to stop the procedure and I am sure everyone else would do the same. Also what level of torture would produce reliable information?
As a matter of fact a paid informant could give unreliable information if he or she knew only information that confirmed what the interrogator thought would be paid for.
Suppose hypothetically information obtained by torture was of some value. What sort of civilisation would we be protecting.
A CIA report into torture has been modified at the request of the British Government. That act can only confirm doubts and an unwillingness for the public to know the real truth about torture.
The statement National Security can be true but also conceal anything you do not want the public to know.
Mahatma Gandhi at one time was considered a threat to National Security.
Nelson Mandela was also a threat to National Security.
The biggest threat to National Security is the moral character of the people in charge of protecting it.
This reminds me of a true historical story of a boy king of England. At that time there were competing lords who wished to steal the throne for themselves. The boy king was accompanied
by a plotting lord who was not quite ready to usurp the king but he saw one of his rivals approaching. The plotting lord seized the opportunity and in a loud voice cried “traitor.” He stepped forward with his drawn sword and instantly killed his rival.
Sometimes things are not always what they seem.
December 8, 2014
What is Christmas?
It is the time of year that is celebrated and called Christmas.
I like to think it is the opportunity to spread good will and peace through out the world by observing the custom of exchanging presents and spreading happiness.
On researching the date, 25th December it is the solstice and start of seasonal change.
Later the Roman catholic church adopted it as the celebration of Jesus Christ,s birth.
It is interesting that some religious spokesmen criticise the commercial exploitation of Christmas and maintain it should only be a remembrance of the birth of Jesus.
I think they fail to see the humanitarian side of Father Christmas.
For me it is the time to remember my father passed away from this life and he had a strong belief in the afterlife. In his younger years he was a medium and later I saw him do some astonishing physical things. My mother witnessed him physically change during a session.
I think there is more to life that we can understand.
I like to think it is the opportunity to spread good will and peace through out the world by observing the custom of exchanging presents and spreading happiness.
On researching the date, 25th December it is the solstice and start of seasonal change.
Later the Roman catholic church adopted it as the celebration of Jesus Christ,s birth.
It is interesting that some religious spokesmen criticise the commercial exploitation of Christmas and maintain it should only be a remembrance of the birth of Jesus.
I think they fail to see the humanitarian side of Father Christmas.
For me it is the time to remember my father passed away from this life and he had a strong belief in the afterlife. In his younger years he was a medium and later I saw him do some astonishing physical things. My mother witnessed him physically change during a session.
I think there is more to life that we can understand.
December 1, 2014
Managing problems.
Sometimes life seems to reach an overbearing crush of important problems that appear to have no easy solution. This puts me in mind of playing chess and the fundamental thinking of a chess grandmaster. Who with astonishing ease will sacrifice a Queen and shortly win the game.
Of course I could not see the road ahead as I was so involved in near sited concentration and not able to reassess alternative choices. So often we miss important detail and once we are on the wrong road we cannot alter our view to see the obvious.
Take this for example. You are driving a bus. At the first stop there are eight passengers at the next stop two get off and five get on. One of the passengers realises he is going the wrong way and decides he wants to get off as soon as possible. At the next stop four passengers get off the bus.
It is important you read this to some one else and then ask. What is the bus drivers name?
Most people will be concentrating on the number of passengers and not able to remember or noticed the first statement.
Sometimes leaving a problem overnight will let you reassess the options.
Of course I could not see the road ahead as I was so involved in near sited concentration and not able to reassess alternative choices. So often we miss important detail and once we are on the wrong road we cannot alter our view to see the obvious.
Take this for example. You are driving a bus. At the first stop there are eight passengers at the next stop two get off and five get on. One of the passengers realises he is going the wrong way and decides he wants to get off as soon as possible. At the next stop four passengers get off the bus.
It is important you read this to some one else and then ask. What is the bus drivers name?
Most people will be concentrating on the number of passengers and not able to remember or noticed the first statement.
Sometimes leaving a problem overnight will let you reassess the options.
November 24, 2014
Civilisation
Civilisation is an interesting concept and rather unique. For example take a modern action of Western international diplomacy. The leader of a middle east Country was deemed to be a threat
and danger to world peace, also a dictator. The irony is the method used to topple him was the same as that proclaimed by Hitler as Blitzkrieg.
Shock and Awe left thousands of innocent dead and wounded victims.
In the past America was established after forcing the original inhabitants to live on reservations. That is the small number who survived the slaughter and forced march to their destination.
In the UK It was not until 1955 that the practice of hanging women ceased although the last male hangings took place in 1964.
What is being civilised? To use the right knife and fork while you watch a pack of baying hounds in hot pursuit of a small fox followed by excited male and female horse riders eager to see the ripped carcase.
By banning this does it mean we are more civilised or do we still have a concealed lust to witness life and death situations. Such as bull fighting, cock fighting and in the UK illegal fighting dog contests.
and danger to world peace, also a dictator. The irony is the method used to topple him was the same as that proclaimed by Hitler as Blitzkrieg.
Shock and Awe left thousands of innocent dead and wounded victims.
In the past America was established after forcing the original inhabitants to live on reservations. That is the small number who survived the slaughter and forced march to their destination.
In the UK It was not until 1955 that the practice of hanging women ceased although the last male hangings took place in 1964.
What is being civilised? To use the right knife and fork while you watch a pack of baying hounds in hot pursuit of a small fox followed by excited male and female horse riders eager to see the ripped carcase.
By banning this does it mean we are more civilised or do we still have a concealed lust to witness life and death situations. Such as bull fighting, cock fighting and in the UK illegal fighting dog contests.
November 17, 2014
String.
The uniqueness of a piece of string.
It combines philosophical properties such as; How long is a piece of string?
An end is both a beginning and an end.
Each individual strand is weak but combined it greatly increases its total strength.
In Cosmology there is the string theory.
You can wear a string vest and enjoy the property of its retaining body heat.
String could be made of cotton or a host of other materials.
It is interesting that the second wedding anniversary is represent by cotton which can be both weak and turned into strong string.
In my own life I am happy that my marriage has long past the test of cotton and become string.
It combines philosophical properties such as; How long is a piece of string?
An end is both a beginning and an end.
Each individual strand is weak but combined it greatly increases its total strength.
In Cosmology there is the string theory.
You can wear a string vest and enjoy the property of its retaining body heat.
String could be made of cotton or a host of other materials.
It is interesting that the second wedding anniversary is represent by cotton which can be both weak and turned into strong string.
In my own life I am happy that my marriage has long past the test of cotton and become string.
November 10, 2014
Belief
Belief is an interesting concept. As a young man I was driven to enquire which religion or beliefs were unquestionably correct. I soon become puzzled as followers of different religions and beliefs would constantly act in different ways from what appeared to be there declared faith.
In some cases they would act in a moral good way. Such as the good Samaritan and the short truce during the World War.
Clearly there is something before any stated religion or faith. That unites individuals to act in a civilised namer.
This knowledge has made me realise it is what you do rather than finding a Supreme Belief.
I look back at my own life and see times when on reflection I did not act in the best way. As I can not change the past it is better to use my experience positively for future opportunities.
I hesitate to give that good something a name as established religions would feel threatened and de nigh its existence.
In some cases they would act in a moral good way. Such as the good Samaritan and the short truce during the World War.
Clearly there is something before any stated religion or faith. That unites individuals to act in a civilised namer.
This knowledge has made me realise it is what you do rather than finding a Supreme Belief.
I look back at my own life and see times when on reflection I did not act in the best way. As I can not change the past it is better to use my experience positively for future opportunities.
I hesitate to give that good something a name as established religions would feel threatened and de nigh its existence.
