Recession on the Mind?

Currently we are going through a recession here in the United Kingdom and it is effecting everyone in one way or another. The word recession means to withdraw or to recede* the results of recession are always negative and we feel the effects every day, unemployment, hunger and heartache of many kinds.

In the same way the recession of one’s mind i.e. when we stop thinking or withdraw from leaning we also suffer negative consequences. “Leaning” (education) is the key to growth and prosperity of both the individual and society as a whole and therefore it stands in opposition to recession and brings both recovery and new birth.

I have been involve in the delivery of information (IT) in business for over 28 years and have seen the effects on business (and therefore people) of both the good and bad use of Information via Technology. My own experience has show me that, bar none, those who have embraced the use of information have succeeded or grown and those who have withdrawn or receded have disappeared or died.

We are now approaching the Easter holidays and we all have an opportunity over the coming days to take time out and read, think, learn, grow.

Now this is were I want to encourage and challenge you to read the Bible, the worlds best selling book, with an average of over 100m copies sold world wide every year. If as said before information and learning are key to your well being and growth, both now and in the future, then why would you not take the challenge?, what are you afraid of? The Bible says in the book of Matthew, Chapter 7 Verse 7** “Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you!” so why not.... Ask, Seek, Knock,”  I did this 22 years ago and it changed my life in so many amazing ways. You could start with one of the "Gospels" they are named, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Gospels are eyewitness accounts regarding Jesus, who he was, what he said and what he did. You can find the account of what happened at Easter in the book of Matthew near the back of the Bible starting around Matthew Chapter 25 through to Chapter 28. Why not push the boat out and read the whole of Matthew over the Easter weekend, it’s only 28 Chapters long.

If you would like to do this but don’t have a Bible you can buy them at most good book shops but remember the Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. So get a good English translation, something like the NIV (New International Version) Bible or ESV (English Standard Version) Bible. Alternatively we can read the Bible for free on the Internet at www.bible.cc or www.esvbible.org You can also download the Bible on to your PC, PDA, Mobile, iPhone, Blackberry or iPad at www.youversion.com/mobile Turn the recession into your growth or recovery. God Bless and have a great Easter break. I pray you will all grow in some way over the next few weeks.

*Source - http://dictionary.reference.com ** Source - http://bible.cc/matthew/7-7.htm

John Terry, Steve Hester, Mass Media, Mass Histeria!

Over the last couple of weeks the media have whipped up at storm and many have been caught up in it.

First let me say, that if John Terry of Chelsea and England Football Teams is found guilty of committing  "racial abuse" against Anton Ferdinand, he should face the consequences of that in a court of law (not the media) and should rightly be condemed for doing so.

Secondly, I would like to point out that Steve Hester CEO at the publicly owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was only being paid a bonus for doing his job as agreed with his employer i.e. you and me or HM Government.

John Terry has not been found guilty of anything and Steve Hester was been paid for a job well done. However, John Terry has lost the England captaincy and Steve Hester has lost his bonus.

So why are we throwing away the things that we hold so dear in this Country. Things like, all citizens are innocence until proven guilty in a court of law and that if you agree a contract of employment both parties (Employer and Employee) should stick to it.

Two of the reasons for this are, the power of the media and our propensity to believe them. This is incredibly dangerous to us personally and our future as a Country. We have build up our laws in this Country over thousands of years, to protect us from injustice and the baying crowd. We should not now throw them away just because we "think" we have all the "evidence" we need to judge them, especially when that "evidence" is provided by the media.

Something to think about? The reason for our laws is to avoid the following. Should John Terry be found not guilty of the charge against him, he will have missed his opportunity, a 15 year career highlight of leading his Country, England, in a major tournament. Since joining RBS as part of the Government rescue plan. Steve Hester, has done a great job in helping the us, the tax payer, to get our money back, hence his bonus however, he may now decide to leave RBS and get a better job. Maybe one where he can trust his new employer to pay him as agreed in his contract of employment. I wonder who will pick up the challenge of the RBS after that?

Final thought - Going back to my opening line. The problem with a storm is that it can turn things upside down, so be care in what you wish, pray or ask for, you may get it.