Nigel Dower

Yesterday was around the fact of Kindness day, a day in which we are encouraged to do notice and celebrates such act, from given a person smile, or compliment, or given a helping hand at bus stop. The idea of a special day to emphasis importance of such acts came from initiative and US in 1995 and since spread world wide.

Couple of days ago, Scotland experience 3 earth quakes within hours, not life threatening, or property destroying, but it reminded us the earth we live on is not totally stable. And it come to light that in UK, we have come to accept the level of safety and security, both environmentally and socially, that most people in this world simply do not experience.

Yesterday was the equinox, it's the symbolic reminder of passage of time from summer to winter, it's also reminder of balance, balance between night and day, darkness and light. This is a powerful metaphor for the fragile balance of our social world. One feel light of positive relations, but also at the same time, darkness, hostility, and violence. The light and dark not only exist outside of us but also inside each of us. Acknowledging the dark side, we're able to let our light, the inner light, as our quakers call it, shine more fully over it, and check its impulses. And thus prompt us to love open towards others.

One of remarkable story that came out aftermath terribly heavier of the few after England's defeat on Sunday, has been wave of people has flocked to Manchester club house mirror at midnight, they literarily covered whole area with cards and pictures of support. It reminds me a well-known passage from John's gospel, "The light shine force and the darkness comprehend it not" comprehend does not means to understand, as if darkness is somewhat plausible child, but rather overcome or contain. Here indeed that dark act has being overcome by those numerous positive acts. Quakers are often study John's gospel precisely because of this image of light, not so much of transcendent light, as in a light within all of us, which if we allow to shine, enable us well, overcome the dark side, which is in each of us.

The community in Applecross Scotland has asked to be withdraw from NC500, the North Coast destination that puts them on tourist trail. The issue comes up because too many tourists are going to Applecross, and putting pressure on local infrastructure, especially on the narrow roads, which is the highest, steepest path of UK, enjoyable for spectacular view, that if not stuck. it's quite understandable dividing the community.

A married couple celebrated their 60th year anniversary, local newspaper headlined it “Love Conquers All”, indeed it’s a great feel good story of a couple who had a long and good life together. One thing that caught my attentions is they met as dancer in 1960s in Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom. The Beach Ballroom had been the remain of such central feature of Aberdeen’s life. I hear various stories that romance being kindled there in 60s, although others are taking a rather different memory from it as a place where they take their covid examinations.