Thought for the Day

A few years ago I was a guest at a Hindu wedding. I had many experiences that day which were utterly new. I loved it.

One thing will live long with me. A moment during the reception. Not the finest vegetarian curry I have eaten. Not the colourful table settings. No. It was that the three oldest women in the room were mentioned by name and stood to receive acknowledgement. It was lovely. The families had gathered from all over the world. It was clear that it might be the last chance to meet some, or all, of these women. The applause was simply for longevity. I liked the sense of respect that suggested. As we've heard. Some of our great grandmothers were war heroes.

Having faced the decision of arranging my own mother's residential care recently I am very aware of the hardship of finding the right place. I also have the greatest respect for those who keep elderly, or sick children, loved ones close by, in the family, until it is no longer safe.

So respite help is fabulous. A chance to take a break from being a full-time carer. Yet we hear that the provision of such care varies around the region. It's a problem. We want decisions taken as locally as possible but we don't want a postcode lottery on health matters. We can have clone towns or specialisation. But probably not both. Which do we want?

The great prophet and king, Solomon, was praised for asking God for a double portion of wisdom. We too pray for wisdom.

Also in the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Old Testament, it says that 'Grey hair is a crown of splendour; a sign of a righteous life.' Mine's taking a while to change.

Thought for the Day

As delivered at BBC Radio Bristol this morning. I'm back on Wednesday as they have had a late pull-out.

 

Don't judge by appearances. I remember being taught that at an early age. Yet we do. All the time.

 

Walking alone down a quiet street I am more likely to be made nervous by some people walking towards me than others. It's a defence mechanism. It may not be 100% accurate but to reach for another old teaching, 'Better safe than sorry'.

 

I have friends in retail. They have learned things about the appearance and movement patterns of those who should be watched. Shop-lifters can be spotted. Judged by appearance.

 

Last Friday's morning shows included discussion about gender - is it sexist for a man to offer to give up his seat to a heavily pregnant woman?

 

There was also the story in London about rented housing agencies deliberately stating a preference for a white tenant over black. Shocking, in this day and age.

 

At its heart discrimination is about choice. Who we make friends with. Who we work with. It only becomes bad if we deny opportunity to others on the basis of something random and of no consequence - such as age, gender, skin colour or nationality.

 

St Paul spoke of the equality of opportunity for people to hear the Christian message. He said, 'In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female for we are all one in Christ Jesus.'

 

I should put my hand on my heart and say yes, I do sometimes catch myself being accidentally sexist, ageist, racist. That I am aware of it in a way my parents' generation were not says a lot for the progress we have made. But clearly there is still work to be done.