Thought for the Day

So, after five years and 130 thoughts the gang at BBC Radio Bristol gave me some theme music, although it was in homage to the very poorly Aretha Franklin. Still, I felt welcomed. Today's thought:

Some cyclists and some pedestrians not playing nicely eh? What to do?

Do we heed the advice of the Bible, which calls us to be slow to anger?

Yesterday I was behind a very large lorry which, presumably due to a satnav error, was on a single track road where the passing places were too small to allow anyone by. Through the power of telepathy and reversing lights the whole queue, including the lorry, squeezed back up to allow the oncoming traffic past. In the midst of this one car, without thought for the possible cause of the delay, overtook the whole line of stationary traffic and then had to do a long backtrack of shame, avoiding eye contact with all of us smug drivers who had been patient.

Earlier I had been driving along another lane when I came up behind a pedestrian. My car runs quietly but I was amazed he hadn't heard me. Then I saw the headphones. I contemplated a toot on the horn but chose instead to move closer and rev louder. Vicars really should be good at revving. The guy noticed and stood on the verge. I drove by. We both waved and chuckled.

This is not simply to demonstrate what a fine member of the community I am. Anyway, I have a radio slot to tell my stories, which is one way of not getting angry.

I am telling you this because your anger is in your control. Stupid cyclist / pedestrian or not, never say 'You made me so mad'. They may have irritated you but your anger is not in their gift. And saying it is, is to give the other person too much power.

Thought for the Day

As delivered this morning on Steve and Laura at Breakfast (with Vernon standing in for Steve) on BBC Radio Bristol:

What makes you mad?

The cartoon character Popeye was portrayed as a down-to-earth sailor man until something, usually the dastardly activities of his nemesis Bluto towards his sweetheart Olive Oil, pushed him to the edge. At which point he would shout 'I can't stand it no more', neck a can of spinach and come out fighting.

Well it seems as if the people of our region have a lot of things that are leading them to say 'I can't stand it no more.'

Whether it is the presence of undesirable activities in Portishead, or the absence of desirable facilities in Hartcliffe or football-related issues that have driven Hallam councillors to resignation - it seems like you are all up in arms. And if those don't do it then traffic hold-ups or parking problems will often be the last straw.

My mind wandered to the Michael Douglas film Falling Down in which an unemployed defence worker frustrated with the various flaws he sees in society, begins to psychotically and violently lash out against them.

And then I thought of Jesus - well I'm a vicar you'd expect me to. In the Bible he sees the money changers and pigeon-sellers in the temple courts blocking the space where traditionally strangers were allowed to enter - the Court of The Gentiles. And he can't stand it no more. Animals are whipped and tables are over-turned.

Gentle Jesus meek and mild. Oh come on.

Christians, a wise old clergyman once said to me, should not be in the business of shouting for their rights, but of shouting for the rights of others.

So, to end with the worst sentence I have ever constructed. What can't you stand, no more?

Making Me Angry

This is probably a piece of Eureka! training but it can't be said often enough. You can't make me angry.

If I say, 'You made me angry' or any versions of that sentence, I give you too much power. It is not in your gift.

Becoming angry is entirely my responsibility. Whatever I think or feel about your behaviour I can take a decision as to whether or not anger is my response.

This comes out as my thought for the day, week or year quite often but I am amazed how many people I meet who don't get it and for whom it is liberating.

In my world a man goes up to Jesus and says, 'Master what must I do to be forgiven?' And he looks down, draws in the dirt with his finger for a bit then spits at it throws mud at me and says, 'Sin.'

Funny man Jesus. But he rarely makes me angry. Mind you, you should see him when he's a bit cross. Calls people Satan or dog. Then the chairs and tables go flying.

Now? What's making you cross today? And whatcha gonna doaba'it?