Can We Celebrate (Now) More? Please 🙏

Value Life (VL) Mini-series Episode 05

Dear Honest Men and Bonnie Lassies,

With all the ongoings in the world, in this weeks (~4m) VL Mini-series Episode 05¹, we are taking a wee step back, reflecting and calming the beans whilst plotting for some unprecedented positivity.

In the episode, VL:

1. Reflect on why it may be important to address past wrongs; and

2. (>2m 58s) give further insight into the aspirations of VL community - more celebrations please.

I do hope you enjoy!

Some commentary on the mini-episode

1. @30s it is said, “We need to look ahead and plan to move on - which I don’t necessarily disagree with.”

   We must be equipped with knowledge and tools and practice / play with them to succeed though.

2. Regarding “what is next” and history (@1m 30s), author of several best selling books on Central and Eastern Europe and professor at Yale University, Timothy Snyder has said,

   You learn things from history which can then help you recognize other things. You might see some certain patterns, but history doesn't repeat.

   ; and,

   History does not repeat itself, but it does instruct.

3. And for church lovers (and I am one), (@3m 47s):

   1. It is important to stress so you may notice this word, the question mark and note the facial expressions when it is said, “perhaps it is what some churches could evolve into?”

   2. Considering churches are great empty spaces (and of course they are not the only empty spaces) most of the time, I’d love to look forward to filling them with relaxed, flexible meetings, enjoying many more opportunities to spend time with friends and their families. Imagine that!

   3. There are several different options that could be tabled to accommodate respective community needs. For example, one potential hybrid option to promote inclusivity, in agreement with churches and their congregation, we could start by accommodating their favourite parts of church, the best stories, moral lessons and songs and then strive to take it up a wee notch to enjoy them in an inordinately more free and fun environment. As a community, we could dynamically mould it to our wants and needs.

   4. I perhaps did a poor job in my podcast (in March) when I eluded to this, but it was only to peak curiosity and I would welcome any dialogue.

4. On the subject of imperialism recently, here is a take on the modern so called great powers and “The Downside of Imperial collapse”.

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Many thanks to a dear kind Sir that took some extremely valuable time to send interesting material following the last mini-episode release - I owe you a lunch (in amongst the smoke and mirrors 🤔😉).

Dear reader, you will all be delighted to hear that more links will be forthcoming (for you to choose to explore if interested) in future newsletters.

Please do reach out if wish to ask me anything or if you have something you want to share.

To close and continue with some reflection: perhaps endeavour to appreciate anything beautiful right now, throughout the day and weekend when it comes. If you are unable to recognise something, please seek a mirror.

Big love and hugs,
Ross

✊💙💛💙💛💙✊

1. Related inspirational songs (and the one I butcher this week 😉) are always cited in the Mini-episode YouTube video description, but I think I will start linking them here too. To nudge the weekend celebrations along:

1. This is how it is done - just beautiful! The Beatles - Let It Be

2. Daft Punk - One More Time

3. Kool & The Gang - Celebration