Soap box…what soap box?

www.pamcharles.com

It's going to be a short one this week – I hear you all cheer!! I'm in the middle of working on one of my Masters assignments (Masters as in academic work not the male dominant Donald Trump would want all us women to succumb to). I'm writing about the environmental impact of ICT use in High Schools. It is riveting and I find it really hard to put the literature down. I am a Mum on a Mission - more dangerous, yet more productive than any politician!!

Last week's blog caused another backlash from the very people I expected, who have no understanding of perspectives and outcomes of peoples' deceptions. A word to the wise – you demonstrated the exact traits I have fought against all my life AND it won't stop me from speaking the truth. In the words of Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men "you can't handle the truth." Great film and great actor. On the bright side, while they are slating me, they are leaving some other poor soul alone - maybe I should call that 'public service'.

I have learned to grow a thick skin but not thick enough to have no feelings towards my fellow human beings. In fact, the harshness of how I have been treated has made me the sympathetic, caring soul I am today. As my son commented this week, our lovely home is peaceful and calm – a place of tranquility and love. I must be doing something right.

Wes and I spent Friday working on our University work, bouncing ideas and thoughts off each other, I loved it. 

On top of striving for world domination through education (I think this should be my logo!), I have been continuing to write. I thought it would be impossible to educate myself at this level and work part time on writing. Whilst I'm broke, the end justifies the means. As one of my heroes, Nelson Mandela, said – "It always seems impossible until it is done". I feel more alive when I am inundated with projects. I feel even more alive knowing the example I am setting to my boys is reflecting in the success of their life, both in and outside of education. We can all make a difference in our own unique way.

Anyone else sick of Brexit? I am totally sick of it. I voted to remain in the EU and my reasons for this decision have been well documented. However, I am a democratic socialist and believe in the democratic process even if I don't agree with its outcome – which has been nearly every vote since the 1980s!!! Anyway, Brexit now has become this drama of words with no practical moving forward. It highlights the ineptitude of some of our elected elite but people won’t remember this when it comes to re-election! Brexit will now be used by the Tories as a stick to beat people, like you and me, with. All the damage they have done to the economy will now be "it wasn't us, it was Brexit, which you voted for so it's your fault." I'd say send in the clowns but even they are turning violent!

I had a conversation with someone this week who thought, by Parliament wanting to discuss the triggering of article 50, it was a signal they were trying to stop Brexit from happening. My reply, "So, we let the Tories ride rough shot over all of us and we all end up worse off. What are you truly prepared to forfeit for Brexit? Workers' rights? Jobs? Standard of living? By debating we can ensure some protection." His response – I'd not thought of it like that. Whatever happens in this country, I don't want to be part of an arrogant, xenophobic country where Tories use immigration as a wedge to divide communities when it is their lack of investment that has resulted in poorly paid, insecure jobs, no public services, a collapsing NHS or no social housing. Stop blaming our EU fellow citizens and start blaming the true culprits.

I said I wouldn't get on my soap box this week. LOL. That went well!

Regardless of the world around us, please remember we can ALL make a difference in our own way. Don't give up hope and don't think you have to be stuck in the same, dark place you are in now. I was there and bit by bit I am crawling my way out of the dark hole and creating my own footprints. 

Stay safe, stay strong.

Much love