So today’s the day. Love it or hate it, the UK and Commonwealth (those nations still monarchies) are getting an official King crowned in the eyes of God. Dedicating himself to a duty that only ends with the grave. That’s a BIG commitment.
Division rules
This blog isn’t about royal worship, royal loathing, or even royal indifference. It doesn’t matter whether I’m pro, anti, or going shopping. It’s of no importance.
What is important is that this is a perfect example of ‘ways humans choose to divide’. We have all kinds of opinions going on, groups setting up rebellious events to get them through the horror of having a monarch, people exercising their rights to protest at the Coronation. A right they have, in other countries they would be shot, so maybe having a monarch isn’t that bad a thing?
Opinions hurt
Families will be falling out over this, friendships may break today, insults are flying through the air, and monarchists are having a great day. They’re the lucky ones because their firm beliefs aren’t giving them ulcers and ruining their mental health.
Of course, there are millions of totally indifferent people going shopping, totally unbothered either way, and they’re the ones we need to be taking notice of.
There is nothing wrong with wanting a republic, although when I think of Boris Johnson as the only public face of the UK, hair awry and shirt hanging out, I will admit my appreciation of the monarchy goes up a notch. Much better to have someone who knows how to get dressed and respects the people inclusively.
There is also nothing wrong with wanting a monarchy, there are fors and againsts everything, cases can always be made either way. Although I do question, with the track records of various governments (that’s an inclusive statement no matter what they pretend, they’ve all handled the public finances shockingly) whether the royal money would be safe in their hands or dissappear in a fortnight.
Actually, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the UK government of any colour was as good with money, planning, and looking after things such as the land, rivers, heritage, etc., as the royals? Wouldn’t THAT be nice!
Where the indifferent, the neutral, win out, is that they’re happy to let everyone else get on with what they believe in. They’re leaving everyone be, imposing their will on no one, and generally not causing arguments, ulcers, and mental health issues. They must be very strong, confident, kindly, people.
So the point is…
As a race we need to find more that unites than divides, and I have a very simple suggestion to achieve that. Think of the children. Don’t teach them anger, don’t teach them to hate or dislike anyone they don’t know. Don’t teach them to blame everyone but themselves if their life goes wrong. Don’t teach them to blame at all.
Teach children that life is an adventure, the possibilities are endless, failure just means do something else until you find something, or someone, that you really like.
Teach them that nothing and no one is more important than their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Teach them to spend their energy on things that do matter, to them, to those they love, and to the planet. Teach them the Prayer for Serenity.
Teach them that there are only two emotions in this world, love and fear, and everything comes from those. Teach them to choose love, and everything that means, because that is to choose life, joy, happiness, loving connections, positive relationships, fulfilling careers, health and wellbeing in mind, body, and soul.
Teach them to live and love, not fight and suffer. At the end of the day, coronation or no coronation, king or no king, it only matters what we feel inside. Don’t choose unhappiness for any reason, there’s enough of the real stuff about without manufacturing more.
Whomever you are, whatever you are doing today, have the best possible day.
With love from one of the loving neutrals in life, who does have a clear feeling about today, and knows that doesn’t matter to anyone but her. And that’s okay.
Deb xx
Deb Hawken 