Kirkcaldy Esplanade

Was down at the Esplanade in Kirkcaldy last week taking photos. It can get very stormy down there sometimes but is often nice during the summer for a walk. Kirkcaldy Esplanade and the seawall were constructed in the 1920s as an unemployment relief scheme.
Larry

Annual John Maclean Rally

Sunday November 28.
1 pm at Eastwood Cemetery to graveside for commemoration.
March leaves 1.30 pm, across from cemetery, at Boydstone Rd
to John MacLean Cairn at Shawbridge Arcade, nr, shopping Centre.
Post Code for sat navvies G43 1QN.
Then to Shawbridge Bar across at Shawbridge High flats, next to Police Station for speeches and scoriach.
Ted Christopher and Albannach.
Admission £5.

Very little religious tolerance in the world

The US is marking nine years since 9/11 amid controversy over plans for an Islamic centre near Ground Zero. Coupled with this a Florida pastor who is threatening to to burn the Koran. Click here for the BBC report.

Religion unfortunately is responsible for great unrest and strife on this planet. Life is too short to argue with our brothers and sisters about our own interpretation of who is God and how we should behave in the name of religion. The end game is that we cannot agree.

I have a certain respect for "religious freedom" but not when it is used as an excuse to impinge on the freedom of others. Religion can only operate without controversy if there is tolerance of others present. Unfortunately the reality is there seldom is.

Burning books and symbols of hate is nothing new in America. Beatles records were burnt after remarks made by John Lennon, about the group being bigger than Christ, and it upset Christian right fundamentalists in the US. The Ku Klux Klan burn crosses when expressing their hatred which has Scottish origins. In Scotland, the fiery cross, known as the Crann Tara, was used as a declaration of war.

Religion is responsible for too much sectarianism in the world and is used by Imperialists to divide and rule in particularly in their colonies. Ireland is an example. And in the West coast of Scotland differences between Catholic and Protestant or Celtic and Rangers keeps the working class masses occupied, instead of them questioning authority or thinking about socialism, peace or independence.

Life is too short to fight over an ideal unless it promises practical benefits such as socialism. Ultimately International Socialism should bring tolerance, harmony and love for our fellow brothers and sisters.

Unfortunately to change so much hate in the world into societies of peace, socialism and understanding and tolerance involves sacrifice. That is why I follow the teachings of John Maclean and James Connolly. They offered hope through their own sacrifice and that still applies today.

If the US pastor carries out his threat to burn the Koran it will simply stir up more hatred in the world. Perhaps it is time to reflect on the need for love in the world. That can only happen if we set out to destroy hatred and greed. Then perhaps we can afford the luxury to ponder about an after life or god which does not impinge on our freedoms on planet earth. We cannot allow ourselves to think otherwise.
Larry

Too much stress is bad

I am evidence to the fact that too much stress can be bad as can the consequences I apply which is copious amounts of booze or coffee and a great deal of fags.

The amount of stress we suffer can be attributed to our personality and how we cope with stress.

However the world would be a boring place without some stress to motivate us to get out of bed in the morning.

When stress becomes a problem we experience 'distress' that being when there's too much or too little. A lack of stress means your body is understimulated, leaving you feeling bored and isolated. Thus we look for stimulants such as alcohol or drugs.

Too much stress can result in a range of health problems including headaches, stomach upsets, high blood pressure and even stroke or heart disease. It can also cause feelings of distrust, anger, anxiety and fear, which in turn can destroy relationships at home and at work.

People often feel over-stressed as a result of some event or trigger. This doesn't have to be negative (such as the death of a loved one, redundancy or divorce); it can also be seemingly positive (a new partner, new job or going on holiday). Such feelings can also be acute (as the result of a death or loss of a job) or chronic (coping with long-term unemployment or being in a bad relationship).
Information source BBC Health.

I am helping my girlfriend's parents move into another house which is a stressful event for them.

So we have to know how to apply coping mechanisms for stress. From the library I discovered a book by Dr Hilary Jones "I'm too busy to be stressed." Well worth a read on how to recognise and relieve the symptoms of stress.

Indeed if you can recognise what major factors might cause you to be "over stressed" then you can find the best way of coping with your stress. I like to travel a great deal back and forward from Kirkcaldy to Dundee over 30 miles on the bus so I like to read during my journey. When I cannot sleep I listen to the radio. In short you need to find out what works best for you whether it is diet or exercise or relaxation techniques.

Everyone is different and the world would be a dull place if we weren't.
Larry