Trust Yourself

I was just browsing on Twitter earlier today, and I’m not always the biggest fan of people posting loads of quotes, but this one really resonated with me and it goes like this;

“A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because its trust isn't on the branch, it's on its own wings.” 

How Do You Want To Be Remembered?

You know, none of us are immortal. There will come a day where we all have to make that final walk into the unknown. When it finally comes, none of us know what we’ll be walking into. All we know is what is happening here and now and it is with that in mind that we should live our lives. Some people might say “no shit Sherlock” but when is the last time you actually thought about it?

We Must Take the Fight to the Likes of UKIP & Co

Over recent years we have seen the slow but steady rise of UKIP. Now the UK is not alone in Europe in seeing the rise of anti-EU and anti-immigration political parties to increasing prominence nor can we be certain this rise will prove to be permanent or even fully realised.

Work, Money and Our Quality of Life: The US vs. France & Sweden

People (some people anyway) often compare the attitudes of Americans with those of their French or Swedish counterparts in regards to work, money and their attitudes towards having a work-life balance.

Robin Williams

Every bright spark has their demons and that’s true for all of us. I could talk about how and why Robin Williams died but that’s not what I want to remember him for. Instead I want to remember him for the way he lived, the way he battled his demons and what he came to teach each of us.

Novel: Relationships and Complexity of Character

While continuing to write my series of short stories for this novel of mine I've started to place a great focus on what it is that makes a good story. This has included not only stories in books but also those in films, poetry, plays and the various other forums we have to tell a good story. In my experience what makes a good story isn't necessarily the plot, but the characters within the story and the relationships in which these characters share.

What is Happiness and How Do We Get It?

Money

People often quote the saying "money doesn't buy you happiness" and to some extent that's true, but to some extent it's also not true. Although money in and of itself cannot buy you happiness, it can remove some of the barriers that can stop you from becoming happy. People can often find it hard to be happy when they're having to worry about whether or not they can pay the bills, put a roof over their head or afford to put food on the table. Being able to do these things won't make you happy on their own but they can prevent you from being happy if you can't do them. So simply, money might not be able to buy you happiness, but it can remove the barriers that can prevent us from being happy and better enable us to do those things that do make us happy.

Should Turkey Join the European Union?

For decades negotiations have been ongoing on Turkey eventually joining the European Union if and when it ever does. The reasons it has taken so long are complex but fundamental.

Advice on ACCA F6 (Taxation)

For those who are planning to take their ACCA F6 tax exam this coming June, this blog is aimed at giving you some advice and pointers on your upcoming exam.

Book Review: Peter Pan (Peter and Wendy)

          The innocence of a child is a gift to be cherished and protected. Peter Pan is a character many a child can relate to. The wanting to never grow up and to go on fighting the good fight against an imaginary foe is at the very heart of this book. Peter and Wendy is not only a book for children but one for adults who want to think back to their childhood days and the innocence and imagination they once had.

Book Review: The Wind in the Willows

I have read The Wind in the Willows multiple times with the first time being when I was in my early teens. It is one of my all time favourite books and one that has yet to get old.

To Be The Boy That Never Grows Up

We have all heard the story of Peter Pan either through watching the films or by reading the book. We often see this so much as a fantasy type novel that we often understate the relevance it has to real life. As we grow up our innocence gradually gets replaced by experience and although it's a needed part of life, it's a real shame as we never really realise it's happening until it's too late. As such, we often don't appreciate our innocence until we lose it.

Twitter: A Forum for Discussion or an Ugly Mob

As some of you may know, I am an avid user of Twitter and over the months I have found it to provide a keen insight into human behaviour. On one hand it has proven to be an effective forum for discussion and the sharing of ideas. On the other hand it has also allowed for the occasional development of ugly mobs and the speeding of intolerance through the so called "trolls".

Writing a Novel: An Update

Last month I wrote a blog post saying that I was considering writing a novel of some sort. Well, I have finally settled on a theme, genre and all the other various details associated with it.

The Voices in Each of Us

A few days ago I was watching an old episode of Star Trek and the theme was about how in each of us we have a range of voices battling for control. I wrote a similar blog a couple months ago entitled "Magneto and Xavier: A Dual Mentality". This time, rather than focusing on me, this blog will focus on those voices in each of us more generally speaking.

Be Blunt, Be True

In recent decades people, especially the British, have become increasingly reserved and polite. This has resulted in people becoming increasingly afraid of saying what they really think out of fear of causing offense.

A Library of Free Books at Your Fingertips

Nothing beats the feel and smell of a new book. That fresh smell the book gives off and the feel of the pages running between your fingers. Even with the rise of electronic books such as Amazon's "Kindle" I doubt the old passion and sentimentality that comes with reading a paperback will ever completely disappear. However, at the same time I believe we should embrace the resource that is electronic books or e-books for short.

Russia, the Winter Olympics and the Boycott Debate

The winter Olympic Games are now upon us, but up until now the talk has been about boycotts, protests and gay rights. The question is, should we, the international community, have boycotted the games and what impact would it have had?

The Future of British Interest Rates

          Over recent months there has been much speculation about the future of Britain's interest rates and the possibility of a rise in the near future.

The Future and Viability of Virtual Currencies

In recent years, we have seen the start up of virtual currencies such as "Bitcoin". However, we have to question the viability of these currencies and question whether or not they have a long term future.

Cash, Debt and Business Investment

In recent years, the economic slowdown coupled with lower business confidence has seen business investment become more subdued. This was caused in part by lower consumer spending resulting in more subdued revenue growth and downward pressure on company profits. This has increased the uncertainty surrounding future performance reducing the confidence needed for businesses to invest and boost the UK's economic recovery.

Surveillance: Security vs. Liberty

Over recent months, with the Edward Snowden leaks, we have seen the extent of surveillance by various security and intelligence agencies. This raises vital questions in relation to individual liberty and the need to maintain collective security.

The Rise of UKIP and Labour's Rush to Keep Up

The Rise of UKIP

In recent years, we have seen UKIP polling double digits pushing the likes of the Liberal Democrats into fourth place. But this give rise to the question, is this support genuine or is it simply a protest vote? We can all say that we'll vote this way or that, but none of that means anything until we're actually in that voting booth and we're putting that cross against the candidate's names. Simply speaking, support means nothing unless it's turned in to votes.

Thinking of Writing a Novel

Over the past few years I have often pondered about whether or not to write a novel and if so, what should it be about?

Why We Sometimes Need a Recession

Over recent years, the global economy has faced a major downturn causing unemployment and government debt to surge. However, it can be argued that if managed properly, this short term pain could come with long term benefits.

UKIP's Criticism of the BBC and their Definition of "Neutrality"

One factor that often puts me off voting for political parties such as UKIP and other right wing populist parties, among other things, is their on-going criticism of the BBC and their definition of "neutrality".

European Economy Series Part 2: Supporting Innovation and a Diverse Education Policy

Supporting Innovation

          It is a well known fact within the business community that SME's (Small and Medium Size Enterprises) create the bulk of employment opportunities across Europe. As such, in order to foster economic growth and bring down Europe's unemployment figures, we need a culture that allows for the easy start up and growth of such SME's and new enterprises.

European Economy Series Part 1: The Working Time Directive and Digital Agenda

           In light of resent instability across the Eurozone and a dragging European economy, we need to ask what reforms the EU needs to become more competitive, stimulate economic growth and engage more with its citizens.

Town Centres and the Changing Face of Business

In recent years, and accelerated by the recent downturn, we have seen out town centres change significantly. This includes the decline of the small local shops and libraries and the rise of the coffee and charity shop. This begs the question, what is the purpose of our town centres and what will they look like in the years to come?

Letter to Me

I have a question for you, if you could write a letter to the younger version of you, say at ten years old, what would you write and what advice would you give? For me, it would go something like this. And after you read it, give it a go yourself, but be truly honest with it. You don't have to show it to anyone if you don't want to and it can be quite therapeutic. And then after you've written it, keep it, either saved on a computer or hidden at the back of a draw and every so often, take it out and simply have a read. Trust me, this going back to read your letter will prove equally as valuable and as therapeutic as when you first wrote that letter. So, here it goes!

Welcome to the Future: How Things Have Changed

People often say that the modern world is changing at an ever faster pace and the world we see today is unrecognisable from the one we had twenty or thirty years ago. I remember the days when the most advanced games console you could play at home was just a shooting gun you plugged straight into the TV and it had just one game with a hand full of levels. That and a few simple games on the PC which had the most basic 2D graphics. Actually, does anyone remember the old dial up internet which meant that whenever you were on the internet, no on in the house could use the phone and you were charged by the minute and it took a good five minutes just for it to connect to the phone line. None of this unlimited internet on multiple computers or wireless internet connection and certainly no internet on your phones.

New Year's Message

I just want to write a short message in light of the coming new year. Some of you I may talk to regularly, some on the rare odd occasion or others just the odd "like" on Facebook or "favourite" on Twitter. However, I am writing to wish you all, no matter how often we talk, all the best for the year to come. I hope it's filled with many happy memories that you'll come look back on with joy and happiness.

HS2 and the Need for Capacity, Not Speed

          The British government has recently taken the decision to invest in a new high speed rail line known as HS2. This will see London linked to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds by a new high speed rail line. This blog will question the value, benefit and wisdom of that investment.

Political Extremes: My Problem with the Right Wing Populists and the Ever Complaining Left

Protesting Socialists & the Ever Complaining left
          As a centre right liberal, I often have many disagreements with the left, largely because I disdain the idea of their never ending complaining and protesting. Furthermore, I disagree with thetactics of the left, especially trade unions, of striking and grinding the country to a halt whenever they don't get their own way. This is heightened by the fact that their wants and demands are often so unrealistic that they rarely, if ever, get their own way, but that's how a democracy works. Their continuing refusal to compromise and cooperate with those who have opinions different from their own is undemocratic and harmful in a civilized society. Simply, this refusal to compromise and their continuing protests and strikes are harmful to democracy which requires compromise and cooperation in order to survive. This coupled with their habit of labelling people rather than treating people as individuals is why I often find myself in conflict with those on the left of the political spectrum.

Living Our Lives in Fear - "We must do that which we think we cannot"

In a changing world, fear becomes rampant. Fear of change, fear of the unknown and fear of things that are different. These things take us outside of our comfort zone and it is human nature to avoid these changes as to avoid any risk of harm coming from them, whether that risk is realistic or not. But unless that fear is overcome, nothing ever changes and society and humanity as whole stands still in its evolutionary development. Thus, it takes the brave to overcome that fear and help drive humanity forward.

None of this "New Year, New Me" Crap

Every year, people always say the same thing "this year is gonna be different", "new year, new me" and "this year, my new year's resolution is.......". Just stop. This might sound a little harsh, but just because it's a new year doesn't mean anything is gonna be different and most will fail their new year’s resolutions come February or March time. All it's gonna lead to is misery when things don't change or when more of you fail your new year’s resolution. So save yourself the grief and just don't do it.

Character vs. Reality

In recent years, I've been seen as a bit of an opinionated bastard by some and as "nice" and "smart" by others. This is due to the feeling that I need to play different characters in differing situations. I like to think that this "nice smart" character reflects more of the real me than the "opinionated bastard". However, my fear in this respect stems from the fact that people generally taking advantage of people that they consider to be nice, especially if that person has something they want. This is due to nice people often being considered weak or feeble. And on a personal note, this is something I've experienced way too much off in recent years.

To an icon of our time; thank you

Dignity, humility, strength and the drive for freedom for all, attributes that will always be associated with Nelson Mandela.

Should we ban the Burka?

Introduction

          This blog will consider whether or not the UK should ban the burka or full face veil. This is in light of the recent judge ruling and the comments of Liberal Democrat Home Office Minister Jeremy Browne on the need for a debate on the issue. The likes of Belgium and France have already issued various bans on the full face veil and other European countries including Britain are now considering following suit.

Britain, Syria and that Parliamentary Vote

My Views

At this point the world, including Russia and the Syrian government, has come to accept and admit that chemical weapons were used within Syria, it is simply a question of who used them. Many in the west believe that only the Assad regime had the capability and willingness to carry out such a large scale chemical attack and I agree with this. However, I wouldn't rule out the opposition making small scale attacks seem to be carried out by the regime in order to garner support from the international community.

Bucket List

My Plans for the Years to Come

People often ask me what my plans are for the future and what it is I want out of life. This blog aims to try and answer these questions.

What if Money Was No Object?

During my time at university (Hertfordshire) I often asked people what it was they wanted to do upon graduating and I always pretty much got the same answer. People generally didn't care or didn't know what they wanted to do as long as it paid alot of money. For me, this is a sorry state of affairs and is frankly quite depressing.

Always be yourself and don't be afraid to have an enemy or two

One of the benefits of being a relatively quiet person means I get to spend alot of time just sitting back watching how different people behave. This often includes people changing their behaviour based on the situation they're in or the people they're with. For me, when I see people changing their whole personality and persona simply based on the people they're with, I just think, why? Surely it's easier in the long run simply to be natural and to be the person you are at your core.

Becoming Less Patient and More Assertive

Over the years I have often been referred to as the "nice" and "patient" one or the "smart" one or more recently, the "strange" and "different" one. I see all these qualities as being complements, even the one about me being strange. However, each of these qualities have their time and place. Other times, you have to become more assertive and what some people might call being mean or being a bit of an ass when the situation calls for it.

Gender in the Boardroom: An Opinion Against Quotas

Women currently make up 19% of the membership of UK boardrooms, up from 12.5% in 2010. This is compared to 26% in Sweden and 35% in Norway. Currently both Sweden and the UK maintain a target based system with the UK having a target of 25% by 2015. This is while Norway currently has a legally enshrined quota of 40%.

Magneto and Xavier: A Dual Mentality

In my view, one of the reasons for the success of the X Men movie franchise is the relatability of the plots and even more so its characters. In some ways, the demonised mutant minority of the show and the way in which they are treated can act as a metaphor for the way on which many minorities are treated in the real world today. The characters in the film give an interesting insight into the human psyche and how we behave towards such treatment of minorities. This is especially the case when comparing the approaches of the characters of Magneto Professor X.

America, Europe and Britain’s Place in the World

The world has always been ever changing place and in the modern era, that change ever more fluid and stark. A few years ago, who could have foreseen the events of the Arab Spring or the current situation regarding Edward Snowden (former contractor to the NSA)? As such, all countries including the likes of the UK need to re-evaluate their positions and their perceived place in the world.

A Pet Peeve: Confusing Opinion with Fact

One of the few things that annoy me is when people believe their own opinions are bottom line fact and are intolerant of any opinion other than their own. Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly happy to entertain and consider different views and ideas, if anything, I enjoy it as it encourages me to question my own opinions. All I want is to be treated with the same respect and tolerance. In the past I've met people who would go absolutely hysterical when someone didn't agree with them and then they would go off in a strop like an immature child. Frankly, in my view, if you’re so sure that your opinion is the right, then surely it should survive vigorous debate and question and in that case, there's no need to get defensive. 

Measure of a Man: What Does it Mean to be "Successful"?

I was listening to some music on YouTube and I came across Clay Aiken. Most people outside the US have probably never heard of him, but he was the runner up on the second season of American Idol. Well, I came across one of his songs in particular entitled "Measure of a Man" and it got me thinking, at the end of it all, how would you measure as to what extent your life had been a "success". When I say "successful", I'm not just talking about professionally, although that may be part of it, I'm talking about being "successful" in life in general.

An Academic Life Finally Over

Well, for the most part.

          At the age of 22, I have finally left business school and therefore, the British educational system altogether. Well, on a full time basis anyway. I will continue to be thankful and appreciative of the opportunities such an educational system has and will continue to provide, but to be honest, I am thankful it has come to an end.

My Thoughts on the UK's Energy Policy

I have always been an advocate for lowering our carbon emissions including through the use of nuclear and renewable energy and reducing our reliance on coal and oil. However, a recent report carried out by National Grid and Ofgem found that, come 2015-2016, the UK will have a safety margin of a mere 2% in regards to its energy generation as compared to consumption. Although this figure remains positive, an increase in energy consumption during peak times could potentially lead to blackouts across the country. So the question is, how do we avoid the blackouts, both in the run up to 2015 and in the decades to come.