Cameras and Vampires

Some primitive tribal cultures used to believe that the camera steals ones soul. Nowadays we all have cameras in our cell phones and there is no escaping the power of the technology. But it's not the camera that is stealing the soul. It's the multitude of images and news we are flooded with.

We are in the midst of an election in Canada. Where-ever we look there are signs and video screens attempting to influence us. All subtlety is lost. We are literally coerced at every opportunity.

Rather than our souls being stolen, someone else's is being imposed on us. Rather than our blood being sucked out of us, they try to force their blood into our veins. A media driven blood transfusion. The election campaign is an opportunity to see the every day actions of media influencers magnified many fold. The effect is obvious.

There is an off switch on the TV. We can avoid the papers. The net allows us to choose what we see more carefully. I am studiously avoiding two things; the royal wedding and the election. I think it's time to revisit some of those great Life On Earth programs made by David Attenborough.

Being informed is one thing; being coerced is quite another. Many people get stressed as a result of the bombardment of influence. The more you rely on your own original thoughts and values, the happier you are likely to be.

Defensive animals.

I lived in Africa for many years and saw many serious conflicts, from Sudan, through Rwanda and Liberia to South Africa, and many more besides. One comment made by an African child on seeing news footage of the build up of military weapons on the eve of the Gulf War remains with me.

The child saw tanks, aircraft and battle ships in a series of news clips, showing forces massing on the border of Iraq. He was nine years old and had never seen such things. He had no idea of the political context or what it was all about. He turned to me and said, "When we are afraid, we have guns, too. These people must be very afraid."

When an animal is afraid, it becomes defensive. Displays of military strength and patriotic zeal, when seen for what they really are, amount to little more than expressions of how fearful we really are. Strength comes not from being able to fight, but by finding methods not to have to.

Bigger Yachts.

My office overlooks beautiful False Creek, in Vancouver, BC. It is a spectacular view, with the snow capped mountains in the distance, and a marina in the foreground.

In the marina I can see people's yachts and their power cruisers. Each year the yachts seem to get a little bigger, and a little more ostentatious. Yet, in my experience, their owners do not seem to get any happier.


There will always be someone with a bigger yacht and someone with a faster car, no matter how hard you try. Happiness and satisfaction are within yourself. The rest means nothing.

Here And Now.

There is only here, and there is only now, and there is only you. That is all there ever has been, and it is all there will ever be.

There has only ever been you, and there will only ever be you. No matter who praises you, or criticizes you, you are the one who has to live with yourself.

The past is done and got you here, and the future is as yet unwritten. Only you can write it.

Becoming Bulletproof.

I have a friend, Mark Huggan, who runs Phantom Couriers, BC's largest independent courier company. Courier companies are tough to run. Often staff are difficult to manage, margins are slim and the clients are demanding. However, a professionally run company, like Mark's, can thrive in this fiercely competitive market - if they get it right.

One thing that always impresses me with Mark is his attitude. I remember him once commenting about a difficult business decision, "Well, what's the worst that can happen? It will all go to hell and we'll go broke. Ok, I've had that before and started from scratch, more than once, so I know I can handle that. So, let's get on with it!"

At that point one can see the reason for Mark's continuing success. He has quite literally become bulletproof. No matter how hard the business situation, he simply will not give up. If we can accept the worst possible outcome without fear, then taking action becomes easy. From there, things only get easier.

Keeping It Simple.

Life is actually a lot simpler than people generally think. In a world where politics does nothing but divide, where success is confused with greed, and nations proudly spend more on their military than on health-care, it doesn’t take much to realise there are some things that have gone fundamentally wrong.

When we learn to celebrate our similarities and not our differences, life is better. It is in us all to find joy. It is here and it is now.