I have just returned from a trip to the British Isles. To use accurate terminology, I have returned from Ireland and the United Kingdom. Since they don't really belong to England, I can't say that I blame Ireland for not wanting to be lumped in with the rest. It can be quite confusing. Ireland is its own country while Northern Ireland and Scotland belong to Great Britain. The later then, are the united part, but are they really? Scotland, while it uses the English pound also still has their own banknotes, though no coinage. Northern Ireland, though it "belongs" to England seems more Irish than English. There isn't even a sign that welcomes you from Ireland to Northern Ireland. If not for our GPS telling us we were driving in measured miles instead of kilometers, we would not have known that we crossed a boundary. No "check point Charlie", no checking of the passports.
We were traveling in Ireland when the U.S. was playing in the World Cup. The U.S. came out ahead of England and Ireland cheered not for their close neighbors, but for us. I find that interesting. While talking to one of our B & B hosts in Scotland he had no desire to wrestle with me over the fact that Scotland belonged to England. He was resigned to it, but none to happy about it. We were inundated with history and who belonged to whom and when. It was hard to keep up and keep it all straight, but here are some of the thoughts I was left with.
1. It's a power thing. Every country (and man) wants control of or power over another, or perhaps many. Our natural state is to be in the position of top dog.
2. No man wants to be ruled by another. Our natural state is to push back when pushed.
3. No man wants to be associated with something they do not believe in. Our natural desire is to be free to decide, to make our own choices.
4. Man will eventually resolve to live within certain confinements, but still deep inside rebel against the restraints.
5. That resolution will eventually dissolve and the rebellion will have it's say.
6. Someone (or some nation) will still have the power and resignation and rebellion will continue to do their dance.
Japanese lunch...m-m-m!
About Me
- deb d
- I am one of those people who love to do so many different things. The heart of the artist is in me and I probably divide myself way too much. I have this crazy love relationship with the Creator of the Universe and as long as what I am doing is a way of pursuing Him and who He has created me to be then I'm good with that.
3 comments:
I'm not sure I agree with all your points. "Our natural state", with the exception of hermits hidden in a forest, is to live in communities. Within communities someone has to make decisions with which not everyone will agree. Ideally, the decision maker will take into consideration the desires of the majority, but the majority is not always correct. The good decision maker accepts his position not as "top dog", but as head of a family.
Very astute observations. When I was at a B&B in Scotland...I got into a similar discussion...I just mentioned that my sister and I planned to take a wee holiday to the Lake District in England and the Scottish man at the breakfast began to give me an education on why he was not British :)
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