I just purchased my copy of Band Aid 30; on the thirty year anniversary of 'Band Aid' Sir Geldof has done it again. Within two days he and his team had recorded the song, the video and had it on sale with 100% of the profits going to charity. A phone call to Simon Cowell and he's interrupting the X-factor on a Saturday night to market it to the right audience. He pulled together a host of current and continuing stars and adapted the tune we all know and love with East Africa and Ebola in mind.
I'm not usually one to dwell on current affairs, I keep a casual eye on news events, but am acutely aware that watching too much news/TV is bad for your health. What I mean by bad for your health is that the news stories are predominantly bad news and tap into people's fears and insecurities creating stress and actions that could in fact help create a bigger problem. The recession, terrorisim...fear is always heightened when they get a mention, and in the UK that is a lot! When I lived in NZ people were, well generally happier, they embraced the outdoors over TV (and no the weather was not always better), and the news was generally good, with politics being more about the latest person the prime minister was sharing a smile with.
But when Sir Bob speaks you sit up and listen... and with a song that starts with the line 'It's Christmas-time, there's no need to be afraid' I'm in.
So let's let in light and banish hate, we do live in a world of plenty and certainly we can spread our smile of joy. If you are reading this you are one of the richest people in the world, look at all you have, and if you need support, go get it...there is never a need to live in fear, life is for living at Christmas time or any time.