Today’s news headlines… Humza Yousaf has been elected as leader of the Scottish National Party. A Muslim from a minority ethnic background, an enthusiast for Nicola Sturgeon’s approach… His supporters hope that he will strengthen the SNP as a force for progressive change in Scottish politics.
In his acceptance speech he talked about building a team, but leadership can be a lonely place. Standing alone in leadership…
Yesterday I was involved in interviews at the Seagull Theatre. We want to extend our work with children and young people – at the theatre, in schools… dance, drama, music…
We interviewed four excellent candidates who talked about their experiences… enabling young people, providing enjoyable creative activity, giving shy youngsters confidence, developing talent…
I was privileged to witness each talk about their inspirational, individual enthusiasms… Standing alone with pride and passion…
In Les Misérables Eponine loves Marius. Marius, however, loves Cosette…. Eponine knows that her love can never be returned. She expresses her love for Marius singing ‘On My Own’:
I love him
But every day I’m learning
All my life
I’ve only been pretending
Without me
His world will go on turning
A world that’s full of happiness
That I have never known
Standing alone in unrequited love…
The most shocking piece of local news yesterday was of masked robbers who attacked a local woman in her 80s. Last Friday night or Saturday morning the robbers forced their way into the home, knocked her to the ground and stole her handbag.
On Saturday afternoon police found her lying on the ground with serious injuries. She was taken to hospital where she died yesterday.
Standing alone in a savage attack and senseless death…
During Lent Christians reflect on the last days of Jesus life… Jesus stands alone as a leader… stands alone presenting his inspirational best with passion… stands alone in love for those who often don’t return his love… stands alone in a savage attack and senseless death.
malcolmsmusings.org 