A Point of Reflection

The old books made me sneeze. The dust had accumulated over the past years and the books had not been used. One book stood out as I lifted it from the pile. Dark blue in colour and generally uninteresting would best describe it. There on the cover in gold lettering were the words, “Democratic Government in Canada”.

Inside the fly leaf were four names. Each name had extra information with it, the class, an address, and a very old telephone number. The names were Andy Pinik, Tom Bradley, Barrie Armstrong and Murray Lincoln. The names indicated the fact that all of us had sat through a hugely boring class called “Poliec 101” (Political Economy 101). The book was published/copyrighted in 1947 and then again in 1957.

Under the “Preface” I re-read these words…
“This small book has been written to meet an obvious need in Canada and elsewhere – a short, descriptive account of Canadian government, national, provincial and municipal. Many people have not the time nor, perhaps, the desire to read long and detailed discussions on what may at first appear to be an uninspiring subject; yet a substantial number are frequently to know more about the fundamental ideas and structure of their government if it can be given reasonably concise form. This book is designed to supply some of this information and understanding.”

Yawn and stretch. Oh that hurt. The 1965 class was filled with over 450 really bored University students that wanted to be anywhere but in that class. Even as I held the book this morning and re-read the words I could feel the same feelings again… “Why would anyone knowingly study this and enjoy it!?” I know there were a few Economists that came out that class and a few of my friends become Lawyers and later on Politicians…BUT WE ALL DETESTED THE CLASS!

(Note the Graphic used of the front cover(above) is much more interesting than the front cover of my old book…..BUT the Contents are the same - it has been republished 5 more times since..."Arghhhh - the pain of it all"....! )

I held the book this morning and then I sneezed…and remembered.

Today I know the political system as well as the next Canadian beside me…not from the “Democratic Government in Canada” – but from living in it…being a part of it. Kind of like osmosis I think…the words entered through my skin cells – or something.

Wikipedia sums up a part of the “Democratic Government in Canada” when it makes the following statement…about The GNP

“It is Measures of national income and output are used in economics to estimate the value of goods and services produced in an economy. They use a system of national accounts or national accounting first developed during the 1940s. Some of the more common measures are Gross National Product (GNP), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross National Income (GNI), Net National Product (NNP), and Net National Income (NNI).”

If I haven’t lost you yet…
In Bhutan they have a very different way that they talk about their country. As far as I know they do not have a GNP, GDP, GNI, NNP or a NNI.

They have the GNH – Gross National Happiness. It is actually a goal set by its national government and leadership. They concentrate on GNH for everyone. Now – you will likely know that this kind of a Buddhist thought – at least strongly influenced by their line of thinking.

I am sure that many of my fellow students were close to being Bhutan Buddhists. Their personal pursuit was that of happiness. Some succeeded at that pursuit and some didn’t.

When you read more about the Bhutan idea of GNH – they endeavor to live with what they have – simply and then enjoy it. But without a doubt, nothing is easy in Bhutan – situated just north of India and under China – perched on huge mountains – they work hard to just stay alive.

Can you imagine no computers, not telephones, no television – HDTV or otherwise? As simple world.

Oddly enough as I approach my easier days I am tossing more and more away. I am cleaning my “Man Cave” and moving easier in it.

I think I have kept the old blue book as a reference point for my life.

My life is so different now. I think of the Four Factors that John Maxwell spoke about when looking at the early church growth….. These factors appeared in the lives of each leader.

1.) Obedience
2.) Commitment
3.) Healthy relationships
4.) and Faith

No man can do anything on his own. Wow…that is what “Democratic Government in Canada” was really all about…hmmm?

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
Democratic Government in Canada