I had not realised this 24 hour strike was looming until I prepared to hear the Today programme begin at 6 a.m., but instead a documentary about high street shop closures began followed by one on the resignation of the Pope; I felt quite disorientated for a while, wondering if it was Sunday rather than Monday and if I had missed a day, or if Radio 4 had suffered a major technical problem, and it was only when I looked at the BBC website later that I understood the reason for this disruption to my routine. When, too, I saw that all the news programmes I was used to hearing would not be broadcast either I felt some disappointment, which made me question how far I am dependent on them.
Being a
commentator on world events and encouraging, as I do, my
students to observe with discernment what is occurring around us, it is helpful for me to know what is happening, which in itself is a justification for listening to informed and fairly impartial news reporting: however, when the temporary loss of familiar news sources causes me to feel almost vexation, it is a sign that I have developed an unconscious habit which may not serve me, inhibiting flexibility and possibly leading to rigidity.
As I reflected on this I smiled as I realised it was not just the programmes but the people I missed, the familiar, comforting voices which I knew so well, each with their personality and foibles, strengths and flaws, as they reported and debated the news as it was happening. They are like old friends, but just as we should should not expect our friends always to be there for us when we want them, for they have their lives to live their way, so I should not expect my preferred radio programmes and broadcasters always to be available to me when something, for them, more important comes up.
Realising this has broken a tie, healthily. The replacement programmes were, in fact, very interesting and worthwhile, and I am fortunate in that there are many other sources of news reporting available to me. I lost nothing by the strike, but gained much in self-understanding - as always, good lessons were taught and, hopefully, learned, until the next time.]]>
