A Blank Piece of Paper

In many hands a blank piece of paper is just that. An empty thing, it represents nothing at all and to a closed mind should be scrunched into a ball and discarded.

Yet to others that same blank piece of paper is something to work with. It is an invitation to write down thoughts and facts. To record the written word, fine drawings or something abstract.

In the same way, a candidacy for a leading role whether in government, corporation or society can be looked at as that blank piece of paper. Your choice is to decide whether to carry on as though nothing has happened. Whether to stick to that same old rhetoric and pledges and regurgitated catchphrases.

Or you could take that blank piece of paper and doodle out some abstract thoughts. Make up weird stuff and see where it takes you. Yes, this is brainstorming, an old-fashioned approach according to some commentators yet a proven one.

Those thoughts could lead to something new, something exciting possibly even something radical and damn it all…. Change.

It seems odd that in a world where democracy is dying and politics are very unwell that we find ourselves going round the same old route. The route where pledges without substance are being made in an attempt to win power. Where the uncertain future, is predicted with confidence and political accuracy.

Would it be a good thing for any candidate to turn around and say that the future is unclear, there will be trouble ahead. There are commitments to be honoured and my candidacy is the one that will take us there. The challenges are known, the obstacles and difficulties aren’t but look at our experiences so far together with these new ideas we have to deal with them. Look at this piece of paper full of inspiration.

Would it be a good thing for any candidate to turn around and say that the future is clear, we will continue on our route of negotiation and all will be well. Honestly…. trust me…I know what I’m doing.

This is now not a blank piece of paper; it has thoughts and abstracts recorded on it. Where I wonder would it take you?