By Jonathan Channing
“IF I was a sculptor, but then again no, or a man who makes potions in a travelling show…” are salient words from Sir Elton John. They encapsulate the meaning of life and how our paths and journeys are a series of steps and missteps, ultimately leading us towards our most artistic expression of existence. Without trial and error, there is no refined beauty, and without refined beauty we become frozen by the fear of imperfection.
As the hand on Big Ben reaches midnight on the last night of December, we usher in a new year: new celebrations and new hopes. It’s a time of reflection, forgiveness, and redirection – away from the sweeping influence of day-to-day life and towards a more soulful, purposeful existence. This existence is forged from joint hopes and ambitions for a prosperous future, full of kindness and understanding.
Earlier this year I travelled to Nepal. I saw the orange sunset, hiked through the mountainous regions and met fellow travellers from Germany, Brittany, China and Devon. The richness of these interactions made the trip all the more valuable.
I stayed in a Buddhist monastery for a month, teaching English to young monks, spending evenings with Buddhist teachers, and occasionally attending prayer sessions. From this, I gained a newfound appreciation for stillness and tranquillity, realising there is no need to be anything beyond what I am. I learned to trust in life and the system we all participate in, gaining insight into the flow of life and the consequences of our journeys.
These lessons weren’t solely from my time in Nepal but from the culmination of experiences that led me there. We learn immeasurably through each experience, yet we often forget to view life as a series of lessons, focusing instead on the frivolity of the moment or the negatives of a situation.
My experiences in Jersey taught me a great deal about life and death. These extremes have crafted the person I am today. Without them, I would never have become who I am. The trials and tribulations placed in my path, whether by intention or otherwise, I must conclude have been largely positive. Without them, I would be less.
Instances of autonomy being stripped away and new experiences placed upon me – though designed for neutrality or even suppression – enabled me to reach new heights of consciousness and understanding. Without these, I would indeed be a lesser man than I stand before you today.
I’ve learned more than most seasoned diplomats through this range of experiences. As such, navigating the world and life has become intuitive. As someone who once spent a great deal of time locked away in thought, obsessed with outcomes, I now view thought as the enemy. By living life actively, without prolonged deliberations, I find myself more fulfilled and aligned.
It is fair to say that, despite the influences of egos waging war against me, I have sculpted myself into who I am today by virtue of those egos. Other human journeys have made mine richer, as the challenges they presented prompted shifts in how I navigate and observe my existence.
Therefore, my New Year’s resolutions for Jersey are as follows:
1. A more honest relationship with the truth
Although I’ve managed to navigate the nuances of Jersey life at its foundation stones, not everyone is equipped with the neuroplasticity to emerge from this journey as a lion. Jersey must understand that community is built through support, not by tying weighted chains to its citizens’ feet.
2. A renewed relationship with our King
Jersey has an opportunity to be world-leading, but it lacks alignment. I believe that with greater ties and a strengthened relationship with the Crown, we can find this alignment and forge a path where Jersey punches above its weight, attracting companies like Tesla and Amazon for sandbox opportunities.
3. More dancing with our fraternal cousins in Singapore
Despite perceived and cultural differences, one thing is undeniable about our Singaporean cousins: they know how to jive. In my limited interactions with them, I have found them to be courteous, measured, and good-humoured; there is much we can learn in terms of efficiency from Singapore’s approach.
-
Jonathan Channing works with businesses to better understand neurodiversity and bridge the communication gap that is often present in organisations. In addition to this, he has a keen interest in stoicism, broader philosophy and Jungian psychology. Jonathan also stood for election as Deputy of St Saviour in 2022.
