The Affluenza virus and half term

I've just finished an entertaining and provocative book, "How to be free" by Tom Hodgkinson. It's a compelling analysis of some of the ills of our go-getting, wealth-obsessed and lonely society. In many ways it's a religious book. Every one of the twenty-nine short chapters is full of references to Christianity, though Hodgkinson does have a rather skewed understanding of the Reformation and its consequences. Still, it's good to read something which includes plenty to disagree with, as well as much to applaud.

I feel like writing an epilogue to each chapter, relating the liberation of the gospel to each issue.

Yesterday, in the closing chapter of the book, I read these words, by philosopher Bertrand Russell, which felt timely at the start of a week in which I'm going to take a few days' holiday,

One of the symptoms of the approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important and that to take a holiday would bring all kinds of disaster.

Now, admittedly, Russell isn't my favourite thinker but he's got a point, hasn't he? It's rather arrogant to believe that we can't take holidays, simply because our presence at work is crucial. Not only is this self-delusional, it's bad for our mental health.

On the radio this morning, Oliver James was being interviewed about affluenza, a dangerous and contagious condition that is prevalent in th UK, where our rates of mental ill health are frighteningly high. As James said in a recent Guardian article:

The Affluenza virus is a set of values which increase our vulnerability to psychological distress: placing a high value on acquiring money and possessions, looking good in the eyes of others and wanting to be famous. Many studies have shown that infection with the virus increases your susceptibility to the commonest mental illnesses: depression, anxiety, substance abuse and personality disorder.

James has written a book on the subject, which might well go onto my wish-list.

The point of all this? Well, it's half-term. If you've got kids or grandchildren, go and make friends with them. Let the pace drop a little. Find a chance to laugh, find people you love (or just like) and meet up for something that isn't a meeting, and know God's company in some stillness and peace.