Faith, Freedom, Business & a Touch of Tartan

I first met Dr Brian J. Grim around ten years ago in London, and since then, I’ve quietly followed the inspiring development of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation from afar.
Since stepping into my role as a Trustee with the Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Foundation last December, our paths have started crossing more intentionally, most recently in Glasgow at a meeting with OVO Energy.
That encounter sparked a simple question: How could I help further?
Weeks later, after attending a Cross Party Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief chaired by John Mason MSP, I reached out with a thought: what if we brought Brian back to Holyrood for a conversation?
Yesterday, that idea came to life.
As Brian arrived, I quipped, “I’ve assembled a press corps just for your arrival!” (We had a good laugh about that!)
We joined First Minister’s Questions, shared lunch with John Mason MSP and Stephen Kerr MSP, and were later joined by Murdo Fraser MSP.
Together we explored how to raise awareness and engage others in meaningful conversations about religious freedom and its connection to business, community and dignity.
It was a powerful day of learning, sharing and planning for what comes next, including hopes for several other events over the next few months.

Tartan Ties

And yes, I wore my Scottish Parliament tartan tie with just a wee bit of pride.
Not wanting to be left out, Brian made sure to get his own Scottish Parliament tartan tie later.
Clearly he’s catching the spirit of Scotland already!
As for future plans?
Brian and I have agreed that next time he’s in town, we’re climbing Arthur’s Seat together.
A bit of elevation always brings new perspective.
How is Freedom of Religion or Belief showing up in your workplace, community or faith network?
And how might we raise that conversation together?

Unpredictable, and That’s Okay!

“Help me understand how this works for you?”
That’s a question I’ve used a lot in my coaching practice recently.
Especially when working with minds of all kinds, each one wired differently, each one worthy of being understood on its own terms.
There have been a few sessions where, being honest, I thought, “We didn’t go anywhere today.”
Lately, I’ve been learning to see those moments differently.
What’s changed?
I have been doing a bit of work with clients who are neurodivergent.
Those living with ADHD, Autism, anxiety, or simply a different way of processing the world.
I’ve realised: We always go somewhere.
…It just might not be where I expected, or how I expected to get there!
The pace of any progress is much less linear and far more unpredictable.
I’ve noticed that some clients speak in bursts, that are full of energy, with fast and fragmented thoughts being expressed simultaneously.
It’s often messy!
I hold that space without rushing to fill it or “tidy it up.”
And so, I adapt.
I shift.
I follow their cues.
Listening, observing even more.
I flex.
I slow down.
Interestingly, I’ve also noticed my own routines and habits more closely.
I’m growing curious about the ways my own neurodiverse traits and stress responses show up.
In many ways, it feels like I’m becoming a student again.
I used to think my job as a coach was to guide people to clarity.
But now, I wonder if it’s more about staying curious while they create their own clarity, in their own way, and most importantly, in their own time.
And as they evolve… so do I.
I’m still learning.
Who in your life might need you to slow down, adapt, and simply ask, “Help me understand how this works for you”?

Meant to Be

Back in mid-December 2024, I met Ella Henricksen for the first time at BYU, in Provo, Utah.
She was a little excited about a possible internship in Scotland.
What I didn’t know then was just how much of a blessing she’d become for me personally.
Ella was set to become the first intern I was responsible for placing in Scotland.
It was a tall order with an extremely tight deadline, to find her a placement by mid-January, with the Christmas holidays in between.
The clock was ticking.
I’d found a willing museum in Edinburgh, but we soon faced challenges with HR and logistics when she arrived in Scotland, that left us scrambling for a plan B.
In those moments of uncertainty, what unfolded felt less like chance and more like divine help.

Plan B

I was hesitant at first to ask Ella to help with something so personal (Plan B) – the final editing of my own book, on top of her podcast work and a few tasks for the FoRB Foundation.
But the more I considered it, the more I realised she was exactly the person I needed.
Ella brought great editorial insight, discipline, and a sense of calm competence.
We met for lunch, mapped out what was left to do, and she got to work.
From there, something special grew, not just a productive collaboration, but a genuine friendship rooted in mutual respect and shared purpose.
We enjoyed many wide-ranging healthy conversations, which became a highlight of our time together.
Ella has made a real difference.
I know she’ll miss Scotland, and truth be told, I’ll miss her too!
As she heads back to the U.S. today, I’m grateful for the way everything came together, even those early setbacks seemed to have purpose.
Some might call it coincidence, but I’d say it was more of a God-incidence.
Thank you, Ella, for all you’ve given. 😊
What unexpected help have you been grateful for?

He Lives

This Easter morning, my thoughts have returned to the empty tomb and the eternal promise it holds for each of us.
Like many million of Christians the world over, our hearts will turn to those whom we love who have passed to the other side.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a story; it’s the foundation of my hope and faith.
The scriptures affirm this hope: “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14).
Because of Christ’s victory over death, the answer is a resounding yes.
Three simple words changed everything that morning at the garden tomb: “𝐇𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐧”.
His resurrection ensures that we, too, will rise and be reunited with our loved ones.
This knowledge brings me great peace amidst sorrow and joy amidst loss.
It assures me that death is not the end but a passage to a glorious reunion.
On this sacred day, my message is a simple one, I testify that Jesus Christ 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔.
Because of Him, we all have the promise of eternal life.
Happy Easter.
Who are you thinking of this Easter morning?

Two Roads to Humility…

It has been an interesting week thus far in my consulting and coaching world.
I’ve encountered one word, several times over – 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚.
I’ve worked with different organisations on a number of leadership topics, and yet time and again, our conversations have returned to humility.
Life has taught me that there are two main pathways to humility.

By Choice

Firstly, we can 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 to be humble.
There comes a time when we each have to pause and acknowledge that things aren’t going the way we’d hoped.
It takes real courage to admit, first to ourselves and then to others, that we’re stuck, unsure, or sometimes even, simply way out of our depth.
Humbling ourselves means choosing to open up rather than pretend we’ve got it all together.
It might look like asking for advice, learning from someone who’s walked a similar path, picking up a book, or reaching out to someone we trust.
It’s a quiet but powerful step: a willingness to grow, rather than go it alone.

By Compulsion

Secondly, we are 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 to be humble.
This one can be even tougher, much tougher.
Being humbled often arrives over time, uninvited, through failure, disappointment, or moments when the truth hits home really hard and we realise we’re the ones who got it wrong.
Sometimes even a sense of shame can haunt us for a while.
Its my witness, that it is in those uncomfortable moments that conversely something good can start to happen.
It’s the start of taking ownership, of letting go of pride, and choosing a more sure path.
Though painful, being humbled can become the turning point, where we begin to rebuild more honesty, deeper empathy, and stronger self-respect.
I’ve experienced this in my own life, several times over and it truly is painful.
Research shows, that in the leadership world, when companies hire humble leaders, the whole organisation benefits.
It’s a fact, that leaders who have learned to walk in humility, to be curious, and to engage others collaboratively, are more likely to succeed.
Just think what might happen if we choose to live by this virtue, in our own homes…
Indeed, life is a long lesson in humility!
Which path to humility are you currently walking, and what might change if you chose to take the first step, willingly?

When Angels Meet Again

On Saturday evening, I had the opportunity of witnessing something quietly sacred.
I had taken my mum, to a fireside/devotional in Perth.
As we arrived, she spotted the familiar face of a dear old friend, Anne Crook — and, in a moment that felt suspended in time, they gently embraced.
It had been some time since they’d last met, yet the years just seemed to melt away.
Their smiles widened, their voices softened, and they simply 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆.
I sat next to them.
Watching them was like watching and listening to two angels.

Together

Two lifelong friends caught up in each other’s presence, laughing, reminiscing, and sharing their news, as if no time had passed at all.
Their friendship reaches all the way back to the early 1960s when, as younger women, they found the restored gospel in Dunfermline and Perth respectively.
Not long after, they served together in the District Primary Presidency, quietly shaping young lives with faith and love.
“…they did walk after the commandments which they had received… and they did love one another.” 4 Nephi 1:15
Decades may have come and gone, but their bond, rooted in shared testimony and service, remains unshakable.
Both lost their husband’s, some years ago.
Gentle. Humble. Enduring. Radiating love.
There was no need for any grandeur or noise.
No spotlight.
Just a quiet sweetness, two women of great faith, simply being together.
For me, it was a holy moment and a privilege to sit with them.
In their warmth, I was reminded of those things that matter most, the beauty of enduring friendships, of lives lived in service, sacred covenants and of the quiet strength of discipleship.
Sometimes, the most powerful moments are the stillest ones.
Who are the quiet angels in your life, the ones who have walked beside you through the years?

The Joy of Reunion

These last few days, we were blessed with a visit from one of our returned missionaries from Texas, Ashley, and her husband, Connor.
And what a joy it was!
There’s just something really special about reconnecting with those we worked alongside in our missionary efforts in Belgium and the Netherlands.
It’s been a few years since our last meeting, but somehow the bond created doesn’t fade; in many ways, it simply deepens.

Time Together

We shared a few meals (yes, they bravely ate a lot of haggis and liked it!), laughed over games, and visited some of our favourite tourist places, including Culross, the Kelpies, the Wallace Monument, Castle Campbell, Dollar Glen, Dunfermline Abbey, and the Carnegie Birthplace Museum.
It wasn’t the locations that made our time special, rather it was the stories, the shared memories, and the new moments we created together, especially Connor with the amazing video footage he filmed with his drone – wow!
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;” – Philippians 1:3-5
There’s a special kind of joy in seeing how life unfolds for those you once served with.
To hear of their continued faith, their marriage, and their journey since returning home is a tender reminder that missionary service is never the end, it’s a new beginning.
A beginning of lifelong discipleship, and forever friendships too.
Paul’s words in Philippians resonate with me: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
That’s exactly how we felt as we spent a little more time together, with so much gratitude for our shared experiences, and for the fellowship of the gospel of Jesus Christ we enjoy.
I hope we never underestimate the power of a visit, a meal, or a conversation to strengthen those ties that bind us as brothers and sisters in Christ forevermore.
Who brings you joy when you remember them?

He Calms Storms

I’m no expert on global markets, but this last week has been a torrid one for the world with sweeping tariff plans and many of us scratching our heads and asking what is going on?
Watching the news I see chaos unfold, day after day, right before my eyes.
There is a heck of a lot of noise, all swirled together in a whirlwind of 21st-century geopolitics.
My thoughts turned back to our service in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Many of our missionaries wore little wristbands with the following letters inscribed – WWJD.
In other words What Would Jesus Do?
I found myself asking that question early this morning, and how might Jesus Christ respond to all of this.
Jesus lived in a world not unlike ours – occupied, politically fraught, filled with division, economic hardship, and many leaders vying for control.

A Peacemaker

In my mind as I think about Him, He was first and foremost a peacemaker, not a panic maker.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27).
He calmed the stormy seas.
He also taught that “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
Truth is not merely political positioning; it is clarity, honesty and transparency.
More than anything, He ministered to the one, healed the poor and uplifted the outcast.
In His economy, “the last shall be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16).
Jesus would see people, rather than percentages.
In all of this mayhem, I’ve asked myself – who benefits from all of this?
Jesus would serve, not dominate.
I am mindful most of all of His prophecy in Matthew 24:7 regarding the last days – “Nation shall rise against nation”.
In His great intercessory prayer, He pled with the Father that “they all may be one” (John 17:21).
Jesus tore down walls, bridged divides, and showed us the power of collaboration and mutual respect.
He taught patience, perseverance, and hope.
He didn’t play a 90-day game chasing popularity polls or political wins, but rather His view is an eternal one, built over lifetimes of love, sacrifice, and service.
He calls us all to be peacemakers.
And to remember that real power doesn’t come from political moves – but from love, truth, and trust in Him.
When the world rages, will we still follow Him?

Brain FM: Now Playing…

Have you ever had a song or tune stuck in your head?
It frequently happens in our home.
Randomly, from nowhere, a catchy piece of music keeps replaying involuntarily through your mind.
It’s usually just a few notes, a little fragment, a snippet of music, a catchy chorus, a little jingle, or a repetitive melody from a familiar song.
Do you know what I mean?
It just loops over and over in your head, without intentionally even thinking about it.
It’s if your brain hits repeat on a song, you didn’t even ask it to play!
They’re commonly called “𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔”.
They can last for a few minutes, many hours or even days on end, at least that’s our experience.
In our home, Monic and I are pretty good at infecting each other too.
Randomly, either one of us will start humming a tune or whistling a song, only to find that the other one joins in by completing the next part of the melody.
Then, the other one completes the next part, and we go back n forward, over and over again!
And just like that, we’ve passed the earworm on.
It’s like a musical baton relay with no finish line.
Its relentless!
We don’t even know who started it, or why we’re suddenly singing “Sweet Caroline” in the middle of our breakfast.
Or, one hum, one whistle “da-da-da-da-da-DAAA- da…and boom – we’re off again!
But we always end up laughing, every single time.
But here’s a thought: if our brains are that good at replaying nonsense jingles, imagine the power of putting something intentional on loop.
What if we chose our mental soundtrack a little more deliberately?
Like a kind thought, a hopeful mantra of some kind, or a bit of truth you need to hear today.
Gratitude. Encouragement. Hope.
So, tell me, what song gets stuck in your head?
And what thought could you intentionally replace it with today?

Many More Miles

This week I’ve walked – a lot!
Up and down hills, along quiet trails, through rugged country park tracks, and even across many miles of noisy city centres footpaths in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
My legs have been a wee bit tired, my boots are now well-worn in, and I’ve gone through a few snacks, but I am so grateful for my health.
I’ve also met a few people and had some interesting conversations on my journey too.
One of the highlights was a lovely walk with Monic around part of Loch Leven.
We weren’t in a rush – just walking, talking, and soaking in the stillness.
It was one of those slow, steady walks that grounds you, body and soul.
With every step however, I feel a little more ready for the West Highland Way in May.
It’s taken effort, daily discipline, and a lot of desire to keep going.
Right now, there’s a real focus in my life – a reason to lace up my shoes and get out the door, even when the weather’s been a little chillier or the route ahead feels long.
As I’ve walked, I’ve thought a lot about how this kind of preparation mirrors something spiritual too – especially with General Conference weekend here.
Just like a long-distance trail, the journey of faith requires daily effort.
We don’t prepare for big spiritual moments overnight.
It’s the small, consistent choices – prayer, scripture study, quiet service, that build our spiritual endurance.
General Conference is like a pleasant rest stop on that path.
A time to refill, realign, and refocus.
It doesn’t replace the journey; it helps us stay on it and grow stronger.
And just like how training for the West Highland Way has helped me feel more capable and more clear-headed, taking time to prepare spiritually helps me get more from the experience.
One verse keeps coming to mind:
“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” – Hebrews 12:1–2
This journey, both physical and spiritual, isn’t about speed.
It’s about steady progress, and keeping our eyes fixed on where we’re going.
So, here’s my question:
What are you doing right now to stay spiritually ready for the path ahead in your own life?