Meant to Be
Plan B

Last week, I spent a couple of days in London on business, attending a book launch, and I also spent some time with a new friend, Celine Brown.
Celine is interning with the Freedom of Religion or Belief Foundation (FoRB), which acts as the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the same topic in Westminster.
Just before Christmas, I joined FoRB as a trustee and have been finding out about projects all around the world where the basic human right of Freedom of Religion or Belief is being challenged, restricted, or actively defended.
Freedom of Religion or Belief is a fundamental human right that protects the conscience of all individuals.
It allows us to think, express, and act upon our deeply held beliefs, whether in private or public settings.
This freedom encompasses the right to change one’s religion or belief and to manifest it through teaching, practice, worship, and observance.
However, globally, this right faces numerous challenges, including governmental restrictions, societal pressures, and acts of intolerance.
A few of my FoRB colleagues attended the International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington, D.C. this week, where Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasised the importance of compassion in religious freedom advocacy.
He stated, “Protecting religious freedom is a key to peace and stability around the world.”
Elder Soares highlighted that fostering understanding and respect among diverse religious communities is essential for building peaceful societies.
My personal commitment to FoRB stems from a heartfelt belief in the inherent dignity of every individual and the conviction that freedom of belief is essential for human flourishing.
In Galatians 5:13, the Apostle Paul said: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
This scripture highlights the principle that our freedoms are not just for personal benefit but are opportunities to serve and uplift others.
In my role as a trustee, I am dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote religious freedom, understanding, and mutual respect among all people.
By doing so, we can contribute to a more just and harmonious world where everyone’s right to believe, or not to believe, is upheld.
How can you and me, in our daily lives, promote a culture of respect and understanding for religious freedom in our communities and our workplaces?
Remember to say 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞..
Not too long ago, I was reminded of some behaviours that we ought to avoid, namely, criticising, mocking or ignoring others, in other words incivility – it isn’t very pleasant.
Incivility- “rude or unsociable speech or behaviour.”
Its opposite is civility – “formal politeness and courtesy in behaviour or speech.”
Georgetown University professor Christine Porath, found that people who are civil are viewed as better leaders.
“Civility lifts people up,” she says. “We will get people to give more and function at their best if we’re civil. Incivility hijacks performance. It robs people of their potential. … When we have more civil environments, we are more productive, creative, helpful, happy and healthy. We can do better. Each one of us can lift others up.”
Far more important, are the things we do instead….
Do you use the word please?
When did you last compliment someone on a job well done?
Do you listen and seek to understand another person’s views?
How often do you give others the benefit of the doubt?
Do our words, our actions, and even the expression on our face communicate to people around us that we value and respect them?
Think what could happen in our homes, offices, classrooms, and numerous other places if we just treated others with more civility, kindness, politeness and respect.
Think what could happen to our relationships, to our health and well-being.
Yes, life is stressful and often uncivil, but we can change that – little by little – as we choose to embrace civility and simply say please.
Why is 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 so important in building relationships of trust?
Years ago, whilst attending an annual sales conference gala dinner, to celebrate our successes, I recall an experience which has had a long lasting impact upon me. This is a short story of respect in the workplace.
In all of the usual jubilee, back slapping, festivity and party atmosphere, my boss of the time approached me (he’d been directed by his boss, the sponsor of the evening to speak to me). Alistair quietly asked me if I would offer grace to commence dinner. It was an unexpected honour and a request that I’ve never forgotten. Both leaders knew of my strong christian values and beliefs. I said “Yes, of course.”
A few moments later, when invited to do so, I stood and a quiet reverent hush was felt in the large conference room. I offered a simple prayer of thanksgiving and blessing upon the food, then the gala dinner commenced.
I’ll never forget that all evening long, I answered questions on faith & belief! Not quite what I had expected.
Thank you Bruce Ginnever, for teaching all of us a powerful lesson about respect that evening. It was a simple, little thing, yet it had a big impact on many, a lesson that I have never forgotten as I do my best to respect others too.
How can you be more respectful to others?