These poppies aren't for virtue signalling

Every year I remind folks to observe Remembrance. I've been doing this so long now sometimes I feel my message gets lost in the routine. Please remember what remembering actually is. Do you make space in your mind to put yourself in the shoes of these souls we are honouring? I'm not such a fan of token slacktivism and don't want to encourage empty sharing of poppies on social media (although it would be lovely to see lots) these poppies aren't for virtue signalling.

I have this pet peeve when politicians and celebrities more recently (think Invictus games) decide to appropriate Veterans for photo-ops and virtue signalling. A token gesture, then without ceremony those individuals forget about the Veterans until they are useful to them again and the merry-go-round of tokenism and pillaging of solemn occasions continues.

I would ask you to remember in a unique way this year, make your own poppy art. Share it or don't it's not vital for the exercise. The goal is remember the solemnity of this occasion and those that died. To spend time with their memory while you create, learn about an individual who did die. Research and choose one randomly, remember an individual or a battle. I want you to feel and manifest a personal connection to this most important collective ritual we observe.

I think we should feel the loss in a stinging way, a private way. But we should feel that loss when we separate ourselves from the sting of the cost of war otherwise we might overspend in the future. These lives were more precious than gold, the gift we have and the freedom to forget is part of that gift. Let's not forget. Our ancestors promised they wouldn't forget, we promised we wouldn't forget.

Lest we forget

Loren xx