My grandmother once told me that you can tell a man by his shoes. As I shook hands with Shaun Bailey, her words washed away my manners, I could only stare at his feet. Staring back was my own image, though rather blurry I admit. Had I looked deeper I might have seen that the whole room and even the trees outside the window were reflected in that gleaming loved leather.
Professionalism snapped me back into reality, our allotted interview time sped by though I could've listened to him all day. His powerful hand gently shook mine goodbye. My manners departed once again, ignoring the possibility that I might jeopadise the genuine vibe of our meeting, I sneaked a last look downwards. Suddenly my grandmother's words doubled in meaning, I understood something more. A well cared for shoe shows pride in oneself but means nothing if the foot is not firmly planted in reality.
Shaun Bailey's work in the community changes people's lives. A born leader he actually walks his talk, I learned a lot from him. His powerful energy is tempered with humility and grounded in reality. And shiny shoes to boot! Bless you Shaun Bailey.
Q1 What advice did you ignore and now realise the importance of?
SB Years ago, my Aunty Maxine advised me to get myself on the housing register. I've often regretted that I didn't. Affordable housing is a problem for us all.
Q2 So far, what has life taught you?
SB To learn from people. You're not on your own, keep yourself open to learning. Be prepared to be wrong sometimes and say sorry if need be. People may know a lot but they might not always be right, stay open to another point of view.
Q3 The National Curriculum; what subject would you make compulsory?
SB Financial training, it's especially important for those from poorer backgrounds. I asked the class of teenagers that I mentor recently if any of them used credit cards. Proudly they replied no way, but used store cards. Practical knowledge about finance is one of the big differences between rich and poor, between hope and understanding.
Q4 Which proverb rings true for you?
SB The moral code; treat others as you wish to be treated. Self respect follows on to respect for others.
Q5 Persuade or Shock; which is best to effect a change?
SB A combination, but shock is a good deterrent. We organised a talk recently, prison officers spoke about how life is inside. A cell measures 9' x 9', the wire on your play station is longer. It's a powerful image.
Q6 What is your prime mover?
SB Helping others to learn, to educate socially, teaching the skills needed to move outwards. I loathe dependency, it smashes hope. Mental health issues are a problem right now. Happy people have less mental health problems, we live longer when we have hope, hope stems from inner happiness.
Q7 What negative taught you to focus on the positive?
SB Poverty was a negative force in my life. When I was younger I hated that wall that people see, they say you'll never achieve that. I did it just to prove them wrong; I hated the thing of how people expected you to be, the pigeon hole. I don't like 'experts', knowledge is only knowledge when it's applied usefully.
Q8 Finding peace within?
SB Marriage has brought me a lot of peace. I used to be like a tank, ok who needs protection next! If you're defending everything, there's no peace. My wife and our daughter, our family has softened me, given me a strong base. Inner prayer also helps, and sometimes peace is about learning to give things up. If something isn't working, relationships, ideas, whatever, let it go and move forwards.
Q9 Nature or nurture?
SB Nurture 80%, nurture 20%.
We were taught in the cadets to look after others. They also taught us focus, to concentrate on the next step.....the next step.
Kids today grow up more quickly than their parents did, they're often more aware. I listened to a conversation between a mother and daughter the other day. One said to the other, stop the drugs and do something with your life. The daughter was talking to her mother.
The nature nurture debate is the reason why I'm not a Socialist. Socialism teaches that we are all the same, but we are not.
Q10 Concept of god?
SB I'm not big on organised religion. Cultures from all over the world have the same core tenets, humility, understanding and forgiveness. I believe there is a god, if not where does life come from. But when science tries to answer this question, it starts to sound like religion.
thealternativeview.org
an internet resource for mind body and soul
This page was last updated: 8/2/2009
Project Ten Questions - Shaun Bailey
