The other week I wrote a guest blog post for Richard Littledale:

With a background in historical communications and teaching, I’m well aware of the importance of different learning styles, and after years of trying to conform to the expectations of others, I’m seeking out ‘ways of being’ that allow me to engage fully.

In the Second World War, many different poster styles and messages were used to get the message across, as the government sought to offer a shared sense of national identity that people were prepared to fight (and die) for. Some used humour, whilst others were more didactic.  In the early days of the war it was clear that what had worked in the First World War would not work. Messages from ‘on high’ were not appreciated as this was ‘The People’s War’.

Before war was declared a set of three posters was prepared: ‘Freedom is in Peril’, ‘Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory’, and ‘Keep Calm and Carry on’ (kept in reserve for a real crisis, such as invasion).  There were so many complaints about the first two posters, that Keep Calm and Carry On never saw the light of day during the war. by the time the Blitz occurred it was deemed ‘not fit for purpose’. Keep Calm and Carry On, however, has found its time as a message of the 21st Century, specifically the recession, as it has appeared in many different guises over the past few years – pushed by social media -  I’m currently wearing ‘Keep Calm and Pray On” (Phil 4:6), which, combined with Matthew 6:34 (‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own’), have been the verses I have been reminded of at many times in my life, particularly when I returned from travelling in November 2008, with no job, no money, and facing a recession!

Read the full post here.