Despite being plagued by controversy every year, Notting hill carnival is still going strong in it’s 42nd year. The question we have to ask ourselves is at what cost? Crime is rife, violence is on the increase, shootings last year in addition to the usual stabbings and arrests are ‘up’. This is being spun positively on the news today, claiming the increased arrests are as a result of the more ‘pro-active’ policing, but exactly how much of tax payers money goes towards this?

The beauty of the carnival is that it is free, no one pays to enter and the organisers don’t pay any costs such renting the closed streets. Toilets are at a minimum, they are generally left to the local restaurants and pubs to provide. Many of whom close for the weekend as difficulties with drunk revellers have long outweighed any increase in custom (if any, as most people want to be outside). The mess that the streets will inevitably be in tomorrow is also a common complaint from local residents, actually more often than not, the locals residents complain about the event, would you want the carnival on your street?

The police have a huge presence at the carnival, paid for (with the the essential overtime) courtesy of the tax payer. Ask any officer and they will all have ‘war stories’ about the sheer violence and problems, particularly in the evenings when the mood palpably shifts. What happens if a crime is committed in another part of town. Do these victims get the same level of service they would usually, or is carnival weekend a get out of jail free card for the criminals this weekend? Could this money not be better spent throughout the year as a spread cost, rather than the tax payer being held to ransom over an event that will carry on regardless of policing.

It taps into one of the fundamental questions as a society and more importantly, individuals have to face. When do you draw the line? When do you stop doing something, because the costs outweigh the tradition?

Many of our clients come to us for life coaching, asking the same question. Having the general feeling of unrest, but not necessarily the confidence or support structures in place to take a stand or make a change.

The question we often ask them is, “What will be the tipping point for you?” A common experience is that of dieters, when the negative feelings towards their shape are more acute than the immediate comfort of chocolate. This is the point when their willpower is at it’s highest and the long term gains of an improved body image are stronger than the immediate relief . The confidence to stand up for your individual feelings, rather than ‘fitting in’ by having another slice of office birthday cake is incredibly empowering. The path of least resistance is rarely the most fulfilling.

The question we all need to ask ourselves is; When is enough, enough?

Chameleon Fridays was established in May 2006 by Chloé Rose Merrigan having noted a need for a quality and professional service combining the two elements of coaching and consultancy.

Chloé has a over 10 years of experience within the areas of project management, training, psychology, mentoring and coaching. Chloé has been formally trained as a Master Life Coach and Style/Image Consultant since 2003.

The chameleon is often misunderstood. Their amazing ability to transform is not to camouflage and blend in, but to convey mood and distinguish themselves from the competition. At Chameleon Fridays our aim is to make our clients like a true chameleon, providing them with the tools to really make their mark as an individual.

Chameleon Fridays