However, as I learned recently, violent crime in this country has risen by forty-nine per cent in the past year. As I write, two teenagers died of stab-wounds on London's streets in the past twenty-four hours.
What's happening to our world?
Over the past week, thousands have been marching in Pakistan, baying for the blood of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy. Whilst, in the United States, along with the horrific tragedy at the Pittsburgh synagogue, there's been the active fostering of fear and anger on the subject of immigration, all part of the build-up to the mid-term elections.
But, before we allow ourselves to get too worried and depressed, let's turn our attention to another event, one that took place last month in Australia. Were you, I wonder, able to watch the Invictus Games on television?
It was a remarkable sporting event. More than that, it was also a vivid demonstration of the benefits gained from sport, both by the competitors and their supportive families.
The Invictus Games, as I'm sure you know, were launched by Prince Harry in 2014. Those taking part are ex-members of the world's armed forces, members who have been invalided out on account of serious injury, be it physical or mental.What makes the Games so remarkable is not only the courage and determination of the competitors, but also the whole-hearted support they receive from the families who accompany them.
It's also true that, in many cases, war veterans participating in these Games find them every bit as restorative to their well-being as the extensive medical care they've received in hospital.
Yes, the war veterans are competing against each other, but, as is all too evident, they are also supporting each other in every possible way.
Let me give you a perfect example from the Sydney Games, one that I watched on television.
A wheel-chair race for women athletes was taking place.There were four competitors, one of whom was comfortably in the lead. The competitor in second place had already won two medals. The competitor in third place, an Australian, had won a race the day before.
However, the competitor in fourth position, who had traveled to Sydney from the UK, was a woman who, up to that point, had won nothing.
She had been housebound for many months after receiving her crippling injury. Only with her family's strong encouragement had she decided to travel to Sydney and take part in this, her first Invictus Games. Her husband and children were amongst the spectators, cheering her on.
As the race neared its conclusion, the competitor in third position allowed herself to drop back a little and place herself alongside the woman lying fourth. Leaning over, the Australian urged her fellow competitor to make an extra, final effort.
Spurred on by this encouragement, the British woman gave all she had to the final stage of the race . . . and succeeded in achieving an unexpected third place.Not only were her excited children hugging their mother and her Bronze Medal, they were hugging their new Australian friend with equal enthusiasm!
So, which world would we rather have?
One in which competitors disregard their own interests in favour of supporting their fellow, less-successful competitors . . . or one in which politicians foster anger and fear?
A world like the Invictus Games, which offers support, compassion, integrity and courage . . . or the fearful one that many of us find ourselves immersed in at the moment?
Darwin was only partially right.
Survival is not restricted to those most adaptable to change. Survival is for those who collaborate, co-operate and support each other.
Isn't it time we got this right?
