In the dark!

Tonight I'm in the dark ... literally!! Except for a few candles (which smell beautiful!), my home is in complete darkness and for the past 5 hours.



What is interesting is how much we rely on power for our daily lives. Tonight there is no TV, no music, no cooking (I don't have a gas oven/stove top) and it's been a really weird experience. I'm relying on the battery life of my laptop, but even that is now down to 32% and will end very soon. I can't charge my mobile phone, so I have that attached to my laptop just to 'top it up' and I can't use my landline for some reason as it's also connected to the power!!



I've enjoyed an evening of reading and reflection. As I turn my head to look at my candles again, so simple, yet so powerful, relying on the air around to give me light, it makes me think how basic life is, yet how complicated we've made it.



I'm grateful for a night 'in the dark' because it has shed more light than I could have ever imagined.



Good Night!

Facebook, MySpace and Blogger ...

It's been quite some time since my last post ... but I've got a good excuse! Facebook has now been taking my allocated 'online' time and after keeping MySpace up to date, there's just no time for Blogger!!

This year has already been full with work trips to Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and country Victoria ... all good and certainly keeps me busy!! The next few weeks will see me in Hobart, Adelaide and possibly Brisbane again!

Easter 2008 has provided a time of reflection and for some reason the imagery of Christ with sweat drops of blood has been really challenging me. I'm still processing what I've been reading and would be interested if anyone has any comments/insight. It's not something I've ever considered before, so I'm grateful for a any comments.

How was your Easter? Blessings!

Compassion ...

I have recently been thinking about what it means to have compassion. Defined as 'the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it', true compassion sets a high benchmark for our actions towards others.

Did you know that this week in Australia has been 'Anti Poverty Week' but I'm not sure how many people living comfortable lives were aware ...

• of the housing crisis and the homelessness that plagues our cities
• of the 3rd world poverty that Indigenous Australians live in
• that many people are unable to access resources that are taken for granted such as banks
• that people living on the fringes are unable to access basic health care such as dental services

According to the ABS, particular groups of people in Australian society are at high risk of poverty are 58% of indigenous people, 28% of jobless people, 28% of people renting, 22% of single parents, 7% of older people.

Recent research about the poorest 20% of families in Australia indicates most of these families
are jobless. Findings of NATSEM research conducted in 2004 include:

• 4 out of 5 of families earning the lowest 20% of income had social security payments as
  their main source of income
• 72% of the 424,000 families in the bottom 20% are jobless, 48% are single parent
  families, and families with older children are also overrepresented (27% of bottom 20%)

When I think about compassion, and I wonder how I can act, what can I do to show compassion to those who I share this planet with .... any ideas?

On the road again ...

This week I've visited two very different parts of Australia. I spent 2 days in Horsham in country Victoria and over the next 4 days will be in Brisbane, Queensland.

Across Australia conversations continue to turn to the impact of the drought ... on the livelihood of farmers, the availability of certain foods, the impact on people's quality of life and the mental health of those who rely on the land.

I realise how fortunate I have been throughout my working life. I haven't been confronted with the prospect of redundancy nor have I been out of work for extended periods of time. For this I am incredibly grateful and I don't take the opportunities afforded to me for granted for one minute.

My work allows me the opportunity to meet so many people, whose experience of life is varied, and who daily face challenges that I will many never understand. I am learning so much from colleagues, friends and others who I share life's journey with. I am also acutely aware that I need to make a difference ... in every encounter and at every opportunity try to speak for those who aren't given the opportunity to represent themselves ...

Suitcases come in many colours, shapes and sizes. So to do people and the journey we each take is equally varied with twists and turns we often can't begin to imagine ...

How's your journey been lately?

Hairspray ...

I have a confession ... I love my hairspray ... always have, and I suspect, I always will!!!

Well, today I was forced to look at my hairspray in a very different light. I saw the movie 'HAIRSPRAY' ... and had a good belly laugh!!!!

What was interesting was that while it was a fun and silly movie with really good lines ... 'Link, your pork's ready' and 'navigate these pleats' ... it also had a really important message about acceptance, love and the equality of man ... no matter what shape, size or colour. I loved that reminder ... and the way that it was communicated was perfect!

Have you seen the movie? What did you think? Hope you have a fab week ...

International Peace Day - 21st September 2007

What does peace mean to you?

Does it mean silence and time by yourself? Does it mean an end to fighting in the home or around the globe? Does it mean an end to financial worries? Does it mean a mind free from worries and stress? What does peace mean to you?

It’s hard to separate peace from hope and justice. We hope for peace and this then will lead to justice ...

I believe that there is much to be hopeful for and that justice will only be achieved through ongoing advocacy and the role that we each have in working toward inclusion through challenging structures that diminish an individual’s human rights.

I guess it's a tall order ... but we don't really have a choice ...

Just a quick thought on life!

Missing in action!

Sorry for the delay .....

It's nice to know that this blog is being read! Someone told me I needed a new posting this week ... and that I was in her Favourites ... made my day!!!!!!!!!!

I've got a bit addicted to Myspace, sorry Blogger, my first love! But it's addictive!!! IM particularly is so convenient ... but it does have an interesting level of anonymity which I think can be a problem ...

I guess the MIA title today refers to a few things ... and I'm reminded how easy it is to get caught up 'doing' rather than 'being'. I have a pretty quiet weekend ahead of me .... I need to get disciplined at 'being'!

I love LIVING life ... and keep thinking ... 'what next?'. For work, family, friends, holidays etc., what's next on the agenda ... what do I need to do ... what's the next activity ... but I really need to STOP, BE AND LIVE!!!

So ... if I'm MIA again, you'll know it's because I'm BEING!

How's life for you?