Be A Trailblazer. Not A Beast of Burden...
June 25th 2007 16:26
Believe it. This is not a Stephen Larkham post. It's something far more important.
Nooo. It's not a post about my husband. Nor me. humph. Let's move on. Literally.
No preamble. Just read. Well okay maybe a little preamble.
We all complain about how we wish this world could be a better place...but how many of us actually really do something about it?
Yes...I know...we all do what we can, when we can and wish we could do more.
When people do do something about it...just ordinary, everyday people...it goes unnoticed.
When James Packer spends $6million trying to prove his manhood (fat chance), then it makes headlines. And Trophy Wife's daily wardrobe ousts the daily war against poverty and inhumanity.
Is it just me...or is this a skew-whiff world we live in?
Sometimes it's not about the grand 'bigger picture' doing, sometimes it's about the little things....and first and foremost, I believe that charity begins within. And close by.
No point in giving squillions to countries if you get off on blowing villages up.
The little things. The being nice, the tolerance, the helping out, the kindness, the doing something for nothing, the doing something for something in return...a thank you.... a smile...
Ask not what the world can do for you....but what you can do for your world.
JFK was on to something there...
And I don't mean Marilyn.
*****************************
from the Strolling Bones team email:
"MLC Strolling Bones" is the team undertaking the Oxfam 100km Trailwalker challenge from 24th-26th August 2007.
Your donation to this team will help Oxfam Australia achieve its vision of a fair world in which people control their own lives, their basic rights are achieved and the environment is sustained.
The wondrful people who form the team are... people I know...one of them I know extremely well and can attest to his integrity, altruism and commitment. Plus I adore him.
They are attempting to raise over $6,000 for Oxfam Australia, Australia’s leading aid and development organisation by completing a 100km bushwalk in 28 hours. You can see their Team Space and donate online at:
and remember all donations made by 30th June ar tax deductible for the 2006/7 financial year.
- The world’s greatest team challenge, held annually in five countries around the world.
- Teams of 4 attempt to complete 100km in 48 hrs – all four members must walk or run together. Trailwalker is not a relay.
- Oxfam TRAILWALKER is in its fifth year in Melbourne and in its ninth year in Sydney. The Sydney 100km trail starts at Chowder Bay in Mosman and finishes at Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River.
- Oxfam TRAILWALKER is...an exercise in what is possible. It attracts people from all walks of life and raises over AUD$4 million annually for the work of Oxfam Australia.
It is all about ordinary people doing the extraordinary.
Oxfam Australia’s vision is of a fair world in which every person is safe, secure, healthy, heard, educated and equal.
To find out more, please click on;
Web: www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker
Nooo. It's not a post about my husband. Nor me. humph. Let's move on. Literally.
No preamble. Just read. Well okay maybe a little preamble.
We all complain about how we wish this world could be a better place...but how many of us actually really do something about it?
Yes...I know...we all do what we can, when we can and wish we could do more.
When people do do something about it...just ordinary, everyday people...it goes unnoticed.
Is it just me...or is this a skew-whiff world we live in?
Sometimes it's not about the grand 'bigger picture' doing, sometimes it's about the little things....and first and foremost, I believe that charity begins within. And close by.
No point in giving squillions to countries if you get off on blowing villages up.
The little things. The being nice, the tolerance, the helping out, the kindness, the doing something for nothing, the doing something for something in return...a thank you.... a smile...
Ask not what the world can do for you....but what you can do for your world.
JFK was on to something there...
And I don't mean Marilyn.
*****************************
from the Strolling Bones team email:
OXFAM Trailwalker
"MLC Strolling Bones" is the team undertaking the Oxfam 100km Trailwalker challenge from 24th-26th August 2007.
Your donation to this team will help Oxfam Australia achieve its vision of a fair world in which people control their own lives, their basic rights are achieved and the environment is sustained.
The wondrful people who form the team are... people I know...one of them I know extremely well and can attest to his integrity, altruism and commitment. Plus I adore him.
They are attempting to raise over $6,000 for Oxfam Australia, Australia’s leading aid and development organisation by completing a 100km bushwalk in 28 hours. You can see their Team Space and donate online at:
link provided
and remember all donations made by 30th June ar tax deductible for the 2006/7 financial year.
What is Oxfam Trailwalker?
- The world’s greatest team challenge, held annually in five countries around the world.
- Teams of 4 attempt to complete 100km in 48 hrs – all four members must walk or run together. Trailwalker is not a relay.
- Oxfam TRAILWALKER is in its fifth year in Melbourne and in its ninth year in Sydney. The Sydney 100km trail starts at Chowder Bay in Mosman and finishes at Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River.
- Oxfam TRAILWALKER is...an exercise in what is possible. It attracts people from all walks of life and raises over AUD$4 million annually for the work of Oxfam Australia.
It is all about ordinary people doing the extraordinary.
Oxfam Australia’s vision is of a fair world in which every person is safe, secure, healthy, heard, educated and equal.
To find out more, please click on;
Web: www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker
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Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
For a non-wowser, that is...heehee!
D.
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I feel as though we're on similar thought paths at the moment, about looking at the world in its bigger picture rather than only what directly affects us. (I was chattering about this is my recent Why post).
I've never heard of the Trailwalker walk, but I've done the Walk Against Want a few times and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's good for the body, soul, mind and other people in the world.
As I always say, awareness is always a big step in the process of change....
Great post, Dusk....it certainly has me thinking...
Tracy
PS So true:
The little things. The being nice, the tolerance, the helping out, the kindness, the doing something for nothing, the doing something for something in return...a thank you.... a smile...
I relish living in a community where I smile, say hello to my neighbours and care about other people. Like you said, a smile for no reason or a hello can go miles....and I love that....it's contagious...I also pat any dogs that come my way and smile at them too, I see no reason to leave them out...
Comment by Fashion
Fashionista Files
I can't do that in Surry Hills but on a Sunday morning when there's only locals and ice addicts, I'm starting to say hellos again. So far the response has been pretty good.
Your post also made me think about the climate change issue. The Australian policy of "we won't do it unless they do" borrowed in toto from the US is exactly the kind of attitude members of the Liberal party would have discouraged in their children growing up. So why is it ok in politics?
Anyway, here's to making the small differences (raises coffee cup)
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Thank you so much for reminding us to think, speak, and act with kindness, encouragement, respecting the uniqueness of others while lending an empathic ear.
Mis
Comment by tlcorbin-raginravensview
Coffee Quip
A Global Citizen
Paranormal Paranormal
Is Why
Alaska Chronicle
A quaint expression we use in Alaska: "unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes."
Early in my working life, a man I respected informed me that my job security was only as good as what my boss ate for breakfast; since then I have struggled to remain an employer rather than a employee. I enjoyed creating jobs and putting men and women to work.
But lately, my altruistic inclination is waning; I discovered that all good deeds are subject to scrutiny, taxation, lawsuits, ridicule, outright abuse and or cosmic punishment.
So, right now I am feeling ambivalent; but my faith in what I believe will surely entice me to continue forward.
Thanks for the reminder.
Raven
Comment by Nina
TV Babble
Hope life is treating you well, Dusk.
Nina
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
No wowsers here.
Thank goodness...
Be well D.
Dusk
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
what a great cause. Could you post the link in a comment plz as I tried to open it and it didn`t work.
I am absolutely pooped even thinking about walking 100km! And in 28 hours? are you kidding! they are machines.
I loved doing this at home. I belonged to a group that would fund raise and do all sorts for local communities (the most fun was painting murals at the local menatl institute. We had some (literally) crazy conversations and you cannot believe how normal crazy people sound (I say that that with the utmost respect to people in these institutions btw)
This is such a good way of raising awareness, funds and people`s spirits for such a good cause.
thanks for the info.
ash
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Um....one foot in front of the other?...!
Yes it is a great cause.
I do know how they do it.
....through hope and charity.
Hope you're well Yoda...
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
I thought of you when I wrote this post....I recall we both agreed that "skew-whiff"(sp?) was a good word/term to cover everything that is...well...skew-whiff...
Plus yes...Why.
My apologies hon. I didn't mean to encroach. I had only intended to post the link and explain why my friends were doing this.
But then I got to thinking about what have I done for the world lately?
I mean...I know what I do..be it the not as big as I would like things, the little things but...I get caught up in the petty things...like earlier tonight...on our 'community' here.
Not quite the happy little place we would like it to be. It seems there are some who would rather promote dissent than assert the right to be environmentally friendly.
We're concerned about everything that creates our environment, that surrounds us and cradles us but not about what we contribute to the environment in terms of individual energy and Tracy hon, I'm sorry...this comment will not make any sense because I'm sleeptyping.
Unfortunately T...although this is something we all want, the reality is...we want someone else to start it.
That is a generalisation. I do know many people, including the voices here (and definitely you) that 'start it up'.
...but I also know people that carry on about the state of the world...global warming, fossil fuels, etc, etc but think and say very nasty things about everyone and anyone....
How does that equate?
And then there's the 'coulda, woulda, shoulda' people or the 'gunnado' tribe....
Or the "if I was Bill Gates"...
Or the "I'm too busy/lazy/crazy right now-ers"
What's hard about being nice right now?
Absolutely. Then we need to walk. Forward.
I have no idea if anything makes sense. I'm tired.
It's always lovely to 'feel' you Tracy and my apologies if that sounds...um...strange...I mean energy feel..
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
"Hello's" are good. They're Great. And usually people get startled into saying hello back. It's cool. Which explains the ice addicts....
Compliments too. Compliments are great.
One thing...I never ask where a female got her dress/ shoes/bag from...that's insulting and she shouldn't have to be forced to divulge her 'style secret'.
...but I never hold back on complimenting someone... be it for their 'look' or their voice or their presence or bcause they did something that made me think "wow"... or the way they write.....
The Australian policy of "we won't do it unless they do"
Have you ever watched Parliament TV???
That should explain everything.
...besides...they're just waiting and watching to see which way the wind blows...
Thanks for coming by Alice.
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Caffeine no longer works on me. I can drink a double espresso and have no problems sleeping.
And yes it's almost 1:30am but that's not the issue...
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Thank you for thanking me...but really...I'm not deserving of such an accolade.
I too need reminding. which is why I wrote.
I wrote this just as a "thank you" to my friend who is walking...it reminded me that it's not have nough to remind and no longer enough to do.
One must be.
My apologies Mis if this seems like a whole lot of mintie wrapper philosophy...
This is not me typing. My Gammawaves have taken over...
Hope you're well hon
Dusk
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Gamma Waves be damned.... supporting others whether it be a literal, virtual, or pyschic walk is to be honored. :0)
Mis
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
My absolute apologies for not replying to you.
I feel so rude....but...I was a bit spent replying to comments on this particular post.
Yeah yeah I know it was probably the length of the comments above!
We all do what we can when we can.
Thank you all for commenting.
...and thank you for leaving me with this;
Raven:
Thank you for that reminder.
Ninabelle:
Ash hon:
Your entire comment...thank you.
And the link works now.
Thank you all for your support.
Dusk