Kindly Yours

Walls are not just physical structures, but also represent mindsets, preservations of what seems to have worked in the past and a telling inability to effectively embrace and utilise the best of changes. Walls made of stone, metal or earth can only last as long as the materials offered by Nature and human handiwork. Nature is forever transforming. Humankind has progressed because of the evolving brain of Homo Sapiens to make the most of volatility, observe what is more stable and reliable and adapt better than others. Other related species have found limitations without embracing this significant ability, despite having larger sizes, apparently better physical prowesss and a longer track record of survival. So when particular human tribes or cultures revert strongly to the circle of bandwagons mentality, it can be a decidedly portent sign of negativity and decline. The actual act of erecting walls, in the broadest sense of the word, has historically been more of a disadvanta...

A s the year 2018 came to a close, there were many reflections by the media. I absolutely love history and how it has shaped our present and future.  In 1978, the Lunar Year of the Fire Snake, Deng Xiao Ping commenced the liberalisation of the economy for the common man and woman in China. Forty years on, the transformation of the world's most populous country in many aspects of life, business, infrastructure, trade, technology and nation building, has astounded Western societies. In February that year, the Sydney Hilton was bombed involving violent terrorism, a rather rare event for an Australian city, when compared with our current decade.   The iconic Mardi Gras began as a protest march on the streets of Sydney. Grease , the dance movie starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, was released in June to a raptious audience. Robert Menzies passed on, marking an end to a significant political era. Refugee boats from Vietnam floundered off the ...

The other day I wanted to Facetime with a nephew in Bangkok, but I did not realise that Christmas is not a public holiday in Thailand, the only Asian nation not occupied by foreign powers in the 19th and 20th centuries. I then checked that Christmas is a public holiday, still, in all the Asian nations which were colonised by the British a century or more ago, apart from Brunei, which has recently banned any celebrations of Christmas, and Pakistan, which was a nation created f or Indian Muslims in 1947 when the British colonials left.  China, Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea and Burma had varying degrees of Western colonial rule, either in parts of or the whole of their country, but do not recognise Christmas as a official holiday, except in the SARs of Macau and Hong Kong. You may have noticed the much more impressive commercially sponsored lights for Christmas in places such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Saigon, Seoul, Taipei, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur when com...

So I sit with a group of mates overlooking the beach, somewhere on the South Coast of NSW. It seems to me a most familiar scene, its peacefulness taken for granted, with the fresh breeze much appreciated after another rather humid summer's day. What has not changed can be something we can be much grateful for. At the same time, there are less desired aspects of matters that remain the same, or have grown worse. Venezuelans remain trapped in economic despair as a country rich in petroleum resources continue to spiral in negativity under the dictatorship that seems to be a South American affliction. An infectious disease like Ebola resurfaces in central Africa, adding to a heady mix of socio-political issues. An African swine disease out break is being managed in southern China, with the dry winter air increasing health risks.  Guns under personal ownership and military weapons of bigger destruction continue to wreck havoc, grief and damage. Individuals continue to ha...

When we have it, it is easy to take many things for granted. Take a moment to think about it. The level of prosperity and quality of life has reached more individuals than ever in the history of the planet Earth. Give a thought to those who have less, and not just in terms of material things. Give a thought to those caught up in the materialistic warp, do they have true wealth? For 2018, do give a thanks of prayer for the following in your life. To have access to fresh air, clean water, beautiful sunrises and sunsets and what seems to be complimentary from Nature. To get an honest smile and hello from a neighbour or stranger. To feel safe in your neighbourhood or workplace. To have the ability to responsibly express your opinion. To experience the adrenalin rush that comes from exercise and mobility of travel. To have an unexpected hello, because the caller is thinking of you, even if both parties have been busy. To work towards truly meaningful ...

Lunar New Year of the EARTH PIG 5 Feb 2019 to 24 Jan 2020 Note: Lunar New Years usually start any date between the 19th of January and the 19th of February of any Gregorian calendar year. Rat 2008 – Ox 2009 – Tiger 2010 - Rabbit 2011 – Dragon 2012 – Snake 2013   – Horse 2014 – Goat or Sheep 2015 – Monkey 2016 – Rooster 2017 – Dog 2018 – Pig 2019.    Apply multiples of 12 to identify past and future years. No sweeping of the broom or cleaning the house or doing laundry for at least the first 3 days of the Lunar New Year, lest good luck is inadvertently lost.    Get a haircut before New Year's Eve and avoid doing so in the first lunar month. The Yee Sang is a raw fish salad that nurtures the stirring of positive vibes.   Banquet dishes are chosen carefully to be consumed for positive vibes and play on Chinese language pronunciation: Lively prawns Prawns or Ha sound like laughter!    Steamed fish is served whole, for ...