Welcome
Best wishes for less Suffering, more Happiness with Good Health and Time to Enjoy it. Welcome to Chinese calendar 己亥年 (Earth Pig) 4716-4717 or 庚子年 (Metal Rat) 4656-4657.
Reminding all that 1-7 February is UN Interfaith Week (International)
Let’s begin by sharing a timely aspiration:
"Recipe for Happiness
Ingredients:
1 Bag of Smiles
2 Cups of Sharing
2 Tablespoons of Positivity
1/2 Cup of Good Humour
1 Cup of Self-Esteem
2 Spoonfuls of Simplicity
1 Dash of Goodwill
4 Drops of Easy-Going
and 1 Packet of Life-Loving!”
Anon
Discuss with sincerity. Deny untruth. Dismiss unuseful. Accept useful. Adapt to change. Adopt least effort most benefit. Adept with sharing. Enjoy throughout. As each case may be. Round. And again. Or not.
Reminding all that 1-7 February is UN Interfaith Week (International)
Let’s begin by sharing a timely aspiration:
"Recipe for Happiness
Ingredients:
1 Bag of Smiles
2 Cups of Sharing
2 Tablespoons of Positivity
1/2 Cup of Good Humour
1 Cup of Self-Esteem
2 Spoonfuls of Simplicity
1 Dash of Goodwill
4 Drops of Easy-Going
and 1 Packet of Life-Loving!”
Anon
Discuss with sincerity. Deny untruth. Dismiss unuseful. Accept useful. Adapt to change. Adopt least effort most benefit. Adept with sharing. Enjoy throughout. As each case may be. Round. And again. Or not.
Topics
TED Talks
10-20min presentations- Chella Man: Becoming Him (7 mins)
- LaToya Ruby Frazier: A creative solution for the water crisis in Flint, Michigan (12 mins)
- Nadine Burke Harris: How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime (16 mins)
- Kelsey Johnson: The problem of light pollution -- and 5 ridiculously easy ways to fix it (14 mins)
- Tracy McMillan: The person you really need to marry (14 mins)
Guest Sings
Approx 5 min presentationGet Up Mob - From Little Things Big Things Grow
Street Jives
Approx 2 min presentationSesame Street: Translate
Wisdom Reconciles
Ageless Friendships: Episode 4 Kalyra (5 mins)A look into Australia's first school to share it's grounds with an Aged Care Centre.
Women's Work: Ursula Tunks (6 mins)
"We're here to remind people someone's got their back": Former detective Ursula Tunks left the police force with PTSD and depression. Now she leads a team of op shop volunteers who work to help people in crisis.
Hey Stranger: Episode 2 Bjorn Stewart and Zohab Zee Khan on Working It Out (14 mins)
Actor Bjorn Stewart catches up with poet Zohab Zee Khan to Campbelltown, Sydney. They bond over 'breaking the mould' when it comes to working in the arts as a minority and getting support from their parents.
Media Words
Approx 5 min reads
Intro
Nick Galvin explores connections between intention, resonance and listening to “Sounds of silence: Zen and the art of shakuhachi maintenance” via The Age
Carolyn Webb explores a demonised minority’s enlightened attitude towards a self-anointed nemesis, as “Glam Slam event rolls out welcome mat for Margaret Court” via The Age
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/glam-slam-event-rolls-out-welcome-mat-for-margaret-court-20200109-p53q86.html
Melissa Browne explores gender equity, equal pay for equal work and suggesting “10 big ideas to help close the financial gender gap” via The Brisbane Times
Intra
Miki Perkins explores divided history, comingling present and shared brighter future, sharing significance of “Mourning Australia Day on the banks of Lake 'Go Away'” via The Age
Melissa Cunningham explores possible correlation between changing treatments and unforeseen side affects, reasoning behind new thinking why “Older version of whooping cough vaccine could prevent food allergies” via The Age
Jieh-Yung Lo salutes life, times and passing of “Tsebin Tchen: a "guardian angel" of multicultural Australia” via The Age
Josh Dye explores reuse, repurposing and sharing economy making a beating as “Carlton Kitchen Library concept more about cooks than books” via The Age
Jessica Irvine explores connections between well being, happiness and longevity “There's more to happiness than a good job: work is low on wellbeing list” via WA Today
Sam Phillips explores publicly improving equity to access for all sexes as “Gender neutral toilets in use for first time at Australian Open” via The Age
Multi
David Dale explores some of the secret ingredients going into a modern evolving National identity, offering something to chew on “The great Australian bite: In search of our national dish” via GoodFood.com.au
Jennifer Duke explores how ascending business heirs changing societal values for sustainable futures and “What a UBS banker's Millennial vegan son reveals about the rise of China” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Jim Bright explores qualities for maintaining healthy relationships in combative environments, declaring “Consistency shapes a person more than any passing fad could” via The Brisbane Times
All
Ella Archibald-Binge and Rhett Wyman explore the importance of reckoning, recognition and reconciliation to emerge from a “Struggle and survival: Three Aboriginal perspectives on Australia Day” via The Age
Daniel Cherny explores a public role model standing up with sincere remorse, owning inappropriate behaviour, asking others to learn from his mistake and role modeling reasons to use inspired ways to get along as “Stoinis ashamed after slur sanction” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Gary Heard explores place, memory, belonging, idols and worship when “Everyday objects become sacred reminders of family and faith” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Togather
Tom Cowie explores how localised disaster recovery assisted by diverse grass-roots solutions, how “Latte philanthropy and other ways people have helped during the bushfires” via The Age
Scott Spits explores respecting difference, diversity and inclusion as reasons behind why “Tennis great Frank Sedgman proud of family's stance on equality” via The Brisbane Times
Robyn Grace, Laura Chung and Josh Dye explores some of the complexity involved towards sustainable living, explaining “Not sure what can and can't be recycled? Here's how it works” via The Age
Nobly
Siobhan Hegarty explores benefits of universal compassion, revealing “From smiling at strangers to feeding those in need: What different faiths say about kindness” via ABC Life
SBS Punjabi explores a timely purposeful community response to those affected by crisis, welcoming to "We are a big family’: Meet the woman cooking thousands of meals for bushfire victims” via SBS Punjabi
Fergus Hunter explores a community offering with a hands-on healing difference when “Buddhist monks offer RFS volunteers free massages to reduce stress” via The Age
Challenge Reflects
Approx 30 min presentation + reflection timesIf desired, a short selection of publicly available material on a chosen theme for personal reflection.
For best results, sit comfortably with a straight back, have headphones in a shared space, after each clicked link, allow a little reflection with your personally-held view before clicking on the next link.
Get ready to Reflect!
Choose your playing level:
Be introduced at 1.
Be soothed at 2-4.
Be shocked at 5.
Be inspired at 6.
Fuller illumination 1-6.
You be the judge. Or not.
Cryptic Clue:
Where is the best place to get stuck?
1. Inspire
2. Perspire
3. Collaborate
4. Engage: Test for personal circumstances, if useful keep, if unuseful discard, if exceeds needs, share mindfully
5. Endure: Adapt for present times without sacrificing intent
6. Endear: (Inspiring Others To Tend the Flame) live/ demonstrate/ inspire/ teach experience with others
acknowledge
[ack’know’ledge]
From late 15th century via Middle English verb knowledge influenced by obsolete acknow = acknowledge, confess. From Old English cnāwan (earlier gecnāwan) = recognize, identify; of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin ad = to, at + (g)noscere, Greek gignōskein = know, thorough understanding, to recognise, certainty of, intimacy with
1. accept or admit the existence or truth of [with object]. Ie, the plight of the refugees was acknowledged by the authorities. Ie, the government acknowledged that the historical wrongs played upon Indigenous Australians was unfair. Ie, ‘That's true,’ she acknowledged.
2. [with object] recognize the importance or quality of. Ie, the art world has begun to acknowledge his genius. Ie, the hotel is widely acknowledged as one of the area's finest.
3. expression of gratitude for or appreciation of. Ie, the volunteer received a letter acknowledging their services.
4. accept the validity or legitimacy of. Ie, the Monarch acknowledged Democracy and Self-Governance as the natural heir.
5. showing that one has noticed or recognized (someone) by making a gesture or greeting. Ie, the Host acknowledge my presence with warmth and enthusiasm.
6. confirmation of (receipt of something). Ie, I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.
respect
[ree'speckt]
From late Middle English: from Latin respectus, from the verb respicere = look back at, regard, from re- = back, intensifying force, concentrate + specere = look at.
1. holding a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Ie, the director had a lot of respect for the actor.
2. receiving the state of being admired or respected. Ie, their first chance in over fifteen years to regain respect in the business.
3. giving of a person's polite greetings. Ie, pass my respects to your Mother.
4. acknowlegment used to express the speaker's approval of someone or something. Ie, respect to the Artist for a mesmerising set.
5. missing due-regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others. Ie, it is the province of the old to lament the young people's lack of respect for their parents.
6. a particular subject, aspect, point, or detail. Ie, the government's record in this respect has room for improvement.
7. have due regard for (someone's feelings, wishes, or rights). Ie, I respected their right to have alternate views.
8. avoid harming or interfering with. Ie, it is incumbent upon all hill users to respect the environment.
9. agree to recognize and abide by (a legal requirement). Ie, the crown and its ministers ought to respect the ordinary law.
medium
[me’dee'uhm]
From late 16th century (originally denoting something intermediate in nature or degree); from Latin medius = (literally) middle
1. an agency or means of doing something. Ie, using the latest technology as a medium for job creation. Ie, primitive valuables acted as a medium of exchange.
2. a means by which something is communicated or expressed. Ie, here the Welsh language is the medium of instruction. Ie, in a democracy, a free press is historically the medium of speaking truth to power
3. the intervening substance through which sensory impressions are conveyed or physical forces are transmitted. Ie, radio communication needs no physical medium between the two stations. Ie, the substance in which an organism lives or is cultured; when cells are grown in a nutrient-rich medium. Ie, a liquid (e.g. oil or water) with which pigments are mixed, with a binder, to make paint.
4. a particular form of storage material for computer files, such as magnetic tape or discs.
5. the material or form used by an artist, composer, or writer. Ie, oil paint is the most popular medium for glazing.
6. a person claiming to be in contact with the spirits of the dead with ability to communicate between the dead and the living.
7. the middle quality (halfway, average) or state between two extremes; a reasonable balance. Ie, the song soon discovers a happy medium between thrash and catchy pop. Ie, the baskeballer is six feet tall, of medium build. Ie, we should plan for the medium term. Ie, in Cricket, (of bowling or a bowler) of a consistent pace between fast and slow bowling. Ie, the recruit had early developed into a medium bowler.
[Practice]
Optional
-- Chant Mantrastyle
Between extremes exists a way to acknowledge and respect difference: a happy medium. Repeat as often as required. Being alive means every moment is precious and easily lost.
Why? Why not?
Start today. Or not.
As the case may be.
This is universal basis of re:lig:ion (again:uniting:energy). Here in this email, we'll hear it as countless sounds: of thoughts, words and actions wishing, causing and receiving less Suffering and more Happiness. For benefit initially of the individual increasing in beneficiaries until it includes all across all times and directions.
It is not personal, it just the way things are.