Best wishes for less Suffering, more Happiness with Good Health and Time to Enjoy it. Welcome to Myanmar Calendar year 1383 as we prepare to farewell the Gregorian Year that was and proceed into New Year 2022.
In case no one has said it lately, thankyou for being you.
Sharing a timely aspiration:
“Black and white,
eye to eye,
seeing without judging,
free from stereotypes;
the soul is colourless.”
Robyne Latham, Australian artist, academic and Yamatji woman (1956- CE)
If having no reason to celebrate this month, here are 3 prepared earlier:
- 3 December: International Day of People with Disability (International)
- 10 December: International Human Rights Day (International)
- 20 December: International Human Solidarity Day (International)
This is also a Re:solve edition.
From Late Middle English dissolve = disintegrate (in the senses) + solve conclude a problem; from Latin resolvare:
re = again; focus, concentrate
+ solvere = loosen
- summon: call to mind
- personalise: express. Ie, give voice to
- respond: determine: settle (subside, dissolve, heal, harmonise) a dispute
- reflection, deliberation: separate rationally into known baser elementary forms
- unseeable, discovery: reveal or reduce to new baser elementary forms. Ie, the latest presentation resolved my doubts
- motivation: determination. Ie, more information firmed my resolve to cause less Suffering
Remember, information may contain misunderstandings, deliberate omissions and complete fabrications. Accept nothing blindly. Test for usefulness, if useful keep, adapt for personal circumstances or if unuseful discard. Be your own guiding light.
The following monthly curation from publicly available information is offered below for consideration.
Topics
Guest Sings
Approx 5 min presentationStreet Jives
Approx 2 min presentationWisdom Reconciles
- Odd Compass: Greeks & Romans in Ancient India: 8 Things You Might Not Know (17 mins)
- National Geographic: The History of the Bible, Animated (4 mins)
- Johnny Harris: How China Conquered The Keyboard (21 mins)
- Comedian Mo Amer Shares His Refugee Background, Citizenry and travelling on a Not-a-Passport (8 mins)
- Vice Asia: How a Trans Woman Became Indonesia's First Transgender Public Official (17 mins)
Media Writes
Approx 5 min readsIntro
Foster Kamer explores self acceptance, compatibility with others and building meaningful relationships, asking "Are you anxious, avoidant or secure?” via The Brisbane Times
Dominic Bossi explores self-identity, authenticity and levelling the playing field, reasons why "‘I’m still pinching myself’: Cavallo overwhelmed by world’s support after coming out” via The Age
Jewel Topsfield explores self, rehabilitation and expression, citing an example of "A stroke of luck: How a stroke survivor overcame speech difficulties to host a podcast on adversity” via WA Today
Intra
Liam Mannix explores how implicit bias changes how we view information and draw conclusions, sharing "A fascinating experiment in how sexism, and racism, affects the way we watch sport” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Rodney Croome explores self-determination, dignity, and systemic inclusiveness, reasoning why "Tasmania showing way for Victoria on religious discrimination against LGBTIQ+” via The Age
Stephanie Bunbury explores belonging, citizenry and the human condition, reviewing reasons behind "The little film made from a man’s desire to right a serious wrong” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Inter
Adam Carey explores learning, participating and engaging with responsibilities when "Students ‘take action’ with overhaul of civics and citizenship lessons” via The Age
Melissa Cunningham explores individual beliefs and evidence based frontline medical response, reasons why "In the ICU where only Maria is vaccinated, others die in disbelief” via The Age
Wendy Tuohy explores self-expression, gender, sexuality and surviving "‘The full exorcism’: How ‘horrific’ conversion therapy shaped Ro Allen” via The Age
Multi
AAP explores identity, intersectionality and raising visibility for tangible equity, reporting that "Victoria names its first Indigenous LGBTIQ+ commissioner” via SBS News
Maddison Connaughton explores an artist’s drive to reconcile life, living and loving when "To his door: how Paul Kelly found a whole new audience” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Michaela Whitbourn and Laura Chung explores improved regulatory response in an increasingly prevalent online world as "Trolls face $111,000 penalties for sharing intimate images as online regulator gets new powers” via WA Today
All
Jacqueline Maley explores gender, biology and welcoming natural workplace diversity in "A bloody revolution: How periods got political” via WA Today
Sharon Bradley explores the role of friendliness, compassion and team spirit in stressful work places, citing "A movement that’s one of a kind” via The Age
Greg Baum explores individuality, autonomy and in the public interest in "Body on body: when it comes to vaccine mandates, it’s no contest” via The Brisbane Times
Togather
Ray Edgar explores place, belonging, and reclaiming narrative, deliberate "Art collecting, but not as we know it: NGV show will kick you ‘in the guts’” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Tim Elliott explores youth, challenging times and overcoming isolation blues, recalling how "‘We didn’t realise how lucky we were’: How the class of 2021 made it through” via The Age
Cameron Woodhead explores identity, history and celebrating how "Australia makes good circus, but it’s rare to see a show this moving” via The Age
Nobly
Melissa Fyfe explores an ordinary family dealing with extraordinary times, citing how "‘I have to put your legs on!’ How disability brought this mum and daughter closer” via The Age
Jocelyn Garcia explores an individual's life purpose, continual community service and responding to vulnerable individual’s needs, what happened next after hearing "‘I can’t do this any more’: The words that shook veteran Red Cross caller” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Nick Miller salutes the quiet life and mastered creativity of Indigenous artist Paddy Bedford "On white wings, a reminder of one of the greats of Indigenous art” via The Age
TED Talks
5-20 min presentations- Sinu Joseph: Unwrapping the gifts of menstruation (13 mins)
- Kelli Sandman-Hurley: What is dyslexia? (5 mins)
- Lucy Peach: The Power of the Period (18 mins)
- Janine Shepherd: A broken body isn't a broken person (19 mins)
- Nadya Okamoto: The Menstrual Movement (14 mins)
Music Challenges
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:
What is an understanding of being present and enriching every day?
- Inspire
- Perspire
- Collaborate
- Engage: Test for personal circumstances, if useful keep, if unuseful discard, if exceeds needs, share mindfully
- Endure: Adapt for present times without sacrificing intent
- Endear: (Inspiring Others To Tend the Flame) live/ demonstrate/ inspire/ teach experience with others
sacred
[say’cred]
From late Middle English: past participle of archaic sacre = consecrate, from Old French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacer, sacr- = holy.
- connected with God or a god or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration. Ie, sacred rites. Ie, the site at Eleusis is sacred to Demeter.
- religious rather than secular. Ie, sacred music.
- (of writing or text) embodying the laws or doctrines of a religion. Ie, the Pali Canon is a sacred Buddhist text.
- regarded with great respect and reverence by a particular religion, group, or individual. Ie, cows are sacred and the eating of beef is taboo.
- regarded as too valuable to be interfered with; sacrosanct. Ie, a profit-oriented public to whom nothing is sacred.
interconnectedness
[in’ter’con’nect’ed’ness]
From Latin inter- = between, amid + connectere = fasten together (from con- = together + nectere = bind) + Middle English -nes, -nesse, ness = the state, quality or measure of being.
- The state of being connected with each other; intertwined; connected at multiple points or levels. Ie, the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. Ie, a growing awareness of our global interconnectedness.
- interdependent; mutually dependent; reliant on one another.
refuge
[reh’fooje]
From late Middle English, from Old French, from Latin refugium, from Latin re- = back, intensify, concentrate + fugere = flee.
- the state of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or difficulty. Ie, the traveller was forced to take refuge in the embassy. Ie, In the heat, I sought refuge in a cool drink.
- a place or situation providing safety or shelter. Ie, the family came to be seen as a refuge from a harsh world.
- an institution providing safe accommodation for women who have suffered violence from a spouse or partner.
- (British) a traffic island – a protected spot in the middle of a divided road to allow pedestrians to pause if needed before crossing to the other side.
liberation
[lib’er’ay’shon]
Borrowed from Middle French libération, and from Latin liberatio, liberationem = a freeing, from liberare past participle liberatus = set free
- the action of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release. Ie, the liberation of all political prisoners.
- freedom from external limits on thought, speech or behaviour. Ie, the struggle for women's liberation.
- (Buddhism) freedom from internal limits on thought, speech or behaviour. Ie, the individual's struggle for liberation from their Suffering continues as long as there exists causes for the Suffering.
Optional
-- Chant Mantrastyle
There is an old wise saying that "life is what happens when we are busy making other plans". By cultivating the sacred to grow our understanding of interconnectedness, we aim to take, make and give refuge until liberation is reached from the suffering.
Start today.
As the case may be.
Or not.
Acknowledgments
Reconciliation
Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Cities of Port Phillip and Glen Eira are the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation. Respect is offered to past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savor and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully with less effort in our place called home.Invitation to Support Content Creators
The music/stories/videos have been sourced from public domain. If you like any of the content, please consider buying directly from online marketplaces to support creators and truth telling in the public interest.Caretaker Disclosure
Words and concepts are conditional things that point to a 'reflection of experience'. They are limited and do not adequately describe the 'full lived experience'. Like the moon's reflection on a lake's surface, it is not the moon, nor the experience of gazing up at the darkened sky transformed by the presence of a full moon. It is in the eyes/ears/nose/mouth/touch/cognisance of the beholder.This curation is an interpretation of the universal basis of re:lig:ion (Latin = again:uniting:energy). This email invites a sharing of countless 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 the 3 times and 10 directions. As each case may be. Or not.
It is not personal, it just the way things are.
