2 Questions I love
Q1. What are you doing with your life?
Q2. Why?
both stark individual questions, with no need to be amalgamated, although intertwining the two is wise.
Saturday, 27 September 2008
The humbled beating of pride
"Begging is hard. It's something you expect hungry dogs to do, but not men and women made in Gods image. The minute you put out your hand, or open your guitar case, it feels like you are writing 'failure' and 'weakness' all over yourself and telling everyone who comes by, 'I am unable'. The message blares up and down sidewalks, and across multi-lanes of traffic. And the message doesn't stop screaming until you pull your hand back in or close up your case."
Quote from Mike Yankoski - who chose to spend 5 months as a homeless man. Documented in his book 'Under the Overpass'
Quote from Mike Yankoski - who chose to spend 5 months as a homeless man. Documented in his book 'Under the Overpass'
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Qld has highest homeless rate in Australia
ABC NEWS ARTICLE FROM EARIER THIS MONTH...
The figures show more than 26,000 people were homeless in Queensland in 2006.
Mission Australia spokesman Tony Stevenson says thousands more are homeless now.
He says rapid urban sprawl has reduced the amount of affordable housing across the state.
"Caravan parks were one source of affordable housing for many people and that is now not available," he said.
Mr Stevenson says increasing rent prices in mining towns like Mackay and Mount Isa are also forcing people out of their homes.
"There are lots of rural and regional towns that have now become absolutely unaffordable to people who have traditionally lived in those communities," he said.
The report shows the Queensland's homeless population rose by 2,000 in five years and that more than half of Australia's homeless are under 24 years of age.
The figures show more than 26,000 people were homeless in Queensland in 2006.
Mission Australia spokesman Tony Stevenson says thousands more are homeless now.
He says rapid urban sprawl has reduced the amount of affordable housing across the state.
"Caravan parks were one source of affordable housing for many people and that is now not available," he said.
Mr Stevenson says increasing rent prices in mining towns like Mackay and Mount Isa are also forcing people out of their homes.
"There are lots of rural and regional towns that have now become absolutely unaffordable to people who have traditionally lived in those communities," he said.
The report shows the Queensland's homeless population rose by 2,000 in five years and that more than half of Australia's homeless are under 24 years of age.
Monday, 22 September 2008
how we do anything is how we do everything
To be homeless. it is more then just a physical position. Rather, a way of life, a mind set, possibly the last resort for those who have given up on society and in many cases, themselves. It seems homelessness is a choice decided by ones self. Yet so is every situation we find ourselves in today. a direct result of the series of decisions made to this day.... But that is not my train of thought.
I was raised on 2 'sayings', the first being... 'Everything about you says something about you' and secondly, 'if it's to be, it's up to me'.
These two things have always stuck by me and I feel will continue to determine my decisions till the day I am no more. With those 2 thoughts in tack I also had this thought... 'The measure of any society is how it treats its weakest element. the widows the orphans, the strangers and the homeless'. I believe that how we do anything is how we do everything. and well... if something is to be done it is up to me.
But even after that I was stuck on the disposition of well 'What can I do?' and I have had so many people ask the same question. Where do I go from here? What can I do?
well.. anything and everything you can think of.
- Talk about it.
- Blog about it.
- Read about it.
- Meditate on it.
- Say a prayer.
- Write a cheque.
- Call a MP.
- Call the Mayor.
- Go to benefit.
- Go and talk to someone that is living on the street.
- Meet them.
- Embrace the community.
- Include them.
Invest in this collective consciousness that says compassion is essential.
If it's to be... It's up to me... just a thought
I was raised on 2 'sayings', the first being... 'Everything about you says something about you' and secondly, 'if it's to be, it's up to me'.
These two things have always stuck by me and I feel will continue to determine my decisions till the day I am no more. With those 2 thoughts in tack I also had this thought... 'The measure of any society is how it treats its weakest element. the widows the orphans, the strangers and the homeless'. I believe that how we do anything is how we do everything. and well... if something is to be done it is up to me.
But even after that I was stuck on the disposition of well 'What can I do?' and I have had so many people ask the same question. Where do I go from here? What can I do?
well.. anything and everything you can think of.
- Talk about it.
- Blog about it.
- Read about it.
- Meditate on it.
- Say a prayer.
- Write a cheque.
- Call a MP.
- Call the Mayor.
- Go to benefit.
- Go and talk to someone that is living on the street.
- Meet them.
- Embrace the community.
- Include them.
Invest in this collective consciousness that says compassion is essential.
If it's to be... It's up to me... just a thought
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Controversy
I have had much controversy in relation to a recent blog about spending a night with some homeless people. (more so on Facebook then here)
I have no issue with your opinion. you are free to speak, I just find it funny that so many people are authorities on issues they have never been involved in.
I love this thought from a good friend of mine Joanna Lambert in relation to this topic...
"There is no need to worry about all the intricate details, when you walk in Gods will He makes it work for us. "
I think too often someone comes up with a thought or an idea, something outside of the consideration of normal and everyone can be so quick to jump and attack. Yes you are entitled to your opinion, and often they are great arguments. But if we are walking in Gods will I truly believe as Joanna said, that it will all work out. God is the ultimate judge of character and motive.
I would much rarther be someone to encourage the idea, get behind it and be apart of it, then someone who condemns and belittles. For it is the small ideas that are harnessed and tried that breakthrough to be influential and change a society.
I have no issue with your opinion. you are free to speak, I just find it funny that so many people are authorities on issues they have never been involved in.
I love this thought from a good friend of mine Joanna Lambert in relation to this topic...
"There is no need to worry about all the intricate details, when you walk in Gods will He makes it work for us. "
I think too often someone comes up with a thought or an idea, something outside of the consideration of normal and everyone can be so quick to jump and attack. Yes you are entitled to your opinion, and often they are great arguments. But if we are walking in Gods will I truly believe as Joanna said, that it will all work out. God is the ultimate judge of character and motive.
I would much rarther be someone to encourage the idea, get behind it and be apart of it, then someone who condemns and belittles. For it is the small ideas that are harnessed and tried that breakthrough to be influential and change a society.
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Africa Calling...
Our Generation.
We are a generation of formidable influence, affluence & ability.
The sunset of each day draws close the light of the past and opens up the possibly of a sunrise in the future. A future crying out to be pioneered by a new generation. A gathering of people wanting & determined to live in love and peace.
For too long the common cry for normal has been allowed to prevail.
Within each one of us lays dreams and desires, which must and will be heard. No longer can we allow others to determine our future, but we must band together and decide our future is changeable. A Change of status-quo. A change in poverty. A change in slavery. A change in medical breakthrough and a change in small thinking and capped mindsets.
We have the answers. We are the solution.
I have had Africa on my heart for a time, which can no longer be measured. A country of rich heritage and immense beauty, yet the graveyard of millions, the breeding ground for disease and the training fields of child soldiers.
There is a rotting underbelly to the picturesque communities. That you and I both know has been left for too long.
It's a predominantly intellectual understanding for me at this moment rather than an emotional journey. But a recent family holiday to Southern Africa has certainly stirred my thinking and began to pull my highly-strung heart strings.
I guess I was a sojourner. An outsiders reading a book, a window shopper along the streets of another culture. I found it easy to sympathise with the people but I wasn't there long enough to bleed with them.
Although to bleed is not our job. Our job is to love. I feel it our responsibility to be the change we so passionately talk about. We must start to believe that life can change. Not only for us. But for those that cannot even afford a life.
So where to from here you ask? Well I ask the same. I am determined to make a move. Take a step and pursue a better ‘them’ in-turn making a better ‘me’.
Stay tuned.
We are a generation of formidable influence, affluence & ability.
The sunset of each day draws close the light of the past and opens up the possibly of a sunrise in the future. A future crying out to be pioneered by a new generation. A gathering of people wanting & determined to live in love and peace.
For too long the common cry for normal has been allowed to prevail.
Within each one of us lays dreams and desires, which must and will be heard. No longer can we allow others to determine our future, but we must band together and decide our future is changeable. A Change of status-quo. A change in poverty. A change in slavery. A change in medical breakthrough and a change in small thinking and capped mindsets.
We have the answers. We are the solution.
I have had Africa on my heart for a time, which can no longer be measured. A country of rich heritage and immense beauty, yet the graveyard of millions, the breeding ground for disease and the training fields of child soldiers.
There is a rotting underbelly to the picturesque communities. That you and I both know has been left for too long.
It's a predominantly intellectual understanding for me at this moment rather than an emotional journey. But a recent family holiday to Southern Africa has certainly stirred my thinking and began to pull my highly-strung heart strings.
I guess I was a sojourner. An outsiders reading a book, a window shopper along the streets of another culture. I found it easy to sympathise with the people but I wasn't there long enough to bleed with them.
Although to bleed is not our job. Our job is to love. I feel it our responsibility to be the change we so passionately talk about. We must start to believe that life can change. Not only for us. But for those that cannot even afford a life.
So where to from here you ask? Well I ask the same. I am determined to make a move. Take a step and pursue a better ‘them’ in-turn making a better ‘me’.
Stay tuned.
Friday, 5 September 2008
snagged
I love this thought on EXCUSES....
"Excuses = the meat of a reason, wrapped in the skin of a lie."
I cannot remember its original context. but it has always stuck with me.
"Excuses = the meat of a reason, wrapped in the skin of a lie."
I cannot remember its original context. but it has always stuck with me.
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
perpetual possibility
"We are too young to know that some things are impossible so we will do them anyway."
William Pitt // Amazing Grace
William Pitt // Amazing Grace
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