Winter Edition 2013
HEALING, FOOD AND CHARITY
By Rebekka Battista
20/8/2013
I had never planned for this to be my life – to be employed as a professional fundraiser for a children’s charity. My dream was to wow people with my food and cooking skills at my little cafe in Lismore.
But how soon life can take you down a path you never expected.
In 1998, my son Isaak was born with renal failure and, for the next eight years, hospitals became our new home. Isaak underwent the first of many procedures when he was only eight-days-old and we soon discovered the only way he was going to live a normal life was to undergo a kidney transplant when he became old enough.
The first eight years of Isaak’s life were shared between the children’s ward at the Lismore Base Hospital and several hospitals in Brisbane. I was by his side every step of the way while trying to balance my cafe and maintain a good family life. It proved to be a very difficult time for us but, after seven long years, we were blessed with some good news – Isaak’s father was found to be a compatible kidney donor.
Consequently, only a couple of days before his eighth birthday in 2005, Isaak was given the best present he could ever ask for – his father’s kidney.
From here, life changed for us. We spent less and less time in hospitals during Issak’s recovery, however I still remained very involved with the Lismore Base Hospital. As I said earlier, it is amazing where life can take you. In 2003, while Isaak was still battling his illness, he was asked to appear in the first-ever Our Kids charity calendar. Our Kids is a charity established by a local paediatrician to raise money for the children’s ward at Lismore Base Hospital and, after Isaak appeared in the calendar, I thought it was time to get involved and give something back to the place that had been our second home for so long.
I became increasingly involved in the coordination of the Our Kids fundraisers and, after two years, I was asked to step into the part-time role of fundraising coordinator – a position I have held ever since.
Knowing first-hand the strain medical travel and associated costs can put on a family, I think it is so important to keep improving our local hospital’s facilities so children can be treated close to home. Over the past 10 years, I have coordinated countless fundraisers such as fun-runs, lunches and the annual Our Kids calendar, raising more than $1 million, thanks to the support of our amazing community.
In 2004, I also took on a lead fundraising role in a local project called Our House. Our aim was to open a low-cost medical accommodation facility near Lismore Base Hospital. I knew what it was like having to sleep in the chair next to Isaak’s bed or leave him to sleep at a motel close-by, nothing ever felt like home. As it was a cause very close to my heart, I couldn’t wait for our vision to become a reality.
After eight years of hard work, we raised more than $1 million and secured almost $5 million in grants. In 2012, we were all so proud to be able to officially open Our House, the only medical accommodation available between Grafton and Brisbane.
It proved to be a big year for me – I was also selected to be on the cover of the Lismore White Pages® and Yellow Pages® under the theme Keeping Our Communities Healthy, in recognition of my fundraising efforts.
When I looked back at the dream life I’d envisaged for myself, looking at the cafe and raising my family, I am happily shocked how different life turned out. While Isaak’s illness was horrible, it made me uncover a reserve of strength I never thought I had. It also put me on this path of giving back to my community, which has enriched my life. I wouldn’t change a thing and I’d tell others going through a major life change, such as illness, to hold on – you never know what is at the other end.
20/8/2013
I had never planned for this to be my life – to be employed as a professional fundraiser for a children’s charity. My dream was to wow people with my food and cooking skills at my little cafe in Lismore.
But how soon life can take you down a path you never expected.
In 1998, my son Isaak was born with renal failure and, for the next eight years, hospitals became our new home. Isaak underwent the first of many procedures when he was only eight-days-old and we soon discovered the only way he was going to live a normal life was to undergo a kidney transplant when he became old enough.
The first eight years of Isaak’s life were shared between the children’s ward at the Lismore Base Hospital and several hospitals in Brisbane. I was by his side every step of the way while trying to balance my cafe and maintain a good family life. It proved to be a very difficult time for us but, after seven long years, we were blessed with some good news – Isaak’s father was found to be a compatible kidney donor.
Consequently, only a couple of days before his eighth birthday in 2005, Isaak was given the best present he could ever ask for – his father’s kidney.
From here, life changed for us. We spent less and less time in hospitals during Issak’s recovery, however I still remained very involved with the Lismore Base Hospital. As I said earlier, it is amazing where life can take you. In 2003, while Isaak was still battling his illness, he was asked to appear in the first-ever Our Kids charity calendar. Our Kids is a charity established by a local paediatrician to raise money for the children’s ward at Lismore Base Hospital and, after Isaak appeared in the calendar, I thought it was time to get involved and give something back to the place that had been our second home for so long.
I became increasingly involved in the coordination of the Our Kids fundraisers and, after two years, I was asked to step into the part-time role of fundraising coordinator – a position I have held ever since.
Knowing first-hand the strain medical travel and associated costs can put on a family, I think it is so important to keep improving our local hospital’s facilities so children can be treated close to home. Over the past 10 years, I have coordinated countless fundraisers such as fun-runs, lunches and the annual Our Kids calendar, raising more than $1 million, thanks to the support of our amazing community.
In 2004, I also took on a lead fundraising role in a local project called Our House. Our aim was to open a low-cost medical accommodation facility near Lismore Base Hospital. I knew what it was like having to sleep in the chair next to Isaak’s bed or leave him to sleep at a motel close-by, nothing ever felt like home. As it was a cause very close to my heart, I couldn’t wait for our vision to become a reality.
After eight years of hard work, we raised more than $1 million and secured almost $5 million in grants. In 2012, we were all so proud to be able to officially open Our House, the only medical accommodation available between Grafton and Brisbane.
It proved to be a big year for me – I was also selected to be on the cover of the Lismore White Pages® and Yellow Pages® under the theme Keeping Our Communities Healthy, in recognition of my fundraising efforts.
When I looked back at the dream life I’d envisaged for myself, looking at the cafe and raising my family, I am happily shocked how different life turned out. While Isaak’s illness was horrible, it made me uncover a reserve of strength I never thought I had. It also put me on this path of giving back to my community, which has enriched my life. I wouldn’t change a thing and I’d tell others going through a major life change, such as illness, to hold on – you never know what is at the other end.
EVERY MINUTE COUNTS
By Sid James
20/7/2013
In 1993, I was living my life as normal, never knowing that in a few months a single moment would change it forever.
I was 35-years-old and had always led an active lifestyle, competing in numerous triathlons, driven by the physical challenge. Wanting to help local residents in my hometown of Victor Harbour get fit and healthy, I had just taken the big leap and established the town’s first triathlon. In that first year it attracted more than 500 participants. I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the success of the event and was looking forward to an even bigger result the next year.
But just five months later I went from a triathlete, organising competitions to completely incapacitated. In a split second my life changed and I was faced with the biggest challenge of my life – bigger than any race. During a routine bike ride I was involved in an accident that I can’t even remember. My wife had just given birth to my son and I left the hospital and started my ride home. I decided to use a different route home and the next thing I knew I was on the ground and couldn’t move. When I woke up I could not see my pushbike and my mobile phone was an inch in front my fingers but I couldn’t reach out to get it. I was left in the middle of the road wondering what had happened. To this day no one knows the cause of my accident. I had broken my neck and suffered massive injuries and it was a miracle that I survived at all. Coming to in hospital, I learned I was a quadriplegic and would be wheelchair-dependent for the rest of my life. I can’t really describe what it was like realising that I would never walk or run ever again. To have something that had been such a big part of my life taken away was beyond devastating.
I spent a year in hospital in Adelaide, recovering and undergoing rehabilitation. During my recovery, every day was a mental and physical challenge like nothing I had ever experienced. When I returned to my home in Victor Harbor I had to face the reality of my new life. Getting through that adjustment period was tough and I found myself constantly thinking of the local triathlon that I had put so much effort into organising. It was clear I could never compete in it, but I decided I wanted it to go on anyway.
With renewed determination, two years after my accident I relaunched the Victor Harbor Triathlon. It was the most amazing feeling to see the event come together again and to know that I had achieved my goal despite all the challenges I faced.
Since then, the event has grown beyond my wildest dreams. It is now the biggest triathlon event in South Australia and attracts more than 1400 participants each year. I feel such a sense of pride when I see so many people taking part in the triathlon and reaching their personal goals. This year I am recognised on the cover of the Barossa Valley White and Yellow Pages under the theme Keeping Our Communities Healthy for established the triathlon and helping the community keep fit.
Throughout my life I have always pushed the boundaries and strived to achieve. My accident was the most challenging experience of my life and I wasn’t sure how I was going to survive it. Setting myself a new goal and having something to work towards helped me through the tough days. I still set myself daily goals and work towards them. If I can achieve this much in my life then anyone can achieve their own goal as well.
I’ve found a new drive and purpose for my life that is just as rewarding as winning a race.
20/7/2013
In 1993, I was living my life as normal, never knowing that in a few months a single moment would change it forever.
I was 35-years-old and had always led an active lifestyle, competing in numerous triathlons, driven by the physical challenge. Wanting to help local residents in my hometown of Victor Harbour get fit and healthy, I had just taken the big leap and established the town’s first triathlon. In that first year it attracted more than 500 participants. I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the success of the event and was looking forward to an even bigger result the next year.
But just five months later I went from a triathlete, organising competitions to completely incapacitated. In a split second my life changed and I was faced with the biggest challenge of my life – bigger than any race. During a routine bike ride I was involved in an accident that I can’t even remember. My wife had just given birth to my son and I left the hospital and started my ride home. I decided to use a different route home and the next thing I knew I was on the ground and couldn’t move. When I woke up I could not see my pushbike and my mobile phone was an inch in front my fingers but I couldn’t reach out to get it. I was left in the middle of the road wondering what had happened. To this day no one knows the cause of my accident. I had broken my neck and suffered massive injuries and it was a miracle that I survived at all. Coming to in hospital, I learned I was a quadriplegic and would be wheelchair-dependent for the rest of my life. I can’t really describe what it was like realising that I would never walk or run ever again. To have something that had been such a big part of my life taken away was beyond devastating.
I spent a year in hospital in Adelaide, recovering and undergoing rehabilitation. During my recovery, every day was a mental and physical challenge like nothing I had ever experienced. When I returned to my home in Victor Harbor I had to face the reality of my new life. Getting through that adjustment period was tough and I found myself constantly thinking of the local triathlon that I had put so much effort into organising. It was clear I could never compete in it, but I decided I wanted it to go on anyway.
With renewed determination, two years after my accident I relaunched the Victor Harbor Triathlon. It was the most amazing feeling to see the event come together again and to know that I had achieved my goal despite all the challenges I faced.
Since then, the event has grown beyond my wildest dreams. It is now the biggest triathlon event in South Australia and attracts more than 1400 participants each year. I feel such a sense of pride when I see so many people taking part in the triathlon and reaching their personal goals. This year I am recognised on the cover of the Barossa Valley White and Yellow Pages under the theme Keeping Our Communities Healthy for established the triathlon and helping the community keep fit.
Throughout my life I have always pushed the boundaries and strived to achieve. My accident was the most challenging experience of my life and I wasn’t sure how I was going to survive it. Setting myself a new goal and having something to work towards helped me through the tough days. I still set myself daily goals and work towards them. If I can achieve this much in my life then anyone can achieve their own goal as well.
I’ve found a new drive and purpose for my life that is just as rewarding as winning a race.
I'M NOT TIRED, HE'S MY BROTHER
By Sarah McFarlane-Eagle
20/7/2013
My brother and I always loved hiking, but I never thought I’d end up trekking around three countries in his memory.
Ben suffered from schizophrenia from about the age of 18. For ten years he lived with this illness. During this time he held down a full-time job as a gardener, had an active social life and was a caring brother. He had an adventurous spirit, and a gentle nature. Ben was well-loved by his friends and family, and over the years had learned how to manage his illness. He knew he had to eat and sleep well but, sadly the illness took a strong hold on him and eventually it won.
In 2001, Ben experienced his worst psychosis. He was treated by a team of psychiatric nurses who came to our home twice a day. Ben was discharged from this care after six weeks, against our strong wishes to have the much needed care continuing, for his safety, and to bring him back to health. Three days after being discharged though, Ben went missing. He had never been so ill. Despite an extensive search throughout the Mt Baw Baw region in Gippsland Victoria, where Ben was last seen, his body was never found. Ben was 29-years-old when he died alone in the Australian bush.
After Ben’s death, I realised that sadly, many people suffer alone with mental illness, including family, carers and friends. In what I guess was an attempt to give meaning to Ben’s death, I felt compelled to try my hardest to be proactive and focus on solutions. I decided to use my sadness and grief as fuel, striving to make changes to the mental health system and reaching out to the thousands of Australians affected by mental illness.
The year Ben died, we had a long distance walking holiday planned. Ten months after his disappearance I chose to go ahead with the walk, in memory of Ben. This first walk was a 600 kilometre trek along the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia, and was used as an opportunity to raise awareness of mental illness. I gave many talks to schools and community groups in an effort to increase understanding about mental illness, which has since been an ongoing passion.
Since that time I have embarked on a number of walks across France, Spain and Japan in memory of Ben. I undertook a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours to increase my own knowledge and better educate others about mental illness. I founded Walking Feat Inc, and have been supported in my efforts of raising awareness, by hundreds of volunteers and supporters. Through Walking Feat I have raised a small amount, contributing more than $20,000 to mental health organisation SANE Australia.
Last year, I embarked on my fourth Walking Feat Inc trek, walking from Armidale to Melbourne in three months and arriving in Melbourne on World Suicide Prevention Day. On this walk I hosted many information sessions en route to increase regional Australia’s awareness and understanding of mental illness and mental health. It was a long and sometimes emotional walk, but I felt I achieved a lot personally and in the communities I passed through.
This year I was selected by Sensis to be on the cover of the Tamworth White Pages® and Yellow Pages® in recognition of my efforts in fund and awareness raising for mental health issues. The theme is Keeping Our Communities Healthy, and I hope my recognition continues to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
I am currently studying my PhD in mental health, focusing on how the experience of mental health enriches lives, an area not previously been explored. I am passionate about the impact of mental health issues, in response to my own experience. I hope that my efforts can reach the millions of Australians who are affected by mental health issues, so that everyone is aware they are not alone.
20/7/2013
My brother and I always loved hiking, but I never thought I’d end up trekking around three countries in his memory.
Ben suffered from schizophrenia from about the age of 18. For ten years he lived with this illness. During this time he held down a full-time job as a gardener, had an active social life and was a caring brother. He had an adventurous spirit, and a gentle nature. Ben was well-loved by his friends and family, and over the years had learned how to manage his illness. He knew he had to eat and sleep well but, sadly the illness took a strong hold on him and eventually it won.
In 2001, Ben experienced his worst psychosis. He was treated by a team of psychiatric nurses who came to our home twice a day. Ben was discharged from this care after six weeks, against our strong wishes to have the much needed care continuing, for his safety, and to bring him back to health. Three days after being discharged though, Ben went missing. He had never been so ill. Despite an extensive search throughout the Mt Baw Baw region in Gippsland Victoria, where Ben was last seen, his body was never found. Ben was 29-years-old when he died alone in the Australian bush.
After Ben’s death, I realised that sadly, many people suffer alone with mental illness, including family, carers and friends. In what I guess was an attempt to give meaning to Ben’s death, I felt compelled to try my hardest to be proactive and focus on solutions. I decided to use my sadness and grief as fuel, striving to make changes to the mental health system and reaching out to the thousands of Australians affected by mental illness.
The year Ben died, we had a long distance walking holiday planned. Ten months after his disappearance I chose to go ahead with the walk, in memory of Ben. This first walk was a 600 kilometre trek along the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia, and was used as an opportunity to raise awareness of mental illness. I gave many talks to schools and community groups in an effort to increase understanding about mental illness, which has since been an ongoing passion.
Since that time I have embarked on a number of walks across France, Spain and Japan in memory of Ben. I undertook a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours to increase my own knowledge and better educate others about mental illness. I founded Walking Feat Inc, and have been supported in my efforts of raising awareness, by hundreds of volunteers and supporters. Through Walking Feat I have raised a small amount, contributing more than $20,000 to mental health organisation SANE Australia.
Last year, I embarked on my fourth Walking Feat Inc trek, walking from Armidale to Melbourne in three months and arriving in Melbourne on World Suicide Prevention Day. On this walk I hosted many information sessions en route to increase regional Australia’s awareness and understanding of mental illness and mental health. It was a long and sometimes emotional walk, but I felt I achieved a lot personally and in the communities I passed through.
This year I was selected by Sensis to be on the cover of the Tamworth White Pages® and Yellow Pages® in recognition of my efforts in fund and awareness raising for mental health issues. The theme is Keeping Our Communities Healthy, and I hope my recognition continues to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
I am currently studying my PhD in mental health, focusing on how the experience of mental health enriches lives, an area not previously been explored. I am passionate about the impact of mental health issues, in response to my own experience. I hope that my efforts can reach the millions of Australians who are affected by mental health issues, so that everyone is aware they are not alone.
FLYING DR'S ANGEL WINGS
By Emma Leu-Marshall
20/7/2013
Most people wouldn’t dream of swapping the city life for the country, giving up trendy cafes and great shopping; but that is exactly what I always wanted to do. From a young age I wanted a rural life and to be a doctor. So when I found out about the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) I knew I had found my dream job.
In 2010, I started working as a medical officer at the RFDS Charleville Base in south-western Queensland. Some of my friends thought I was crazy but I was so excited to begin my new life in regional Queensland.
With my job, no two days are ever the same. The region I cover is roughly the same size as the UK and we face huge geographical challenges providing medical attention in remote communities. Each week I visit five of our nine clinic locations throughout the region where I perform medical consultations, including healthcare for women and children. We also provide patient transportation from rural properties and attend emergency situations such as accidents, trauma and heart attacks.
Being a doctor means you have to deal with stressful situations, but working with the RFDS, there is the added pressure of knowing that you are the only help for thousands of kilometres. I knew when I started this job that I wanted to make a difference to the lives of the people I was charged with taking care of, but that it also wouldn’t be easy.
After a few years in the job, I became concerned about the physical and mental health of men living on the land in south-west Queensland. Depression and anxiety in farmers is a serious issue and our base was noticing a steady increase in mental health issues and the number of men not getting regular check-ups. With the help of my colleague, Jo Mahony, I conducted a survey into men living in the Charleville RFDS region. The results were shocking. We uncovered an alarming difference in the number of rural men aged between 18 and 45 who were not accessing medical services, compared to men living in larger regional centres.
We decided that something had to be done and put our minds to ways we could increase the number of men regularly visiting their doctor. We teamed up with Andrology Australia, an organisation that specialises in men’s health, and developed a program promoting regular check-ups for men. The idea was to raise awareness of men’s health issues and highlight the importance of annual check-ups. It was a big challenge to develop and roll out the program considering neither of us had ever taught health education – particularly across a region this size. But we were determined! I don’t think you can ever underestimate the power of determination!
In 2011 we held five information events up to 800 kilometers from the Charleville RFDS base in regions as far as Jundah, Birdsville and Windorah. Andrology Australia was a huge support, even sending out its ambassador, former Australian cricketer Merv Hughes, to speak at our events. Merv was quite the drawcard and spoke about a range of men’s health issues. Following his talk, men could then receive a free health check and medical advice. The events were a huge success! More than 150 men attended, which might not sound like much, but is nearly half the number of men that live in the Charleville RFDS service area.
Since those sessions, we’re proud to say the number of men visiting regional health clinics has increased. Doctors have also seen an increase in men taking their health more seriously after their appointment.
I am so proud of the events and what we achieved for men’s health in this massive, remote area. I have always been driven to help others and am so glad that I was able to help improve the health of men in remote Queensland. This year Jo and I are recognised on the cover of the Roma White and Yellow Pages under the theme Keeping Our Communities Healthy for our efforts helping blokes out bush.
Seeing the positive results has motivated me to do more. Jo and I are currently considering expanding the program to other isolated communities. Ideally, we’d love every man living on the land in Australia to eventually attend a health session. That’s the goal, but right now we’ll take it one town at a time.
20/7/2013
Most people wouldn’t dream of swapping the city life for the country, giving up trendy cafes and great shopping; but that is exactly what I always wanted to do. From a young age I wanted a rural life and to be a doctor. So when I found out about the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) I knew I had found my dream job.
In 2010, I started working as a medical officer at the RFDS Charleville Base in south-western Queensland. Some of my friends thought I was crazy but I was so excited to begin my new life in regional Queensland.
With my job, no two days are ever the same. The region I cover is roughly the same size as the UK and we face huge geographical challenges providing medical attention in remote communities. Each week I visit five of our nine clinic locations throughout the region where I perform medical consultations, including healthcare for women and children. We also provide patient transportation from rural properties and attend emergency situations such as accidents, trauma and heart attacks.
Being a doctor means you have to deal with stressful situations, but working with the RFDS, there is the added pressure of knowing that you are the only help for thousands of kilometres. I knew when I started this job that I wanted to make a difference to the lives of the people I was charged with taking care of, but that it also wouldn’t be easy.
After a few years in the job, I became concerned about the physical and mental health of men living on the land in south-west Queensland. Depression and anxiety in farmers is a serious issue and our base was noticing a steady increase in mental health issues and the number of men not getting regular check-ups. With the help of my colleague, Jo Mahony, I conducted a survey into men living in the Charleville RFDS region. The results were shocking. We uncovered an alarming difference in the number of rural men aged between 18 and 45 who were not accessing medical services, compared to men living in larger regional centres.
We decided that something had to be done and put our minds to ways we could increase the number of men regularly visiting their doctor. We teamed up with Andrology Australia, an organisation that specialises in men’s health, and developed a program promoting regular check-ups for men. The idea was to raise awareness of men’s health issues and highlight the importance of annual check-ups. It was a big challenge to develop and roll out the program considering neither of us had ever taught health education – particularly across a region this size. But we were determined! I don’t think you can ever underestimate the power of determination!
In 2011 we held five information events up to 800 kilometers from the Charleville RFDS base in regions as far as Jundah, Birdsville and Windorah. Andrology Australia was a huge support, even sending out its ambassador, former Australian cricketer Merv Hughes, to speak at our events. Merv was quite the drawcard and spoke about a range of men’s health issues. Following his talk, men could then receive a free health check and medical advice. The events were a huge success! More than 150 men attended, which might not sound like much, but is nearly half the number of men that live in the Charleville RFDS service area.
Since those sessions, we’re proud to say the number of men visiting regional health clinics has increased. Doctors have also seen an increase in men taking their health more seriously after their appointment.
I am so proud of the events and what we achieved for men’s health in this massive, remote area. I have always been driven to help others and am so glad that I was able to help improve the health of men in remote Queensland. This year Jo and I are recognised on the cover of the Roma White and Yellow Pages under the theme Keeping Our Communities Healthy for our efforts helping blokes out bush.
Seeing the positive results has motivated me to do more. Jo and I are currently considering expanding the program to other isolated communities. Ideally, we’d love every man living on the land in Australia to eventually attend a health session. That’s the goal, but right now we’ll take it one town at a time.
MALALA YOUSAFZAI
This inspirational 16 year old will go down in history as not only being brave
beyond her years, but in presenting a speech that measures up with Abraham Lincoln'
'Gettysberg Address' and Brack Obama's 'Inauguration Speech. If you haven't heard it already, I recommend you hear it now. Visit:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23291897
beyond her years, but in presenting a speech that measures up with Abraham Lincoln'
'Gettysberg Address' and Brack Obama's 'Inauguration Speech. If you haven't heard it already, I recommend you hear it now. Visit:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23291897
FROM THE EDITOR
Hello again,
I'd like to first apologise for the lateness of this edition. As EM is a not-for-profit publication it is sometimes difficult to balance the paid work and make time for this worthy project - this quarter in particular. But, it's here now! Special thanks to Roxanne from White Pages without whom this edition would not have arrived.
On another note: in the spirit of Stress Down Day being celebrated next week to raise money for Life Line, I say we concentrate on our breathing and quote the Lion King often throughout the weekend: Hakuna Matata - Swahili for 'no worries'. I'm not taking life's hardships lightly by making this request, God knows I've had a challenging quarter myself. I'm spotlighting the need to take a break from our worries and realise that we do not control everything. As a Catholic woman, I completely believe that 'if God brings us to it, He'll bring us through it'. This knowledge doesn't make my life smooth, but it does make it bearable in hard times. Brahma Yoga promotes being mindful of the thoughts we allow into our minds - Positive and Practical (necessary thoughts like: when to pick up children; what we need to make dinner, etc), can enter. Negative and wasteful (worrying or dwelling about things that are out of our control) can not enter. Be a threshold guardian of what thoughts you allow into your head this quarter and measure your self esteem and general well being when the Summer edition is released. I challenge you.
Thanks for coming
Louise Crossley
I'd like to first apologise for the lateness of this edition. As EM is a not-for-profit publication it is sometimes difficult to balance the paid work and make time for this worthy project - this quarter in particular. But, it's here now! Special thanks to Roxanne from White Pages without whom this edition would not have arrived.
On another note: in the spirit of Stress Down Day being celebrated next week to raise money for Life Line, I say we concentrate on our breathing and quote the Lion King often throughout the weekend: Hakuna Matata - Swahili for 'no worries'. I'm not taking life's hardships lightly by making this request, God knows I've had a challenging quarter myself. I'm spotlighting the need to take a break from our worries and realise that we do not control everything. As a Catholic woman, I completely believe that 'if God brings us to it, He'll bring us through it'. This knowledge doesn't make my life smooth, but it does make it bearable in hard times. Brahma Yoga promotes being mindful of the thoughts we allow into our minds - Positive and Practical (necessary thoughts like: when to pick up children; what we need to make dinner, etc), can enter. Negative and wasteful (worrying or dwelling about things that are out of our control) can not enter. Be a threshold guardian of what thoughts you allow into your head this quarter and measure your self esteem and general well being when the Summer edition is released. I challenge you.
Thanks for coming
Louise Crossley