Australia is not like America. While the capital of NSW Sydney is similar to many other large developed cities, no way is Sydney like a large city in the states in terms of culture or people, nor is country Australia like rural America. Very different ... beyond this thread to cover. Yes, water, or lack there of is a major problem. Nor is NZ like England in the fifties. I was in England in the fifties, and America last year and Austalia most of the difference. Few visits to NZ along the way.
another interesting word, fo another day is contemplation
Most of the great men contemplated. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness alone, in contemplation.
How much time do we spend? 5 minutes between TV programs? How many people spend days or even weeks in contemplation. I am not saying it is easy or convenient, but I believe it is important.
Contemplation provides confidence in one's mind. No answers, but confidence and clarity.
Maybe next weekend thread ... or if you want I do have a BLOG elsewhere on this topic as well.
We can only change ourself, which is what I am trying to do. And show others what I am doing for their own decisons.
I can't change the person next to me so I don't sweat over poverty here or in other countries. We have beggers here, cripples in the street in Krakow. I have been chased down a street in Beijing because I handed out some loose change.
Guilt is not constructive. Actions for a better future are constructive. My actions, my life.
Your life, your actions. I think we all respect that. Six guns (using power) are not a solution .. although tempting sometimes!
I'm off for a cuppa green tea ... my favourite is Dragon Well if anyone is interested.
Thanks for your time and points of view. Good discussion in my book. May we set a good example for a bit of the because I think "God help us" may not be enough.
Did you know that white tea is the unfurled leaf at the tip of a tea plant? Historically it was picked in spring, in the early morning and because it required small fingers, it was picked by virgins (girls too). I am talking about a long time ago in China.
What is right is what you believe is right. I can't tell you or anyone else what to do. If you believe a few gadgets enhance the quality of the pleasure you bring others, would agree its a quality thing to do.
If you buy a gadget to put on the shelf to gether dust, I would ask myself; was that any value or a good thing to buy. Nothing is exact or perfect. I am just saying think about what we do, choose the quality option and not the biggest to impress.
I don't like lawas to dictate individual actions. It is better to suggest, show, discuss etc etc but I am not keen on making laws to force people to choose one path over another. Such laws fail becasue we find ways around them.
When society stuffs up, we have stuffed up. When society gets it right, we have got it right. There is no nameless group of people whoa re responsible for bad stuff. In general it was us.
As part of society, and western society I am responsible for consuming heaps of junk and stuff which wasn't needed. When I think of how many chairs, tables, TVs, cars and all that stuff I have owned, I wonder what for? I didn't mention my BMWR1100s motorcycle which I bought for just fun.
No one told me it wasn't a good idea to consume, so I did. I am responsible for my own actions. Today I act differently. I am suggesting that perhaps we can show a few others that there is an alternative to consume consume consume. Did you know that as a generalisation we have reached the stage today where the life expecatancey of our children is shorter than our own? Because generally they eat rubbish, drink huge amounts of soft drink etc etc and not enough excersize.
We are responsible for this and I see the solution is by showing and living a better quality life.
I am well off ... I can do my job which pays my way with a little left over .. until I go too crazy or too silly ... and then I have enough for a small house in the country back in Oz and hopefully a pension ..
I reckon I look like a tall skinny goose necked creature.
Life is grand and I am one of the fortunates, like most of us on this site. we sometimes forget how well off we are. good point.
No one has suggested that we turn off essential services, just that we improve what we have rather than more or better. technology hasdoen wonderful things to reduce consumption in many areas, for example in health care may technologies have reduced th eamount of intervention required for treatment and hence imporved health care and use of expensive disposiel materials.
Also, about what we buy. Just becasue we have the money doesn't mean it is good to buy for example an inefficient refriderator. Do we really need a 36"plasma screen? Wouldn't we perhaps be happier and better of spending the money on a bicycle for the missus or even the poor kid down the street and spend more time together doing stuff as a family?
I think we need to be more selective. There is no absolutes here, we all must make our own decisions.
That sounded a bit full of myself, not what I intended.
If we all live what we believe is a better life, the others will copy each of us. We each must decide what is a better life. To me, it's about quality of life .. which involves sharing, understanding, tolerence and of course love in many forms. And better spelling in my case too.
My measure of quality is my measure, not society's. We need more examples of good behaviour, not more followers. More icons, more role models to show the way. If we wait for consensus .. we will be waiting a very long time.
After all, yes we are here for people, not things.
And if I recall correctly, children and grown ups learn best by copying. Let's give people role models.
I am trying to say bigger and more is not better. Society has generally said bigger and more is better. My suggestion, and many others, is that quality is a better measure.
I don't agree we need a majority to change the world. We need more people to set a good example. Politicians don't lead, they follow public opinion (and polls).
I left my corporate job, and AMEX card, car etc and now am pottering around in Poland on my bicycle, teaching English and promoting tea on the side. My hobby is Chinese tea.
Many reasons to go with the majority, but the best is to go with your heart.
Just thought I would inject something a bit deep and meaningful for comment. I know this is a "relationship" site but we gotta understand each other's deeper beliefs to have a good relationship. If you reckon this thread is irrelevant then please ignore it.
Our society is largely geared to increase our longevity increasing the world's population, our society also tells us we are doing the right thing by producing more and consuming more. A bigger house usually is equated with success for example. Fancier food and even an excess of food at functions is seen as status building.
Should our society take a different approach to all of his and recognise that reducing consumption is best for the future. We have enough people on this world, let's focus on making it a better place in terms of quality of life and not on bigger is better.
After all, being with a loved on the floor is better than being alone in a huge king sized bed staring at your own reflection is the mirrored ceiling.
The size of my house or car doesn't matter when we make funny animal noises together.
So, my hypothesis is that if we focus on consuming less, doing more and quality we will all have better lives with more love.
As others have said being there is important, very important. Also your own response is very important. Your son will look to your own behaviour as an example as to how he should behave. Set the best example you can, be strong and compassionate.
I would also add a touch of caution to professional help, if you son doesn't want professional help then I suggest let him be. Not everyone requries counselling to handle grief. I suggest your response and support is more important.
It is very tough for all. Teenagers are very fragile creatures.
Should people date serially, one at a time and stop when they meet a probably partner OR should people date several people during the same period and then chose who they like most?
Which do you do? Which do you think is most effective? Why? Should you tell each date that you are taking one approach or the other?
Looking for someone to share some time with me, I'll settle for a month or three and perhaps it will become a year or three and perhaps ...... I'm just trying to head in the right direction and the rest wil be what it will be. Every journey begins with the first step but we can't see over the horizon and to be honest, I don't want to see over the horizon, it would spoil the surprise when I get there.
Greels Forum Posts (20)
RE: who's the most travelled person on connectingsingles ?..how many countries have you been to ?..and
if you want a look at Poland from my eyes .... and a little about life in general