Welcome to country

“The First Australians have and continue to welcome new arrivals to Australia”

Dr Carolyn Flay gave this example at the Grace Vaughn Speech at the University of Western Australia 2017.

I am grateful to see more institutions incorporating “Welcome to country” and wish to respect and honor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders past and present.   Welcome to country as an acknowledgement is not a recent political correct act.  It is steeped in the history and protocol originating from when a tribe came to another tribes country to ask permission to enter.  The essential elements of Welcome to country include acknowledgment of the traditional custodians, welcoming visitors and offering safe passage remain in place.

Wurundjeri Elder, Joy Murphy Wandin, describes it as “a very important way of giving  Aboriginal people back their place in society, and an opportunity for us to say, ‘We are real, we are here, and today we welcome you to our land’…It’s paying respect, in a formal sense, and following traditional custom in a symbolic way.”  Australians together website

How can we follow the example demonstrated by the First Australians in Welcome to country to extend respect, welcome and safety to new arrivals in Australia?

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Birthday Festival

It is the one reliable date we have in our lives, our birthdays.  Children eagerly counted down to the day.   Adults try to forget or warp their age.  Recently I turned 9 for  I no longer count the front digit.  This makes me forever young.  I live between 0 – 9 years old, in my manipulation of reality.

“You are only as young as you feel!”

“I think there should be double beds in medical wards – its ageist to have them just in maternity!”

The ageism of the healthcare system did not cater for my parents needs when Dad was hospitalised.  There is an institutionalized prejudice regarding what is age appropriate, which can have negative consequences on mental and physical health. People stress levels, willingness to live healthily and recover can be impaired when they are greeted by such ageist bias as “its an old persons condition”.  Age is the one social group all of us will join – if blessed to age. Ageism can be seen in arbitrary lore that does not always cater to the individual. Such as swings are “only for children” I am one adult who  benefits from this soothing motion.

Birthday messages present older as bad.  Though if you don’t stick to the age allotted stereotype you benefit in wellbeing.  Fortunately my grandparents and parents in their active lifestyle provide dynamic aging examples. When society shifts from viewing older people as dependent and weak to viewing them as proficient and resourceful it is a win for everyone.  People can honor the skills and knowledge they have gathered and be encouraged to share this.   There is a human library of possibilities to learn from – with skills such as languages ending as a person does.  I love the term “Elder” as it places reverence and resource with the ones lucky to age gracefully or grumpily.

Birthing  Festival

As a midwife I witness birth is a not a quick event.  The media can depict birth like the cricket highlights without showing the training and innings that came before the win.  Birth takes time as the rhythm of labour is interrupted, there are false starts but eventually a new soul comes forth.  Birthing festivals reflect this slow journey to earth as a birthday is spread beyond 24 hours of merriment, involving friends and family.

 Thank God you’re here

Birthdays are the opportunity to show gratitude to the individual who joined us on that day.  The world is a little richer for having this being come to life.

Around my birthday I find myself reflecting on the previous year what happened, what I am grateful for and what I intend for the next 12 months god willing.  No longer do I take it for grant.  The luxury of being alive is a blessing. So every days a birthday. A new opportunity to give life to.

References

http://healthjournalism.org/blog/2016/06/how-ageism-can-negatively-affect-the-health-of-older-adults/

 

Asking the Real Questions

 

Life can be going along swimmingly until…

A Saturday night in the Emergency department brings wellness and life into sharp focus.  That real conversation about what matters to you and your loved ones  becomes a priority that can no longer be skirted around.

Family and friends you know intimately may not have shared their wishs if you don’t ask the hard questions.

 

The squirming avoidance and procrastination of what to do in the event of…. seems like a wasted opportunity to find their answer.

Our society is literally death defying – conversations relating to the end of life are hushed.  It is the one certainty in life that none of us escape from.  We just don’t know when or how.  Though the how can be determined if you have talked with kin about what treatment you want in such documents as an Advanced Care directive.

Advanced care directive is a statement you can write or state about what you intend with treatment options in the event that you will not be able to communicate this.  Consider including what you wish to happen to your organs on death.  Life continues for recipients with the simple act of ticking yes to organ donation.

With the coming of this Festive season sadly there will be other families in emergency departments asking themselves what did their loved one want.  Asking may be out of your comfort zone. Though it can be a relief to the person answering for their choices are being acknowledged.  That real conversation lets you live to the max knowing you have taken care of what you can.

Resources

http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Advance-care-planning

http://advancecareplanning.org.au/library/uploads/documents/wa/Advance_Health_Directive.pdf

http://www.donatelife.gov.au/decide

http://www.tuneinnotout.com/topics/health-wellbeing/becoming_an_organ_donor/?gclid=CObH8M-N09ACFZclvQod3sYDIg

 

Well travelled

 

Finally the time has arrived when you can clock off from work, shut down the emails, flick off the mobile to have a HOLIDAY.

“Aahhh at last ” a sigh resonates as you let go and relax.  Sometimes you immune system shuts down when you finally give yourself permission to rest.  Travelling when unwell is a not quite how a holiday is planned.  Well travelled is a blog to boost your wellness – even if you are not leaving your state.

Before Leaving

Before leaving there is a frantic sense of urgency that puts my immune system on hyper alert depleting its stores.   Increased work hours to earn holiday funds can further drain the reserve tank of wellness.  Imagining a pool of calm in my dream destination provides respite for my nervous system and a boost of energy.  Maybe this is where I could change things to travel well.

Lists of to dos and what to bring, humuor my need to be organized.  Bag cramming to achieve the airline weight allowance requires rolling and folding till it fits.   Before trying to fill the dead spaces in baggage, I remind myself it is possible to get what I need anywhere in the word. The art of minimalism does pay for my bank and backs wellbeing. I discover what I really need is very little. The reality that I am on holidays  sinks in when I am seated in the vehicle transporting me to my destination.

Sleep

Oh sleep on a plane a great idea – the reality is very different.  The travel neck noodle does mop up the drool and prevents whiplash.  There is an economy section yoga class crafted to work with the limited space you are in. Frequently I am found upside down near the bathrooms.  I am grateful for aisle seats where I can move without falling on passengers.

I do look like the Jet Lag Hag in my first 24 hours in a new time zone, as I try to push on without sleep to accomadate myself with the new dawn and dusk.  Driving or operating heavy machinery in this time warp state is not possible in the interests of public safety.  Sheer exhaustion sleep I surrender to finally.

Tea time

On holidays I love the ritual of a tea party having the time to let a brew steep as I yarn with friends or read in a cafe.  My whole digestion changes are as I take the rush out of eating and I get to indulge in new delights.  Recently a friend gave me her list of things to eat in New Zealand – so I had to oblige.  Though ….

Moving right along

Tramping (as they say in New Zealand) walking is the best way to explore taking in the wildlife,  gaining Vitamin D, preventing blood clots, breathing, burning off calories of what I have consumed and rebooting in nature.

Running wild

“WAHOO Holiday” out come the wild ones to play.   “Welcome to the jungle” I awoke to in a hostel where a guy retorted to being poked for snoring.  So my adventure began as a lone traveller -responsible for my folly and fun. Though I share with friends where I might be found in the big wide world to guide the search party and now there are social media sites for this.

Oy Ozie

As much as I love being “wild” being sensitive to the local culture is in my wellness interest. I don’t want to come home with  a criminal record or a tropical disease.  That moment is best avoided.

Sometimes your country of origin shares a little to much of its creatures, it can be a source of rift and opportunity for diplomacy.

Great expectations

Sometimes your intentions and expectations of where you are to travel are not possible due to forces of nature or..

mankind.  My yoga teachers saying “expectation breeds frustration” rings in my ears as I exhale letting go of the illusion of control.

Sunsets

Once I traveled with an Englishman who stopped us every sunset, watching the golden orb blip over the horizon and being thankful for our day.  This practice I still love and try to do wherever I am.

May your path be ..

May you be brave and have the opportunities to discover paths …

Extend archs of friendship and learning in a new land.

Meet at the crossroads to share adventures.

Take the time to sit and enjoy the once in a lifetimes.

 

Travel well.

Blooming good

“You don’t bring me flowers anymore.”

Ending this romantic tragedy – spring has come in her glorious colours and perfumes.

“Attichoo! ” hayfever suffers could respond.

This blog is my celebration of spring with photos taken in the South Island of New Zealand.  It will not get you scratching , crying or sneezing.

Queenie’s Garden

My dear Nana, Queenie daily tended to her garden or directed a gardener . My family believe it was this weeding, pruning and planting that kept her alive.  Her best friend Clair joked that she would hate to be a plant in Queenie’s garden, as you would have no rest, you would be cut and transplanted till you were just right. It was only fitting that Nana passed away at 93 years on the first day of spring, a few years ago.  At her wake we gave guests flower seeds so her gardens could continue.  Sprouts of green breaking through the dirt were a welcome visitor in our time of mourning.

 

Gardening to well

There is now research supporting the value of Queenie’s pastime – gardening.  Physical exercise requiring strength and flexibility, Vitamin D attainment, mental stimulation are a few of the benefits, please refer to references below.

 

 

 

Growing a bouquet

There is no need to long for the gift of flowers when you have a pot or plot of soil – grow your own. Watch seeds progress, stretching upward, leaves extending and petals opening to reveal your flower without relationship dramas.  Taking time to smell the flowers and soak in the wonder of nature keeps us well.  It brings us to a state of awe in the present moment where concerns melt to the peripheries.

In the Pink

There is a reference to being  “In the red” in debt,  something my bank account is experiencing.  Currently I am shifting my focus to being “in the pink” – seeing the abundance in life, vegie patch full and counting blessings of what I have such as my friends.  Suddenly I feel rich it may not be fiscally accredited but there is much to value everyday. (Yes I am chipping away at the debt acquired to.)

Dawning a new day

With spring comes the return of the sun – days become longer and warmer.  Rising in the morning becomes easier and exercise more enticing.  May there be a Spring in your step today and believe life can be blooming good.

 

Reference

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/apr/10/gardening-is-good-for-physical-and-mental-health

Creating a life

Once upon a time there was a baby made by a Mummy and Daddy …

I will spare you the science lesson and fairy tales for this creation story continues.

Our lives are the ultimate expression of our continuing creativity.

Courageously Creative

 

It takes courage to live creatively, honoring your style and intuition.  Whether it be crafting a mobile home for dinosaurs or digging up a garden there is no one way to be creative.

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Winter Warmers

Getting out the gate to face the day on a chilly cold morning in winter is a challenge.  Following are some wake up and move tunes to warm your soul.  Hope you enjoy the musical tune up.

WAKE UP!

 

On top of the mountain

 

Oh Happy Days

 

Breakie

Dog days are over

Bee Happy

Thank you to these musical artists for warming our ears:

• Avicii
• Imagine Dragons
• Dreadtone
• Florence and the machines
• Men at Work
• Bob Marley