Paul's Corner

I went to the movies yesterday with all of the girls - saw Alice in Wonderland and really enjoyed it! Love Tim Burton and love Jonny Depp!!

As you do we had pop corn and drinks and even an icecream - as did most people in the cinema. When the movie finished and we got up to leave the two ladies next to me with the three boys got up and got the boys up and let the cinema, they also left behind all their rubbish! Pop corn containers on the seat and on the floor, empty drink containers on the seats and on the floor, wrappers for the their lollies strewn upon the floor! As I and my girls gathered our rubbish to take up to the rubbish bins provided at the exit to the theatre I thought to myself "it starts at home".... there is this Mum taking her boys out to the cinema and teaching them that it is okay to not take responsibility for themselves or their "stuff", to not care about other people and to not respect the opportunities they have and are given by others. What a great shame!! Sometimes I wonder what hope we have for this world when something as easy as taking your own rubbish and putting it in the bin provided cant be done.

Perhaps I am over reacting but I know I am not because it is the little things that make the difference and those little things start at home.

if you can say that and absolutely believe it then you will have discovered a path to Nirvana. I say this because no matter what insurmountable obstacle or difficulty sits before, aft or to the side of you it will fade into insignicance. Yes things are tough, unfair, unjust and just plain suck at times but life too is full of perfect moments that we forget to acknowledge and honour and in doing so deny ourselves that which we seek constantly for - a profound place of peace - a place that is in easy reach to us all simply by acknowledging....:"this moment is perfect

Magazine and News Paper journos have become a lazy lot - well actually it is more likely their bosses cutting costs and so instead of beng interviewed face to face I am often sent a questionnaire asking if I could fill in the blanks using about 400 words and send it back. These questionnaires can cover subjects like whats in your shopping basket, 6 things you cant do with out, list your three geatest moments, list your three greatest failures etc you get the picture. So below is my response to the latest questionnaire sent to me asking that I write about 4 things I think are good, three that are bad and one ugly.

I thought I would post it here as I haven't posted anything for a while and this is part of what I do and who I am. It may or may not stir people up a bit which may or may not be a good thing.

Thinking is not dangerous action with out thought is.

Good

Beer -- often called nectar of the gods and for good reason too. Not only does it taste good and make you feel quite pleasant (in moderation of course) but the making of it employs hundreds of people from farmers, chemists, truck drivers, manufacturers, marketers, publicans, chefs and of course brewers. So I feel good knowing every time I have a glass of the amber nectar I am helping to keep hundreds of Aussies in jobs!

Family -- It is not always easy but it is fun, full of laughter, love and the smell of cooking onions and garlic and it makes me complete. It has made me a far far better man than I ever could have hoped to be.

Choice -- some would say there are two choices in life - a good choice or a bad choice but I have discovered that there really is only one choice -- and that is to choose Happiness. If you choose to be happy, you will be, and all other choices you make in life when you are in that happy state will be good ones because you were happy to make them.

Love -- it is about the spiritual and positive connection to oneself and thereby to the world around us. It is infinite and insatiable the more you give the more you get -- it makes the world go around.

Bad -- Religion --More wars have been fought and more people have been raped, tortured, maimed and murdered all in the name of religion than for any other reason in the history of the world. Let’s face it the world would be a much safer and happier place if we did away with religion.

My disappearing hair line -- it's a bit like life really there is nothing you can do about it but make the best of it and just go along with the ride and eventually do the only thing left to you and shave your head.

Emission Trading Scheme/Politicians/Desalination Plants -- it seems to me as a humble observer that there are many decisions being made by bored politicians without enough thought being put into them. How are fish in the sea supposed to cope with millions of tons of salt being added back into the ocean? How is the planet going to cope with the extra pollution created by burning the extra coal to create the extra power needed to run the Desal plant? How are any of us going to be able to pay the extra taxes on top of the extra charges being levied on all commodities by the lazy politicians because of this misguided idea of an ETS? The world is going mad.

Ugly -- people that don't smile. A simple smile is a wonderful gift not only does it spread joy it makes you feel good and also shows ones inner beauty!

I have just finished watching My Biggest Fan with my wife and my three daughters and we all thought it was a wonderful heart felt journey into some truly beautiful people! Even you too Ellie!

Wow, what a refreshing and honest approach Tara took and what a wonderful; insight into Millie and her life! It was so lovely to see you guys and get a glimpse of your life and to also see and meet your lovely daughters. I am just buzzed!!! My wife and daughters really enjoyed the whole journey and of course we have a vested interest in it as their Dad was a part of it!

Tara what a wonderful and honest story told thank you.
Millie you are truly a wonderful woman.
Ellie love the hats and what a cool dude you are!

After talking and reading from you guys it was a privelige to meet you through Tara's film.

I am now your biggest fan!

much love

Paul, Andrea, Elise, Emily and Erin

I'm tired of saying things

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired

I hate feeling like I hate feeling

I get annoyed at getting annoyed

I'm over being over it

I get frustrated every time I get frustrated

Ive had enough of having enough

Why do I allow my negativity to feed my negativity....

I never get sick or tired or annoyed or hateful or negative or get over choosing happiness.

why does it seem easier to feed our negative side than it does our positive side?

worry begets worry

joy begets joy

they are not the same but they are companions.

I wish you all a very merry Xmas!

and now I must stop myself from talking about how tough this year has been as I will leave that to my New Years post - but it has been tough hasnt it. Much changed over the year good and bad, some of us have lost loved ones and some have gained some!

My Xmas wish is that we embrace the past and give thanks for what we have right now! In this moment be grateful for the good in our lives, the love we have and love we are able to give. Be thankful and in being thankful feel the joy that that brings and therefore be joyful and spread it around!!

XMAS CHEER TO YOU ALL!

Yep today Andrea and I have been married for 22 years!!!!

Struth!

Some one asked me what was the secret or the key to 22 years of what would seem a successful marriage....my answer is:

1. communication - speak and listen...be honest in your communication....it is unconditional meaning it must need be open, honest and complete

2. unconditional love - no matter what, the basis of the relationship is just that - an unconditional love - thereby the commitment being to each other and working through what ever problems arise. Being married is about freedom not about boundaries but about freedom to love. That is a journey which is most rewarding and spectacular.

3. the absolute desire to grow and better oneself as an individual and as a married couple

The above points set the responsibility upon us, the challenge is to be completly open and honest. Lastly I would add be greatful and be rejoiceful for it is a wonderful thing to be in love after 22 years!

I am.

They say that time heals pain but I have found that it doesnt. It softens, deadens, eases, gentles, dilutes, lulls us into a space that only distance can provide - a kind of temporary shelter from the storm. And as is natures nature the storm comes and with it the pain comes searing back - hot, ready, raw and real.

Thankfully it's hold is only momentary, I guess that is the one gift time gives us.

I cant help but wonder what my brother would be like and what he would be doing as he enters his 45th year of life. It has been nine years since he decided he no longer wanted to be part of lifes journey and I miss him as if it was the day after he departed. No, time doesnt really heal pain it just stays it - keeps it at bay for as long as it can until a time comes that pain comes gracefully and brutally knocking at the door of my day.

That day is today my brothers birthday.

Death is something that must happen it is a natural by product of life, suicide however isnt, it is an unatural by product of fear and is just a waste.

We brought Selby into the family a few weeks ago and he is an absolutely lovely if slightly cheeky little puppy. He is a white shephard/husky cross with a little bit of samoid in there also.

Some people have commented on the fact that we got a replacement for Lady - which has annoyed me - nothing can replace Lady - Selby is a new member of our family, a companion to Charlie and a big white gaurd dog for Andrea and the Gilrs when I go away. I miss Lady very much and every time I get on to the Corner I see her and it hurts a little that she just went so fast and without warning....

The photo of Selby is when we had just brought him home and now hwe is twice as big so I wil post another photo soon.