Family

There is considerable social pressure today for Mums and Dads to consider their careers, their mortgage and their own personal needs before having children.

The national annual birthrate is declining as Australians choose to restrict the size of their families, or not have children at all.

Sure! having kids all seems like hard work, personal sacrifice and considerable expense. But all this aside, the sacrifices made for children and the sharing of growth times together, can help parents to more fully understand the real meaning and depth of the love they have for each other.

It’s perhaps time we all reviewed how we feel about the value and dignity of families in Australia. What’s the point of promoting the development of national pride and getting all worked up about our flag and our immigration policies if, in the longer term, we can’t even replace ourselves.

To the over-populated countries of Asia, Australia must seem like a ‘Garden of Eden’. If more emphasis were to be placed by government at all levels in supporting and encouraging family growth then maybe this might engender a change in our current attitude.

In addition we would need to rethink where our priorities lie, bearing in mind the future of the country we are leaving our children. For it is my belief today’s families are tomorrow’s future.

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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Experience

The local team had lost that day, but they were still in the finals and the coach was determined the team would be given every opportunity to find ways that would enable them not to make the same mistakes when next they played.

A team meeting was arranged and the reasons for the loss carefully examined.  At training during the week the team practiced how they should play to overcome the weaknesses they had shown in their previous match.  This boosted their confidence and they were now looking forward to the final when they would once again meet the team that had beaten them.

Each day we are faced with events that we can use to enable us to learn how to confront similar happenings that might occur in our future.  Whether we choose to learn from these, or whether we’re happy to just have survived another day, is entirely up to us.

We can gain knowledge and wisdom, not from merely participating in events, but from using those event experiences to enrich our lives and the lives of others.

By the way, the local team won the Grand Final.

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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Entertainment

Today’s technology has rocketed us into an age where our choice of entertainment far exceeds anything ever available to past generations.

In days gone by, before the advent of electricity and commercially sponsored sport, ordinary people found great pleasure in, what today, would seem very simple pleasures indeed.

Nowadays, we are given convincing arguments through advertising why our novels and news feeds should contain more sensational revelations.  Our drama must be more sexual, our films and videos more blood curdling, our electronic games more violent and even our holidays organised to enable us to visit more exotic distant locations.

While much of our entertainment can offer us momentary satisfaction, we should never lose sight of the more durable pleasures that still abound in our highly technological world.

There is still our wonderful natural beauty all around us that can provide us with a sense of awe.  There is art, drama and literature that caters for the development of our imagination and enables us to keep in touch with reality.

Also, there is sport, that should not only develop discipline and our physical fitness, but our ability to compete fairly in a world where killing and winning seems to be the ultimate entertainment.  Sure, we should strive to win, but when we lose, we need to learn to lose with dignity.

Let’s make an effort to enjoy the simple pleasures of the quality entertainment available to us, generally at little or no cost.

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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Elections

Whenever there is an election in the wind, so the cynics all have comments to make.  I sometimes wonder whether the reason for much of our cynicism is that the knockers and wingers in our society are always ready to talk but tend to baulk at becoming pro-active.

With all the printed material we receive in the letterbox, the numerous advertisements we see on television and the phone surveys we are asked to complete, it does all tend to get a bit much.  However, it is important we consider our choice carefully, for we are fortunate to live in a democratic country and at the end of the day, our vote does count.

Be it a Federal, State or even a Local Government election there are always those who begrudge the time taken to attend the polling booth and this often adds to the informal vote count.  These are often people who couldn’t really care who wins or loses as they have become complacent and tend not to appreciate the democracy in which we are fortunate to live.  They have little, or no thought for the broader community yet are often the first to winge about political decisions they dislike.

Many promises are made by politicians prior to an election and we are often disillusioned if these promises are not fulfilled.  But, do we make an effort to keep our politicians honest by telling them of our concerns?  Are we prepared to write or contact our local representatives if things we believe should be happening are not?  Do we ever get to know our local representatives and what they are supposedly arguing for on our behalf?

Like many Australians we often tend to just go along with life and don’t discuss the taboo subjects of politics or religion.  We really should be thankful we live in a democracy, because the alternative would seriously affect our freedom and our Australian way of life, so let’s consider carefully who we vote for at the next election.

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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Dignity

It doesn’t hurt to stop occasionally and consider ways in which we all accept disability in our own or in others everyday life.

Obviously, there are varying degrees of human disability. Some people require constant care and attention and can perform only minor personal tasks without the assistance of others.  Some disabled people are extremely capable of contributing in so many ways to our society and often have wonderful talents to offer to organisations and future employers.

Many of our impaired brothers and sisters only need a little understanding, mixed with perhaps some special training or minor equipment modifications, to give them the opportunity to become a viable part of the workforce.

Disabled workers, who feel part of a workplace team, usually prove to be reliable and efficient.  There’s dignity in being able to work and in being accepted in society.

No one is perfect – we all suffer disabilities to different degrees. Let’s deliberately look beyond the outer casing of our bodily selves to find the real beauty and ability in each other.

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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Decisions

Decisions

A crew member from one of the big maxi-yachts on the Sydney – Hobart run was once heard to say that sailing isn’t hazardous as long as you don’t learn to swim.

He claimed that in an emergency, if a yacht broke up in pounding seas, the swimmers would try and make it to the shore and could be drowned in the attempt.  He, being a non swimmer, reasoned that the best he could do would be to cling to the wreckage and wait to be rescued.

Life can deal us all some serious blows from time to time and we might find ourselves facing up to a crisis that tears at our very heart strings and completely turns our life upside down.  Our first impulse may well be to attempt to escape from the situation immediately.

Generally, these are occasions when our reason tends to be controlled by our emotions.  They are not the best times to be making serious decisions that might well have some long term consequences.

Help will come eventually to those who realise the time is not right for instant decisions so they hang on and wait a while for the situation to settle down.  Perhaps it’s often wiser to cling to the wreckage for a bit and know that in the light of a new day, decision making will almost certainly become a lot easier.

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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Dads

Fathers day card

When our maker created Fathers, I’m sure during the manufacturing process the important role mapped out for Dads was high on the list.

Well! someone has to be around to look after Mums and kids, push the trolley at supermarkets, mend the pushbikes and pay for the neighbour’s broken window through which no one seemed to know who kicked the football.

As kids grow up, dads have a continuing role to maintain. They need to be available to support and assist their kids when they are confronted with adult decisions where dad’s experience and wisdom is required. Dads often become grandparents and helping to raise grandkids can be a whole new exciting experience.

Sometimes Dads can get grumpy when they are tired and the rock music emanating out of the wi fi  just happens to be loud enough to be heard by half the world.

Dads who are serious about their role will try and ensure their kids are respectful of others, understand the necessity for discipline and learn to communicate effectively.  Screen time must be controlled and pre-set family rules adhered to, irrespective of how important it might be to maintain relationships with school friends using text messaging.

But behind the often worried face of every Dad lies a heart that wants only good things for his kids.  Behind the rough exterior you generally find kindness, gentleness and a barrel full of tears that might be hidden from the world, but is there nevertheless.

One thing on which most Dads tend to agree is that it is important to always try and be around for their kids.  For all their faults and occasional grumpiness, Dads, irrespective of their age, should still be very special in all our lives and it is nice to tell them that occasionally.

Today would be a good day!

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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Courage

As a male, I can honestly say us blokes often tend to take so much for granted as we float through this life where often our major concern of the day centres around the weather, sporting fixtures or what we’ll do at the weekend.

However, as we all know, occasions can arise when everyone, both males and females, can be dealt a cruel blow that changes their normal pattern of living and causes them to alter their whole mental approach to life.

This type of situation tends to cause us to hurt deeply within ourselves and grieve for the pleasures and freedoms of what was our normal way of life.  The dark clouds of self rejection can roll in and we can find ourselves hiding within the confines of our own interior thoughts and mental anguish.

While the sun sets each day bringing darkness, night never lasts forever.  Just as in the early morning, the sky announces the coming of a new day, the sun rises to bring light into our life. We need always to have hope and look towards a positive future.

When times get rough, we all need some form of support.  Support that will enable us to gain the courage within ourselves to see each day as a new day and perhaps even a new beginning in our lives.

Let’s ensure while life is good we work hard to maintain our friendship with family and friends, for it is from them we will obtain the support we need when the going gets tough.

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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Coupleness

Couple

Being a creature of habit, I used to travel to work in the same train carriage each morning.  I recall how one day, as the train stopped at the city terminal, I could see on the station seat opposite my window, a young couple holding hands, facing each other, obviously enjoying each other’s company and apparently oblivious to the peak hour traffic passing them by.

Inwardly, I wished them well.  The next day the same scene greeted me again.  The couple were sitting in the same seat, smiling and chatting with each other.

Each morning I couldn’t help but notice the same couple in the same position. I just smiled to myself and thought what a wonderful way it was for this couple to start their working day.

The weeks turned into months and they maintained their morning ritual.  Then as suddenly as they came, they disappeared.

Afterwards I looked at the empty seat the couple occupied each morning for so long and wondered about their lives.  For me, it had been an enjoyable experience seeing them each morning.  Perhaps I might just be a bit of a romantic at heart, but I can genuinely say that It brightened up my day seeing them so happy.

I wondered whether the couple had affected any of the other regular commuters on their way to work, many of whom seemed to walk past with their thoughts obviously on their own concerns.

Maybe, if more couples were prepared to openly display their love for their partner, albeit just holding each other’s hand, it would be good for them, and it also could brighten up the day for those in the world around them.

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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Country Style

There are always lots of people around at show time. They are attracted by the town’s annual event and come from near and far for a variety of reasons.

Generally, it is an opportunity to show their annimals, exhibit their work, to catch up on old friendships, or just enjoy the fun of the fair.

At a recent Ekka in Brisbane, a group of city kids were heard slinging off at some of their country counterparts.  They were sniggering at the country kids’ high heeled boots, their checked shirts, their broad rimmed hats and even the way they walked.

The city kids couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to talk to a horse, see a pig as beautiful or be proud of a humped-back Brahman.

They were baffled why anyone would want to leave the bright lights, night life and action of city living for, what they saw, as the nothingness of the scrub.

The country kids were taking it all in.  You see, they knew when the Ekka was over, the city kids would leave the noise, bustle and pollution of sideshow alley for the noise, bustle and pollution of suburbia.  On the other hand, the country kids would enjoy returning to the tranquillity of the land, where they could be at peace with nature.

Living in the country may have its limitations, but it also has some peaceful advantages.

I’m Peter Mack and that’s life.

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