Category: Daily Prompt

Welcome To Sydney

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Sydney, Australia is a beautiful part of the world. It is set around nature. Sydney Harbour—arguably one of the best in the world is on one side, with national parks on all other sides. It is a multi-cultural city, with people from all parts of the world, often living in pockets of like-minded people—mixing original customs with their new life, which adds to the vitality of the area. As a result, in Sydney, we can source all ingredients for international cooking by going to the specialist communities.

The strangest thing for first time visitors to Sydney may depend on where they are coming from. Living near Sydney Olympic Park—Sydney’s major sporting and entertainment venue—on the train I regularly overhear conversations of newcomers to the area discussing their first impression of Sydney.

Fellow Australians coming from the country Australia discuss:

  • Trains – how they work and how easy they are to use
  • The number of people
  • The traffic
  • The multiculturalism of the city
  • The fast pace of life
  • How long it takes to get anywhere

International visitors discuss:

  • Our sporting obsession
  • How fast we talk
  • Our strange slang and colloquialisms—they thought we spoke English
  • How slow our trains system is
  • How long the flight was
  • The temperature—especially with the high temperature and humidity in Summer

Wherever you come from, always remember you are welcome. We love visitors and it appears visitors love us. According to the following websites, Sydney is rated one of the top cities in the world to visit.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best-cities-2014-winners-list#top-cities-overall

http://news.distractify.com/culture/trip-advisor-top-cities/?v=1

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Luna Park North Sydney View

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Sydney Harbour Bridge

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View Over Sydney City

So, come on Down Under. Our beaches, plants and animals are unique. Join the millions of others who have experienced our relaxed, fun-loving way of life. There will always be someone to say—G’Day Mate.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/welcome-stranger/

Big Day Ahead

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In Australia, today is the 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final. One of the largest sporting events annually in Australia, the Grand Final is broadcast nationally and internationally across many countries. This year the two teams left standing of the original 16—South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs. The last time these two teams faced each other in a grand final was in 1967, as the Rabbitohs last won a premiership in 1971. Both teams have very loyal fans—honour and pride is at stake.

For many, the big day out begins with the commute to Sydney to attend the game and carnival atmosphere at Sydney Olympic Park. If you are one of the lucky 83 000 plus who will be attending the game, your day is planned out for you. Anyone like myself who lives in the area can minimise the stress by getting into the spirit at home, staying off all roads leading into Olympic Park and if attending the festivities, walk.  Helicopters fly over head regularly, providing security checks as the afternoon progresses and become part of the build up to game time.

The general population, relieve their anxieties and pre-game nerves by organising and attending Grand Final parties at home or where possible by watching the game at their local Leagues Club. These family B-B-Q’s and parties have developed their own traditions, usually include several drinks and if your regular team is not in the Grand Final, every one attending will choose a preferred team to win and follow them. Sometimes this team may be the one they dislike the least.

 

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So wherever you are around the globe, join us if you can for our big day ahead and learn a little about Australian culture as you go. Its been along time coming and following in the family tradition of being Bunnies supporters, I will dress in red and green and hope my sisters’ team gets up tonight.

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Go The Rabbitohs

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/big-day-ahead/

Howling At The Moon

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“Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.” — Allen Ginsberg

Do you follow Ginsberg’s advice — in your writing and/or in your everyday life?

I love a bright, full moon. It appears to call me, drawing my attention to it from wherever I am. It reminds me of the marvels of the universe and how anything is possible if we believe—man landing on the moon.

The moon controls the tides and my experience is that it also affects human behaviour. Working in acute psychiatry, traditionally the night of the full moon would be the busiest for the month, with more people presenting to emergency centres requiring help with their mental health for various reasons. There doesn’t seem to be any agreed reason for this situation, but many people can attest to it being true.

China 1-9-13 G Tunnel 312

My favourite full moon I saw in China during the mid Autumn Moon Festival in 2013. It was bright full and red—although very difficult to photograph. The Chinese people celebrate the power of the moon in this family celebration that dates back more than 3,000 years.

Moving forward, I think the time of the full moon each month would be a great time for reflection and goal setting for the next month. Speaking our goals out loud makes them real and gives them power. What better way to do that than to howl them to the moon. If required you can plan for this event by checking the date of the next full moon on any calendar. Let’s join with others who for centuries have used the power of the moon to help them achieve their goals.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/howl-at-the-moon/ 

World Smile Day

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Today, 3rd October is World Smile Day. The happy smiley face was created in 1963 by Harvey Ball. Ball states that “World Smile Day is open to every person on the planet. No matter what colour they are, or who they might pray to, no matter what country they live in.”

In celebrating World Smile Day, Harvey simply asks “each person to live the day with a generous heart, do one kind act and help one person smile.”

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Google Images World Smile Day 2014

How can you make someone’s day, today? It is the little gestures that make a difference. Use today to launch your new—one act of kindness daily plan. Pay kindness forward and see how quickly your world changes.

Although the following film clip has no bearing on World Smile Day, I couldn’t resist putting it into the post as I think it is a clever part of the movie—Forest Gump.

What do you think?

Have a great day and smile.

 http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/ready-set-done-3/

 

 

I Think, No—I Write

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To be, to have, to think, to move — which of these verbs is the one you feel most connected to? Or is there another verb that characterizes you better?

I find myself regularly using the phrase, I think. I hate the phrase. What does it mean anyway? It is okay if you are explaining exactly what you think, however, I find that I use the phrase like a question. For example:

“The meeting is on Wednesday, I Think?”

If, however, you want the statement to be more powerful, consider the following

“I am telling you that I think, it is important to do…. because……”

My other favourite verb is ‘ to write.’ I can think thousands of thoughts daily but, they only become truly mine, when I write them in either my blog or my book. Writing, helps me to clarify my thoughts and ensures I am using  a phrase correctly. Writing also helps me take the useless—I think—out of my vocabulary. Instead, practicing clarity and power around my thoughts, allows me to emphasis my thoughts as own. And, it is completed by perfecting my use of the statement—I Think.

 

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/verbal-confirmation/

The Great Divide

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When reading for fun, do you usually choose fiction or non-fiction? Do you have an idea why you prefer one over the other?

I love books. Every bookstore or market I pass, if I have time, I will enter—my favourities are the second hand ones. I love the smell, texture and feel of older books. I also love hunting for the hidden treasures.

My preferred books are non-fiction—self-help, success manuals or cooking books. I love the Dummies series and have many titles in areas that interest me—coaching/mentoring, publishing, computers and psychology—just to name a few.

The authors of some my success manuals include, such great leader and teachers as—Jack Canfield, Anthony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad), John Bradshaw and Spencer Johnson (Who Moved the Cheese).

One of the reasons I prefer non-fiction books is that they match my writing style. My imagination isn’t vivid so I describe things as they are. The more conversational the better, as I do struggle with formal writing. If there is a purpose behind why I want to read it, I will preserve. Otherwise, I will give up and move on to something else that catches my attention.

My preference for non-fiction books definitely helps me, as I complete my book on how eating disorder recovery is possible. I have worked in the field for over 20 years and my book is full of the practical knowledge I have learnt along the way.

Whichever side of the great divide you sit, what is important is that you read for fun. It is the best way to improve your writing.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/the-great-divide/

 

Life Is A Juggling Act

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“Perhaps too much of everything is as bad as too little.” – Edna Ferber

Do you agree with this statement on excess?

Life is a juggling act. You can definitely have too much of everything as well as have too little. It’s a continuum and like with most things the answer lies in the middle—the grey area. To help explain my point, I will use fats as an example. Everyone agrees that you can eat too many fats—most people do. Did you also know that you can also not have enough.

Fats are an essential part of a healthy and balanced diet and are essential for the healthy regulation and management of every function in your body and brain. Dietitians state that the exact amount required will vary with the individual, but 30% of your daily dietary requirements should come from fats. This is healthy.

The problem is that most people eat an excess of fats, some up to twice the recommended amount. Most diets also include trans fats which can lead to medical conditions such as:

  • heart disease
  • obesity
  • cholesterol
  • high blood pressure
  • type 2 diabetes

Fats helps us to absorb vitamins A, D, E  and K and provide the essential fatty acids our body cannot make itself. These essential fatty acids are required to make our brain work and function effectively. Our brain is 60% fat and requires a regular supply of fats to work. Without fats in our body, our brain is unable to think and work properly and can shrink in size—a physical symptom of Anorexia Nervosa. The brain will only return to its regular size and function with weight gain and a regular supply of fats.

Using this example, draw your own continuum for other things can you think of that are as bad in excess as they are if we have too little of them. Remember everything is juggling act and you can find the workable grey area for all things.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/no-excess/

Make It Count

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You’ve been given the opportunity to send one message to one person you wouldn’t normally have access to. Who’s the person you choose, and what’s the message?

My message is a life skill and is for everyone. Arguments and disagreements happen regularly. But how do you know when to push your point and when to back off. The answer can be found in five little words.

“Is it worth the argument?”

No. I’m talking about for the sake of pride but what the outcome needs to be. If the answer is “yes, it is,” continue with your argument and make it count. It is however important to keep checks on how your argument is going. Ask yourself regularly, “is it worth the argument?” Because what was once worth the argument at any point may no longer be working. Discussions may have become heated, nasty and overemotional. If left to continue they may begin to have a marked impact on the relationship between the people involved. The argument itself hasn’t changed but discussing it any further at that moment “is not worth it.” Both parties need space to consider and hear what the other person is saying. During this time, stop the argument. Consider a statement that works for you, similar to the following.

“We need to stop now, this is no longer working. No further discussions will be entered into.”

One example of the above situation may be parents/teachers setting boundaries with teenagers about acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour. It may take them years to understand but keeping them safe is definitely worth the argument.

One the other hand, arguing about smaller issues isn’t worth the argument. Does it really matter whether the cup is blue or green when it could be described as either?

Next time you find yourself arguing with someone or even yourself—make it count. Ensure whichever way you go, you are moving forward.

 

 

 http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/make-it-count/

Curve Balls

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When was the last time you were completely stumped by a question, a request, or a situation you found yourself in? How did you handle it?

I am no longer tricked by curve balls. As a Toastmaster for the last 4 years, I practice dealing with curve balls every week in our impromptu speaking section called Table Topics.

The idea behind this part of the program is to learn to deal with curve balls—efficiently and effectively. The Table Topics master (Toastmaster in-charge of the section), draws up a list of questions and fellow Toastmasters are required to speak on the topic for 1 minute with no notice. The questions are usually related to the theme for the meeting and are unusual.

Once a year, Toastmaster International runs a Table Topics competition and all Toastmasters against compete with each other. Last month, I won our club’s Table Topics competition and next weekend I will compete in the Area competition for our club. Here’s hoping that I can handle this curve ball when it is thrown my way.

If you struggle with what to say, consider looking into developing your skills further in a Toastmasters club in your area. http://www.toastmasters.org/

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Greetings, Stranger

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You’re sitting at a café when a stranger approaches you. This person asks what your name is, and, for some reason, you reply. The stranger nods, “I’ve been looking for you.” What happens next?

I looked around the room to confirm the stranger was addressing me as he entered the room. There was nobody else, so I smiled and replied.

“How can I help you? Are you looking for me personally?”

“Yes, I have been following you for the last few months and wanted to give you some feedback” said the stranger.

“Okay.” I was curious but not concerned as the tone of the strangers voice was soft, gentle and affirming.

“I’m Sam. What would you like to tell me?”

“The reason I have been following you is several months ago you grabbed my mother and pulled her from the path of an oncoming bus, probably saving her life.”

“I remember. She is a sweet old lady. How is she going? My actions weren’t special, I only did what anyone else would have done in the circumstances.”

“I disagree,” said the stranger. “It wasn’t an isolated case was it?”

“No” I replied. “My New Years resolution has been to pay kindness forward. To lookout everyday for situations where I can give help, support or guidance to anyone in need.”

“And I am here to tell you that you have been doing an excellent job. My mother pointed you out after her incident as she knew who you were. Since then, I have seen you help many people from all walks of life.”

“Thanks! I enjoy seeing the gratitude and smiles on peoples faces after our connection.” I assured the stranger.

“I wanted to find you because my company wants to  reward people like yourself. I will be starting an award in your name to be given monthly to people in our community who go out of their way to help others. You will be the initial recipient and we will donate $500 to the charity of your choice.  You will receive a thank you certificate acknowledging your recognition.”

“I wasn’t expecting any reward, although supporting my favourite charity is an excellent way to continue the pay it forward principal. Thank you. I am honoured and humbled.”

 http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/greetings-stranger/