I went for a long walk yesterday. I took a path along Adelaide's west parklands to the West Terrace Cemetery and back again. All told it was about 5 kilometres and I felt really good - given that I am still recovering from my ruptured Achilles tendon and broken ankle. I find the cemetery aContinue reading "Life In A Place Of Death."
A Gem At The Bottom Of The Shelf – Reading North to the Orient by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
I don't know why it captured my eye. It was just another spine on a shelf of dozens of other spines. I'm talking about book spines by the way. A secondhand bookshop I have come to frequent here in Adelaide has amassed the most amazing collection of Penguin paperback titles - from the classic orangeContinue reading "A Gem At The Bottom Of The Shelf – Reading North to the Orient by Anne Morrow Lindbergh."
Grandeur Of The Gilded Age – Visiting Martindale Hall.
There's a place here in South Australia that I have wanted to visit ever since I moved here in the mid 90's but somehow, never got around to it. In the Clare Valley - roughly a 90 minute drive from Adelaide and tucked away in rolling green meadows reminiscent of the English countryside, stands aContinue reading "Grandeur Of The Gilded Age – Visiting Martindale Hall."
All Up In My Own Head.
My journal prompt for today asks the following; Can I keep my cool when receiving disturbing news? Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman, The Daily Stoic Journal. I know I need to keep my cool. We all do. It is the stoic ideal state of mind as we travel through our daily lives. A virtue thatContinue reading "All Up In My Own Head."
An Israeli Bloodlust.
The most frightening book I have ever read is the 1982 graphic novel "When The Wind Blows" by Raymond Briggs. Released at the height of the Cold War 1980's, it was a visual parable against nuclear war, told with painfully little dialogue. Because, of course, it didn't need any. Through a series of strip cartoons,Continue reading "An Israeli Bloodlust."
Better.
I remember when I got my pen licence in Grade 3. I was so proud. Mrs Fuhnell gave out brightly coloured certificates and I treasured mine for what seemed like ages. Last week, I got my clearance certificate from my surgeon, allowing me to return to work after six long months of surgery, recovery andContinue reading "Better."
Look Mummy, The Tower Is Falling Down.
I took an interest in a recent episode of "The Minefield" on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio National in which a discussion around political slogans and buzz words caught my attention and had me thinking for quite a few days afterwards. In the after glow of Australia's recent federal election, in which the Labor governmentContinue reading "Look Mummy, The Tower Is Falling Down."
Hide Away – A Thursday Doors Writing Challenge.
I have to confess that, as a writer, I haven't been overly good at writing on the fly. It used to be the way I'd start my stories and writing projects. I was proud of being a perennial "pantster". As I have continued to hone my craft over the years however, I have become moreContinue reading "Hide Away – A Thursday Doors Writing Challenge."
A Q&A With Myself.
I have written about a lovely author friend of mine, Darlene Foster, who I met when I first became published with Central Avenue Publishing. Darlene is an author of a lovely series of books for young adults called "Amanda In..." where her protagonist Amanda travels all over the world and has adventures in many andContinue reading "A Q&A With Myself."
Pilates, Bolognese Sauce & Routine.
I've been thinking about the phrase, "We are all creatures of habit". Routines are fundamental to human experience. They ground us. They give us meaning. They give us freedom. Without routines, we become uncoupled and we drift. We become alienated from the world around us. We lose our sense of meaning and purpose. I noticedContinue reading "Pilates, Bolognese Sauce & Routine."
Turn The Corner.
I like butter and Vegemite on a piece of bread. This thought came to me as I made that very snack after having my lunch this afternoon. My wife buys this amazing sourdough loaf with seeds in it and it is so lovely either toasted or untoasted. With some butter and a healthy spread ofContinue reading "Turn The Corner."
The Seventh Week.
I don't know whether to call this week 7 or week 16. So much time has passed and January 16th - the day I had my first surgery to repair my ruptured Achilles tendon - feels like a lifetime ago. Even March 18th - the day of my second repair, seven weeks ago - feelsContinue reading "The Seventh Week."
My “Pretty Woman” Right Turn.
Occasionally, random memories will return to me without any prompting on my part. It is an involuntary phenomenon – quite outside myself, though I’m sure there’s a trigger I’m not seeing. This morning, for example, I was ferrying a plastic bag of dog poop to the rubbish bin at the side of our house andContinue reading "My “Pretty Woman” Right Turn."
Less.
What would less look like? The Daily Stoic Journal, Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. Less noise...Less visual stimuli...Less advertising, pressure selling, consumerism...A less frenetic stream of thought...Less news...Less social media...Less arguing, shouting, screaming...A less addictive need to scroll... Calm...Reflection...A conversation...A beer on a balcony overlooking a setting sun... Sleepiness...Mindfulness...Alone with my silence...A cup of coffeeContinue reading "Less."
Testing My Impressions.
Can I step back and test my impressions? What would I find if I did? The Daily Stoic Journal, Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. I have not always been very good at testing my impressions. I have tended to react to my impressions without thinking. I have gone with my "gut". I have made snapContinue reading "Testing My Impressions."
The Self As A Foreign Country.
What bad assumptions, habits, or advice have I accepted? The Daily Stoic Journal, Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. I have lived long enough now to know there are too many to count. When I look back over the course of my life so far, I can zoom in on many occasions where I have assumedContinue reading "The Self As A Foreign Country."
The Colours Within.
What thoughts are colouring my world? The Daily Stoic Journal, Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. Sometimes, the Calm of a Sunrise.Sometimes, the Reason of a Wise Elder.Sometimes, the Method of a Carpenter.Sometimes, the Beauty of an Orchestra.Sometimes, the Majesty of the Sea; A solid two master cresting the waves. Sometimes, the Intimacy of a moment,Continue reading "The Colours Within."
The Poisoned Childhood.
Why do I care so much about impressing people? The Daily Stoic Journal, Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. A long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away...) I was an impressionable child growing up in a small country town where change was slow. At times, the modern world seemed forever out of reach toContinue reading "The Poisoned Childhood."
State Of Play – An Achilles Update.
This week, I'm sharing an update from my Instagram feed - an IG Live video I recorded a couple of days ago. To say things have been difficult of late would be an understatement. I reflect on my recovery from an Achilles tendon repair, the mental game that has forced me into. I will sayContinue reading "State Of Play – An Achilles Update."
Reviving Classic Narratives in Film: A Call to Action
In comments to the entertainment magazine Variety this past week, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino despaired at the state of the Hollywood movie industry. “Well, what the fuck is a movie now? What — something that plays in theaters for a token release for four fucking weeks?” Tarantino said. “All right, and by the second week youContinue reading "Reviving Classic Narratives in Film: A Call to Action"
Stingray – A Love Story.
It began so sweetly. A balmy morning on the last Sunday between Christmas and New Year. The promise of a beautiful Adelaide, summer's day. I got down to the water early, keen to rig up and get going. The conditions promised perfection in terms of sailing and I was so confident, I treated myself toContinue reading "Stingray – A Love Story."
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Star Wars.
For those of you who have been living in the real world and not in the world of one of my great pop culture loves - Star Wars - you probably wouldn't have heard about the most recent Disney Star Wars streaming series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. To catch you up, Skeleton Crew is anContinue reading "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Star Wars."
A Better Onion.
Am I going to get a little bit better today? Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman, The Daily Stoic Journal. My first impulse in trying to answer this question, was to say yes. It is the ideal answer - the answer I can declare from the outset and then push myself to achieve. In the companionContinue reading "A Better Onion."
Contending…
Are you living with dignity and courage?" Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman, The Daily Stoic. I live my life with a focus on my duties as a provider, as a father, as a Nurse and as a husband. I don't always get these duties exactly right all the time. I make mistakes. I reckon withContinue reading "Contending…"
The Wisdom of Feeling.
I happened across this blog from Theologian Rod Benson this week and in his latest entry, he shares some thoughts from philosopher Bertrand Russell that I felt both compelling and moving. The basic thrust of his argument is that philosophy is not a pursuit whereby we have to surrender any and all emotions and orderContinue reading "The Wisdom of Feeling."
Israel.
What book are you reading right now? Hannah Arendt's 'The Origins Of Totalitarianism'. I began reading it because I wanted to understand the roots of antisemitism in view of the worldwide response following the October 7th attacks by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel in 2023. I have been, at various times, bewildered by the outrageContinue reading "Israel."
Catching A Breeze.
We're heading into the long Australian summer down under and for me, it's going to be filled with many days engaging in one of my favourite pastimes - sailing my 1960's era Sparrow class sailing dinghy. I have written about my love of sailing before, sharing my thoughts about its freedom and soul nourishing benefits.Continue reading "Catching A Breeze."
The Consequence.
The mob always will shout for "the strong man," the "great leader." For the mob hates society from which it is excluded. Hannah Arendt. It was inevitable. I tried to believe that something else would happen but I knew it in my bones - the outcome. Sitting here now, in the fallout, digesting it... ItContinue reading "The Consequence."
Friends In Fine Places
Of the many wonderful authors I've met over the years, one of my favourites has been undoubtedly the lovely and ever gracious Darlene Foster. Darlene has made her mark as a children's author and her series Amanda In... has been a staple in our home for many years. My daughter learnt to read with theContinue reading "Friends In Fine Places"
The Battle Lines for my Soul.
Reflecting on my life recently, it is clear to me that anxiety has played a huge role - and it has metastasized into behaviors that have been destructive. My anxiety has fueled my anger and my thought processes to view the world and the situations around me incorrectly. The storm in my head. This week,Continue reading "The Battle Lines for my Soul."
The Contest.
This week, I listened to a fascinating conversation between renowned psychiatrist and philospher Iain McGilchrist, Christian Apologist Justin Brierley & Christian Journalist & Broadcaster Belle Tindall on Seen & Unseen's Re-echanting podcast. Iain McGilchrist is a psychiatrist and philosopher, and author of the books ‘The Master And His Emissary’ and ‘The Matter With Things’.Iain’s thesisContinue reading "The Contest."
How My Soul Is Nourished.
Today's Daily Stoic prompt from Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman goes like this; Am I working to make my soul stronger than any Fortune? They illustrate this prompt with an example of the ancient philosopher Cato the Younger, a man who had enough material wealth to afford fine clothing, yet he was often seen aboutContinue reading "How My Soul Is Nourished."
Forcing Friendship.
I came across this quote this week and it affected me; "When I was young I asked more of people than they could give: everlasting friendship, endless feeling. Now I know to ask less of them than they can give: a straightforward companionship. And their feelings, their friendship, their generous actions seem in my eyesContinue reading "Forcing Friendship."
Curing Myself…Maybe.
Today's prompt in Ryan Holiday's "The Daily Stoic Journal" asks the following question; Where can I learn to laugh rather than cry? Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman, The Daily Stoic Journal. Most things in life are utterly absurd - the unrelenting 24 hour news cycle, the endless carousel of social media we distract ourselves with,Continue reading "Curing Myself…Maybe."
The Death Of Star Wars.
"God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers?" Frederich Nietzsche. Those who know me well and those who have read any of my writing over the past 15 years will know how much I love George Lucas' Star Wars. The iconic mythologyContinue reading "The Death Of Star Wars."
The Great Betrayal.
Albert Camus, the French writer, journalist and philosopher, wrote in a speech in 1951 which examined the October General Election in Britain the following, "For a century, European socialism has given priority to the philosophy of its leaders over the concrete interests of its working class troops". Albert Camus, November 1951. Further, Camus wrote that,Continue reading "The Great Betrayal."
On The Consideration Of Harm.
Why am I telling myself that I've been harmed? Ryan Holiday & Stephen Handelman. Habit? Learned behaviour? I can recall many instances from my past in which I can say that I have programmed myself to think in a certain way in interactions with other people - adults, parents, contemporaries. This has been a harmfulContinue reading "On The Consideration Of Harm."
Five Needles.
"Behind every beautiful thing, there is some kind of pain." Bob Dylan. In what is becoming a regular thing for me, every few months I am required to have injections into my spine. This is done to arrest the worst of the neuropathic pain I experience as a result of damage to my spinal cord,Continue reading "Five Needles."
Possession.
"Which of my possessions own me?"I was thinking about the things which have possession over me before I returned to my Nursing duties last night after a month off. I was so worried about going back. I had this irrational fear that I'd forget how to be a Nurse. I had this feeling of beingContinue reading "Possession."
Writer Diary – Impostor Syndrome & Sliding Into Christmas.
Even after 15 years of (serious) writing - with 5 published novels under my belt - I remain prone to the affliction of Impostor Syndrome. I felt its harsh slap once again, just last week when I was engaging with a writer friend of mine online - the uber talented Ashleigh Oldfield. We were discussingContinue reading "Writer Diary – Impostor Syndrome & Sliding Into Christmas."
Writer Diary – Clearing The Fog.
I'm a little further along from where I was last week. Having immersed myself in the vagaries of wills and estate law, I am gradually teasing out what I believe to be a competent story thread dealing with the bequest of a property and the subsequent rescinding of that bequest. I emailed around to differentContinue reading "Writer Diary – Clearing The Fog."
Writer Diary – The Frustration Of Learning To Be An Expert.
I've had a frustrating morning. I have been trying to work out a difficult story thread for a project I'm working on and, as I sit here with a cup of tea at midday, I don't feel I'm any closer to unravelling it. The story thread involves a property dispute and a will. A characterContinue reading "Writer Diary – The Frustration Of Learning To Be An Expert."
The Arrival – A Meditation.
Author's Note - November 2023: I began working on this essay several months ago when I felt I had arrived at a point where I could sit down and reflect on some personal events that have taken place over the past year. I was finally free of a tumultuous period which had taken its tollContinue reading "The Arrival – A Meditation."
I Am A Joyful Donkey.
"Can I seek joy today in purpose, excellence and duty?" Ryan Holiday & Stepehen Hanselman, The Daily Stoic Journal - prompt for July 31st. I opened my journal on Sunday morning to this simple question. More than any other question since I've been practicing daily (roughly) journalling, this one stuck with me and I've beenContinue reading "I Am A Joyful Donkey."
The Tyrannical Father.
The tyrannical omnipotent father is represented in mythology in the image of the devouring father, associated particularly with Chronos/Saturn who represents the archetype of the senex (Old Man). (Jung 1955, para. 298). I write this days afrer the occurance, having wrestled with whether to re-visit it at all. It is painful to reflect on my failingsContinue reading "The Tyrannical Father."
The Sail.
If you had said to me way back in the summer months of early 2023 that the weather would still be favourable for sailing in July - our mid-winter here in Australia - I would have laughed in your face. And yet, here we are, in the depths of the Australian winter and I'm doingContinue reading "The Sail."
The Struggle For Art.
The romantic image of the struggling artist has been portrayed in art for as long as art has existed. But it is an idea that I think should be rejected out of hand in our modern time. Here's something I've been thinking about over the past few days. After my yearly tax return appointment thisContinue reading "The Struggle For Art."
Revelation.
A prompt in my copy of "The Daily Stoic Journal" got me thinking hard today. What can this adversity show me? Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman, 'The Daily Stoic Journal'. Character. When I consider the adversities I have faced in recent years with my spinal cord and my recurrent spinal cord tumour, I have triedContinue reading "Revelation."
A Search For The Lighter Side.
I was in town (Adelaide) with my daughter yesterday afternoon and we stopped by a little bookshop that has quickly become a favourite of mine - mainly because it has this killer collection of second hand Penguin titles for $7AUD. It's called Page Turner by the way. I've been reading some heavy material lately. IContinue reading "A Search For The Lighter Side."
Long Live The Chicken Walker.
Each Australian winter, I like to buy a model kit to tinker with when the weather draws in and prevents me from doing anything else. Like writing, model building scratches my creative itch and I enjoy the past time. It challenges me, allows me to concentrate and problem solve and I find the endeavor therapeutic.Continue reading "Long Live The Chicken Walker."
God Meets Us Where We Are: But Will You Know Him When You Meet Him?
Today, I'm sharing a thought provoking piece from a really compelling writer and thinker in this space, Kevin G. Drendel. While I have opened myself to Christian thinking, I have yet to have definitive experience of God that I can certain about. I realise I have a long way to go. DFA. If your eyesContinue reading "God Meets Us Where We Are: But Will You Know Him When You Meet Him?"
Dean Mayes - Australian Author & ICU Nurse 