Today is one of those days when we can if we chose, pause for a moment to consider our blessings and express our gratitude. A couple of items come to mind:

1.The Death Literacy Conference held on 6th September at Parramatta (western Sydney) was an outstanding success.  Not just because it was well attended but because of the quality of the keynote speakers and content of their presentations.  The opportunity to network and share added to the significance that will multiply the impact way beyond the 6 hours spent engrossed in the detail embedded in the shared wisdom.  Next year it is to be held in Melbourne. For more go to The GroundSwell Project website.

2. Father’s Day highlights the need to acknowledge the dad’s who are doing their best to be a role model for their children. Putting aside the commercial hoo hah that seems to encroach on these days of celebration,there are many ways we can say thanks and express our appreciation for their contribution to our family life.  We also note that today there is a Father’s Day Games in Newcastle.  Will there be a Mother’s Day Games next time around?

3. Steel Fitchett writing in the Newcastle Herald (6 Sept. 2014) says that Dealing with pain (is) a step forward for men..He says: “Recently, there was a program on TV where men got way out of their comfort zone to talk about how destructive it had been for them trying to hide how they really felt.They had all been depressed and, at times, suicidal. They all agreed that it was so easy to say “I’m fine” when there was someone inside screaming to have a voice. The atmosphere changed totally when one man said: “I didn’t want to die, I just want to stop the pain.” Everyone there agreed.  I am so aware that we men are undergoing a very significant change with how we are dealing with internal pain.”  Read the full story at:  http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2539975/opinion-dealing-with-pain-a-step-forward-for-men/