Deck the Halls

Thursday marks the first day of summer, but also the first day of December – which can mean only one thing – time to Deck the Halls!

But which of these trees will you be putting up tomorrow……

The “White Christmas” Tree

Let the kids help trim the tree? You must be kidding right? Your kids with their mismatched, hotch-potch of tatty decs and awful looking things they made at kindy aren’t getting anywhere near YOUR tree. Whether you’ve gone for red and green or a modern colour-scheme, like everything in your life, your tree is organised, symmetrical and planned to the last bauble. Decking the halls is not a fun activity for you. It’s a military operation. And once it’s done? Strictly NO TOUCHING!

The “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” Tree

Your tree stands out in the crowd, just like you do. There are no rules about colour, heck the more flamboyant the better as far as you’re concerned. You’ve even found a peacock to stick on the top this year. You like to think you’re more laid back than “White Christmas” lady, but in reality, you’ll let the kids help you decorate the tree, then fix it up to your own standards later after they’ve all gone to bed. Best of both worlds right? Organised family fun!

The “We wish you a Merry Christmas” Tree

Your tree has everything but the kitchen sink on there, making your friends “White Christmas” and “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” gasp in horror. Tinsel, craft projects, garlands, old baubles from grandma, things YOU made when you were in school.  Your tree is filled with memories and that’s just the way you like it. There are no rules, and anything goes. Everyone can put anything anywhere on your tree and it just makes it all the better as far as you’re concerned. Who cares what it looks like once it’s up, the fun you’ll all have doing it is more important than how it turns out.

We'd love to see some photos of your tree. Why not share your pics once your tree is up this week?

Mike's Christmas Musings: Another Take on Rudolph

What is that famous Albert Einstein quote? :-

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree, it will live it’s whole life believing that it is stupid.”

We all have different gifts and abilities to contribute. We all also have aspects that, were a light to be shone on them, would make us look lacking or silly.

“Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” was a prime example. Poor old Rudolph was known for his “very shiny nose”. It was clearly an embarrassment as the other reindeer saw him as an object of derision and would laugh at him and call him names.

Whether or not Rudolph saw it that way, he was a victim of bullying at the hands of the other reindeer, and typical of bullying victims, he was excluded from joining in any reindeer games.

Rudolph was sorely in need of a break and it was left to good old Santa Claus to recognise his unique qualities and to give him the opportunity to show his skills in guiding Santa’s sleigh in his long trek from the North Pole.

Santa’s actions enabled the other reindeer to see Rudolph in a new light and suddenly, rather than the outcast, he was seen as the very able reindeer he was and quickly became the subject of much affection, some might even say a hero, as he pursued his worthwhile task and revelled in his new role.

Every day we meet people who seem downcast and lacking when judged by our often shallow human standards. Like Rudolph, all they often need is a break and the opportunity to display their unique talents and abilities.

Christmas is a time to recognise and unleash the good in others.

Like Rudolph, we all have the potential to be heroes as we navigate life’s journey.

Happy Christmas Rudolph, Happy Christmas Everyone.

(By the way, our capable panellists at Brisbane Mediations can assist with bullying issues.)

Parents: Three Habits you can ditch TODAY to make your life easier!

Is this your "to-do" list as November turns to December? School concerts, christmas shopping, family gatherings, the office party, picking up lay-bys, sorting childcare  for the school holidays.  The list seems to go on and on, and it can all start to feel pretty hectic, right?

Well, what if we told you there are THREE BAD HABITS you can ditch RIGHT NOW to make your life easier and get you from here to the end of the year in one piece? Interested? Read on.......

1. FORGET PERFECTION
Give yourself a break. You ARE good enough, and your ARE doing your best. Why beat yourself up about arriving late for the school concert because your work meeting ran later than expected? Your best is good enough. End of.

2. FORGET FLYING BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS
Preparation is key at this time of year. Set aside time once a week to plan meals, chart chores and put everyone's commitments in the family calendar. A little plan now can help avoid a lot of running around later in the week.

3. FORGET DOING IT ALL YOURSELF
You're not the only person in your household are you? It's time for EVERYONE who lives at your place to take some responsibility. Get lunches and backpacks ready for the next day the evening before, make sure everyone has looked out their clothes and whatever other gear they need for the next day. And spend some time checking the family calendar to make sure everyone knows whats coming up later in the week.

Ok, so we haven't waved a magic wand and made your list of chores any smaller, but we've given you some tips on how to plan, share and cope with it all better as the silly season approaches. Good luck!

"Unconditional Positive Regard" : Applying Eastern Philosophies to Mediation

We read an excellent article earlier this week by Joshua Neuder, Pychologist and Mediator, on “unconditional positive regard” and how to apply this to your mediation work.

The concept is that you accept others unconditionally, without judging their worthiness.

Through the use of various examples, Neuder demonstrates how understanding this concept can help us, as Mediators, to “compassionately orient ourselves to opposing parties and opinions”, benefitting those we are trying to mediate, but also refining us as human beings, and making us generally better all round. This fits really well with a “Mindful” approach to mediation work.

It also serves as a reminder that Mindfulness is not just one of the latest “hot topics” on the internet, but something we can all be embrace in our personal and professional lives.

Intersting reading. Click on the link below to read the full article. 

http://www.mediate.com/articles/NeuderJ1.cfm