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.)

Mediation and Neutral Experts

Some time ago, I blogged about the important role that forensic accountants play in family law property disputes.

Mediators can assist by bringing in a forensic accountant on behalf of the parties to assist with the accounting and business aspects of the matter.

Of course the use of neutral experts is not restricted to accountants, as a recent mediation showed.

One party was seeking to relocate with the parties child to Europe to marry her new partner. The father, as is not unusual, opposed the relocation. The new partner had exhausted his tourist visa, however had trade skills and an option arose as to whether he could enter Australia and remain here as a skilled migrant.

In this instance, the parties agreed to adjourn the mediation to obtain expert advice from a migration expert. An alternative would have been to bring a neutral expert to the table to advise on the migration aspects.

If the parties agree to engage a neutral expert and have them participate in the mediation then a solution can often be found and expensive court costs avoided.

Mike Emerson
Co-Principal Brisbane Mediations