Latest GetUp! Campaign: Victorian Mental Health Reform

Mental ill health is the leading killer of Australians under 44 - yet we have a huge shortage of mental health services as a nation and here in Victoria.

In many ways Victoria has led the way on mental health in recent years. But still half those suffering mental illness in Victoria do not receive appropriate care -- and most who miss out have disorders classed as severe.1 There simply aren't enough beds in hospitals or rooms in social housing and there isn't enough support for families and carers.

This week, the new Victorian State Parliament sits for the first time. Let's ensure mental health reform is at the top of their agenda from day one.

Mental health organisations from across the state - carers associations, patient support networks and healthcare professionals - are urgently gathering petition signatures to present to the incoming Government. Let's add thousands more signatures this week to show the Government and the media that these groups are not alone! Can you join them before the petition is delivered to Parliament?

www.getup.org.au/campaign/VICmentalhealth

During the state election campaign, Ted Baillieu's Coalition made a commendable commitment to increase mental health funding by $108 million.2 But underfunding remains the fundamental problem with the mental health system in Victoria. Mental ill health accounts for 14% of the burden on our state health care system, but receives just over 8% of funding.3

Mental illness doesn't just affect individuals -- it is crippling whole families across Victoria. Here's what Janet4, a carer for her son, told us:

"Our son has had schizophrenia for 25 years. He lives alone in a caravan park, frightened and paranoid. He should have somewhere decent to live, something to do and a supportive network of friends. We do our best to keep an eye on him; but this is difficult without help as we are old now and exhausted from years of caring for him. We worry constantly about what will happen to him when we are gone."

Families all over Victoria are experiencing similar heartache. Mental illness is the single largest contributor to the disability burden and demand for services continues to grow each year. Please add your voice to those of carers, patients and healthcare professionals before they deliver a petition to the incoming Victorian Government:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/VICmentalhealth

Together, we helped make mental health a national priority last year. Over 100,000 GetUp members joined Australian of the Year, Prof. Patrick McGorry, and former Government mental health advisor Prof. John Mendoza, in one of our largest ever petitions: demanding an end to the inequality between physical and mental healthcare.

We gathered at hundreds of candle-light vigils across the country. We chipped in to run national TV ads. We faxed, emailed, called and visited our representatives tens of thousands of times. In 2011, let's keep up the campaign; it starts this week with a petition to the new Government in Victoria. Please click here to add your name.

Thanks for taking action,
The GetUp Team.


Thanks to our friends in the mental health sector who began and support this 'lifting the lid' petition: Victorian Mental Health Carers Network, Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council, MIND, Mental Illness Fellowship, WISHIN, NEAMI, EACH, Mental Health Research Institute, ARC, ADEC, CCNV, VADA, and Sane Australia .

1 Improving mental health outcomes in Victoria: The next wave of reform, Boston Consulting Group, 2006.


2 Coalition announces $108m mental health plan, 16 November 2010, ABC News.


3 Victorian State Government Budget Papers 2010-2011.


4 Name changed for privacy.

Wisdom from HH Dalai Lama

"At a fundamental level, as human beings, we are all the same; each one of us aspires to happiness and each one of us does not wish to suffer. This is why, whenever I have the opportunity, I try to draw people's attention to what as members of the human family we have in common and the deeply interconnected nature of our existence and welfare."

New year, new beginnings...

Wishing you a wonderful year ahead; one that is full of peace, joy, prosperity, happiness, success and adundance.

A blessing from Doreen Virtue: 'The calendar date of 1/1/11 in Angel Numbers means: "Keep your thoughts positive, as this is a gate opening of energy for the fruition and manifestation of your dreams. Only think about what you desire and intend." You can call upon the angel of beauty and beautiful thoughts, Archangel Jophiel, to elevate your thoughts to Love.'

Review your year...

A review of the year from GetUp!

The GetUp movement has never been larger, nor had greater impact on Australian society as it did in 2010. Thank you.

Here's a quick update on what we've achieved together in the few months since the election. Hopefully it will serve to inspire us as we take these important campaigns into 2011:

International campaign on WikiLeaks - when our Government failed to stand up for freedom of information and the rights of Australian citizen Julian Assange, GetUp members did. 95,000 Australians signed a statement on WikiLeaks in less than a week. Together we published it in huge ads in The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Australian, and The Age -- and it was even tabled in the U.S Congress. The campaign generated news coverage across the world, including The Washington Post, FOX News, CNN International, ABC's 7:30 Report, and news bulletins on Channels 7 and 10 here in Australia.

Mental Health - working with experts like Australian of the Year, Prof. Pat McGorry, and former head Government advisor, Prof. John Mendoza, GetUp members helped make mental health a top-order issue this year. For the first time, Australia now has a Minister for Mental Health, and we've seen the Coalition and Greens make policy commitments that dwarf previous efforts. Just in the last month, when a crucial mental health motion failed an initial Senate vote, GetUp members intervened, and helped it pass. Thousands of GetUp members faxed, called and met with their representatives, and locals even took out newspaper ads in the electorates of independent MPs with deciding votes.

Women's choice - when a young couple faced time in jail for seeking an abortion this year, GetUp members launched a huge campaign to overturn archaic laws that make abortion punishable by imprisonment. So far, 55,000 Australians have joined the campaign, and chipped in over $375,000 for two huge national newspaper ads, billboards across Queensland, Australia's first national TV ads on reproductive choice, and a Newspoll survey that showed 72% of Queenslanders want to remove abortion from the criminal code.

Protecting Tasmania's native forests - we've seen a great step forward, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the Federal Government's support for the State of Principles agreed to by the conservation movement, the forest industry and unions. This comes after more than 10,000 GetUp members joined in the hard work of our partner organisations by emailing their Labor MP or Senator encouraging them to back the Principles and over 54,000 Australians signed up to the Australian Native Forests Charter.

Reforming the banks - GetUp members swelled the ranks of one of the largest Australian class action law suits in history, to recover unfair and unlawful penalty fees charged by the big banks. Together, we also funded a parody ad that made news on all the major networks. Treasurer Wayne Swan has now announced a number of reforms, and while they don't go nearly far enough, as we enter 2011 there has never been more momentum for banking reform.

Marriage equality - tens of thousands of GetUp members contacted their MPs urging them to support marriage equality for same sex couples. On the same day as the emails and calls from GetUp members flooded Parliament House a vote was held on the first steps toward marriage equality... and it passed! Politicians will now consult their constituents about the proposal and report back to the Parliament. We're only getting started with this campaign - keep an eye out for our great new TV ad early next year.

Standing with Traditional Owners in the Kimberley - when WA Premier Barnett announced his plans to compulsorily acquire Indigenous land at James Price Point, 40,000 GetUp members joined the campaign supporting local Traditional Owners. The petition was presented to the Premier last week.

And that's just the last few months. Earlier in the year, GetUp members ran Australia's largest ever independent election effort and won two huge court cases that added over 100,000 additional voters to the rolls.

It's been an incredible year, all built by the actions of hundreds of thousands of everyday Australians. May we carry the same passion, energy and commitment with us into 2011.


Have a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year,
The GetUp Team

Go Deep

Most of us think too much, especially about events and people, local and global, famous and not so famous. When we are always thinking about what is happening on the surface of life, the visible, then it is as if we are living a superficial life. Deep down inside there is a voice, a longing, a calling to depth. It's our heart, reminding us to visit, explore and express the depths of our ourselves. Going deep and being deep requires time spent in solitude, some periods of introversion and a conversation with ourselves. How on earth will we ever see what is in our heart unless we dive deep inside, switch on the light and look. Those who do will tell you it changes everything. What do they see? Simple, only beauty and truth. They are always there, waiting for us to return. Waiting to welcome us and to introduce ourselves to ourself.

Be a master of your destiny

Within each one of us there is a master of the universe. Not the universe out there but the inner universe of our thoughts and feelings, attitudes and actions. Most people realise too late what awaits within and how valuable it is. For too long we allow ourselves to be distracted and bewitched by all that is happening outside. To be the master of your inner world is to be the master of your own destiny. Are you going to be the master or a slave? ~ thoughtfortoday.co.uk

Rural Women Leading Change

Great news!  I've been accepted onto the Rural Women Leading Change Reference Group!  What a great way to forge new professional networks.

Now to ponder a possible project for the East Gippsland community. 

Rural Women's Network

I recently submitted an expression of interest to be a part of the Rural Women Leading Change Reference Group as a way to refine and develop my capacity to "facilitate individual and societal change through empowerment". 

Here's an excerpt from the Department of Planning & Community Development website: http://www.ruralwomen.vic.gov.au/web15/rwn/dvcrwn.nsf/headingpagesdisplay/about+us

About us
The Rural Women’s Network is not a formal organisation, but rather a way of linking groups and individual women. Links are forged between groups from different backgrounds with varied objectives and activities, providing opportunities for the exchange of information and ideas.The Rural Women’s Network is not a formal organisation, but rather a way of linking groups and individual women. Links are forged between groups from different backgrounds with varied objectives and activities, providing opportunities for the exchange of information and ideas.

Networking to build stronger communities
The network supports commitments in the Government’s social policy statement, A Fairer Victoria, to encourage individuals and community groups to work together to build strong communities. The Network's Coordination Unit works with the Department’s local teams in regional Victoria to strengthen the network and support action for change through enabling and empowering women in their communities.

Quote of the Day

HH Dalai Lama explains empathy and compassion so well in this quote:

"To the extent that our experience of suffering reminds us of what everyone else also endures, it serves as a powerful inspiration to practice compassion and avoid causing others pain. And to the extent that suffering awakens our empathy and causes us to connect with others, it serves as the basis of compassion and love."

Earth & Sea Holistic Therapies Fact Sheet: How to manage anger in your relationships

Earth & Sea Holistic Therapies subscribe to the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) RSS Feeds. We received the following article and felt it was a good idea to share the information contained within.



The article contains practicable ways to recognise, acknowledge and correct the behaviours that cause anger to surface. It is particularly important to note that communication styles play a big part in all relationships; communication is covered in this article, however we will base our next fact sheet on the four styles of communication (aggressive, assertive, passive, and indirect).


Source: http://www.aipc.net.au/articles/?p=235
Author: Zahava Starak www.zahava.com.au/about



Anger is an emotion that although not classified as either good or bad can damage a relationship if it is not understood or dealt with in an appropriate manner. It is only human to get angry now and then at issues that are important to us.


If left unaddressed anger can become abusive and may be just one more symptom of a dysfunctional relationship. In this article we are not entering the realms of abusive anger but are exploring how to control anger so it does not escalate and impede the flow of an otherwise healthy relationship.


Why do you get angry?


Anger is not an emotion that inflicts everybody. Some people due to their inherited predispositions and their life experience may be more prone to anger responses than others. Major causes can be:


1. Modelling influences


2. Personality predisposition


3. Limiting attitudes and beliefs


4. Wrong doings by others


5. Communication mishaps


Modelling influences


If as a child you have witnessed either of your parents or other significant people in your life regularly acting out in anger without any negative repercussions you may have learned that it is acceptable to show anger. You may have also concluded that it is okay to be the recipient of anger.


These learned behaviours may now be practiced in your present day relationships, but the consequences may be different from what you observed in the past.


Personality predispositions


Although there are mixed views as to whether or not we can inherit personality traits such as shyness, depression and anger, there is some evidence to support the fact that predispositions to certain behaviours are transferred from one family member to another.


This does not mean that you are doomed to be an angry man or woman just because your father and great grandmother showed anger, but it is best to be aware that there might be a tendency for anger in your inherited make up.


Whether this predisposition will result in angry behaviour is very much determined by different factors such as the influence of any other personality traits and environmental determinants.


Such information on ‘who you are’ can be helpful when creating strategies to deal with your anger in your relationship.


Limited attitudes and beliefs


Anger is not necessarily generated by the events in your relationship but by the thoughts and beliefs you hold. Often these beliefs stem from cognitive distortions, assumptions, judgements and expectations. When your partner by an action or lack of action triggers one of these beliefs your response is that of anger. Some common thoughts you may hold about your relationship are:


• You must always treat me nicely


• I’m always right so do not argue with me


• I should have all my expectations and needs met by you


• You should do what I say


• If I don’t agree with you, you’ll be mad at me so I say nothing


• Why can’t you do things right?


• The world isn’t fair and you can’t see this


• Things must run smoothly in our relationship and they don’t


Whenever these thoughts or similar ones are stirred by incidents both relevant and external to your relationship your fuse is lit, you lose control and act out in anger.


Wrong doings by others and your partner


It is almost impossible to go through life without experiencing inappropriate behaviours from others, including your partner. These wrongdoings can result in resentments and may sit with you and unexpectedly may pop up as anger responses.


Unless these wrongdoings are addressed anger may hover over your relationship indefinitely.


Communication mishaps


If there is a communication breakdown in your relationship as you or your partner fail to listen to each other’s feelings and acknowledge each other’s point of view angry outbursts may be the result. Once you add assumptions and judgements to the communication mix anger may dominate the relationship style of both partners.


When making assumptions you are sending a message to your partner that you know better than them what they are ‘really’ feeling and thinking. Your partner may feel that you do not respect them and with time resentments may accumulate, emotions may fester and anger will rise to the surface.


Just as important as the words you communicate are the non verbal cues you may be transmitting. Your partner can easily pick up on any hidden judgements and criticisms from your tone of voice and body manner, and may respond to you in anger.


Having a general understanding about the ‘why’ of anger may give you a head start in devising ways to manage anger in your relationship.


Strategies you can implement to control anger in your relationship


Recognise your anger cues


If you were aware of the situational and physical aspects that triggered your angry responses you could take steps to avoid them or at least find ways to minimise their impact. If for example your temper is provoked every time you ask your partner for help on a project and they do a bad job, you could just stop asking them. Perhaps your partner has friends or relatives that rub you the wrong way. Unless it is imperative that you spend time with them and therefore may need some additional strategies, avoid stress and anger by steering clear of these sources of irritation.


Change your angry thinking


As the thoughts you hold about your relationship surface and you become annoyed that your partner is not living up to your expectations a burst of anger is just around the corner. Listen to how you talk to yourself when you are angry as your thinking can get very exaggerated and quite dramatic as you fall victim to distorted thinking.


What can you do? Distorted thinking can be countered with rational comebacks such as checking out the situation and the validity of your thoughts; regaining perspective; changing your thoughts to more reasonable ones; and generally being more flexible in your thinking.


Once you have control of your thoughts you have control of your anger and your relationship is safe from the repercussions of inappropriate anger.


Improve your communication


As anger is an emotion it is important for you to become familiar with it and any other emotions that contribute to anger. The best way to do this is by beginning to talk about your feelings on a daily basis. Use “I feel…” statements as often as you feel an emotion emerging, and don’t be afraid to express negative feelings to your partner, as well as any positive ones. It may be helpful to keep a Feelings Journal in which you can record your emotions, and then review the ones that are positive and the ones that contribute to your anger.


The more familiar you are with your emotions the better you will be able to control the negative ones and express yourself in a more positive manner.


Probably the best piece of advise on offer is: “Keep Cool”. The first thing to do when in midst of a heated discussion is to slow down, keep your cool, and think of your response. While doing this also listen carefully to what the other person is saying. With a clear head you can then express your feelings and your views.


To avoid triggering anger in your partner eliminate the use of assumptions, accusations and judgements in your language. Try and use assertive talk and avoid any aggressive statements. You can also consider adding some Problem Solving skills to your communication tool box. Communication is always a big topic but even one change to your communication style may significantly influence your use of anger in your relationship.


Taking time out


When you are immersed in a fiery discussion in which your fuse has already been ignited consider taking time out from the situation for at least 30 minutes so that you can physically calm down and mentally rethink your position.


While cooling down you can work out what you could have done to deal more constructively with the situation by reviewing your self talk and the flow of the discussion. If necessary a quick walk can release some tension and allow you to think more clearly.


At the end of time out you may be able to resume your discussion but if anger feelings still loom and you cannot as yet address them it may be necessary to reschedule the discussion for when you and your partner are feeling calmer.


Stress management


Although we have not mentioned it as yet stress is a major contributor to angry outbursts. When you are stressed your tolerance to deal with your anger triggers is minimal, strategies fall by the wayside and you can easily explode in an angry rage.


It therefore makes sense to practice some form of stress management in addition to anger management. Simple relaxation tools such as deep breathing and relaxing imagery implemented on a regular basis can help minimise anger episodes as well as calm down angry feelings when they arise.


Yoga and meditation have also proved beneficial in calming mind and body. Your diet and the amount of sleep you get all contribute to your level of stress. By making any necessary changes you can improve both your ability to temper your anger and your quality of life.


Anger is one of our more dominant emotions. Although we view it as a negative feeling there are times when anger may be a legitimate emotion, and it may just be a matter of learning how to appropriately express it.


In this article we have looked at anger as a disruption to your relationship, and as such you have been provided with some insights into the cause of anger and strategies to deal with it.


I will leave you now with three actions you can take to help you understand your own anger and how to deal with it.


1. List 2 things that your partner does that triggers your anger. Now write down 2 strategies that you can use the next time you are provoked.


2. Try to think of 2 thoughts that counteract your anger thoughts and write them down as anger management statements.


3. When feeling annoyed or frustrated with your partner think of a productive physical activity that you can use during your time out.

My world famous Pumpkin & Goats Cheese Tart

Ingredients

• 10x (approx 55gm) eggs whisked
• 100ml (approx) milk
• 1x tblspn french mustard
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1x 200gm? pkt South Cape Goats Cheese (or any other brand your heart desires)
• 1x (about 500gm) large piece of Jap pumpkin diced into 2.5cm cubes
• 6x french shallots sliced
• 4x cloves garlic sliced
• 100gm pinenuts
• 1x large handful rocket leaves chopped
• 1x cup basil leaves shredded
• Mazetti 4 hat aged balsamic vinegar
• Good quality olive oil
• Sea salt flakes
• Pepper
• Puff pastry (at least 3x sheets) 

Method

• Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees.
• Grease 12 capacity non-stick muffin tins or a large non-stick frypan (if using large frypan you will need to blind bake for 20mins, the muffin tins don't need to be blind baked).
• If using muffin tins, cut pastry into circles (I use a large ramekin as the template) and press into muffin tins. An alternative is to purchase the "Glad" brand "Cafe style" muffin cases and make frittatas without using pastry. This is a great shortcut if you are time poor or the muffin tins are likely to catch the pastry.
• If using a large frypan, simply line the pan with at least two sheets of puff pastry then blind bake.
• Place diced pumpkin, sliced french shallots, sliced garlic and pinenuts in oven proof dish. Coat well with aged balsamic and olive oil. Add a generous amount of sea salt flakes and black pepper.
• Roast pumpkin mix in oven for approximately 15mins (or until pumpkin just cooked). Check pumpkin mix after 10mins and stir to ensure even cooking.
• If using large frypan, remove blind baked pastry from oven after 20mins and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, mustard, milk and parmesan. Whisk until combined and set aside.
• Shred rocket leaves and basil and set aside.
• Cut goats cheese into little cubes and set aside.
• When the pumpkin mix is cooked, reduce oven temperature to about 200 degrees.
• If using muffin tins, divide pumpkin mix and goats cheese evenly amongst 2x12 capacity muffin tins then pour egg mix until the muffin tins are just full. Then place in oven to cook.
• If using frypan, mix rocket and basil through the pumpkin mix and turn out into the frypan. Top with goats cheese and add egg mix. Then place in oven to cook.
• Tarts made in muffin tins will take approximately 20mins to cook (check after 10mins).
• Tarts made in frypan will take approximately 1 hour to cook. Reduce the oven temperature to 180 degrees for the first 45mins and cook uncovered. Then cover with foil and continue to cook until set.
• Muffin tin tarts: once cooked, remove from pans and allow to cool on a wire rack.
• Frypan tarts: once cooked, allow to rest in the pan (still covered with foil) for about 5mins; then remove foil, place a large plate atop the tart and turn tart out. Place another large plate on bottom of tart, and turn up the right way.
• You are now ready to serve!!
• Serve with a rocket, parmesan and pear salad.

Eat with passion and joy!
Enjoy :)

Seek > Create > Live

When we're cooking, our minds are working. When we're stirring and rolling and baking, we're thinking. Thinking creates vibrations because that's what thoughts do. The vibrations affect both the food and the people who eat the food. So, cook with care; pay attention to what you are thinking; and don't forget that in the best of recipes, love is the secret ingredient. ~ thoughtfortoday.co.uk

Latest GetUp! Campaign: Women Speak Out

Women are being shamefully overlooked in this election by politicians and the media. The turn of female voters away from Tony Abbott is being dismissed as a turn towards Julia Gillard's gender, while Tony Abbott's archaic and indefensible views on issues affecting women go unexamined and unchallenged.

That all ends today. Watch our new video from GetUp women, putting Tony's words on the record for all Australians to see: http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/WomenSpeakOut

Politicians from all sides are mistakenly assuming that women will simply vote along gender lines. It's beyond condescending, but it also misses the point: political leadership is about so much more. It's about where you stand, who you respect, and what you'll do from a position of power.

It's time to get to the truth. Women and men alike will be shocked by the quotes in this video, each and every line expressed by Tony Abbott himself. See for yourself now, and help put the message on air: http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/WomenSpeakOut

This video features GetUp members--women who have dared to speak Mr Abbott's own words back to him for all Australians to see. They're words that many Australians will find deeply disturbing. Even if you think you've seen and heard it all from Mr Abbott: his absolute opposition to abortion, his daring to weigh in on something as personal as a woman's virginity, his opposition to the cervical cancer vaccine, you have to watch this ad - now. Then chip in to ensure every other Australian gets to see it too: http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/WomenSpeakOut

Throughout his political career, Tony Abbott has advocated views more appropriate to 1910 than 2010. Now, as he asks voters to make him the next Prime Minister of our country, we need him to bring his views into the 21st century.

As Mr Abbott reaches a leading position in the polls, we need to know where he stands. Is climate change still "absolute crap"? Is abortion still just a question of a woman's "convenience"? Is it still "folly" to expect women to ever approach equal representation in all areas of public life? Click here to watch the ad, and get the real questions heard and answered this election.

Thank you for changing this election,
The GetUp Team

Light bulb moment: YouTube + a desire to learn = a video of Carl Rogers in his famous "Gloria" video!

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBkUqcqRChg"

InfoxchangeTV

The Infoxchange Australia team is very excited to launch InfoxchangeTV today. 

InfoxchangeTV is a niche video sharing service that is targeted at the Australian community sector.

The video news and information channel has been established to allow people in the community to tell their stories and showcase their projects using a multimedia format. This assists in archiving ongoing projects, raising awareness about prevalent community issues and will have the capability to influence the broader national policies and practices from the community level.

Our vision is for InfoxchangeTV to be an insightful resource to share community news, events and information. A video repository that reflects the sectors work and represents all facets of the community, health and welfare sectors, regardless of project size or focus. Whether it be a grassroots, national or international project, if it impacts on the community, we’d be interested in its inclusion.

To provide an equal representation of content across the sector and to foster social and digital inclusion, Infoxchange encourages community groups and community service organisations to contribute video content or comments and feedback to the InfoxchangeTV Channel.

We are calling on all community organisations, not-for-profits, council representatives and individuals to contribute and share their videos and multimedia.

Infoxchange has over 75,000 subscribers who each week receive the newsletter Infocast, so this is a great opportunity to raise your project or organisation's profile and share the work you do and human interest stories.

If you have an informative and compelling video about your organisation and the work that you do, or your own, client or community group stories in video format, please email info@infoxchange.tv complete with the link to your video and any comments you may have.

Alternatively, we can upload this for you if you would like to send it to us. Please visit www.infoxchange.net.au for our postal address.


The new website launches today. You can check it out at www.infoxchange.tv

Embark upon an exciting journey!

The journey of life is exciting when you challenge your own weaknesses. Some times your enemy teaches you better than your friend.

A word is wisdom from HH The Dalai Lama

We can't be useful to ourselves unless we're useful to others. Whether we like it or not, we're all connected, and it is unthinkable to be happy all by oneself. Anyone concerned only by his own well-being will suffer eventually. Anyone concerned with the well-being of others takes care of himself without even thinking about it. Even if we decide to remain selfish, let us be intelligently selfish - let us help others.

Stress Down Day - Friday 23 July 2010

Friday 23 July, 2010 is Lifeline Australia’s Stress Down Day. This day is dedicated to reducing the burden of stress on our community, and will encourage people in schools and workplaces to have fun with their fellows, friends or family to reduce stress levels, have fun and raise funds for Lifeline.  The money will go towards helping run our 24 hour telephone support services, a service that is literally life saving for thousands of Australian’s every year.

You simply get sponsored to wear your slippers to work or school, dress up or dress down and have a bit of fun to show that you support Lifeline and its life saving work.  Or alternatively, other ways to show support could be:

• Purchasing Exclusive Stress Down Day Slippers
• Developing your own event (where slippers or a change in clothes are impractical/against OH&S)

The campaign will also provide participants and organisations with useful tools to manage stress in our everyday lives. For more information visit www.stressdown.org.au

Purity

A powerful, yet often misunderstood, aim of spiritual study is purity. Purity of the soul means to return to its original divine qualities. The soul has become so polluted with less than divine qualities, it can hardly enjoy being alive. Purifying the soul puts the higher self back in charge - useless and negative thoughts are removed and annoying habits finish. A pure soul cannot be touched by sorrow; indeed the power of purity is such, it serves to remove the sorrow of the whole world. Purity restores happiness - even bliss. All you need to do, in order to re-establish your purity, is want it. But you need to want it intensely, to the exclusion of everything else. The one thought, "I must become completely pure". sparks a fire of love between you and Source. This fire melts away all the pollution, and your purity becomes such a power that it frees you from all battles for ever.

Happiness...

Happiness is the art of living, the purpose of our existence. Happiness is the true index of quality of life.  Without happiness, life is dry and meaningless.


With happiness, life immediately becomes fulfilling and wonderful. Happiness is an infectious feeling that immediately lifts the sagging spirits of people.


Happy people keep themselves happy because they know the little ways to appreciate themselves and to see the humour and magic in each moment.

thoughtfortoday.co.uk