If you could do one thing to make a difference in the world, I think something really achievable would be … .to be kinder to others … and kinder to ourselves. And maybe if bullying and abuse and neglect and things like that still went on, kindness might be the one thing that makes those suffering feel more hopeful about their future - and feel less alone in the world.
Previous posts on Black Dog about about the role of kindness in society here …..and teaching children about kindness here. What would it be like if we were kinder to our children here. A story about a boy who changed with world with the simple idea, ‘Pay it forward’, here. And how Clunk & Jam notes you can collect and share from the Black Dog website might be able to make a difference here. And passing this on to others could quite possibly make a difference too….
Next Tuesday morning (15th) I’ll be attending a ‘Community Conversation Seminar’ about research on stress in pregnancy at the Telethon Institute for Child Health and have been asked to extend this invitation to others who might like to join in and contribute. It’s an opportunity for community members to share their own experience and put forward their ideas on how the researchers can best share research information with the community. If you’re interested in attending click here for more information and contact Monique to let her know you’re coming. To read the pictured Army of Ink #47′s story click here.
A couple of posts back I introduced you to this new Army of Ink trooper but didn’t post her story to allow you to have your own. So I’m back with my interpretation of this ink. The short version goes….
Nothing seemed to fit .
Having tried on so many ways of being herself, she finally reached the exhausting conclusion that maybe all the things she was trying on were just way too big for her. And maybe she’d just have to tailor make her own little world where she could be her entirely unique, odd and small, good self.
Click the typewriter for the Clunk and Jam note to print.
Then I went on to explore her some more – and captured the lines below. To read this terribly long but quite interesting explorative piece click on the girl. And pass this on to your friends too….
A rainy Friday afternoon story – true though. A friend and I have just returned from a spontaneous sleepover on Rottnest Island. Before catching the ferry home we took a bus ride around the island and at one particular bay we noticed some odd wooden structures on the beach. One was a single rail (above) but with posts beautifully carved and shaped. The other (situated about 2 meters behind) was a taller structure with what seemed to be 3 logs roped together to form a top surface. We both began guessing what they were….something to scale fish on (no, the surface of the 3 logs wouldn’t work) ….tie a boat to (first one maybe but why the second?)….an art scultpure (no, not in a marine sanctuary) ….or maybe a replica of something historical?
My curiousity getting the better of me, I ducked in to historical museum before leaving the island to ask for some assistance. This lovely old man (in his late eighties for sure) was equally puzzled as to what this object was, so he invited me through into another room where….
Sit back, press play and watch Michael Shapcott do his beautiful thing - and in that moment, cast a wish that every child be born into such caring hands …
View the Drawing and Drawing 365 project by Michael Shapcott too. Thanks to Harley for finding this one. You’ll find another beautiful clip previously featured on Black Dog of Stormie Mills in a mesmerising act of transformation here. And he flunked art … so draw even if you think (or they tell you) you can’t. Stormie’s story here. Pass it on …
