A Glass Full of Water

Last Sunday, I met with Suzanne, Kevin and June (their dog) at The Hut Cafe, Rangitahi, Raglan. The weather was glorious with the local community of adults, children and a few dogs enjoying each other’s company.  Sitting together I asked Suzanne about why she took their dog (a bearded Collie/working farm dog) into Waikeria Prison. She replied, “I believe in the power of kindness.” Suzanne had previously worked with her dogs in Hospices in Auckland and the Auckland Cancer Society. When they moved to Raglan, she volunteered at The Community House, Raglan Rest Home and Hospital and at Waikato University, Hamilton. At all these sites her dog and other dogs brought healing, empathy, compassion and a calming presence.  Currently, with her prison work June has to follow the rule of not wearing gang coloured scarves. Suzanne posed the question, “How can these men experience change if they never see a different perspective on things?”  In a grassed area they throw a ball to each o...

Last week I enjoyed an insightful conversation with Mike, a chocolate maker from Raglan.  Have you heard of Bean to Bar chocolate? This is something that he is really into. The concept and practice is about bringing the beans, the growers and the chocolate maker into a loop. The beans are ethically sourced from growers and their communities in Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. Mike visits the growers and they actively work on a high trust relationship model. He knows and values the local stories of their beans and Mike believes that by putting people first, the commercial side of his business will look after itself.  He has seen the best and the worst of the food industry as a chef and food technologist and he described escaping the corporate food world and finding satisfaction and hope in his present job. Mike explained further that his chocolate only uses natural pure ingredients, so it’s good food and not masquerading as good.  Mike and his partner Simone work toget...

Last week’s blog story was about drawing with a purpose. Today’s blog story is about painting with a purpose.  For about 5 years, once a week, my mum Mary took painting classes for maximum security prisoners at Auckland Prison (Paremoremo). She was accompanied by my dad Peter and older sister Linda. Talking with Linda last week, some fascinating insights were shared about my mum’s voluntary work with men that were ‘inside’ for a long time.  There was always a good turnout of between 12 -20 participants. Linda described mum as always being herself (all 5 foot 2 of her). She was quietly spoken and earned the prisoners respect because she wasn’t there to judge and knew how to teach something she loved doing herself and was good at.  Mum had the ability to draw talent out of anybody. She wouldn’t hear and accept the words, “I can’t paint.” She was there to love them and to teach them.  Mum knew that the men needed kindness as they were angry and hurt and paying a price f...

Have you ever seen those amazing 3D chalk drawings on footpaths? They look so realistic and last for such a short time.  The other day I watched a dad draw small, stylised chalk pictures (in a row) for his daughter. She was tiny (I guess around two years old) and her head and smile followed his drawing hand. I was intrigued by his ability to draw freehand perfect circles and capture the essence of a boat, car, truck, house and sun. There was nothing 3D about these pictures and yet they carried their own beauty. Their beauty was in the moments that were being created. Once finished she used the pictures like a hopscotch game. She hopped and she counted. Backwards and forwards, time and time again. Her dad also called out the objects and she repeated them out loud. So much fun. Great teaching! I then noticed her looking up and it was her turn to point and call out, “Boat!” Sure enough, about 50 metres away was a boat on a trailer. Clever girl. Clever dad. Connections were being made ...

I had a random conversation with a couple of guys a few days ago. One of them in a frustrated voice said, “I don’t watch the bleep (expletive) bleep (expletive) news any more! It’s all bad news.” I couldn’t help but agree, when it seems most of the news is about ‘wars and rumours of wars.’  I followed up our conversation with an unscientific survey of the first 15 news stories on BBC, Radio New Zealand and the New Zealand Herald (All online). The BBC had 11 bad news stories and 4 good news stories. Radio NZ had the same numbers. The NZ Herald had 8 bad and 7 good. So, it would appear that there is more bad news around us than good news. But why is this so?  A conundrum to me is there’s a lot more ‘good’ people in our world doing good things than ‘bad’ people doing bad things, and there’s a lot more kind people in our world than unkind.  The bias of negative news needs to change (Interestingly our community newspapers and school newsletters are full of positive news)....

I asked some friends of differing ages and experiences, What’s the first thing that comes to mind with this statement, ‘That’s what friends do’. Dan said, “A couple of my friends store a few beers at my place at the beginning of the week, ready for our after work conversations in the workshop.” Leanna answered the question with, “My friends remember my birthday!” (It should be said here, that for years, the only birthday I remembered was my twin brothers).  Darcie smiled and then said, “My best friend Jen and I don’t see each other much, but she recently surprised me by booking flights from the south coast of New South Wales (Australia) to see me for two days. Such a crazy girl. But that meant such a lot to me.”  Mary-Anne thought for a few seconds, “My friend dances with me on my house deck in the moonlight.”  I spoke with Michelle and Sue together, their thoughts are combined. “Sue rings me or sees me at exactly the right time. We have known each other for 26 years. We ...