Jan 05
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall
Jan 03
Many of you will already be familiar with Bessel van der Kolk’s new book, ‘The Body Keeps the Score’. In fact Bessel was here in Australia recently doing some training workshops based on his book and his work in general. New Scientist has just published a review of this book and given it a high …
Jan 01
At this time of year I find myself reflecting on what I can do to further the momentum for change – in my own life, in my relationships with those close to me and in our world. For me this is the only way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the task at hand. There is …
Apr 25
‘Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion’ Thich Nhat Hanh
Apr 25
The Elders: I encourage you all to check out the web site of this wonderful group called The Elders. They are a group of prominent world leaders who have decided to use their political power for change in some of the most critical areas of the world. New Internationalist is a monthly journal / magazine that covers interesting …
Apr 25
I am often asked about resources and training in the area of trauma so I have decided to add some of my suggestions here. Firstly let me commend the organisation,Adults Surviving Child Abuse, for the development of their Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Complex Trauma and Trauma Informed Care. If you are interested in dowloading these …
Oct 27
After having just finished my last blog posting about the defunding of the community sector in Queensland, I was unable to get this poem off my mind – so I offer it here. To me it speaks of social action and the commitment and determination that I have seen in so many activists over the …
Oct 27
It is a sad and disturbing time in Queensland as we see the defunding of many community sector services and programs. The majority of my work as a consultant and trainer is with workers in the NGO sector, many of whom have lost not only their jobs but have lost something potentially more significant. For …
May 27
I have been going through some of my old files that I have kept for ages. In the process I have discovered many of the inspiring poems and words that I had collected over a number of years. I thought that some of these may be of interest to others so I will post some …
May 27
This is another of the poems that I love. I used it a lot in my teaching when I was lecturing at University. What I most respect about this poem is that it so skilfully connects the broader social issues of discrimination and oppression to the more individual issues about our connections to ourselves. …
May 27
The Goblin I would live in awe and wonder if I knew me as another And would marvel at this singular young woman Yet with vigour and gentility I cut at me with constancy And give my soul a flailing never equalied. Onward life proceeds, the denial of my needs The enemy within me …
May 27
Leunig has an amazing capacity to capture complex ideas in an easily understood manner. This is one of the Curly-Pyjama Letters that I love the best and have just copied out here. I recommend the rest of the letters to you too! (From Mr. Curly to Vasco Pyjama) Dear Vasco, In response to …
May 27
An Autobiography in Five Short Chapters I I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I fall in I am lost… I am helpless It isn’t my fault It takes forever to find my way out. II I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in …
May 27
This poem was written by Marianne Williamson, although many others, including Nelson Mandela, have been credited with it. I suspect this is because many (including Nelson Mandela) have used these words at poignant times in their careers. Many of you will know this but every time I read it, it still has an impact. …
May 27
SYMPTOMS OF INNER PEACE by Saskia Davis Be on the lookout for symptoms of inner peace. The hearts of a great many already have been exposed; and it is possible that people, everywhere, could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what, up to now, has been a fairly …
Feb 28
I have been very moved over the past weeks by the community spirit in response to the Queensland floods. It seems that our capacity for kindness and compassion, both in relation to those we know and to strangers, is in abundance at the moment. From my experience as a social worker, I’ve been somewhat accustomed …
Feb 28
I am currently re-reading the very first book I ever read on trauma – and I still think it’s one of the best. The book is by Judith Lewis Herman entitled “Trauma and Recovery: From Domestic Violence to Political Terror[1].” Apart from recommending this book to you as a wonderful insight into both the personal …
May 27
I regularly find myself asking this question – Is Social Work serious about social chance? I believe that this has been a question within the profession of social work since its inception. My concern is that in these increasingly conservative times, social work has taken on a more conservative approach to change and in fact, may …