tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76205455958294984332024-02-19T04:09:00.031-08:00Fall Six, Get up SevenYou're only ever down for the 10 count if you choose to stay down.
Choose different.Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-75430910553681191132020-11-22T16:09:00.002-08:002020-11-22T16:09:37.896-08:00A quick guide on how to start thinking like a leader<p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hi! <br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Whilst I'm certainly no expert and not trying to be some know-it-all here, this was some thing of a cheat sheet I created for up and coming leaders, as part of a development plan to serve as a bit of guidance.<br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They are a few tried, tested and proven successful items that have worked in mostly all situations and industries, via not only myself but with a few of the leaders I've worked with and developed through the years. You'll probably know and use some (or all) of them already.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you do see any value, please pass these on to anyone who might be working through any leadership development.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Before getting into the list, the below statement is something I suggest you grab hold of and try to keep to. It will help guide your team through your own actions, and as a prod to yourself.<br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"<strong>EVERYDAY HAS TO BE BETTER THAN AVERAGE</strong>"<br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Whilst it doesn't sound all that inspirational, its enough of a statement to keep you trying, to keep you reaching for something better. Try it, see how it goes for you.<br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now the list;<br /></span></p><ol><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a clear plan on what success looks like for you as a person</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be passionate / positive – your state of mind will affect your teams state of mind and action</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be the calm in the eye of any storm – teams need surety and stability to operate effectively during a crisis</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Execute – get stuff done. Finish lines are important.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be a constant learner</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The little things for your team mates "DO" matter, often even when they say they don't.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Create confidence as a leader with your employees</span></li><ol><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be proactive through thought, awareness and action</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Actively collaborate – ensure you involve everyone</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Keep a solid positive connection</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be transparent where possible – build trust</span></li></ol><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Empathy is a genuine super power. It enables the ability to see things "brewing" before they become negative. Empathy also allows you to better connect with your people, vital for when [insert bad word here] hits the fan, and just as important when things are going great <br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't dismiss your gut instincts – if nothing else, they should be a call for you to be more curious of whatever triggered them.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be a clear communicator – what, why, how, when. Especially when dealing with the next point.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be good at change management. It is all about ensuring there are no real surprises that frighten, concern or start people making up their own ideas. Lead people in the direction you need to them to be open minded about, or perk their curiosity weeks in advance of any changes you are looking to implement. That way, when the change eventually has to be introduced, it is accepted a lot easier.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Set strategic goals for yourself and those who report to you – ensure alignment to greater dept. and business goals. Utilise and teach ground level, 2,000 ft., 5,000 ft., 10,000 ft. and 30,000 ft. approaches/thinking to see and deal with potential disruptors and opportunities for success / profit</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Understand how everything "fits" together from dept. to wider business. Where does your business start, what transitions through it (both in and out) and where it finishes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">In relation to point 13, also know where YOU fit in the business, what is the role you play, what can you bring to the team you run, to the depot you work in, to the business as a whole and write them down. This can serve as a reminder on your journey. <br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be curious at all times. Ask all the questions. Better to ask the question, than hide you don't know and end up getting caught out.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Understand who the key stakeholders of your dept. and business actually are. Meet them.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Honesty and integrity are a leaders greatest assets. Make these your greatest traits. Instill them in others when teaching / mentoring<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Know you don't have to know everything. A good leader can coach, guide and empower and improve a team's outputs, emotional state, all without being able to do the actual role their team does. Understand how it all works, and ensure you have key people who do the actual work, so they can explain to you any challenges that may affect the team etc that you then address where applicable. This is key to empowering your team. They become the expert in their role.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be authentic – it is better to be yourself than pretend to be someone you are not. You can adapt and learn and change, but YOU stays the same. Understand who YOU are.</span></li><ol><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Ikigai [google it] and WHY journeys are important</span></li></ol><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Understand what the business expects of you and those you lead. When unsure, ask. When no guidance, refer to points 1, 9, 10 and 12</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Treat all people with respect, from the CEO to the cleaner of the toilets. Everyone has a story, everyone has dreams, and everyone has opinions and suggestions. You only have to ask them and be curious. Some of the greatest cost savings and innovations for businesses have come from the lowest ranked person in organisations.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Develop strong people systems</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Develop and clarify strong process systems</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be innovative. Drive innovation from within your teams.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Do what you say you're going to do.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Frustration and anger are not tools of an effective leader – teams need consistency in emotional content and throughout business</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">In conjunction with point 21, it is important to be seen as human. Wherever possible, humanise yourself. Share about your personal life, tell people about your story, be okay with showing vulnerability – these are the things that will endear you to your team, create trusting bonds and long lasting solid professional relationships<br /></span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">So there are a few solid ones to begin with. Please add in your own ones and share in the comments section below. I know there are a few of you who read these and it would be good to get some of these things shared around.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In the meantime, have a great day and a great journey :)<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Darren</span><br /></div><div><br style="background-color: rgba(252, 252, 252, 0.9); color: #444444; font-family: "Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_EHaNcZ4PGqwHWlSylaOBLdhJYg3y7mS1K_Jy3gNFmqpndSCH8TIpYdb5emsp8EsiLMcR6NarQvV1FmoL12cmStnLxSacdZSVo54gK6vEu_iANZ2aFqi_KjvB30kYPQLbz04MQ900kE/s1045/Capture12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="1045" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_EHaNcZ4PGqwHWlSylaOBLdhJYg3y7mS1K_Jy3gNFmqpndSCH8TIpYdb5emsp8EsiLMcR6NarQvV1FmoL12cmStnLxSacdZSVo54gK6vEu_iANZ2aFqi_KjvB30kYPQLbz04MQ900kE/w400-h184/Capture12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-71101957471497375942020-06-03T15:19:00.006-07:002020-06-03T15:19:59.418-07:00Been thinking.<div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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Been thinking a bit. Had to share. Warning: Bit wordy. </div>
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So kinda wish I had the answers for how to stamp out racism, hate crimes and oppression, or that at least someone out there does. And then everyone around the world understood how to too, and would then stop all this dumb shit. I’m not writing this to be “current” or topical, I just have thoughts I need to get out. Read on if you want. </div>
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So for years - usually after being involved with helping someone through a work or personal crisis - I’ve tried to imagine what it must be like to be prejudged, just because of your skin colour, race, sexuality, intelligence, sex or any other prejudices. Have always been empathetic and compassionate with those actually affected, but I really don’t know their journey, how it actually is for them. I’m no expert, I’m male, straight, middle aged, middle class (although not always) and white, so any issues I’ve felt have been minor comparatively, and based off either reactions to my own behaviours or because of a reputation that preceded me. Nothing to do with where/what I was born or anything. No one died. So all my experience has been secondhand.</div>
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After seeing impacts - perhaps naively - have then always wished that people didn’t treat others like this [read: victimise/put down/abuse/kill] but the entrenched haters seem to keep coming on strong with their fears to focus and feed on. Can’t stop them. Have fought a few, but that never changed anything either. In some cases, I became guilty by association. Plus, violence is seldom an answer to much.</div>
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Then, because I couldn’t change anyone, I think it’d be great to be able to soothe the injuries suffered by those persecuted too, so that they could take weight off their shoulders and could walk tall again. That shit must be a heavy, heavy burden. Generations affected. But again, I don’t know how to fix that either. I also know it’s not on my shoulders to fix, but whose should it be on? Is it all of us? Please note, this isn’t some political thing either. This is a human thing. It should be made better.</div>
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I’m also sick of hearing about Trump on the global stage, getting away with bullshit that no one could find acceptable unless they’re part of the problem, feeding and sustaining it. I’m not an American voter so can’t fix that by voting him out. I also can’t “take him out” or impact him in any way, apart from the time he blocked me from his twitter account because I sent him a pic of a Trump toilet brush and made references to lots of poo. His lack of empathy and ability to lead is sickening and his overflowing amount of self service and lies are frightening. But racism didn’t start with Trump. He’s just the latest nasty spokesperson. And people all over the world are being influenced. </div>
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Just as worrying, is the amount of people a lot closer to home, who think they’re blameless in all this, yet who agree, act and feed the same dark bullshit ideals. They either hide behind twisted religious righteousness, blatant chauvinism or arrogance to play the victim or deflect when they get called out, when in actuality, their views are frighteningly aligned with Trump and the hundreds of years of hatred, seemingly bred out of lack of understanding and compassion. Or just because they’re assholes. And they’re here in NZ. </div>
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Now, whoever has some answers to actually help all this, please do something soon, maybe teach everybody. See, I’m not some tree hugging do-gooder, I’m just some guy who is tired of negative views aimed at others with long reaching shitty consequences, all for zero good reasons. And I see it escalating. I’m sure I’m not alone either. Fair is way better than fear, and without racism etc, life would be a lot nicer and safer for future generations. </div>
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And to those of you who read this far and are thinking about negative run in’s you’ve had with members of different races and are now justifying your negative views, you think just because of those times, that you should hate them all? Because of a few of that race? Ask yourself: Do you do the same with your own race when you have run in’s with them too? Twist your views on your own colour/race/etc does it? I’ll bet no. Then why do it based on skin colour, huh? It’s like hating all oranges and trying to turn the world against oranges because you saw a rotten one once, without ever trying one for your self.</div>
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I’m sure we all have to do something more to change this shit (more than just throw up a black square and a hashtag). Thing is, Black lives DO matter. And to be clear, this statement doesn’t lessen any other group’s shitty situation. I figure let’s start with helping sort this one (and when I say this one, I mean our problem since this is a human screw up), then move to the next, to eventually and hopefully stamp it all out. Naive probably, but I reckon we have to try.</div>
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In the meantime - until someone way smarter than me can help make a difference - I’m just going to keep treating everyone as the individuals they are, with my standard “I don’t give a flying shit what colour your skin is, what your sexuality is, be you man or woman, young or old, where you come from, or anything else” because none of that matters to how I view you. Those things don’t and shouldn’t define you. The only things that can impact how I’ll interact with you, will be if you’re a good person who doesn’t profit off the misery or put downs of others, or if you’re not. Be nice. Don’t be a dick. Do yourself and your family proud. Seems real simple. Really hope I’m on the right track. But there’s no way to be sure. Staying optimistic and embracing more solidarity. </div>
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Ok, all over. Hope you ate and drank at regular intervals <span class="q9uorilb tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me fgm26odu gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;"><img alt="😆" height="16" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/td4/1/16/1f606.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span> </div>
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-47080785033701242912020-02-09T17:58:00.003-08:002020-02-09T18:02:06.620-08:00HOW TO: Change the way you thinkWelcome back :) Good to see you! Nice shirt. Looks good.<br />
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So, I was off work for a full week, a few weeks back, and had a bit of time to think about what kind of advice I wish I had been given, things that might be of help to you.<br />
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A big one I remembered, was just how important self talk can be in your day-to-day activities, and how well it can address the way you view life, both positive and negative.<br />
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Now, this isn't that unusual thing that some do when they stare meaningfully into their bathroom mirror and tell themselves about how the Universe will provide them something, just because they're saying it out loud, no.<br />
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This is all about how you tell yourself something, not the actual what. No mirrors involved.<br />
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Let me clarify some, with an example.<br />
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What if, instead of saying to yourself on a typical Monday morning or after a long work day prior:<br />
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"I <b>have to</b> go to work today",<br />
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you changed that around, and said:<br />
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"I <b>get to</b> go to work today"<br />
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The difference might not seem like much, but the change it could have, could be significant. Feeling grateful is a powerful mind-set changer whereas feeling like you have no control, often does the opposite. <i>Have to</i> versus <i>Get to</i>. I know which one I prefer.<br />
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Self talk like this, has the ability to bring about change in the way you see your challenges, but only if you give it a go.<br />
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Think about it. What if every time you need to go do something you're hesitant about or not looking forward to, perhaps like mowing the lawns on a hot day, going to a party you think might be boring, clean the house, be part of a project when you're already busy or do a task you weren't looking forward to, you took this approach?<br />
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Could it turn out better than you first thought? Yes, it could!<br />
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Could you doing it with more enthusiasm help? Yes, it could!<br />
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What if then, after you'd done whatever it was, you made sure to look reflectively at the event afterward with the same positivity too? What do you think you would find?<br />
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For instance as starters;<br />
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Mowed the lawns - <i>look how great they look with them done!</i><br />
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Boring party - <i>wasn't boring, actually had a great time! Or it was 100% boring, and you were right!</i><br />
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Clean the house - <i>look how clean it is now! Proud of the result!</i><br />
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Project when you're busy - <i>empowered by the input you had, things you learnt, greater exposure to the business, things you could take back to your team. Sure, it was hard, but was it worth it? In some way, it would have been. It's all about how you look at it.</i><br />
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Task you weren't looking forward to - <i>now its completed!</i><br />
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By saying "<b>I get to</b>..." and looking at how things went afterward, its all about celebrating the positives. You'll embrace traits such as feeling grateful and begin feeling more self-confident, plus build resilience to negative situations and people.<br />
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This approach really seems like a much better way of succeeding at removing stress, anxiety, the "sigh" factor or even hesitancy too, much more than you ever would have by continuing to say "<b>I have to</b>...", right?<br />
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Plenty of people will tell you to live in the moment more or stop to smell roses all to avoid stress/anxiety/depression etc, or a myriad of other self-help things all in the interest of bringing more happiness and peace into your life. After all, it's what we all strive for in one way or another.<br />
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Whilst they will all work in their own ways, I think this one may help too and is often faster in helping you. It's only swapping out a word in your head, right?<br />
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Only way to know for sure? Try it.<br />
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Have a great day!<br />
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-39343130740618884112019-06-27T13:02:00.001-07:002019-06-27T13:06:03.436-07:00Leadership blog - make sure you check it out!As a few of you will already know, over the past 20+ years, I have been building up tried and tested advice backed up with experience to better support and help you in your journey. This is not only in the personal sense, but also in the professional one.<br />
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Take a look on the right hand side of this page and you'll see the link to the Business blog as below.<br />
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Feel free to suggest any items you would like to see covered on this blog and I'll do my best to assist.<br />
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Have a great day :)Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-88975699379833985112018-09-19T14:38:00.004-07:002019-06-21T12:36:23.668-07:00Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 2018! And the preparation begins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's that time of year again! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Where I - and hundreds of thousands of other riders around the world - grab our dapper gear, polish up our bikes and start telling anyone who will listen about this charity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a principal organiser for the Tauranga chapter for the 3rd or 4th year in a row, the benefits of why you should donate to this worthy cause are well known.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create more mental health programmes for those who need it and pump up the research to wipe out prostate cancer in our lifetime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">30th of September is our ride day globally so please donate before then :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/dazleggatt" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/dazleggatt</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ride on, ride dapper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Darren</span></div>
Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-64491781437319382692017-10-01T16:50:00.003-07:002019-06-21T12:37:49.713-07:00Distinguished Gentlemens Ride (DGR) 2017<span style="font-size: medium;">Another year done and dusted! And wow! What a ride!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Damian and I managed to organise an amazing day, many hours spent, with over $11,400 raised to go to the Movember foundation to help with men's mental health and prostate cancer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks to all 146 of you riders who turned up, and a huge thanks to everyone who either donated money in support or their time to get this ride off the ground.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Humble thanks. Was great the weather was kind this year too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Click this link to see the interview of Damian and I and video of all the bikes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://m.sunlive.co.nz/news/163327-distinguished-dapper-and-dashing-riders.html">http://m.sunlive.co.nz/news/163327-distinguished-dapper-and-dashing-riders.html</a></span><br />
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-48603334595578673842017-05-18T14:50:00.003-07:002017-05-18T19:21:56.516-07:00Men's mental and physical health and suicide prevention<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The world found out that the 18th May 2017 marked the day that a legendary
rock musician - who I, like so many others have followed and been amazed by
his vocal talents and song writing abilities - had taken his own life
after on-going battles with drugs, booze and depression.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Rock
radio stations are dedicating entire days to his music, social media is alive
with his name and kind words.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Chris
Cornell - Soundgarden and Audioslave front-man - has gone. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Reports
all say he hung himself in a hotel room. Apparently there was no warning, no
cries for help, he had just finished another successful concert in Detroit. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">He
leaves behind a wife, three kids, close friends, fans and an amazing charity
foundation that developed projects and programs with leading charitable
organisations and partners raising awareness and mobilising support for
children facing tough challenges including homelessness, poverty, abuse and/or
neglect. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This
guy seemed to have it all together - and perhaps that's a HUGE warning to the
rest of us.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As
such a longtime fan, I saw him at Soundwave in Brisbane. He was the epitome of
rock-god cool, a genuine connection to the crowd and a vocal range that easily
took in 4 octaves. He, Myles Kennedy (Alterbridge) and Mike Patton (FNM) have
always been vocalists I have aspired to sing like but can never quite get
there, the awe around their talent and hard-earned skill impressive to say the
least.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
with all of those things outwardly going for him, he was human just like the
rest of us. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Whilst
I luckily cant understand what it takes to drive someone to those depths, or
the emotional turmoil that could be strong enough to push someone so far beyond
help that for them, there can be no way back, it does raise serious action
points for all of us to consider.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">When
was the last time you "checked in" with those around you? Just to
make sure they were okay?</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">When
was the last time you looked at someone you know and consider successful and asked if
everything is okay with them?</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">When
was the last time you just took time out from your busy life, just to look
around and see if you can identify someone who might need some help? Look beyond the
facade's that everyone puts up?</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Consider
people you don't know too. Where is the harm in tweeting someone famous or well known that has
somehow given you the vibe that they might not be alright? Or just contact them out of the blue and write a heartfelt "you are amazing" message to them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As human beings, do
you really think they manage to ignore every single </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">negative </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">tweet, FB post or magazine
article written about them?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If
they are hiding their depression as so may creative people do, how easy do you
think it will be for them when they read the real harsh/nasty stuff on the internet about
them? Think you could cope if the roles were reversed? Employ some empathy. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
would like to think we could all cope if given the circumstances, but the truth is probably quite a leap
from that, no pun intended.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
here is the call to action.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As
part of the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride where we try to raise awareness for
men’s mental health and prostate cancer, the biggest gaps seems to be openness and inactivity.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There
will always be the tragedies like Chris Cornell (and others not at all
famous) but still dealing with issues they can’t get past. There will always be
those who leave without warning, those who have put up years’ worth of the
facade that no one got to see behind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I wish there weren’t any people like them,
but the truth is different.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">But we
can make a difference, you and I.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And
it’s not that hard to do. Two words we need to follow and act upon – </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>“Pay Attention”</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">What do I mean? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pay
attention to everyone around you. Pay attention to yourself.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pay
attention to things that might seem irrelevant initially, but might not be so
irrelevant to someone else.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pay
attention to peoples expressions. It’s true that the eyes have it. Take a look,
see if there is anything of concern there. If you can’t see anything, ask them.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pay
attention to things that people say/write/do – listen more than talk. It’s
amazing what you can discover and the impact you can have on someone who just
needs to have someone pay attention to them, sometimes when they don’t realise
it themselves.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pay
attention to your environment and make a difference. Take an active part in the
world, try to feel for those you come into contact with, regardless of whether
they are famous or not. Everyone is human. Treat them that way.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Open
your heart and get it done. You know you can. All you need to do is try.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">To
Vicky Cornell, their children, their family and all the children they have
helped through their foundation, but also to everyone who has ever lost someone
to suicide, on behalf of everyone worldwide, we offer our deepest, heartfelt condolences and offers of support to you. Our thoughts are with you. We wish we could help, just give you a hug whenever you needed one, let you know you are connected, supported more than you know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Suicide needs to be addressed and the support in place for those left behind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you're reading this post - please pay attention. Then do something. I don't think its too much to ask. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3aspPnFYC8DUPK0ZT8rvKUS3bj-XD88a3z4YUNk_Osx1vjMIwpJfa53R3JhDRolxGW0N-CpzUO-7JlXSPfm-oR__8Tae87J7kt6FRb31mOdlpOpBo-ErVCburKmjhMuTVT4R05sa-F0/s1600/220px-ChrisCornellTIFFSept2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3aspPnFYC8DUPK0ZT8rvKUS3bj-XD88a3z4YUNk_Osx1vjMIwpJfa53R3JhDRolxGW0N-CpzUO-7JlXSPfm-oR__8Tae87J7kt6FRb31mOdlpOpBo-ErVCburKmjhMuTVT4R05sa-F0/s1600/220px-ChrisCornellTIFFSept2011.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Chris Cornell (born Christopher John Boyle)</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">July 20th, 1964 - May 18th, 2017</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">NZ helplines (all 24hrs)</span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">NZ Lifeline - 0800 543 354 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Youthline - 0800 376633 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Kidsline - 0800 543754 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Whatsup - 0800 9428787 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Depression Hotline - 0800 111757</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Take
care of yourselves and others.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Darren</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC5FdFlUcl0">Audioslave - Be Yourself</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QU1nvuxaMA">Audioslave - Like A Stone</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mbBbFH9fAg&index=3&list=RDySzrJ4GRF7s">Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbckIuT_YDc&index=5&list=RDySzrJ4GRF7s">Soundgarden - The Day I Tried To Live</a><br />
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-76279358550276196132017-04-20T18:46:00.003-07:002017-10-03T13:09:26.609-07:00The DGR - the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride - September 24th 2017 Sunday<h2>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hi all!</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Well, it might seem like I'm being a little preemptive in this "hey, time to get yourself ready for for the worldwide sensation of the DGR" given we're only in April, but I figured that if I alert you now, you'll have time to get that iron ride of yours out of the garage, cleaned up, off to the mechanics, order in the parts etc so you can have it ready.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">For those of you here in Tauranga, looks like I'm going to be the principal organiser this year so will be gathering up everyone that can lend a hand, setting up a few meetings and seeing if we can't make this one better than anyone's prior.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Remember, this ride is to prevent our fellow men from taking their own lives, to raise awareness that yes, we men feel pressure and can experience a range of mental problems too, and to also shine the light on Prostate Cancer and get men along to their doctors for check ups.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you want to join me, or just want to sign up to start working on those around you and gather up some funds for this great charity, click the link below.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The time to make a real difference has arrived.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.gentlemansride.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.gentlemansride.com/ - sign up here</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AArh41oYkqc" target="_blank"><b>Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 2016 YouTube</b></a></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">And a newspaper article from last years ride, I'm the one in black with the Ducati. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">:{D</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Click the image for a read.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymkfXcfxCwX0WNaZHQzfYOkmsKRvSRVhNGXSJ18SYllXuB8Mz5DdOcOkHGbNAWC4EYutCFGM2gPhf1wYeBgJV53Acx1-jab-456zoMjqQBsUC_RzrcLOQzWIuWFc1V-uAcZSZYxzUZZc/s1600/DGR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymkfXcfxCwX0WNaZHQzfYOkmsKRvSRVhNGXSJ18SYllXuB8Mz5DdOcOkHGbNAWC4EYutCFGM2gPhf1wYeBgJV53Acx1-jab-456zoMjqQBsUC_RzrcLOQzWIuWFc1V-uAcZSZYxzUZZc/s400/DGR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Talk again soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Darren</span></div>
<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-67695495438360673832017-03-27T19:25:00.000-07:002017-03-28T14:15:52.024-07:00Triple filter test - how to handle gossip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi! Welcome back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is something I found on the internet for those of you who often have to deal with gossip.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV632gfsPSpw2L0T0ycUR0HyNiQD9AwDzqrskSpPQ0LRCKarcMnkWe5eWI2uNXRdmSVOL935sDGonfUOumdQOkISFqsDMYeA3sCtExczaX0kRDQNB3XsjL7cn-UGubaZ9Kl76p-JfDyYc/s1600/socrates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV632gfsPSpw2L0T0ycUR0HyNiQD9AwDzqrskSpPQ0LRCKarcMnkWe5eWI2uNXRdmSVOL935sDGonfUOumdQOkISFqsDMYeA3sCtExczaX0kRDQNB3XsjL7cn-UGubaZ9Kl76p-JfDyYc/s320/socrates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">In ancient Greece (469 – 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, “Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“Wait a moment,” Socrates replied. “Before you tell me, I’d like you to pass a little test. It’s called the Test of Three.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“Test of Three?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“That’s correct,” Socrates continued. “Before you talk to me about my student let’s take a moment to test what you’re going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“No,” the man replied, “actually I just heard about it.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“All right,” said Socrates. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“No, on the contrary…”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“So,” Socrates continued, “you want to tell me something bad about him even though you’re not certain it’s true?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Socrates continued, “You may still pass though because there is a third test – the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“No, not really…”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">“Well,” concluded Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">So the next time you feel the need to speak about anyone, ask yourself first; Is it true? Is it good? Is it useful?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-59275407265208025892017-03-15T19:35:00.000-07:002017-03-16T18:32:56.784-07:00"You staunch bro?"<div class="MsoNormal">
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This post is more for those of you with a more "hardened/staunch" perspective on healthcare, generally your own. Has a lot to do with the Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride for prostate Cancer and Mental Health I try to help organise looming on the horizon again (Sept 27th). People will recognise your staunch-ness from 100m away, you're the ones who make statements like "awh nah bro, she'll be right", "Ooo yuck, <em>feelings</em>…" and "Nah, its all good, ain't serious.". </div>
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Maybe you are one, or perhaps know one. Sheesh, I used to be one myself. Still fight the urge from time to time. But if you are one, please read on. I have a couple of things you should probably hear.</div>
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Right. I hate to break it to you buddy, but its time you listened up, spoke up and got help if you're trying to handle stuff that you know you can't. Emotional stuff. Mental illness type stuff. Stuff you're not coping with. Being that kind of "staunch" ignoring your challenges is no longer the way to go.<br />
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There is a new "staunch" in town and its far better for you, will look better on you and will gain you more respect than the old way would have. Its also braver and harder (read: makes you tougher) than what the word used to mean.</div>
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<strong>Welcome to 2017</strong>.</div>
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To start with (and not to take away from stuff you might be dealing with), have you ever had a moment where you went "Okay. This could be bad...I don't know what to do here..."?<br />
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You know, one of those times when it seemed the walls were closing in, doubt turned up and everything started annoying or hurting you, and there you are, refusing to admit anything or in a position where you are WAY outside your comfort zone with no idea on what to do next. Would have been one of the times when you dived headfirst into lock-down and closed everyone out. You know. <em>Tryin' to be "staunch"</em>.</div>
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Sound familiar? Yeah, thought so. You closed down because you refused to deal with whatever it was or is, or maybe you just couldn't.<br />
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That "staunch" attitude you're so proud of or grew up with seeing people you respected displaying, doesn't and most likely won't ever help you. Even amongst others doing that same old staunch thing.<br />
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Now, if the answer to a question about "how serious is the stuff I'm dealing with right now?", is VERY serious, then you have a huge opportunity to try out this new definition of being "staunch". Step one is to book an appointment with a counsellor. Pretty much every single counsellor will be well trained to deal with any difficulties you might have in expressing yourself.</div>
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So whilst you go off and book that appointment, might help to understand what the old "staunch" one is about. In my opinion, it is actually built on three primary things.</div>
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1. Fear of looking / feeling weak / embarrassment</div>
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2. Lack of ability to talk about stuff</div>
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3. Inability to understand own feelings</div>
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Both 1 and 2 have always fed each other, just like a snake eating its tail. Cant overcome the fear because you don't have the ability to deal with stuff, cant deal with the stuff because you have too much fear. Point three just makes it worse.</div>
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Here's where it gets interesting for you, my staunch friend.</div>
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In order to deal with the 3 points, you actually need to harden up. </div>
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Yup. I just said that. Sting a little bit, did it? Thought you were hard or tough already? Got news for you. You're not. And what's even more surprising, that fact is actually <strong>100% okay</strong>. In fact, it's more than okay.</div>
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Accepting the fact that you're not as hard/staunch/tough as you have been portraying is the first step toward getting a handle on stuff. Its time to be okay dealing with feelings and growing personally (and likely professionally too). Keeping yourself on lock down is the same as doing something negative – it won't help you no matter what the situation you're in that you can't handle.</div>
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The kind of hard as detailed in the above 3 points, is a false staunch. It is a lack of understanding, a lack of being able to express yourself and a lack of ability to deal with fear. </div>
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See, feelings aren't dumb, weak, useless, or even embarrassing. Everybody has them, like a pulse. By acknowledging them and not burying them, you get a chance to understand them and therefore, yourself. Doing that gives confidence, some peace, a better understanding of how to handle things in the future.</div>
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Wouldn't that be better than how you handle stuff now?</div>
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I dare you to put aside any bravado you might have (because we both know that's just a mask for fear of talking about stuff) and make an appointment with a counsellor if there is something you're not handling too well.<br />
Trust me when I say that it is epic-ally braver and stronger to open up and talk about things you're struggling with, than it is to try and ignore them.</div>
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Do brave, staunch people bury their heads in the sand to avoid stuff?</div>
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The answer is the same you'd give if asked "do tough guys look at explosions after they caused them?". </div>
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No, staunchness-Mc-staunch. </div>
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They don't. </div>
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Tough guys and girls (and undefined) get in, get stuff done and walk away again. Cool as. What you don't get - until now - is that this is exactly what going to a counsellor is like. </div>
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Get in, get stuff done, walk out. Cool as.</div>
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The supposed stigma attached to asking for help and getting it (let's be honest, especially if you're a guy – ask for directions anyone?) is everywhere in popular culture, but it's not right. Movies don't tell real life. Real life does. </div>
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Consider the following.</div>
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Why do you think its dumb to ask for help when you can't sort stuff that actually matters? </div>
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Do you think that makes you weak? Less of a man/woman/person?</div>
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If you think that, definitely check out what I have to say next.</div>
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If the alternator in your car is busted, do you fix it/get it fixed?</div>
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Yes. Cant go far unless you're planning on pushing it next time you stop. </div>
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What about when the blade on your lawnmower is blunt and needs sharpening? Do you keep mowing the lawns cutting less and less each time, until you're eventually just pushing around a noisy hunk of useless machine annoying the neighbours and wasting all your time?</div>
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No, of course not. That'd be stupid, right? You fix it or get it fixed.</div>
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Closer to topic, got a bad, bad headache or a high fever. You ignore them?</div>
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No, egg if you did. You take medicine…and then you feel better.</div>
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<strong>So why then, do you think looking after yourself by going to a counsellor, has to be any different?</strong></div>
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Right. Fess up time. </div>
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Have I been to see a counsellor? Yup, absolutely. </div>
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Couple of times now throughout my life. Helped me. A lot. Needed my head put back on straight when I couldn't do it myself. No shame in it. Life can knock everybody down at some stage. Counsellors were able to provide me with some insight as to my various situations and provide me with some tools I needed to get it together. And I did. </div>
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Just like taking panadol for a headache or taking my lawnmower to the lawnmower shop.</div>
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Now consider the fact I've been trained to be tough, kickboxing, streetfighting, brutal. I'm supposed to be hard. Does that make me weak or less of a man for getting help? Hell no. If anything, made me stronger. <strong>MUCH</strong> stronger. Often gives me the opportunity to flick the fingers up to the world and say </div>
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"Ha! You couldn't break me!"</div>
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Counselling can do that for you too, but only if you're "new staunch" and "hard" enough to go. </div>
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Even Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has all this figured out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLpJpeVGLCQdzH3LxWkPDVXl2-7tzGSchQbV6KFxUBdlTLYHgZ3pp-2cvO7apjVjLfPjwMul2TWRGgn320e9xLfyJclqZXzeekfItn4D5Y5lPXnKXuoRkWQkXRI8cBo5GbAVfGyeQOCY/s1600/quote-it-s-easy-to-be-a-bad-ass-it-s-easy-to-act-like-a-bad-ass-easy-to-act-like-a-tough-guy-dwayne-johnson-108-69-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLpJpeVGLCQdzH3LxWkPDVXl2-7tzGSchQbV6KFxUBdlTLYHgZ3pp-2cvO7apjVjLfPjwMul2TWRGgn320e9xLfyJclqZXzeekfItn4D5Y5lPXnKXuoRkWQkXRI8cBo5GbAVfGyeQOCY/s400/quote-it-s-easy-to-be-a-bad-ass-it-s-easy-to-act-like-a-bad-ass-easy-to-act-like-a-tough-guy-dwayne-johnson-108-69-40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I already know you can do this (since you come here to read these posts), you just need to know you can and that new staunch is the way to aim. </div>
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It is seriously as simple as changing your definition of the word/attitude. John Kirwan (aka J.K. – a legendary All Black and more lately super 14 coach – admitted dealing with heavy depression throughout his All Black days and afterward, even opened up publicly about the topic, faced the advertisements on where to go and how to get help. Brave. Admitted he struggled. But he got help and is sorted.</div>
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So...if he can handle the jandal and go get himself help as someone famous AND as an ex All Black…what's your excuse again?</div>
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Be that kind of a legend. Be that kind of staunch, like John (J.K.) Kirwan, not the staunch you were before you started reading this. Don't be that snake eating its own tail. </div>
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Ask for help. Brave it up. You <u><b>CAN</b></u> do it, no matter how tired you feel or how hurt you might be. Never give up. </div>
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You'll thank yourself for booking an appointment (and going to it) and so will those who care about you. If you have already sought help, got it and you're out through the tunnel where its brighter, back me up on here. Tell them that haven't opened up and been yet, how it helped you. </div>
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If just one staunch person reads your words and goes to get assistance, what a great day that will be, don't you reckon? </div>
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Spread the word. Get the help. Open up.</div>
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Daz</div>
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-72983764203214317892017-02-22T19:43:00.000-08:002017-02-22T21:33:25.602-08:00Attitude - it can be your saving grace<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.843137); color: #1c4269; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">
Hi there, </div>
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This is a post I wrote up way back in July 2014 for both my workplace and for here, but its now become timely to bring it back for a second viewing. </div>
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Bit of a disclaimer to start with. </div>
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Topics I cover here in these posts are simply personal observations and are not intended to be professional counselling, condescending or upsetting, they are simply things I sometimes cover in one on one sessions with staff/peers or mentoring I do outside of work, that people down through the years have found helpful. To be clear - this is not some narcissistic attempt to gain fame or be "all that" and push my profile either. I simply have a helpful nature. </div>
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These posts come about from increasing periods of seeing rough times friends, acquaintances and even strangers are going through, coming across the occasional sad articles and/or seeing close friends, family and other people struggling with things they haven't been able to get their heads around. Being able to provide a kind word, a bit of advice when asked for, or just a friendly ear, I've learnt from history, can make a difference. So thats what these posts are. </div>
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You and I both know - tough times are tough times. No one is a stranger to them. I figured having a couple of places where someone is giving you some support/back-up to get you back on track might be good - hence this blogspot site. It's name is very similar to an old Japanese saying (which I reference to MANY times and will likely be my next tattoo) which speaks to underdog / fighter in all of us;<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCExkx3Z1ydpT1qg3TPhIc73XXyOPzlKwdcQtfmCcKxqgWmDvPPU-IrIoL5-n5otudKLW4PMiX2Ykkk9hVDJlsXVaWrbDlx_95mUeLTpVLH50DNnZFj6cG2RCKs78MIXgJUhUGs6X7CKE/s1600/20150304_055043000_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCExkx3Z1ydpT1qg3TPhIc73XXyOPzlKwdcQtfmCcKxqgWmDvPPU-IrIoL5-n5otudKLW4PMiX2Ykkk9hVDJlsXVaWrbDlx_95mUeLTpVLH50DNnZFj6cG2RCKs78MIXgJUhUGs6X7CKE/s320/20150304_055043000_iOS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
That all said and disclaimer all done, feel free to read on....</div>
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<strong>"Attitude is always your saving grace" </strong></div>
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Like everyone who is reading this knows, yep, life can deliver a few hard knocks, get a bit frustrating or just get you tired of being tired. Maybe you haven't had a holiday for a while due to circumstances beyond your control. End of the year can sometimes have this affect too - you've put in 12 months and worked hard, exhausted. </div>
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Similarly starts of the year can weigh in like pro-fighters with fists the size of your face as well. Add to that deaths, divorces, dramas, break-ups, teenager issues, smaller children acting like teenagers, work problems etc and all of sudden, it can feel like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders whilst riding on a 4 x G-force roller coaster. </div>
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Needless to say, sometimes these pressures can build up (see what I did there?) and both big and small annoyances can feel like mountains in no time flat.</div>
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But there is some good news - in just about all cases.</div>
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Like the post about <a href="http://thesunsetdragon.blogspot.co.nz/2014/07/okay-wise-guyhow-do-i-stop-getting.html" target="_blank">"okay-wise-guy, how-do-i-stop-getting-annoyed?"</a>, if you were able to stop and look around, take a few calming breaths, plus deliberately alter how you are viewing things by challenging yourself, mountains CAN get smaller. Even if only by a millimetre or two. But a millimetre is a millimetre, right? Its an improvement.</div>
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Often people who care about you, will act as catalysts by kicking you in the ass when needed, offering you support you didn't know you had,or maybe you'll just read something that will pick you up just enough to help. All of these things can allow you to see differences in your day that you couldn't see when you were upset/angry/frustrated. </div>
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Its 100% true that anger and fear both cloud judgement.</div>
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<strong>But you can change all that. </strong></div>
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<strong>And like the title states, with</strong><strong> </strong><strong><em>attitude</em></strong><strong>.</strong></div>
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<em>But how?</em> </div>
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Well, for everyone it's different, but here are a few things to get you started.</div>
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<strong>i) </strong>Lame as it sounds, you could tell yourself "I'm in control of how I'm going to handle this" - just dont do this in a mirror. That's weird.</div>
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<strong>ii)</strong> In any situation where you are feeling anxious/afraid/stressed out/annoyed - take a few calming breaths – oxygen is your friend. Just don't over do it. Breathe normally. Focus on it.</div>
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<strong>iii)</strong> Take a step back mentally (and physically if you need to) to get an objective/less stressful look at where you're at, even where others are at.</div>
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<strong>iv)</strong> Often the key to taking anxiety out of a situation is to ask questions to find out more. Knowing what you're dealing with is better than guessing. "Fear of the unknown" is a common problem - so fix it and ask so its not as unknown anymore.</div>
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<strong>v) </strong>Be brutally honest with yourself - try to analyse "why" you might feel the way you do about things - may not be the reason you thought. Did you fail to prepare? Do you still have time? Prepping is more important than you realise.</div>
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<strong>vi)</strong> Make a no-nonsense plan with how you're going to deal with the cause/s with how you will react - either physically or mentally – the actual cause make no difference. Again, <strong style="text-decoration: underline;">you're deciding </strong>how you're going to handle this, how you are going to react.</div>
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<strong>vii)</strong> "Attack" your own negativity/fear/anxiety. These things will breed given half the chance. Remember - <strong>you're choosing </strong>how to react - I can't state this enough - it really is your choice.</div>
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<strong>viii)</strong> Act positively - do what you planned to do - you're taking your own power back from the situation/mood that took it away. No matter how bad the situation might appear to be, its on you to try and improve it for yourself.<br />
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...And surprisingly all these things can literally take seconds to work through.</div>
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Now I'm not saying you should be Mr or Ms (Miss, Mrs etc) Positivity or over the top prepared because ridiculously positive people generally get <em>high fives…..to the face…..with chairs</em>…..</div>
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<strong>...but a little </strong><strong>internal positivity can go a long way</strong>.</div>
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And once you get into the habit, changing your attitude and the way you view situations can get easier.</div>
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<em><strong>Clear heads see clear things.</strong></em></div>
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So wrapping this up, hopefully this has made a bit of sense and perhaps it has helped. Attitude can keep you safe, can be a powerful line of defence when you need one and can change the way you view the world around you.</div>
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Either way, just remember, aside from looking after yourself and gettin' your own head on straight, consider the picture below. </div>
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Not only do you need to look after your own attitude, but spare a thought for how your own might be impacting on others. Attitudes connect and have the ability to grow with those around you. Give it a shot, and good luck. </div>
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So yeah, post over. Thanks again for coming by. Feel free to offer any helpful suggestions you might have, that may be helpful for any of the others who come by for a read, there seems to be a fair few of you lot these days based on the stats. We're up around 6,000 regular readers by the looks of it, of them, you are one. I appreciate you stopping by so often. </div>
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#googlestatsarecool #trustinyourselfyoucandoit #strongerthanyourealise #yougotthis #DLTBGYD</div>
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Daz</div>
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-48503113644703852382017-02-21T12:23:00.000-08:002017-02-20T14:43:24.799-08:00A quote that speaks volumes<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. <br /><br />Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged.<br /><br />I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realised, and I was still alive.” </span><br />
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<i style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">J K Rowling</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET5y557pY5_aCqW6mZn-FYMpHJ7NM5HmaiH6yeHXRqftdqByHU01dczhCSBHQZvDUQ0TrZo1A7sOlXxBZTN814kNJqtTtEaGA5CkbGl5dK6HQKcIjH6lBqtjaM26UJ_k4key8jmOavoU/s1600/jk_rowling_20121029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET5y557pY5_aCqW6mZn-FYMpHJ7NM5HmaiH6yeHXRqftdqByHU01dczhCSBHQZvDUQ0TrZo1A7sOlXxBZTN814kNJqtTtEaGA5CkbGl5dK6HQKcIjH6lBqtjaM26UJ_k4key8jmOavoU/s320/jk_rowling_20121029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-66151462078894494362017-02-10T16:39:00.000-08:002017-03-27T14:39:58.442-07:00Could a pizza sent for delivery get you home cheaper than a taxi?<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What if you are in town with minimal cash on hand, need a taxi and find yourself starving for something to eat? Consider this as an option - go to Pizza Hut, order a pizza for delivery and catch a ride home with the driver.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKOVK2i86X6Em6ZGTY2EPnAy82oRX0zHge9NVEbpE928APEl-E2VSUjvNFkwxaf6uW6rvjmH3MQbXP8GOO2RXiBmcvN2z9-i-5x68-jhaLcd_tMJn24RGh974IVpKEkLL3pHxNkXXAaA/s1600/Pizzahut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKOVK2i86X6Em6ZGTY2EPnAy82oRX0zHge9NVEbpE928APEl-E2VSUjvNFkwxaf6uW6rvjmH3MQbXP8GOO2RXiBmcvN2z9-i-5x68-jhaLcd_tMJn24RGh974IVpKEkLL3pHxNkXXAaA/s320/Pizzahut.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worth a try don't you reckon?</span></div>
Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-54928989841726429252017-02-10T14:23:00.000-08:002017-10-03T15:54:17.107-07:00Blog – so what if you’re gay?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being gay is not like being vegan. Seems LGBT individuals
don’t find it necessary to inform you of their lifestyle. They just simply be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like most posts I write, this one is in reaction to something. I
write this as I have noticed a greater acceptance in the media these days
for openly gay people (like two dudes kissing on TV in some show wife was
watching about surprise weddings or lesbian relationships in TV or movie dramas, and transgender
people too). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think this accepting coverage/inclusion in the media is
fantastic for breaking down the walls and going some way toward eliminating discrimination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, I also notice an increasing amount of right-wing-anti-gay hate
groups trying to be heard, trying to sway the populous toward their way of
thinking. A lot of Trump supporters based on what I've seen on the web too. But there are likely so many people reading this who think the same way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To them I say “Nah bro. Leave gay people alone. You’re the problem.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now I don't confess to understand all of the issues LGBT people face, nor am I here to tell you all about their plight etc because nope, I don't live their life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not being gay myself and quite a heavy way on the A-typical Alpha-Male scale, I like to think that every single
person on this planet (except for the ones who should be hunted for sport – i.e.
child molesters and women beaters) deserve the right to be who they are,
without persecution or difficulties based solely on sexual preference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I use the word “preference” sparingly here too as even not
being gay, I know it’s not a preference, it’s just who they are, who they are
attracted to. Simple. Same as being straight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps this is a naive approach, wanting people to be treated equally. Doesn't mean I can't say it though, right? If one person reads this post and goes "yeah, okay. You might have something there. Maybe I shouldn't be mean to that gay dude/chick" then awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Progress. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am lucky to have had a few individuals and friends “come-out”
to me through the years in my role as a manager of people, a mentor and as a
friend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes it has been due to persecution that has prompted these tough
discussions. Sometimes it has been the “I get written-off/don’t get
opportunities because of how I am/I am gay” or “my manager is uncomfortable
around me but doesn’t know why”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other times it’s just been because (well, I
like to think this anyway) I’m approachable and literally don’t care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yup – you read that right. “I don’t care”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not even a little
bit. M</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">akes zero difference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like veganism. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or gym posters who feel the
need to update Facebook every time they go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or foot fetish folks, or
swingers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or even if you're straight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whatever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Couldn’t care less. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And nor should you haters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nobody should be defined by their sexuality as a human being. LGBT people –
just like straight people – should be defined by who they are, not who they sleep with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are LGBT and you’re not being treated fairly, then you should speak up. Find someone who
will listen. But tread softly to begin with. Civilisation is filled with
conflict-avoiding people. Confronting such issues can make people nervous. But
if you’re not being treated like straight people simply because of being gay
(and nothing to do with you being a dick or being difficult) then you need to
have those discussions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now don’t get me wrong. This “I don’t care” attitude I have doesn’t
mean what it sounds like in the negative sense. I am happy for you, proud you
had the bravery to come out, honoured to be included, honoured to be someone
you felt you could talk to and always happy for your friendship, but again – I
will feel the same way if you’re a straight person or a vegan. And, only if
you’re a nice person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like my Mum taught me when talking with women “don’t stare
at boobs, concentrate on a woman’s face when you talk to her” to ensure I give
people the right amount of respect, and that the word “hate” (which I was
certain didn’t exist in our house growing up because hate was too strong of a
word to be used, “dislike something” was better), I’m not kidding here. Sexuality
should make zero difference to how you interact or function in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are a nice person, then just be awesome. If not, you
don’t deserve my time or anyone else’s until you sort your shit out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But again,
I still won’t hate you. I will likely just dislike you a lot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks Mum x <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This method of thinking should be the same for everyone else,
so I would like to spread the word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>People shouldn’t care that you are gay or vegan. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You should have the opportunity to be unique <u>just like
everyone else</u>. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would like to propose that if you are a homophobe,
religious zealot (did you know that even the Pope is okay with LGBT folks now?)
or a right-wing hate monger, now is the time to challenge your views. Just look around - things are-a-changin'. Get on board the rainbow bus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look toward treating each and every person you meet with
respect, with the opportunity to show you who they are as a person, and not to
be defined simply by your feelings about their sexual/emotional relationship preference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doesn’t everyone
deserve the chance to prove who they are and what they’re capable of? Even you
as a hater?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What if that next openly gay man or woman you wrote off or
put down, could have been destined to cure cancer? But they can’t now because
your hurtful words/actions took away their confidence? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What if they committed suicide
because of the hateful words you said? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Think that your version of the "Vengeful" God you keep bringing up who - according to your views - "hates gays" is going to be happy with you on your day of judgement?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From what I know about religion, 100% of them all talk about "do unto others as you would have done unto you" which essentially translates to "be nice to people, dont be a dick". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For you extremists out there, a</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">re you sure you're 100% right in your persecution of LGBT individuals? Certain enough to bet your eternal soul on? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regardless of your reply, consider this as a scenario. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe they’re in that café whilst you’re chugging back on a
donut and you start to choke, you gonna stop them saving your life because they’re
gay? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He or she could be a doctor, or a nurse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"No no, I'd rather die than have you anywhere near me"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sound legit? Again, I'm betting no. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm betting when your life is on the line, the guy or girl could be Pricilla Queen of the Desert gay and you'd take their help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now consider that a secretly gay person is teaching your kids at school, teaching
them how to read/write/spell and be worthwhile, well-rounded citizens of the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And a big point to know here - thing is, young kids
don’t care when someone is gay. It’s only a learned behaviour from the adults
around them. Like racism. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you think it's your goal in life to teach persecution and hate to your kids? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could be that your friend or maybe co-worker is working alongside you right now is LGBT, and you
just don’t know. Your attitude has him/her/undefined too afraid to be honest with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So com'on. <b>Empathy</b> people. Acceptance. We’re all on this planet
together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take my (and my Mum’s) advice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hate is far too strong of a word to use. It’s time to stop
using it – or at least point it in another more positive direction. Use it as a
wake-up call. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you hate something, find out about it, research. Often hatred
comes from not understanding something. Break the cycle, let people be and teach your kids right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And FFS, stop caring about people’s sexual preferences. It
doesn’t matter. Only people matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">End of story. [mic drop]</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-80425512135007747182017-02-09T19:40:00.001-08:002017-10-03T15:55:03.401-07:00Good advice and a few observations for a Friday (apologies for the swearing)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-75991244280132390392017-02-09T19:28:00.001-08:002017-02-09T19:30:06.218-08:00Bikes, Bikes and more Bikes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-25759174564117877192017-02-09T19:21:00.001-08:002017-02-09T19:22:37.360-08:00When you go on holiday...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-43197262784518661092017-02-09T19:16:00.002-08:002017-02-09T19:16:49.937-08:00Relationship help from Star Wars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-15646907907941516212017-02-09T17:31:00.002-08:002017-02-22T21:46:10.293-08:00I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so...<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.843137); color: #1c4269; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 10px;">
Hey you :) good to see you again. I like what you've done with your hair. Looks good. No really. Check that out.</div>
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So back from holiday now, bit shattered, timeline all screwed up since I've written this at almost midnight, but you bet, I'm still grinning from ear to ear. Had the best time with my family, Japan is amazing in every way I could describe. </div>
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Andrea, Trey, Finn and I boosted over there - and when I say "boosted" I really mean "sit in a flying cylinder for 11 hours straight trying to either sleep, get comfortable, watch something entertaining or all at the same time" - for an adventure / intrepid journey type holiday. Been a dream of mine for many years.</div>
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And boy was it incredible.</div>
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Here are a few of the things we managed to do;</div>
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Lego-land, Disneyland, Edo-Tokyo Museum with an english speaking guide, the Hato Bus tour taking in the Imperial Castle, the Sensoji Temple and a river cruise, shopping in Shibuya, went to the geek (Otaku) centre of Tokyo where the boys bought lots of Dragon Ball Z figures each, rode the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto (yes its fast), visited the Tenryuji Temple, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, fed the monkeys running free around us up on top of a mountain in falling snow, went to the Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine and to a Samurai Performance (with a ninja included). We went to Osaka, visited the castle, the Aquarium and went shopping in Dotonbori. We ate crazy stuff, caught up with a great friend of mine who I've known since kindergarten (preschool) and his lovely wife and walked at least a ba-zillion miles.</div>
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All in 8-9 days. Talk about gettin' in and gettin' it done! </div>
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Would I go again? You betcha! Loved it. </div>
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But why did I love it? For me the thing was, even in the crazy busy centres where there are hundreds if not thousands of people bustling along, there is still a underlying peace there. A softness, a calm beneath the hustle and bustle. People still rushed, urgency was still present, it just seemed that the majority of people were simply enjoying what they were up to. </div>
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Am I romanticising? Maybe a little. Still recovering from jet lag. But regardless, imagined or not, there was a smoothness and efficiency to things you don't get here. </div>
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The thing that really sold it for me was, wasn't the places we visited or the things we did. It was more than that. It was the one thing that stood tall above everything else.</div>
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Japan seems to be a nation of helpful and genuinely kind people.</div>
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So many times we must have looked confused or lost trying to negotiate the multi-coloured Spaghetti Bolognese lines that are the Japanese rail system (which are also written in Japanese). It never took long before we were approached out of the blue by people asking us if we needed help, many who only spoke a tiny fraction of English. One older gentleman even walked about two blocks with us to get us to our destination before happily bowing then setting back off in the direction we had come from. No issue. </div>
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This happened so many times that this cultural difference has had me wondering about our own backyard. </div>
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<em>Would that happen in NZ? </em></div>
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The answer - yes, of course it does. But certainly not as often as it should.</div>
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Ask yourself: how many times have I walked past someone who looked lost? Or confused? <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Especially</span> obvious visitors to our country? </div>
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I'll bet lots. I know I have, haven't given them a second thought. People visibly upset however, I've always tried to stop and help if I've been able to.</div>
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In Japan - as far as I could tell given our brief stay - ignoring someone in distress isn't an option. Even if the distress is minimal like confusion looking at maps. They seemed to have a need to ensure visitors to their country enjoyed their stay. It could have been patriotism, a cultural growth or any number of things. </div>
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Rather than complain about the (very) tall different looking barbarians, both young and old, English speaking or not, made an effort to smooth things out for us.</div>
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It was refreshing, even confronting at times given language barriers. But amazing. Inspiring.</div>
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So this led me to start paying attention to visitors to NZ (of which I'm sure there will be increasing numbers of given the latest lot of idiot Trump initiatives) to see if I can make a difference like the nice people in Japan did for my family and I.</div>
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Paying it forward. And now I'm encouraging you to do the same whether you are here in NZ with me, or somewhere else in the world.</div>
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How good do you think it will feel if you are able to help make someone's trip to NZ that little bit more stress free? Simple directions, a kind word. </div>
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I'll bet you'll try, its why you come to read these posts I put up. You're a helper, just like me. </div>
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Finishing up this wordy post, here are a few pics from our intrepid journey to the land of the rising sun, which incidentally I actually got to see as we flew in at sunrise.</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Kyoto Samurai Experience</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tokyo pretend "Geisha" at the Sensoji Shrine</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Anime "Gundam" statue</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">On the Shinkansen Bullet Train</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine - Kyoto</span></div>
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Osaka Castle</div>
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Feeding the monkeys at Arashiyama Monkey Park</div>
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<u>A great dinner out in Osaka at the restaurant "EN"</u><br />
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Please don't forget - if you can - help the odd tourist here and there when you see them struggling with anything. As a patriot of our own country or just as a good person, its the least we can all do.</div>
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Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by.</div>
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Daz</div>
Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-59925315617969181462016-12-27T13:03:00.001-08:002017-02-09T17:55:21.917-08:00A thank you, to you<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.843137); color: #1c4269; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 10px;">
If you are reading this, it means you're likely one of the ones who come by regularly for a quick read, a laugh, maybe out of sheer morbid curiosity wondering what on earth I'm going to write about or say next, or maybe you come along because this stuff works for you.</div>
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Whatever the reason, thank you so much for popping by. This is the last blog I'll write for 2016. </div>
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It seems fitting that this is a post especially directed to you.</div>
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It is a genuine heartfelt thank you for all the times you messaged me to tell me how much my post/s have meant to you, how they made a difference to you or for a family member or friend to whom you copied the posts, sent it to them and it helped them too. </div>
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Thank you for all the times you clicked "like" or commented on the posts that have kept the momentum going and added to the discussions and fostered more of the openness I've been trying to generate. </div>
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When there are no likes or comments, it would usually mean that no one is reading, but as I've found out, some is simply because you didn't want to be seen as having "anxiety" or being "stressed" by being connected to a post about it. I am glad you were able to speak to me about that though, a confession of sorts that let me know that yes, you do have it but that the post helped you. These conversations are truly amazing to have and worth much more than any clicks.</div>
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I thank you for clicking by for a simple read, maybe just to pass the time. </div>
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To you reading this, I wish you and your family and friends an amazing and spectacular Merry Christmas and New Year. You deserve it. </div>
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2017 is going to be an amazing year for all of us, and of course we all have lots to do, challenges to overcome and successes to embrace and be proud of. A positive attitude can help deal with almost any obstacle you might face. </div>
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But please remember during anything not-so-awesome; without some bad times happening every now and again, how can we truly appreciate the good when it comes along? Makes them all the sweeter when you think about it.</div>
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Now I'm working through this year, so if you do ever need to talk, feel free to message me. If I can't help in some way, I know lots of people who can. I'm no counsellor nor professionally trained, but sometimes its just good to have someone listen. I've got ears. I'm told they work.</div>
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A little note for those of you who have it a bit rough right now. I know there are a fair few of you out there in inter-web land. Please take care of yourself, stay true, dont be afraid to ask for help if you need it, try to look for any positive things you can make happen (no matter how small) in the situations you're in, and look after those who need you. </div>
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Keep on keeping on, you got this. You can make it through. The opinions of others are not yours to own. Remember who you are and where you came from. </div>
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<strong>You've always been a lot stronger than you've given yourself credit for.</strong> </div>
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<img alt="Image result for happy new year *.gif 2017" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2ThwMRlklc2JgG0ImQ93OzPehqSLrsbKgU_6IPxprcxjiIntU8dTtjcaJElJTW7BTh59Vpkux6V9C8c2SFrD5Iax5wsd0w1dy9_vnfdzgainJYcTJ9r0c-KoijbwJyUFd3e850s9zt0/s400/happy-new-yer-2017-gif-for-whatsapp.gif" width="400" /></div>
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For everyone else, if you see someone in need, offer to help. Sometimes just having someone ask and offer support can make all the difference in the world.</div>
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Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and stay safe. Kinda like having you around.</div>
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Take care of you and yours. Bring on 2017.</div>
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Darren</div>
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-14956206577560533322016-12-15T13:19:00.001-08:002017-05-14T19:21:36.156-07:00Mistakes, I've made a few<div style="display: inline !important;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hi!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">An article I put up on LinkedIn today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A "something to think about whilst you're at work" post this time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over the past few weeks, the subject of negative focus has lifted its head again as it often does when we all get tired and are looking toward that well earned, well deserved Christmas and New Year summer break. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pina collada's, walks in the rain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Y'know what I'm saying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I say "negative focus" I'm not talking about a general boiling cauldron of troubled culture in any work place or anything like that. No, not even close. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This negativity occurs where we start to focus on problems and mistakes much more than the positive aspects of what we do, how we do it and what we could do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've said this a few times in past posts (see "Got Anxiety? Read This") in an attempt to change our mindset, especially at this time of year. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04oxFwc06JA0Tlk2zsEDNe1dKUKOYyB_SXx8EmbKzh-yctcq2MZIuGs9ObmAkMQd6RpIm8WkkQYbuyQpeP7buZyEb6JWXNzQRrwF-ffGnm097rBIkYLIs_U_HD8XLEMNPFI5owoRzHyo/s1600/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAhrAAAAJDY2ZGE1YTlkLWFlOWQtNDRlZi1hZjgzLWRkMDRlZjRmZTkxYw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04oxFwc06JA0Tlk2zsEDNe1dKUKOYyB_SXx8EmbKzh-yctcq2MZIuGs9ObmAkMQd6RpIm8WkkQYbuyQpeP7buZyEb6JWXNzQRrwF-ffGnm097rBIkYLIs_U_HD8XLEMNPFI5owoRzHyo/s400/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAhrAAAAJDY2ZGE1YTlkLWFlOWQtNDRlZi1hZjgzLWRkMDRlZjRmZTkxYw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This picture is one I found on the inter-web quite a while back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's so good that I began incorporating its lesson into any teaching/coaching sessions here and off site too, where valid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes. You read that right. Made no mistakes? Then what limits did you push? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">See, mistakes are important. If you never make any, how do you learn what works and what doesn't? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're not making mistakes, how are you really challenging the things you do? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Answer? It's likely you're not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A boss of mine has asked on many occasions "what's the worst thing that can happen?" whenever someone has suggested an idea. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I learnt after the first few times she asked me that this question seemed to serve three purposes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. Will anyone die <span style="text-decoration: underline;">if we do it?</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. Will anyone die <span style="text-decoration: underline;">if we don't do it?</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Legitimate concerns. But there was also a third reason.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. Not only does this simple question serve as an immediate impact consideration assessment, but its also a great challenge to throw (some) caution to the wind and to take a chance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this simple question (which I urge you to adopt by the way) my boss was also asking for the person concerned, to try. To take a calculated risk. To risk making a mistake. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But of course, as long as no one was going to die.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And this ladies and gentlemen, this is how a business can move forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please consider the Samurai picture and my boss's question. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're looking at a process and see a potential opportunity to make it better, don't you owe it to the business (and yourself) to try to make it better or at the bare minimum, at least talk about it with someone invested in the result?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes! Of course you should! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Innovation is crucial part of any businesses success.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can you successfully innovate if you don't try anything new? Nope, kinda defeats the word itself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Quick few questions you should ask yourself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. Are you holding yourself back? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. Do you prefer to do the "tried and tested" way because "thats the way we've always done it"? You know it works, its safe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a manger or a leader, are you treating any mistakes your staff make like catastrophic cases of pulling us closer to financial ruination?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Considering what you have just read higher up, what would happen if you stop doing that?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are all guilty of stepping out sometimes when we should be stepping in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you or your staff members are too afraid to take calculated risks or make mistakes just in case you/they embarrass yourself/themselves, then its time to stop that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Join me in stepping forward.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xBNOHvQHCnuP-ahOsnw7mD0TF6cKHG0sBFaC8BnrO_B2h4ylUE3hMYueWunJ-Zje3SDQDu7hl6-a6EoivpKCp0zswsK97Ea_lCUx4fX07ZtPrImFNHJ2MytXhQ_szrTBMJfhKAysOAY/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xBNOHvQHCnuP-ahOsnw7mD0TF6cKHG0sBFaC8BnrO_B2h4ylUE3hMYueWunJ-Zje3SDQDu7hl6-a6EoivpKCp0zswsK97Ea_lCUx4fX07ZtPrImFNHJ2MytXhQ_szrTBMJfhKAysOAY/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mistakes - when owned and learnt from - can form badges of honour, help you to take the knocks they provide and assist you in growing to be more, to be better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We all have big goals ahead of us in 2017 and beyond and its going to take calculated risks and mistakes to learn from, to get there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Learning from them and challenging the norms will be the most likely method to push you and your business forward to where you need to go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Look at the negative focus things differently, starting today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Try the new ideas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I mean after all...</span><br />
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<span class="ms-rteFontSize-4"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What's the worst that could happen?</span></span></div>
Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-79669302178641747322016-10-31T19:20:00.001-07:002017-02-09T17:56:09.916-08:00Thought for the day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-OaXIuMKeVXgYb0o4ufpdhdFp3ofX82uCe0Z4pvg-NoRpXmcidOd6e4pSNDB_7IPmWiI191UWbEej2RjGYlTkLL2_jFOSIdiJkzMrhPSmHbW-MZHQl6i-unC6y4pNvqsto2AHXURS9M/s1600/IMG_1800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-OaXIuMKeVXgYb0o4ufpdhdFp3ofX82uCe0Z4pvg-NoRpXmcidOd6e4pSNDB_7IPmWiI191UWbEej2RjGYlTkLL2_jFOSIdiJkzMrhPSmHbW-MZHQl6i-unC6y4pNvqsto2AHXURS9M/s400/IMG_1800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-90666632784617280902016-10-19T23:00:00.002-07:002017-02-09T17:56:43.905-08:00Music I'm into at the moment - a playlist<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Figured might be cool to share the music I'm into, most of it organised into a playlist for when I'm out on the bike. Great cruising sounds, great vocalists, good to sing along with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then for fun or curiosity, feel free to check out the link on the right hand side under popular posts "My old band recordings plus a new track" - me singing. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bit of rock in that direction too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Playlist - in no </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">particular order;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Back from Cali - Slash, featuring Myles Kennedy</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgUTKxcC5dA" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgUTKxcC5dA</span></a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ashes Of Eden - Breaking Benjamin</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1yTyAh8IA8" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1yTyAh8IA8</a></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Failure - Breaking Benjamin</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVIh1MFWDVw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVIh1MFWDVw</span></a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Breakdown - Breaking Benjamin</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spz5oa8UE-4" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spz5oa8UE-4</span></a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Saint Cecilia - Foo Fighters</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjBUBFKb5zY" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjBUBFKb5zY</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Space Lord - Monster Magnet</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dscfeQOMuGw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dscfeQOMuGw</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bullet In My Hand - Redlight King</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1KL5U-fyMc" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1KL5U-fyMc</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wash It All Away - Five Finger Death Punch</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9VFg44H2z8" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9VFg44H2z8</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>House Of The Rising Sun - Five Finger Death Punch</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXYIxJScSik" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXYIxJScSik</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Made To Be Broken - Seven Mary Three</b> (live - prefer studio version)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHaHrzV7GOE&index=26&list=PLZ_5bDEnailfu6vjnYTrDOAKI9SNB5RIf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHaHrzV7GOE&index=26&list=PLZ_5bDEnailfu6vjnYTrDOAKI9SNB5RIf</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Master Of The Universe - Sick Puppies</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvb6NQozYsE" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvb6NQozYsE</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Blow Up The Outside World - Soundgarden</b></span><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC2GjXMk7i4" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC2GjXMk7i4</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Stinkfist - Tool</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07pLGIgyfjw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07pLGIgyfjw</span></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Pot - Tool</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2F_hGwD26g" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2F_hGwD26g</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Black Cadillac - Shinedown</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smvwKuqt_qU" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smvwKuqt_qU</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>State Of My Head - Shinedown</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv0B-DLtMiM" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv0B-DLtMiM</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cut The Cord - Shinedown</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9itwt_opsvQ" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9itwt_opsvQ</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Footsteps (Go Higher) - Pop Evil</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXvkTuMyZpM" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXvkTuMyZpM</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Trenches - Pop Evil </b>(a bit glam band but it grows on you)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWdtN7pCZug" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWdtN7pCZug</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Take It All - Pop Evil </b>(even more glam band)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGL2OjmZLhM" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGL2OjmZLhM</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Good Man - Devour The Day</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70FI3c2ARKM" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70FI3c2ARKM</span></a></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm A King Bee - The Stone Foxes</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvEtts_67AU" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvEtts_67AU</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Left Hand Free - Alt-J</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRWUoDpo2fo" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRWUoDpo2fo</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Red Sun Rising - The Otherside</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1cj2M_Mprw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1cj2M_Mprw</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Figure It Out - Royal Blood</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHX3lWJxQPA" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHX3lWJxQPA</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Little Monster - Royal Blood</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ere2Mstl8ww" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ere2Mstl8ww</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My Demons - Starset</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSvOTw8UH6s" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSvOTw8UH6s</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mississippi Queen - Mountain</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhM1XZsh6o" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhM1XZsh6o</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Heathens - Twenty One Pilots</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UprcpdwuwCg" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UprcpdwuwCg</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Paralyzer - Finger Eleven</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJk6gZuPKRE" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJk6gZuPKRE</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Evidence - Faith No More</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lvMNLhJrb0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lvMNLhJrb0</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ashes To Ashes - Faith No More</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfq7wHJu21c" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfq7wHJu21c</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Falling To Pieces - Faith No More</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32bdevGClD4" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32bdevGClD4</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bulletproof - Shihad/Pacifier</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zftDSYPmh6o" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zftDSYPmh6o</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yeah. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Git 'cha rock on already.</span></div>
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-24357265356056317942016-10-19T11:52:00.002-07:002017-10-03T13:11:17.603-07:00More 2016 DGR Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrxZWwU5G9T1uOf8ZjkpWd-9GDV23aL8vsKyYx6LV3DDHdi6IqRYqSE1zfCGGAgbjaKoKfmbJyrU-NH-SlU-D3-ADZ-E1JYJzwU1Wl1wl5F7zNA4A8E__pXMrtmaTDNS2e4YiL9ts2ng/s1600/Darren1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrxZWwU5G9T1uOf8ZjkpWd-9GDV23aL8vsKyYx6LV3DDHdi6IqRYqSE1zfCGGAgbjaKoKfmbJyrU-NH-SlU-D3-ADZ-E1JYJzwU1Wl1wl5F7zNA4A8E__pXMrtmaTDNS2e4YiL9ts2ng/s400/Darren1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620545595829498433.post-75564731983488336932016-10-10T14:43:00.002-07:002017-10-03T15:20:53.800-07:00The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride - 2016 Tauranga<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi you! Apologies I haven't posted in a while. Been a bit flat out if I'm honest. Working and charity work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So the amazing DGR kicked off this Sunday just been (9th Oct 2016), with around 150-200 bikes turning up. We had old-time scooters, bobbers, Harley's, Triumph's, Ducati's, you name it, we even had a bike built from scratch on deck! The dapper level's were high, m</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">oustache's were curled up, moustache stickers applied to bike headlights and the comradery of the DGR pack was solid.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Collectively our riders in Tauranga, NZ managed to pull together $14, 049.00 for the charity, NZ collectively raised a whopping $93,178.00 and worldwide we helped generate US$3,542,031.00! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A legendary result! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I even managed to take out second place amongst our riders gathering up $1271.00!! Thanks to all who donated and put up with me spamming them on social media.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ride day itself is something I highly recommend if you're a motorbike owner. The discussions around men's health, suicide prevention and prostate cancer were great to be had. I even had a good 10 minute discussion with a member of the public who just wanted to share his story of going through prostate cancer with me - a humbling talk and another reason why we do this DGR work in the first place. He is thankfully cancer free now, an excellent result.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Riding in the pack - I was lucky enough to be up front for the majority of it - was chilling in a good way. I am sure that people heard us coming around quarter of an hour before we even showed up. As we passed places, windows rattled. We were a very dapper gang of ladies and gents looking to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer and Men's mental health. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think we accomplished that. I even had an opportunity to jump on a tourist bus and let the asian tourists just what we were all about, but they were so quick to get off their bus and get up close and personal with the bikes they literally pushed on past me! Was awesome!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out a few of the pictures of the day below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The boys - Rich, Stefan and I</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Workmate Stefan and I again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This guy was one of the nicest guys around, and probably the oldest riding!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEHe2qU6dgOPMsg89uXKFeK5I3zPbZZwoEcythRwiraexMmohsmA5q0llbn8eGxGD3WJTLnwl8F7jrF_-_txdbD-lmfyHd1Z8ToKplxKKpE5KhuR8n5-3Z84aXtVzipz49rh9gRL6cwM/s1600/14572132_319953225035338_702502783619088131_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEHe2qU6dgOPMsg89uXKFeK5I3zPbZZwoEcythRwiraexMmohsmA5q0llbn8eGxGD3WJTLnwl8F7jrF_-_txdbD-lmfyHd1Z8ToKplxKKpE5KhuR8n5-3Z84aXtVzipz49rh9gRL6cwM/s400/14572132_319953225035338_702502783619088131_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The "Red-Band" band who donated their time for free to play the venue! Legendary band!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Front three and organisers of this Tauranga ride - Damian, Myself and Wayne</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Front three bikes. (from left) My Ducati, Wayne's Triumph and Damian's Triumph.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDBkM6B8fFYYklsYLKcm9wborii7ICY9Iz-3roMLK1d9iwMiI7AZelTZ-ghN-t98xxwOmaIdUsDQ9Lco85ns-Mwu0Pnc-JEMb9E55y9V1YlPLPAO-8rqaQSoi1v0Du9nZdTl4yyEFyyo/s1600/14670899_319952601702067_7607738822827233007_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDBkM6B8fFYYklsYLKcm9wborii7ICY9Iz-3roMLK1d9iwMiI7AZelTZ-ghN-t98xxwOmaIdUsDQ9Lco85ns-Mwu0Pnc-JEMb9E55y9V1YlPLPAO-8rqaQSoi1v0Du9nZdTl4yyEFyyo/s400/14670899_319952601702067_7607738822827233007_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-6yeeVuI8HAzAxqnxPcJ23AwotxDqEt7vDXi9Y_gOPg8P6xlXaTTbcJmvAWH2GyAMZxPR41kX60dWDISDeL0BXI6ZV28VKZ6mUyItELF2XRRY2kCKVl4X5AppgwPeJk3-vbsUv5w1yc/s1600/DGR1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-6yeeVuI8HAzAxqnxPcJ23AwotxDqEt7vDXi9Y_gOPg8P6xlXaTTbcJmvAWH2GyAMZxPR41kX60dWDISDeL0BXI6ZV28VKZ6mUyItELF2XRRY2kCKVl4X5AppgwPeJk3-vbsUv5w1yc/s400/DGR1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Promo picture - Keith, myself and Damian</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9wg401jSxHZsZQ48IAx5Po0807gPnN4VYx8Q_n7Mkhi2IhiS_WVx3_MJp5-vF4DSzEGAGOsvXf0cRExYM-eWyvb-A80tnvK9uj05FypSBU2sX8DuHPeMkQ-UV3s-oyE4R1OV-ModNlA/s1600/DGR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9wg401jSxHZsZQ48IAx5Po0807gPnN4VYx8Q_n7Mkhi2IhiS_WVx3_MJp5-vF4DSzEGAGOsvXf0cRExYM-eWyvb-A80tnvK9uj05FypSBU2sX8DuHPeMkQ-UV3s-oyE4R1OV-ModNlA/s400/DGR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then our newspaper interview and article.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So please keep an eye out for DGR 2017 - I'm going to be involved in it for sure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you have a bike - I can't suggest enough for you to get involved too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#badass #dapperedup #welldressedgang</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2016. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Boom</b>.</span><br />
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046646823937135492noreply@blogger.com0