Now this wont be a post that is SEO correct nor will it be a reference in business circles, I guess that headlining with a rocket up our ass for change may sound crass, but I don’t care. I feel a strong surge inside that our country, that is our people, me included, are stuck in tired systems, tired thinking, doing the same old thing, sometimes dressed differently and yet still the same nevertheless. Its probably a chocolate fuelled burst of indulgent thought, and yet when I examine or question or research some of our social and economic troubles I keep coming back to the same conclusion. Let me explain. Our major political parties are gearing up for an election, we have an overthrown leader being a stirrer within their own party. Sound familiar?  I’m probably oversimplifying it, but I’m a simple thinker. So we have this happening and I have déjà vu…… The other party is pointing and sprouting “look at the dissension” blah blah blah and its so hypocritical as they did the same thing 3 years ago. My point is people ARE OVER IT – Aren’t they? If we look at a fellow western country that heavily influences Australia – the USA, we could ask, How on earth can a misogynist buffoon (in my opinion) like DT be a raging success in the race for the republican nomination? Could it just be purely that he’s just talking differently? Whether you love it or hate it ( I’m positively the latter) he’s speaking his mind and its different to the normal rhetoric, its not the normal déjà vu and as a result so many people are lapping it up.

Lets not stop at politics. What of our education system and our approach to educating students. As a nation we don’t seem to really be doing anything different or groundbreaking here. We spent money for Gonski to examine, report and make recommendations and what do we do with it? we don’t seem to like what has been said, or are too quick to cry poor, so we disregard. Finland has one of the highest test scores in the world and their approach to childhood education is vastly different. I recognise that there are people out there in the world making a difference and trying new things – Kudos to them, I have such respect. My friend and colleague Melissa Browne and Rod Soper are trying to shake up early child development with Thinkers Inq, challenging teaching methods for pre-schoolers. There are many people sticking their head up and above the crowd, with the total risk of being chopped down, one of the most common traits of Aussie laid back culture, be successful but not too successful, make a change but not too much of a change.

I think so many of us are playing it safe. Its certainly a theme for me right now. At a recent event Pru Goward addressed a crowd of predominantly women. She said ” Women are starting more businesses, yes. But they often grow to only 1 staff member, too scared to take a bigger risk, take out a loan and totally back themselves”  I have to agree. Im one of those women! I know inside my heart that Im not working to my full potential and in loving myself I also say Im working on that. As a nation though if so many of us are doing this or feeling this way then we are not really making much progress. I know I sound like a negative Nellie and I’m the positivity queen. I think I just feel that we need to pull our finger out, be more bolshy, make waves, create change

Whats the saying? Be the change you want to see in the word. We could all heed that advice.

Imagine a confident, compassionate, calm, clever articulate woman, who wasn’t just described as feisty or emotional or yelling, who was neutral and un-influenced by donors, or who stood equally self funded, to stand up to someone like DT – I dream of seeing something like that.

The last word I will say is that if I’m to speak up, walk my talk or make my feelings known, I have to press save and post on this blog and then send it out. Regardless of whether anyone should agree with me or not. In my chocolate fog I’m going to be brave.

Until next week, love and hugs

Andy xx

Finlands schools:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/this-is-why-finland-has-the-best-schools-20160324-gnqv9l.html

Thinkers Inq:
http://thinkersinq.com/what-we-believe/our-philosophy/