#yearwithoutalcohol

Watching the news, reading the newspapers and following social media, it has been hard to miss the apparent rising incidents of alcohol fuelled violence. Young men have died because other young men have attacked and killed them, often without reason.

All the discussion about how to stop it have ranged from stronger laws, more police and more education aimed at those who are at greatest risk. Yet we seem to have ignored the role alcohol plays in our culture. The role it plays in the lives of almost every average Australian, male and female has been ignored. Is there any reason for celebration or commiseration that does not involve alcohol? Having your first drink and getting drunk is an Australian rite of passage.

It is time to change the culture.  How?

Be the change you want to see (Ghandi). It is up to you and me, gentlemen. Our children model their behaviour on ours. Let's set the example.

Join me in #yearwithoutalcohol.

I enjoy a red wine as much as anyone but I have also suffered and caused others suffer because of a dependent relationship with alcohol. I have decided the best thing I can do to change the culture is to change my own.

This will be MY #yearwithoutalcohol.

Imagine if governments went a year without alcohol taxes and sports teams, the arts and entertainment events went without alcohol sponsorship? What a message that would give!

Join me by following the hashtag and placing a comment here.

We can make a difference!

Now For Something Completely Different!

Monty Python irreverently took a TV generation on a journey of comedy and social comment in a manner and style completely different to what they had been used to. In a crazy kaleidoscope of sketches, cartoons and and zany antics, they bombarded the viewer with a new paradigm in comedy, one I would dare to suggest has not been surpassed since. Kenny Everett and the Goodies went close, although one could argue they were but disciples of Monty Python, not explorers of new territory.

History shows that human beings like the status quo and will resist any attempts to change from what has served them well. This is the case, it seems , whether you are talking about the big picture or in terms of individuals. People do not like to change what they believe, what they think they believe and what has become habitual. It is for it always has been and therefore there is no need to accept or embrace this new thing, whatever it maybe. Habits of thought and practice, be they personal, institutional or societal, often require a cathartic experience or a lengthy debate, sometimes both, before they are changed.  Look at slavery, race and gender based issues for example. Something completely different rarely comes without a struggle.

Over the last few weeks I have been reflecting on both - faith and education.  Both have had an accepted worldview which is, and has been for sometime, challenged by new ways of thinking and doing.  Both are struggling to make the transition from the known to the unknown, from the accepted to the something completely different.

To read more go to http://bit.ly/1at8nMr