25/01/2025
This morning I woke up, my voice didn't work, 'cause I used it for two days, I took in the world rolled over and kissed my Fiancé who wished me a Happy Australia Day and we both said... 'we are so lucky'.
I did this in my unlocked home, with a green house full of Native Plum trees, a paddock full of goats grazing happily under massive gum trees, the end of my bed with 2 sleeping Dogs.
I realised just how truly fortunate I am, I put on a pot of masala tea and looked out the window, had a great chat by phone with my mum, read through and replied to a stack of happy Australia Day messages from so many greatful friends new arrivals and native born.
My partner came here as a refugee, from a brutal almost failed state, we could have had non of the life we have in his home country, we would both either be already dead, persecuted or at the very least be hiding in constant fear. Tomorow he will work and get paid astronomical wages for his labour, whilst in his home country his family can not even pay for groceries without his help.
We both come from the remnants of the British Empire, and yet our previous generations to what the British gave them and created very different futures for their people.
He reminds me every day just how lucky I am for the chance of being born here. I'm lucky so lucky to have a daily reminder of just how fortunate I am to be Australian.
A country created from the 'waste of Britain' and the best of the 'British Empire' coming here from across the globe and creating a unique continent nation, with ideals of a workers paradise, a second chance at life, where your lot in life was not pre-determined by politics, position of your parents or the failures of power hungry people.
Each day I just get on and be Australian, I live and do....today I stop --- I really reflect---- I really give my respect---and this eve I will celebrate the incredible good fortune of being a citizen.
On the date, 26 of Jan, Australia rejoined the world, Australians got their citizenship, we learned our place on this planet.
I reflect on the difficulties, the challenges, the struggles as I sip on my masala tea.
I respect the daily battles, the daily trials, the daily arguments, the blood sweat and tears shed of our ancestors who built this phenomenal nation which allows me to live every day in a way that is impossible for the vast billions of humans.
And I will celebrate, share my gratitude and know that there is no green grass on the other side .... I must every day in every way water my own yard.
I encourage each of you in the 'lucky country' to water you own turf today, demand nothing, be kind, be polite, wait in line, share a laugh, wink at a kid, assist an elder with a task, say a stack of compliments, encourage someone who is challenged. Spread gratitude for your reality, share your lived experience and know that so so so few of your fellow humans wake safely from their sleep to a day like this one, with knowledge that the day ahead is their own to do and be as they please.
