Leaving New Farm Brisbane

This journal marks another change in my life. I am moving from the caretaker (free accommodation) role at New Farm. The word ‘new farm’ I felt an inspiration with. When I read things literally sometimes I get a sense about it. It made me contemplate on new (type) of farm. It is a very popular area, inner city, lots of cafes and restaurants. Apparently I am in the red light area, yet you wouldn’t know it looking around. It has been a fascinating experience to live with people who have come from domestic violence, violent situations, deaths in families, jail, drug addiction or simply poverty.

I really enjoyed getting to know the women and learning about their lives. I felt privileged to be in this role. I feel it would be important for the community to know more about poverty and tragedy and how it affects people’s lives. There was one woman who left her impact on me. She was drinking and was separated from her family. She told me of the death of her son who had suddenly developed headaches and died. Her mother sent her a plaque with her name on it and his. It was extremely devastating for her. She commented to me that she would have taken him to hospital. She was a woman that was very direct and when angry let it show. She was straight to the point and she let me know when situations were developing. We had some trying times with two women who I am certain were drug affected and definitely alcoholics. It opened my eyes to the problems of addiction in our society. It can happen to anyone and I would say it is across the board, some people probably hide it better. These women were nice people but when out of it, they were unreasonable. I heard them screaming at a bus shelter on the street. One was screaming at an aboriginal man who was her boyfriend. She didn’t just yell she bated him, insulted him and she was in a rage. I cannot judge her for that, I have no idea of her history or relationship with this person. When I heard her screaming at the top of her lungs I knew that it was revealing an enormous rage within her and in the end she cried. Such pain. I found out that the aboriginal man was known for violence and had stood over one of the women at a food van nearby. Again, I don’t judge him, I have no idea of what his rage masks. The other woman was desperate for pills and drugs and she was often drunk. She was around my age and it was sad to see two lives so consumed by alcohol.

Strangely the one night I decide to go overnight to Ipswich, all hell broke loose and these women brought men back. Apparently one was walking in the hallway (women’s hostel) naked. They were doing drug deals there and finally the police were called, they were arrested and their fate unknown. They obviously knew I wasn’t there and just took over. I had warned the company I was Caretaker for, I told them they had to be evicted. I could see their dilemma as the purpose of these safe houses is for people who are having social problems. They may not, for one reason or another, be able to get a house, could be poverty, age, the way they look or substance abuse. So I could understand that but as I explained to them in my exit interview, they need to have a place for women with substance abuse issues. The homeless hostel is for women who can live independently and issues of right to freedom of movement and without fear is important. Apparently they cannot evict until violence happens. I said to them to lobby government to change the legislation so that people do not have to wait for violence to take action. I don’t think they should be thrown on the street but they do need special assistance. I have come to understand that drugs and alcohol is a health issue, not a criminal issue. Even those who engage in violence, they are not with it, not in their full faculty. Yet I did observe through my friends experience with her heroin addicted son, he was beaten and treated as a criminal when he stole. He stole to get money to buy drugs. If he was not on drugs he would not steal, therefore the problem is the drugs. I did post up a good posting on the drug industry. It is well worth reading, from a friend of mine who is a world expert in the money laundering area. I recommend you have a look over it. I think drugs is a major issue and I suspect it is linked to organized crime and funding wars. We have to help people to reach for pathways that will lead them to happiness not to escape into oblivion to numb the pain.

My dear friend who stayed with me made an impact on the women. She is like an angel and has had enormous life experience when it comes to pain, tragedy and vulnerability. She is one of the most courageous people I have met. Her own parents were mentally ill and alcoholic when she was around 4 years old. She lived in institutions and families where she was hardly spoken to and suffered emotional abuse. She has chronic back pain, hot flushes, epilepsy, stomach problems, the list goes on. Sometimes she cannot walk for 4 weeks, yet never is she depressed. She told me once she has this joy inside her that is always there. If you met this woman you would find a really bubbly, humble person. She does laughter workshops and is the perfect example of a person who walks the talk. She is also a Buddhist and I remember at a hospital with electrodes on her head, she showed me how she was able to turn wavey lines into straight lines. These lines measured brain wave patterns. She meditated and they all went flat. I was astounded. She is also extremely funny, a real clown, and she sees the purpose of her life is to evolve. Even the challenge of dealing with her beloved son, she finds courage in accepting that she cannot control him, she supports him emotionally but does not enable him financially. Yet her instinct as a mother is to rescue her son. Can you image what it is like to find out your son is not breathing in an alley and later revived by paramedics. Then to find out he is beaten badly as he stole a purse. He could have been killed. This lad has had 4 overdoses. He is only 22 years. It is so heart wrenching to see her managing this daily. Her ex partner (his father) does not want anything to do with this son. She has no hatred towards him, yet no support, he does not help her at all, not from day one. Yet they had loved each other. I find it hard to understand. I can only say spiritually the life unfolds in ways that is hard to understand, but I do see purpose. Perhaps her situation is to become strong and she has a consciousness around losing all fear. She is an amazing person, I am priviledged to know her.

So this overview gives you an idea of how some people live, how life can deal cards. It is so important not to judge people on the street or homeless. I now drive past them on the street and wonder how they are. I don’t have any judgement. I have a deeper sense of acceptance and connection. I really love that. That is what life experience does, it connects you to people. I could be them, had life dealt me cards in a certain way.

So I packed up my things today and I head of to an outer suburb of Brisbane to stay with friends. They actually hosted my reception when I got married 16 years ago. They are a lovely couple who have been together for 46 years and love each other dearly. So nice to see success stories where love and devotion is central to married life. Her husband Maurice is the most amazing artist. He built their huge house and he has themed many rooms e.g. Egyptian room, tent room, Cleopatra style bathroom. He has the most amazing carved horses galloping around the edging on the ceiling. He has paintings he painted hung up on the walls. He created a dinner room which looks medieval. It is the most amazing art work. They reminded me recently that I rang a television program years ago and nominated them as an interesting house. A film crew came out and filmed and interviewed them. The house was made for Patricia as an act of love. So I am staying with my friend at this amazing place.

I will use this time to edit my book (world trip) and to find a place to live. My friend is here for another few weeks and then heads back to Melbourne. I am planning to do some clowning at a festival this weekend. I will also dive back into the world of work in the next few weeks. I return to being an Analyst for a time. I am not sure how I will go with restricting my freedom, however I have a feeling I have to work for a while, so will flow with it and see what I learn.

I am also getting very strong feelings to activate my clowning around the world project which focuses on starting a Peace and Sustainability Award for children. You can visit my blog on an International Peace Award. That outlines the proposal. I feel inspired to make this happen. So I will put it out there again and see if it possible to create another world trip. If you know of any switched on Rotarians let me know through my contact page on my website. Inspiration is like that, it is not hard work, it is just this amazing feeling that moves you. My friend tells me I work all the time, never feels like work, I just feel to communicate, I love it. It just comes to you and you know you have to do it.

So send good vibes. I feel constantly I am juggling, often I have all the balls up in the air, have no idea how they come down or where. That is what I love about my life, never know what is going to happen.

Looking forward to clowning again, woo hoo. I so love being a clown. I miss it.

Keep smiling – it is all good.