Town Talk | Blueprint for a life well-lived

We want to live our best lives — but we don’t know what that is or how to find it. We don’t take the steps that would change our lives because they might be wrong. Sometimes, it is easier to just let our lives roll along because our current path is familiar, and the unknown is filled with fear. Each of us is unique; we all want different things in life, and we all deserve a purposeful, satisfactory time on Earth.

So, for several reasons, I want to tell you about a book with which I am familiar. My Manifesto is a seven-step guide to your best life. It has been written by Sue Wong and Justin Robinson. Let me tell you about Sue — because many of you will remember her.

I first met Sue when she was a young stay-at-home mother with two lively little boys. It was early in the 1980s, she was new to Shepparton. You might remember her as Sue McLean, later to marry Gary Wong. Shortly after her arrival here, Goulburn Valley Grammar found her and employed her immediately. Today, she looks back on 46 years of teaching experience and extensive coaching qualifications with Growth Coaching International and Open Door Coaching. At Geelong Grammar, she pioneered a coaching model that included developing coaches and introducing coaching to students and staff.

Justin has trained thousands of educators around the world in designing evidence-informed approaches to wellbeing. He was the inaugural director of the Institute of Positive Education, based at Geelong Grammar, and is a global board member of the International Positive Education Network.

Sue and Justin met and worked together at Geelong Grammar. Justin went on to begin his new business, The Wellbeing Distillery, and Sue retired from teaching, aware that there was more to do and more to give. My Manifesto: a compassionate guide to reveal your best life is the result. I have read many recommendations of their book from other wellbeing authors and impressive people. But it won’t surprise you at all that the recommendation that shone out for me was from Trent Cotchin.

Trent is one of my favourite people, although our paths crossed just once and very briefly. He was captain of the Richmond Football Club through the good times. And he thinks outside all the boxes. When asked for the secret of the Tigers’ success, his response was simple: “Love”. I’ll never forget this because I have always known that love — in all its guises — is the secret to success in just about anything. (Think about that for a moment before you dismiss it.)

Trent has written: “My Manifesto is a brilliant guide to supporting us in living our best lives. I enjoyed the process of working through each of the steps to unlock some really powerful takeaways. Highly recommend the read.”

I haven’t met Justin — but I know Sue very well indeed; I’ve always trusted her instincts as she has negotiated many crossroads in her life. I think she would say that a question is a doorway.

Who will benefit from reading this book?

A number of people have test-read My Manifesto, and some of their opinions are in the book itself. They are adults aged from their 20s to their 80s. All have reported benefits of the read. However, I’m also thinking about our younger people, so many of whom are facing difficulties right now. ‘Should I do this — or this? Or nothing?’ I see many young people around me treading water and waiting for clarity.

Sue and Justin have written that My Manifesto will minimise internal conflict and help you navigate life; build hope and raise awareness of what is important to you; provide greater clarity in your life; and uncover rich personal insights to help you make difficult decisions.

In fact, they guarantee these outcomes.

Here are a couple more recommendations that I particularly like:

The difference between living a full life (which many of us do in a constant state of busyness) and living life to the full (with all the richness, significance and variety that goes along with that) is so sharp that it’s almost frightening. Sue and Justin will help you move towards a better and valued way to bring your talents to the world, to your circle and — most importantly — to yourself. — Mark McKergow, co-director of The Centre for Solutions Focus at Work and author of The Next Generation of Solution-Focused Practice and Host Leadership.

Your world will change if you take the time to follow the guidance in this marvellous ‘how to’ manual for a better life.— Professor Richard Boyatzis.

Now, if you’re interested in obtaining a copy, go to mymanifesto.me. It is $39.95. As many of you prefer to shop locally, can I suggest you ask Collins Booksellers to get it for you? It is published by Melbourne Books.

Our newest historical society

This Thursday, September 12, will see the first annual general meeting of the Tallygaroopna and District Historical Society.

At 2pm, the members of the committee will offer a history display and afternoon tea. You are invited to bring along an item of local historical interest; it may be connected to your family, your community group, your property or organisation. The committee members will outline their existing goals and welcome suggestions for future local historical projects.

Sometimes, when we are busy with the present, we ignore the past — which has made the present possible and will educate the future. Please give the people of Tally your support. Local history books for sale on the day are Tallygaroopna Soldiers’ Memorial Hall Centenary History, Tallygaroopna and District Times and Tales and Tallygaroopna Presbyterian Church.

For catering purposes, phone president Trish Moss on 0427 298 288.

The calendar and the seasons

Recently, we had spring days in winter and some winter days in spring — not unusual. However, it reminded me of Ancient Rome’s battle to keep the calendar in line with the weather.

It was the job of the senior consul each year to add 21 days to February because the Republican calendar didn’t really work. But the consuls kept forgetting to do this — or couldn’t be bothered — and when Julius Caesar stepped in, the calendar was completely out of whack with what was happening outside. The year 46 B.C. was 90 days short — and when they were added it became the longest year in history.

Then, copying the Egyptians, who fully understood the principles of astronomy, he attempted to arrange the year to conform to the duration of the course of the sun. The sun takes 365 days — and a quarter — to complete. Therefore, every four years, we have an extra day at the end of February.

The Julian calendar was in use for 16 centuries before Pope Gregory adjusted it. Britain used it until 1752 when 11 days were added to September.

Caesar and his assistant Sosigenes had overestimated the length of a year by 11 minutes and 14 seconds. Therefore, an extra day every four years was an over-compensation. The Gregorian calendar, which we currently use, dictates that when the year number is divisible by 100 — but not 400 — an extra day is not required. What does this mean to us? Not much because few of us will be here in 76 years. In 2100 — ostensibly a leap year — an extra day will not be added. You might want to tell your great-grandchildren! In 76 years, they’ll tell their grandchildren how smart you were!

The car story

For those of you aware that I’ve been begging rides, and have become friendly with an obliging taxi-driver (who was kind enough to call me to see if he was needed that day!), I finally have a car.

My previous vehicle was too big, too heavy and too difficult to park. It also needed money spent on it. So, I asked my sons to find me something I could afford. “No problem,” they said. However, there are three of them — and getting three men to agree on the purchase of a car was definitely problematic; it took almost four months.

I love my newish car, but it has features I didn’t expect and will likely never use. For example, it will park for me if I ever learn to trust it. However, there is one change which, after 60 years of driving, I’m having difficulties with. The indicators are on the left side of the steering wheel — the windscreen wipers on the right. If I’m alone in the car, I’m okay — I remember. But if my husband is talking to me or asking a question, when I’m about to turn a corner, the windscreen wipers go on. Funny about that! Old habits are hard to break.

Take care and may it be easy, my friends.

Marnie.

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. The News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Text or call 0409 317187