The Courage to be Free

Fear and terror strike again in the most unlikely of places - a concert, a restaurant, the romantic streets of Paris. And the world reacts. #parisattacks #prayforparis

Brene Brown says “there is no courage without vulnerability”

Today I thought “there is no freedom without courage”

Refugees have flooded into Europe, and I have been concerned. “What if?” - What if Isis plants terrorists into the stream of refugees? And today it seems, they did. My apprehension has been realised. I queried whether this was the wisest course. How are refugees being vetted? How do we stop potential terrorists infiltrating our daily lives? All suggestions, however, seemed to be  swamped by the hundreds of thousands, the constant stream of desperation flooding over boarders. Would-be terrorists are being promised safe-havens through-out Europe, and quiet countries like mine New Zealand, Canada, Sweden are promising safe passage for hundreds to join our peaceful communities. Do we want them? Do we want to open our doors to possible infiltration? Do we want to spread the carnage around the globe. 

Today, Facebook is being covered with French flags in solidarity. And my sisters shared poems…

Another friend, Denis Bruce, in Canada stated: “I fear that the Paris attacks will give rise to right wing extremists and innocent Muslims will suffer violence and have to pay for the sins of ISIS. It needs to be said that the refugees flooding across Europe are desperately escaping the very people who caused such carnage in Paris.”

And that is the answer.

There is no freedom without courage, and

There is no courage without vulnerability.

“You will not turn us

You will not break us

You will not define us”

We will hold on to compassion

We will help the helpless

Our vulnerability will be exposed

And we will die for our freedom

for the sake of ourselves, 

for the sake of our children, 

for the sake of humanity

Advocating for Kids

All too often in my career and in my personal life, I have heard parents and teachers worry about children. It is natural to want the best for tamariki, to want to see them fly, to learn and thrive. All too often however, our concerns are fuelled by media, by modern societies pressures to compare, compete,  and by a 'world' view of standardised norms. As a result of this recipe, 'nurture' begins to conflict with nature.

What is it we want for our children? How do we advocate for an environment that provides the best, encourages them to fly, and gives opportunities for them to really learn and thrive?

Once highlighted, it seems to simple, so obvious... The Citizens Commission on Human Rights advocates that we nurture the 'kid' they are.

Thanks to Nathan Mikaere-Wallis for sharing this video from The Citizens Commission on Human Rights