Remembering Heath

Heath Ledger’s death from what appears to have been an accidental overdose on prescription medication was not only extremely tragic, but should also serve as a reminder of the fragility of life itself. From all reports, he lived every day as if it were his last, and touched the hearts of all those who knew him personally and those who did not. While we mourn the passing of a life that had been taken far too soon, such was his talent on screen and his charisma, there is much a message about his life that we should all take away for our own consideration.

We should all live life and each day as if it were to be our last day on Earth. This idea is written time and again through many self help books and passed through as wisdom by word of mouth, but beyond the simple idea there is something far more complicated bound up in this phrase. Our time in this mortal coil is short, and none of us can predict when our clock will stop. Indeed, even the healthiest of us can suddenly pass away, while people who abuse our bodies live until they are 90. No matter what, we cannot control the date of our departure.

But that is not to say that we should abuse this time, by abusing our bodies by poisoning it, by not caring about other people and be abusive and focused on oneself, by being greedy and hoarding material goods to make us feel better, or any forms of activities that provide us with such short term sensations of pleasure. There is another saying that goes “At your funeral, what will you be remembered for?” This provides us with the second part of advice that complements the first provided here. Live life to the maximum, but also remember, in your wake, consider the first and foremost memory that people will remember you by. Thus, be generous and giving, honest and passionate, forgiving and just, redeeming and searching, understanding and knowing, thinking and serving, ultimately selfless and needless. The more that a life is lived while in the service of others without compunction or expectation, the more genuine rewards will come your way. Remember this: the people that are remembered and revered, and will be unendingly, are the ones that gave their life in the service of others. All others will fade away.

It is also important to emphasise the limitations of each individual as well, and not to cross that invisible line that compels us to stop. At the end of the day, our mortality is carried by the physical limitations of what the body and mind can handle. It is impossible, and even dangerous, to go beyond these limitations and rely on various stimuli (such as medication) to be able to maintain a normal routine. Reports coming in have said that Heath had medication to help him sleep, and that there was more than one type of drug at his side. If that were the case, then here is a case of reliance and dependence on various stimuli to maintain a normal routine. There are those that are much worse and have horrible addictions to horrendous drugs, but in a convoluted manner, both are very similar. Whatever the reliance or addiction is, there is a reason and cause as to the development of such a “need” in the first instance. The same goes for people who rely on such items to “party harder” or “go further”. That is not to say that the use of prescriptive medicine should be avoided, but they need to go hand in hand with understanding of why it had to come to using the drug in the first instance. For example, people that are depressed may be on anti-depressents, but the prescription is usually written by a psychiatrist and in conjunction with therapy. At the end of the day, if there is a problem, one needs to deal with it, not by utilizing something to reduce the impact, but to address the problem branch and root.

It seems sad then that Heath Ledger, prior to his death, lamented the fact that he did not see enough of his daughter, Matilda. If anything, his life imitated his art, especially in the movie Brokeback Mountain. Ennis almost didn’t have enough time to see his daughter get married, neither did he have the conviction to stand up for his personal loves, and sacrificed everything in the process. If anything, Heath may have loved his life, but he made sacrifices in it as well that were troubling him, such as a commitment to a family and his daughter. Mourn the passing of a person that has impacted on many, but also learn something from it and use their experience to grow from it, in every little way.

Cold Cases, tensions, understanding and gestures

When I switched on the TV last night Channel 9 aptly ran a Cold Case episode that resonated with a national holiday in the USA. On every 3^rd Monday in January, (in 2008 it was on the 21^st of January), it was the birthday of Martiin Luther King Junior, in remembrance and celebration of a man that did much for the civil rights movement through non-violent protest.

The episode, “Strange Fruit”, focused on a Cold Case (a criminal case that has gone “cold”, in that it remains unsolved and the clues leading to the crime has dried up) revolved around the death of a young African-American boy at the time that Martin Luther King Jr. made his landmark speech on the steps of the Abraham Lincoln memorial on 28 August, 1963. While at the time, his death was unsolved, the episode leads us through how and what occurred in the days leading up to his death. It highlights the racial divide and revealed elements of the dark past that the USA has had when it comes to racism and bigotry, as there were also elements of gender bias built into the episode, alongside the racial biases.

If anything, the episode highlighted that there is still some way to go for Western societies to claim to be truly egalitarian and equal, regardless of race, gender and age. While constitutions enshrine these concepts, and laws are created to uphold them, this does not protect society from the expression of biased attitudes and beliefs. However hurtful and negative these thoughts may be, the writer does not believe in an active pursuit of people that either have these, or express these thoughts. Beyond the individual’s free rights to express and think, the reality is that there are reasons for why an individual may think the way that they do. Furthermore, it can be said that such views are not a representation of society as a whole, but a very small minority, that may be very vocal. What is the concern then is that if individuals repress their personal views in fear of their retribution, and do not attempt to deal with the rationale behind their dislike.

For example, Pauline Hanson, who is known internationally for her rather colourful views, may have genuine reasons for why she believes that immigration should be barred. Of course, she ignores her own heritage and also her own personal problems. Maybe she was unhappy to be stuck owning a fish and chips shop, while others (particularly Asians in her view) seemed to get good jobs and drive fancy cars. It was an odd alignment of stars that got her into Federal Parliament in the first place. When her position was made public, even John Howard, who was known to have a very traditionalist view of the world, and disliked Australian immigration policy in how it was regulated, distanced himself as much as he could from her position. Since her fall from parliament, she has occasionally attempted to run for parliament but failed to garner enough support to gain election. In many ways, she is the Kryptonite of Australian politics. Nevertheless, she gains some support, and her views do resonate with parts of Australian society, which cannot be denied.

The question is not how do we remove the problem, but why do individuals hold such views and where is the basis for it? Humans are given logic and emotions to produce thought and philosophise about a wide range of views, issues, problems and equations. The issue here is the underlying basis for where this position originates from, and how these issues are brought forth, for what one would find is that in all cases of such bigoted, racist or ageist views are expressed through fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of others, fear of loss, and fear of the self. This last one is the worst, as it reflects the internal conflict and dislike of the condition of one’s position or place in life and resorts to blaming others, belittling them or attacking them when the greater problem lies within themselves. It is far easier to reject or attack another while not dealing with one’s own demons.

Consider the historical perspectives and this scene is repeated again and again by cultures and societies alike. The white supremacists in the USA today see the invasion of African-Americans and Asians alike as an intrusion onto their right to be the superior race, yet their doctrines are based on fear. “They will take our jobs, our lands, etc. etc.”. Same goes for Nazism and the persecution of the Jews, or Israeli occupation of Palestine and Palestinian suicide bombings. Even the centuries old religious wars against Protestantism, or the clashes between Muslims and Christians that have pervaded for centuries, have been based on fear. Even contemporary reactions to African migrants in Australia, automatically labelling them as part of gangs and painting them as thugs, is a fear of the unknown.

Thus, controlling the problem through legislation, enforcement, or societal norms will not solve or remove it from socieety, but exacerbate it. If anything, a serious amount of education and understanding needs to be applied to ameliorate these divides that still exist in society. Acceptance and Compassion are virtues that are rarely used in the development of society, workplaces and relationships. Making the effort to reach out, understand and accept others is a step in the right direction. Whether it be dealing with racial issues, gender inequality, the fact that you’re too old or too young, whatever it is. People have reasons why they feel the way they do, whether it be rational or not. Reaching out to someone can address the issues branch and root, and completely reverse the problem altogether.

One of the most powerful images I can remember is of Pope John Paul II, having nearly died from an assassination attempt by Mehmet Ali Ağca in 1981, visited the man in prison and talked with him for 20 minutes. A friendship was created between two very different men, one who reviled the other, yet was able to see beyond his hate and embrace a person that he called “the incarnation of all that is capitalism”. While I only know about this through reading, such an image has since had a renewed importance for myself. While individuals can’t be expected to be able to be as saintly as the Pope, society as a whole can benefit from such gestures made by great people and learn from them.

“Southern trees bear a strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.”

“Pastoral scene of the gallant south,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh,
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.”

“Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop.”

Strange Fruit – Abel Meeropol (as sung by Billie Holiday)

Video link to Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech

Wikipedia article on 1981 Pope Assassination Attempt

A New Year's Message

In the last few months, I have had a slow but meaningful shift in myself at various levels, from mind, body to soul. Re-engaging after losing my way during a year where I lost much more than what I won at, one thing is that I have had so much revealed about me. It has helped to remove the scales from my eyes, and it is slowly changing my heart and soul into something that is unrecognizable.

A journey of personal growth is always one that takes a lifetime, but there are moments where the pace of the journey varies. 2007 was a year where the journey slowed, halted, and regressed, but then suddenly has made massive sumps. I have come to recognize the flaws and multitude of issues that I need to address, and this has not been easy. While this sounds familiar to most of you, I also realize that we all are flawed in our own little way. The difference is when one realizes the flaw, sees them for what they are, addresses and redresses them, and emerges in a transformed and enlightened manner. Seeking perfection will lead to eternal discontent, but that is not what I seek. What is clear is that in self-reflection, the self-destruction of negatives and the self-improvement through positives will lead one down to the right path, and this only comes through determination, endurance, hard work, and commitment.

There are so many of us that are blind to our own flaws, unwilling to shift as they are so sure of their own rightness. My first thought is this: never allow yourself to become immutable in a position (immutable meaning unmoveable). While enormous good can come from such actions, it is truer to say that the worst excesses have come from the stubbornness of people in their own beliefs. If anything, history’s worst excesses and decadence have been caused by an inability to accept difference and tolerance. Even at home, the worst of your arguments and fights are because of one’s inability to see the other side and the need to defend your own “rightness”. At the end of the day, which is more important? That you are right, or that you are happy?

Last night I had one of those nights that I will treasure, it was one of the most wonderful New Year’s Eve’s ever. I spent my evening with a group of people that, from all of their varied experiences, showed me how unimportant my personal suffering has been, and how much I had been focusing on my own pain, when around me there are people that have had it infinitely tougher. I shared a table with a couple that lost one of their parents, one lost their job, poor physical health, and other trials and tribulations that made mine pale into comparison. Another has no home and is living in a shared accommodation with 4 other people, and doesn’t have many prospects for work or a future. Another is going on the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling vessel, risking life and limb to support a very good cause for a few months. I realized that my reality isn’t that bad, and that millions have it worse. My second thought is his: Even at your worst, your position is not hell on earth. Others will have had it harder than you. I am personally guilty of ignoring this, but one makes their heaven by their own decisions and choices.

Another thing that has emerged from 2007 is that there will be a benefit from my journey. A very well known celebrity said that what inspired them was a massive emotional journey when they were a teenager in their personal life. From that, they resolved to never be in a position where they would be rejected, cheated on, or left behind again. It’s not to say that it won’t happen, but having a year of loss, I refuse to lose again.

In reality, I think 2008 will be a better year. I’ve already learnt so much, made new friends, been inspired to go to new heights and change on a grand scale, all of this within a day of stepping off into the New Year. I think I’ve done pretty well.

A prayer to finish:

I’ve been such a fool to spurn what you have given to me. You have provided insight into myself and what kind of person I was, bound up in my own life, focused and centred around myself. I thank you for showing me that I still have much to learn and far to go in becoming a person of true selflessness and sacrifice, in that what I do is not only for my own gratification, or for people that I know, but for a betterment of those around me whether I know them or not. I hope that all that are witness to this will benefit from the seeds that I now sow.

I hope and pray, whoever and wherever you are, that you will stand by me and with my as I undertake this journey. If I am weak and I struggle in my fight, you will lend and help me with your guidance and support, when your benevolent hand, eternal tolerance, loving voice, and guiding light will be reflected in my determination and commitment to the cause. With you by my side, I know that I can reach my goals and achieve whatever I wish to achieve.

Thank you for this chance, opening my eyes, showing the plank that still rests in my own and blocks my vision, showing me that I can remove this impediment, and helping me in my journey.

Please have a wonderful year and I hope to see you sometime soon.