Humanity Platform

 The final book in Ryan Holiday's Stoic Virtues series came out this year. The book Wisdom Takes Work  is a powerful and thought provoking addition to his phenomenal works on Stoicism.  The book's central theme is that wisdom ties together all the other virtues. There is no courage, discipline, or justice without wisdom.  Holiday breaks down the concept of wisdom into five key attributes: knowledge, education, self reflection, truth, and peace.  Knowledge and education covers both traditional schooling and learning as well as self education, the 'school of life' so to speak.  As part of the journey to becoming a wise man, or woman, there must be self reflection so that don't just memorise lessons but internalise and apply them.  Doing this self reflection leads you to look beneath the surface of life leading you to truth and peace.  If you haven't already, read Ryan Holiday's Virtues series:  Courage is Calling , Discipline is Destiny , Righ...

 Every Australian by now is aware of the horrific Bondi attack. It is time to remember that if you live in Australia we live the Australian way. The Australian way means everyone has the same rights and responsibilities; literally a 'fair go' for all.  Since Captain Cook first landed in Australia we have been a predominately Judeo Christian society but we must not forget that before European settlement there is a long history of First Nation's spirituality. When you combine this with decades of immigration and multiculturalism in our country we are now a nation of many faiths and traditions.  There is no need for antisemitism or islamophobia. It's time for us to unite for Bondi and remember that life is better when we reject the darkness and embrace the miracle of light. Miracle of Light Blood on the sand cannot extinguish the light; People of all faiths put a candle in your window tonight. The rolling waves of Bondi will forever whisper where the children lie. In celeb...

 Every year on this day the 3rd of December people around the world celebrate the achievements and abilities of those who live with disabilities.  This is important because people with disabilities deserve to be an equal part of our society.  For me though International Day of People with Disability always brings up complicated feelings. On one hand I enjoy that people finally recognise my contribution to the community; on the other I want to be recognised without my disability being a factor.  It is going to sound weird but I have fought so long to be "just Chris" that the focus of International Day of People with Disability makes my day to day struggles feel like they have a spotlight on them.  I know that there are things in my life I have achieved because of my disability but there are many more things in my life I haven't been able to do for the same reason.  This year's theme fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social prog...