Author: Andrew Whalan
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The Empathy Gene
Several years ago, my three year old son asked me the question I will never forget. “Daddy, are you happy?” And that time, my marriage had completely disintegrated. I wasn’t happy. Almost silenced, I think I said yes. But he knew I wasn’t happy. I mean how could he know? Why would he ever ask? Did I father…
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Father and Daughter : Spiders and Cobwebs
Yesterday when I got home from work I couldn’t check my post box or even open my front gate. My way was blocked. By a little girl standing in front of my house. Who of course was no threat. She didn’t even notice I was there. She was busy staring quite intently at the front…
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Activated Almonds : Laughing and Learning
I feel so silly. I got sucked in by the latest Twitter fad. Which hopefully has almost died down. I’m talking about the Activated Almonds tweet storm. It began Sunday. I was at first curious. But then I was amused by the social media humour fest (see Leigh Sales, John Birmingham, just to name a few). I even…
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Kokoda: Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice
Not as regularly as I should, I travel to and then walk Melbourne’s Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (1000 Steps) at Ferntree Gully at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges. In the last few months, the track has been refurbished and renovated. Now at the entrance to the track is a memorial recording the Kokoda Track’s history covering…
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How To Apologise
In the light of Alan Jones’s comments, I want to add my own. But not on what he said about Julia Gillard. Many people have commented on that. I want to turn my attention to his apology. I don’t think it was really an apology. And why? I found out the hard way how to…
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Business Class and Back Again
At last I’m on the flight home from Canberra. The flight was late, it was cold and raining and there seemed to be more people and luggage than the plane could hold…. The seat on my right was the last one left. And then two people, a lady and gentleman, came down the aisle. And…
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Being Strategic About Trolling
Recently I was trolled on Facebook. Someone left some rather unsavoury comments on a photo I posted. After some thought and some research, I deleted the post and blocked the person from Facebook. The personal effects on me are just that, private and personal. But it raises some questions for me and for anyone…
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My Charity Odyssey Finishes
Previously I wrote about my odyssey in creating a small charity called Volunteer Funders. Unfortunately, the charity encountered some insurmountable issues and the board of directors including myself decided this week to close it down. In truth the last couple of days have not been all singing and dancing but as I said to one…
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Optimism: The last path left.
On a regular and constant basis I am reminded of the power of optimism. Usually it happens when I’m not feeling optimistic at all. And guess where it comes from? The other day I’m on the train. I am mulling things over and over. And working out what to do. And what not to do.…
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On Unselfish Love…
There is almost an obsession with being loved unselfishly. Out there is the perfect person who will supply your needs forever. Your mission impossible is to find that person, convince them to love you and you will be happy forever. And you will love them back, but secondly. Unfortunately, this love is the one that…
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In The Company of Poets…Love and Devotion Exhibition (Melbourne)
Today I’m in Swanston Street Melbourne. And I’m surrounded by people, mainly men, mainly in racing colours. The Melbourne Grand Prix is in full swing. Lots of energy, lots of machismo, etc, etc. But I want some solitude from all of this. I’m headed for the State Library of Victoria to visit their exhibition of…
Andrew James Whalan 