Was tempted to blog in Haiku as an attempt to keep my post to a reasonable length, but alas I don’t even like them.

So it’s been an eventful week as you’ve no doubt seen/read. I am so fortunate to have such a passionate and motivated team of supporters around me, some times just the smallest message, wink or smile is enough. A knowing nod speaks volumes.

What I really wanted to explain in this particular post is that I am me. To some of you that might sound like a stupid, simplistic or even just downright obvious statement but to others apparently there has been some confusion.

This is my blog, about my life. It’s about a simple Buddhist Mum who made a decision with steely conviction to make a change. I made the decision to change myself. I have no real control over any other living being, I can’t change who they are or what they believe. I can only change me. If people read what I say and then feel the need to make changes in their own lives, then that is a decision and a change they make of their own volition.

I am the founder and President of Project 18 Inc, but I am not the Association. The Association is 7 equally important and equally controlling members of management who, at different stages of their commitment to P18 may have varying levels of input and responsibility within the Association, but we make up a committee. I find the suggestion that I am Project 18 insulting to those other members, who have ALL given up some level of their time and energy to help facilitate the process in which we hope to improve the quality of life for both our fellow man, and all living things.

My decision to post my life publicly on this blog was not an easy one, and I have said from the very start that I am a private person, and that I find no comfort in sharing my trials and tribulations with the greater community. It was a decision that was not made lightly but one that I felt was necessary to document exactly what is involved in making this sort of commitment and to prove to the world that anyone is capable of doing something that contributes to the betterment of society. I have said from day one that I expected that the journey would be tough, and that there would be many tears.

I understand that when you put yourself on show, you leave yourself open to public scrutiny. I accept that people will judge me by my actions and by what I write on these pages, and the bottom line is – I don’t care. Sure, it would be great if everyone enjoyed reading my posts and felt inspired to do some good themselves, but I’m a realist and I know that you can’t please all the people all the time. I think most people would agree that one can’t even please oneself all the time.

Every day life leads us to make many, many decisions. Some, obviously, are a lot harder than others. Those who know me will tell you that, sure – I’m passionate and I’m fiery – I get angry, and I have outbursts of rage. I’m emotional and I am incapable (or unwilling) to cover my tears, I have no problem with displaying my emotions. But if you know me very well, as maybe only a few people do, you’ll also know that I mean no harm or hatred to any living thing.

There is one thing, however, that I see as being the single biggest cause of pain and suffering in our world and that is abuse of power. There are some things that should never be tolerated and this, in my humble opinion, ranks the highest.

Abuse of power is responsible for the death and starvation of millions of innocent people across the world, abuse of power is what see’s four-year-old children being forced to sign land contracts in Indonesia so that Oil Palm giants can control land for generations to come. Abuse of power causes the destruction of animal habitat and the extinction of species of animals which can never be replaced. Abuse of power was what caused one of my children to be bullied and humiliated by a teacher at school. It ranges in depth and severity, but the underlying factor is always the same. Someone had power, and they used it to the detriment of others, for their own personal gain, whether it be financial, emotional or otherwise.

If we tolerate this abuse of power we will never… NEVER… change the world in which we live. So occasionally, even though I intend no malice to any person, nor the will to inflict insult or injury upon them. If I believe there has been an abuse of power, I will stand up against it, and I will fight it. I have no desire to be a martyr for anything that I believe in, but I won’t make a decision to be silent when something is wrong, just to save face, protect my image or avoid conflict.

When you stand against abuse of power, you expect that there will be ramifications. You do so with the knowledge that not everyone will agree with you and that those who abused the power in the first place will not want to be interfered with. You leave yourself open to insult, criticism, aggression, threats and retaliatory attacks. You also realise that it is basic common psychology that those attacks will probably only come from someone who has something to lose from your campaign.

When those attacks go beyond you personally, and are directed at your family, and the association that you’ve dedicated yourself to, then it gives a clear indication of the types of people that you are dealing with.

I make no statement of blame on any person or organisation, and I intend no inference to any party when I say this. But when you attack the association, you are not attacking me. I am me. When you attack the association you directly attack homeless children, orphaned & starving children, critically endangered animals and the ability to save what little natural rainforest and endangered animal habitat is left to be able to preserve their existence.

I recently had the pleasure of reading The Art of Happiness by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the book he discusses the importance of perspective. I have been blessed in my life to have been through far harder times than that which I am currently being forced to endure. I have the beautiful gift of perspective and knowing that I have survived far greater challenges.

The Dalai Lama also discusses embracing ones enemies, which is a concept I had come to terms with from a different angle many years ago. But, in closing, let me just say “thank you” to those people who have given me this opportunity to exercise understanding and patience, and for giving me the opportunity to again find the lengths and depths of my own personal abilities. As a Buddhist these challenges are essential to my journey of spiritual enlightenment. Thank you for the opportunity to grow.

You’ll also notice that through all the commotion we have managed to launch the official Project 18 website, which you can visit at www.project18.org.au If you would like to find out how you can help the project and the association, please visit the website. This also gives us the opportunity to separate myself and this blog from the Association, which we have wanted to do for a long time.

I am me. I may be a PR nightmare (Sorry, Karen) but I am who I am, nothing more, nothing less. 

PS. If you have some time to spare and you want to be inspired by someone, and see the lengths that they will go to protect that they believe in. Please watch this video regarding Orangutan crusader Willie Smits. You will further see how abuse of power is contributing to the impending extinction of these remarkable creatures. (Warning: This is not a feel-good video) If you would like to help these animals please donate to BOS