Sunday Saying – Democracy

My daughter voted for the first time ever yesterday. It was a proud and important milestone for both of us. Time for her to exercise her democratic right as an Australian female citizen.

Completed Embroidery in hoop

For centuries, women were disregarded as not being able to understand the complexities of the parliamentary system and relegated to the parlour where embroidering was a more suited pursuit.

Rather shocking to think of that now…

If my daughter had been born over 100 years ago, she would not have qualified to vote. Thank goodness times have changed.

Yay for New Zealand!

It is unsurprising to see which countries offered universal suffrage first:

“New Zealand was the first country to allow women to vote -1893 – [ well done, sister kiwis], while the King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia granted women the right to vote in 2011. “

• 1893 New Zealand
• 1902 Australia
• 1906 Finland
• 1913 Norway
• 1915 Denmark
• 1917 Canada
• 1918 Austria, Germany, Poland, Russia
• 1919 Netherlands
• 1920 United States
• 1921 Sweden
• 1928 Britain, Ireland

“Compulsory voting for national elections was introduced in Australia in 1924, following a pronounced fall in turnout at the 1922 federal election.”

Furthermore, I have grown up knowing voting was once a privilege of the landed gentry, or a domain of men, and thus, take my democratic right very seriously. I am Australian and we expect to vote. It is compulsory here. Yet for many people, voting is a painful process, they avoid it, cast an informal protest vote, or don’t vote at all.

When you think of how many generations did not have a say in how their government was run, it is sobering to think that some would take this right to determine our parliamentary makeup frivolously.

American Thomas Jefferson noted,

” We do not have government by the majority.

We have Government by the majority who participate.”

Whilst many other countries don’t make it compulsory to vote, be it bad or good, our compulsory system, means we do get a more comprehensive view of the public’s wishes in our federal elections. Notwithstanding the preferential voting systems, of course.

“Bad Officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.”

~ George Jean Nathan

Do you agree with Preferential system of voting? Or, ‘first past the post’? [ie. those with the most votes in first place].

Should voting be compulsory?

As Ab Lincoln said, “the ballot is better than the bullet.”

Something to Ponder About

Proverbial Friday – Global Wisdom

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

Each Friday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking. 

I hope you will too.

Sun Tzu was a military strategist, writer and philosopher in Ancient China. Some believe his writings are essential in understanding Chinese  political motivations and expansion, in modern times.  But does Sun Tzu’s proverbs have meaning for us in our  present day lives? What, if anything can we learn from this quote? What do you think about opportunities? Do you create your own or are you merely a passive agent?

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”

-Sun Tzu

The quote this week comes from another historical figure; this time from the West. Battling the hierarchical medical and military fraternity of her time,  and for that she must have had intelligence, determination, and perseverance.

This is what Florence Nightingale had to say of her achievements: –

“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”

– Florence Nightingale

Is there a lesson in this, for us? What do you think?

Join in the discussion by leaving a comment below.

Proverbial Friday – Something thought provoking to Ponder About

THE STRANGER ON THE BUS RESTORED MY FAITH IN HUMANITY!

It is becoming more difficult to know what to believe from social and commercial media outlets, so blogging from real people is a future force to be reckoned with. We can give good news, positive, inclusive, stories the “air time” they deserve.

This is a blog post that is worthy of re-blogging over and over again! I think it has positivity, addressing judgemental ism and prejudice and definitely restores one’s faith that we can all feel that we are in this together – we, as humans of all kinds and persuasions, but the world’s people first and foremost.
Thanks to Leggy peggy for directing me here!

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers AWARD

Whilst many bloggers don’t like awards, I think it is an honour for someone to think your blog worthy of such attention.  It a great way for readers to discover other blogs that might hitherto be unseen, and as a bonus, with this award, one gets to read some interesting facts or opinions about the blogger, that is me, and I rarely post anything personal. Furthermore, I also like and encourage others to create their own logo, so it initiates creativity.

However, I do fully understand the uninvited extra work involved in accepting an award and thus, I place no conditions, on the blogs I nominate, to pass it on to others. In bestowing this award, I merely wish to say thanks for having a great blog and I like that you are here in the blogging community reading what I have to say. In addition, please note that I gain so much enjoyment from visiting your blog.

So it is with this sentiment, that I say many thanks to Millie Thom who has nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award.

The answers to the questions that address the award rules (see below)  are:

How would you describe what your blog is about?

I blog about things that are important to me or information that is useful to others, with a heavy emphasis on my traditional art and craft, photography and essential life matters but this is not fixed in stone.

Do you see your blog changing (as in expanding or developing in any way) at some stage in the future?

I certainly hope so, but if it stays as it is, my own almanac/ journal for future descendants and anyone interested enough to read it, I will be content.

Do you write your blog posts straight onto the WordPress page or onto a word document first?

Straight into the html wordpress page, as I have had trouble getting consistent formatting with Word. Why? The computer gremlins inside my devices may wish to explain that for me…

When you write, do you need to be on your own or are you happy to write with others around you?

Easy to write when it is quiet, unless it is a photographic post and then I have no problem if my family are close by chatting. But I prefer to participate in social situations, to resort to technology on those occasions, is isolating.

Which is your favourite species of tree, and why do you like it?

Conifers! They are evergreen, even in the snow, and have intriguing branchlets instead of leaves. Normally I would like something functional as a favourite object, ie. something that doubles as a food source as well as being aesthetic, but conifers are exceptional!  They come in so many varieties and always have a welcoming permanence, and a nice shape.

If you were to have a day out somewhere easily reachable from your home, where would it be?

To somewhere near the water with lots of greenery and fresh air to breathe. Not a problem if the greenery is covered in snow, but that is extremely unlikely to happen, so either way, it’s all good.

Which ‘celebration’ (annual or otherwise) in the country where you live do you enjoy the most?

A fireworks spectacular or a food festival. It is fun to try different dishes or cuisine, and who can resist a fireworks display. Huge waste of money, and so transient, but darn mesmerizing when it happens.

Which way would you choose to travel, given the choice: car or train?

Both appeal, so this is difficult to choose either one. Perhaps the car as it affords one more freedom in terms of the route chosen.

Which subject did you enjoy the most at school?

Japanese and when I could no longer do that – History and Geography – isn’t that a given?

What do you think is the best thing about being a woman today?

The freedoms we have that are denied to some people, be they male or female: freedom to travel and move about, to vote, to love who we want, to work where we wish (mostly), the freedom to wear fashionable clothes, or not, if we wish. There is more work to be done but we have self-determination, and the freedom for a man to romance us if we choose. Freedom to vote is very important to me, given that woman once were willing to go to extremes to achieve this simple right!

Nominees: thanks for having a great blog and I like that you are here in the blogging community reading what I have to say. In addition, please note that I gain so much enjoyment from visiting your blog.

Mabel Kwong

Pillows ala mode

Leya

IScrap2

Coffee Grounded

Master of Something Yet

Everyday Life in Vienna

I don’t really like to dictate questions, so I would be interested in them answering the final question above, if they wish to participate.

What do you think is the best thing about being a woman today?

1. Thank the giver and link their blog to your post.
2. Answer the questions given to you.
3. Pass the award on to other bloggers of your choice and let them know that they have been nominated.
4. Give your nominees questions to answer.
5. Include the logo of the award in a post or on your blog – your choice which one.

        Something to Ponder About