Quotes to start the year off right…
“Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”
Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, iconic Aussie war hero. A courageous leader, a compassionate doctor, a champion rugby player and all-round good guy. Nicknamed ‘Weary’ for his enormous energy. I never met this amazing man, but I do admire his energy and ability to stay focussed despite the shocking obstacles he faced in wartime. )
“I am the proudest Australian bloke on the face of the earth.”
Steve Irwin, much-missed madly-passionate nature-lover and all-round superstar. In the name-dropping vein of this post, a man I met numerous times when I worked on the Sunshine Coast. He really WAS the proudest Aussie you ever met. He was very real, despite his over-the-top manner. I believe he helped show Australians – despite our tendency to knock successful compatriots, a terrible habit known as the Tall Poppy Syndrome – that it was okay to be loud and proud.
So there you go…
These three quotes sparked my 2010 resolutions:
1. To be responsible for my own failure or success. And by extension, to get up out of my comfort zone and not be afraid to try new things.
2. To be whole-hearted, to harness my energy better, to take on board the lessons the success of others might offer.
3. To be a proud Aussie. I think I already am, but to wear Aussie-ness without self-consciousness is sometimes a challenge. I am also a proud country girl, a proud ex-city chick, a proud wife and mother. (I think you already know that last bit!)
So how ’bout you?
Would love to hear your favourite quotes, and your resolutions?
15 Comments
Tamsyn
These are great quotes, I love the absolute "Aussieness" of them. Thanks for sharing!
Crazy Sister
I know a family named "Dunlop" who gave their baby boy the middle name "Weary".
That's a nice sentiment, but a bugger of a middle name…
A Novel Woman
Ah, love those. We Canadians have the same tall poppy syndrome, though I've never heard it called that.
I will adopt some of your resolutions, if you don't mind. Because life is hurtling by at such a breakneck speed, that I must start DOING, not just DREAMING, because, to quote old rabbi Hillel, we were born to realize our dreams, so if not now, when?
Jenni
Those are great quotes, but I just can't get over that last picture. What exactly is going on there? Whatever it is, it's way cool!
I don't know why you would be self-concious about being an Aussie. Every Aussie (Kiwis also) I've met IRL or is very cool, very down to earth. If I wasn't an American, I think I'd want to be an Aussie:o)
diane
i love those.
one of my favorites is, "laughter is the sunshine of the soul"
Leenie
I've been following your blog for a year, now. You've taught me a lot about The Land Down Under. When we know each other's names it makes it easier to be friendly.
Never heard about tall poppies, but you have one Tall Puppy. He looks like he is catching up with Rob Roy for size. Hope that last photo is just 2009 circling the drain. Fun effects. 😀
Anonymous
No resolutions—at my age, I have made them all
But I should tell you that I woke up this morning KNOWING that 2010 is going to be the best year ever!!!!!!!!
gramps
Debby
I love that name: the tall poppy syndrome. Here it's sort of the opposite I guess. Everyone tends to think that they are the tall poppy. I think we look at it differently. We call it 'the big fish, little pond' syndrome. People tend to think that they are mighty big stuff…but never seem to notice that their pond is exceedingly small.
AKPonyGirl
"Do, or do not. There is no try."
Scotty
"Be kind in word and deed."
Resolutions? Got a doctor's appointment in Feb to get my anti-smoking medication…
BUSH BABE
Scotty – good luck with that! You WILL feel like a new man. Go for it.
AKPonyGirl – I love it.
Debby – fascinates me how Americans and Canadians can be so close geographically, sound so alike, yet be so different. I don't think EVERY Yank thinks they are a big fish though? But I get your point… somewhere in the middle of Tall Poppy and Big Fish would be a good compromise, no?
gramps – wise words from a wise man!
Leenie – that made me laugh out loud! Tall puppy indeed… heh. And for you and Jenni, that last image is from this post: http://bushbabe.blogspot.com/2009/10/wee-little-worlds.html
diane – so true. How's that gorgeous baby of yours? More pics!!!
Pam (ANW) – there is a definite parallel between Aussie and Canucks… and that is ANOTHER great mantra!
Crazy Sister – LOL! And welcome to the chaos…
Tamsyn – no worries, mate!! 🙂
jeanie
One I love is something Mum gave me on a plaque once – "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." (Henry David Thoreau)
Perhaps 2010 is the year to start on my own foundations.
Debby
How about another quote from Thoreau? "It is not enough to be busy. The question is what are we busy about?"
Pony Girl
Great quotes!! I love them. I don't have a lot of resolutions. I have ideas in my head of things I want to accomplish, though! I hope you and yours have a blessed New year, BB, my Aussie friend! (((((hugs)))))
Julie
Oh you know I love me some quotes, and the photos to go with them. I love your Aussie spin on them. I am working on my goals for the new year, but that could be just another goal. 🙂 Getting them done. HA!