A while ago, I read one of the books written about His Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama. I think it was called "Happiness". Whether you are religious or not, it is a good book to read.
The one thing I learnt from the book was that you can choose the mood, or emotional state you are in. It is something that is fundamentally different from my, and I presume a lot of other people's, upbringing. I have always been taught, or at least I have always believed or assumed, that how I feel is how I feel and there is nothing I can do about. I can pretend outwardly to be in a different emotional state, but not to alter how I actually feel.
Form what I can recall, the book had a very different view. It suggested that what happens to us is beyond our control but how we approach these happenings and how we choose to react and feel about them is entirely up to us. For example, if you had a bike accident and hurt your knee, apart from feeling pain, you could feel sorry that you had an accident. Alternatively, you could be glad that it was not a more serious accident and that no bones were broken. It easy to know which feeling we'd prefer if that happened to us, but it is not so easy to put it into practice.
Knowing that you can have a big say about how you should feel about something is a neat trick and it can be put to good use. The ability to, firstly, become aware of your own emotions and secondly, controlling them is called "emotional intelligence". It is something we can all learn to become better at. But that is not the neat trick. The neat trick is to put that ability to good use and here is how. With our new found ability to control our emotions, we can "flip" any negative emotions we experience and turn them into positive emotions. For example we can turn:

· Anger into Compassion;

· Apathy into Passion;

· Fear into Calmness;

· Contempt into Tolerance; and

· Sadness into Joy / happiness.

As Rotarians, others see us as the embodiment of the Rotary Ideals but we are also only human and so, sometimes, we succumb to negative emotions and moods. Our ability to identify these negative emotions and consciously "flip" them into a positive emotion will not only help us present a better face for Rotary and improve our own lives but also 'infect' those around us with our positive emotions. If we are to make this a better world, why not start with ourselves!
 

Yours in Rotary,
Gabe

Thanks to Steven, who delivered excellent first time scribe notes!

Meeting number: 467
Meeting Opened 18:45

Welcome and toast to Australia and Rotary

This week's was the first meeting back home this year at the Garden Room at Crown.

We welcomed many guests including:
Siva Shanker Thevarajah from RC Club of Brickfields (District 3300 Malaysia) and his partner Shanti, Vinni Kaur, Arlette Kelsen, Richard Gill, our two Rylarians Michael Gill and Suzanne Luong and many more.

Gordon announced that we are looking for mentors for a new Young Achievers Australia company within the CBD.

Gabe reminded everybody that January is Rotary Awareness month. He expressed his
thanks to Bobby and Richard for organising the Lawn Bowls event last week.
All members have been reminded of the District Conference 20-22nd March in Tasmania and the upcoming Street Soccer Camp and Championship.

Karl announced that he is seeking ideas and requests for guest speakers.

Barbara was featured on a radio programme regarding Women in Rotary. The interview can be downloaded from Bulletin No 467.

Phillip facilitated the call for nominations for "president elect 2010-2011" and nominated Bettina Harlos, seconded by Gabe. No other nominations were received. Congratulations Bettina!

Sergeants' Session (Gabe):

Gabe facilitated an entertaining fines session in the spirit of Chinese New year explaining the traditions associated with the giving of red packets, explaining the true meaning of Gong Hei Fat Choi. Lion Dancing, the Chinese Calendar and the origins of moon cakes, concluding that good things come in pairs!

Siva from the RC of Brickfields (District 3300) and Gabe swapped club banners in the spirit of international fellowship.

Michael and Suzanne presented a talk about the RYLA Camp

 

 

 

 

 

at Wonga Park in December 2008, sharing their personal and group experiences over the week, including the team building and inspiration and personal growth they each experienced during the week and was concluded by Michael's performance of Cambodian dancing.

Other Club Announcements:

It was announced that the club is no longer continuing with the triathlon event marshalling as an official activity due to an overall lack of interest however members can still volunteer on a personal basis if desired.

Gabe announced a change of tact in delivering his two thoughts of the week, where he delivers the first thought as a clue and requires the members to then guess the second thought!
His first thought: "All good things come to those who wait."
Second thought (which no one successfully guessed!) "Time and tide waits for no man"..... More clues next week!

Meeting closed: 19:30.