Christmas is here, and all that it brings

Social IssuesCulture Dec 23, 2019 Tim Baker

You are probably sat reading this with a glass of bubbles in hand and loved ones dotted around busily opening presents or firing up the BBQ, the cat may have torn down the Christmas tree and batted the baubles across the living room floor during the night. Your family dog will surely be lying in wait underneath the dining room table, waiting for someone to miss their mouth and send food hurtling toward the floor for it to be devoured.

For some of you there may be empty seats around the table this year. I for one know how this can feel. For me, its the eighth Christmas without my father. The holiday has never been the same since. Loved ones who would normally be part of your Christmas card list can leave us at a moments notice, their warmth and banter will leave an empty hole in the festivities as you remember their warmth and spirit.

This Christmas, let us remember all the people that made our lives what they are today. Whether they are here or not. Let us remember and spare a thought for those that have lost their loved ones this year, this year will be their first Christmas without that special person.

Remember, and if you can, share your table with someone in need. Someone without family. Christmas can be a very lonely time of year for some people and you can change that by opening your hearts and homes to each other. This is a time of giving, a time of hope and goodwill.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

From all of us at Kiwis For Good.

Fragmented Mental Health Services Failing New Zealand’s Youth: Auditor-General's Report Urges Urgent Reform PoliticsSocial IssuesCulture Fragmented Mental Health Services Failing New Zealand’s Youth: Auditor-General's Report Urges Urgent Reform A recent report from the Auditor-General reveals alarming shortcomings in New Zealand’s mental health services for young people. The report paints a concerning picture of a fragmented system that struggles to meet the growing mental health needs of the nation's youth. Read Miracle in Raglan: A New Hope for Mental Health in New Zealand Social IssuesCulture Miracle in Raglan: A New Hope for Mental Health in New Zealand When we first connected with Dr. Robin Youngson, it felt like discovering a kindred spirit in the fight for true mental health reform. Dr. Youngson, a former anaesthetist turned author and compassionate care advocate, has dedicated his life to bridging the gap between science and the profound, often overlooked, power of human connection. After reading his book, The Science of Miracles, I knew his message had the potential to reshape how we view and approach mental health in New Zealand. Read Lockdown Life 2: Thinking Traps PoliticsEnvironmentSocial IssuesCulture Lockdown Life 2: Thinking Traps There are various factors which are beyond our control during this COVID-19 pandemic and the appended lockdown, but what we do have a large degree of control over is how we think. This brings us quite naturally to the therapeutic modality with the greatest emphasis on understanding and changing our thought processes: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Read A Journey of Tribulation & Triumph Social IssuesCulture A Journey of Tribulation & Triumph So far my journey with anxiety and depression has gone on for forty years or close to it. They have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. In some ways I have been really lucky but as is the case with most people there have been ups and downs. Read Boxing & Suicide - An Analogy Social IssuesCulture Boxing & Suicide - An Analogy After many years of indolence, I took up boxing as a way to get fit. I'm in my mid-40s, fat and out of shape so naturally, I decided that I would take up sparring with the fit and really good ones. These are people who for the most part are half my age, they are certainly half my weight, they have twice my speed, twice my stamina and twice my skill... at least. So I get hit... a lot. Read The Three Men I Lost & Found Myself Social IssuesCulture The Three Men I Lost & Found Myself These stories aren’t just about heartbreak and loss — they’re about survival, and about learning to hold your own hand when no one else will. They're about finding your strength through devastation and not letting the world turn you bitter. Read
Help Us Help Others!

Your donations are incredibly important for us, and enable us to use our initiatives to help our fellow Kiwis.

Donate today
Join Our Newsletter

For the latest news and projects, keep up-to-date with our newsletter. We promise not to spam you; we get enough of that ourselves!