For the first time ever, I have successfully had tulips bloom in the back garden. They look stunning and add a burst of colour and a load of joy. Anyone who visits, I whisk them out the back and say, “Look at my tulips!”

Like many people, my inner voice often tells me what I can’t do. For many years I have thought about having a better garden. It all seemed too hard. To be frank, I didn’t want to have to spend a lot of time gardening, I really didn’t know what would grow where, and the back garden bed looked a bit shabby.

I ultimately realised that I was spending more effort and energy NOT making a nice garden happen than it would to spend a little time making it look good. Slowly over the last couple of years, I have been creating some raised garden beds, planting trees and shrubs and this year, inspired by all the daffodils we saw in the UK during our trip, it was time to plant some bulbs. A quick chat to a few gardening friends, chat to the nursery owner and a little bit of Googling, and I was away.

I have to say, planting bulbs turned out to be the easiest bit of gardening ever and one of the most rewarding also. Click on the video above to see them.

What about you?
What have you been spending more effort avoiding than it would actually take to do?
Why not take a few simple steps forward with it and see where you end up?

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Global Politics seems to have lost its way. All over the world, many politicians seem to be acting in the interest of those who fund them or those who make the most noise.

Some have gone off on narrow minded, judgemental, unrealistic paths and tried to take as many people who will follow. Major parties seem to be more similar than ever.

Universally, it seems that respect of politicians is at an all time low.

As John Oliver said, “We used to listen to politicians and laugh at comedians. Now we laugh at politicians and listen to comedians.”

So whose fault is it?

Well there are many people you could blame. The media, the politicians, big oil, big pharma, big (insert industry in here), but the reality is that it all comes down to us.

WE are responsible because we vote or choose not to.

This Saturday is Election Day in Australia. So rather than going along and ticking the same old box because that’s what you always do, are you willing to be responsible?

Are you willing to google the different parties and find out a little about them? Some of them have pleasant names but weird policies, some weird names but great policies and some seem to have a single policy and that’s it.

Maybe head to ABC’s Vote Compass to get a feel for what party best matches your beliefs.

Cate Speaks has done an independent summary of all parties (to save you wading through all the muck) and it is a good reference.

RESPONSIBILITY means you have the ABILITY to RESPOND.

It is not something to be taken lightly.

Spiderman’s Uncle Ben told him, “with great power comes great responsibility.”
I believe the reverse is also true, “With great responsibility comes great power.”

Time to stop blaming everyone/thing else and look at what can YOU do about it?

At the very least, make an informed choice this Saturday.

If you are in Melbourne, you can then come and see my vocal quartet perform! Check out all the detail here. We even have Mulled Wine!

So… Are you Willing to be Responsible?

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