What are your I AM Statements?

On my office desk, you will find a greeting card positioned just above eye level from my main computer screen.  The photograph on front of this greeting card, is a constant reminder of a day when I was very joyful and happy.  This photograph makes me smile every time I see it.

On the inside of the card are many sentences or to be more accurate, personal statements.  I call these statements; ‘I AM statements’.

For me these I AM statements are kind of like personal instructions for my life, written in the present tense, regardless if they are currently true.  It is a way for me to help identify and then focus upon the person I aspire to become.  A constant reminder of the direction I want to move towards and the person I AM.

In the spirit of being open and honest in my blog, I wanted to share some of my personal I AM statements:

I AM free.

I live a sustainable life.

I care for animal welfare.

I love being a blessing in other’s lives.

I love watching my dogs play in our huge back yard.

I AM fit, strong and healthy.

I AM surrounded by inspirational and motivational people.

Not all these statements are currently true (my dogs only have a small courtyard to play) and some of them are a ‘work in progress’.  I have many of these I AM statements and I read them out a loud to myself and visualise their meaning in my imagination, before starting each work day.

The last I AM statement is currently my reality.  I actually believe that there are millions of good and inspirational people living in the world, many of which I am grateful to know.  I am constantly meeting more inspirational people because I am looking to find them.  I am looking to find them because I have a belief that they are out there…..every where!

Here is one of my recent inspirational people meetings:

Two weeks ago I met Todd Montgomery at a business networking meeting in the inner City of Sydney.  We agreed to meet up in the next coming days to continue our conversation and decided to meet in Manly for a hot chocolate (who needs coffee when you can meet for hot chocolate – so much more fun!).

Towards the end of our conversation (which I found fascinating and inspirational) Todd pulled out a sticker and said “buy a save the Koala sticker because they need our help”.  He then proceeded to inform me of what he is doing to help save the Australian Koala.  I listen intently, enjoying the realisation that I have not only just met another inspirational person but also a ‘kindred spirit’.

I wanted to end this post by asking you “what are your I AM statements?”

Another problem caused by deforestation

My husband emailed this to me and I couldn’t help myself.  A photograph that is a  funny environmental message with dogs!

It is perfect!

 

 

Isn’t this funny!?!

A Little Laugh

Hope you are having a wonderful Easter.

I am in the process of writing my next post.  Just found this little video and I haven’t been able to stop laughing.  Not sure if you need to be a dog person to like this video but I am pretty certain the last dog will at least make you smile.

This is just a little interlude before my next post.  Hope you like it.  Hope it makes you smile.

A positive outcome from Kraft’s boxing kangaroo

Thank you to all my readers who left comments and information in regards to my last post about the boxing kangaroo in a match with a human. There was a lot of discussion and one of my last comments, I stated that I would write an email to Kraft.  Below is that email which I sent only 10mins ago.  The email was sent to Simon Talbot who is the Head of Corporate Affairs and to Michael Magee who is the Director of Marketing for Australia and New Zealand.

Email subject – ‘A positive outcome from boxing kangaroo’

To Simon Talbot & Michael Magee,

My name is Sarhn McArthur and I live in Sydney, Australia.

As you may be aware there has been much media attention given to the recent ‘Rocky Circus Show’ which was apart of the Kraft sponsored BorderFest festival in Texas.  This attention as I am sure you are also aware, is because of Australia’s strong reaction to the treatment given of the Kangaroo in the show.

Firstly, I would like to say that I have personally read Kraft’s media released statement “We understand the BorderFest Association, which organises this annual cultural celebration, has apologised for offending anyone, particularly the people of Australia, with the kangaroo boxing display”.

Secondly, I would like to bring to your attention my local Australian blog GreenerMe.  On the 6th of March (Australian time) after watching the footage on a TV broadcast, I sat down at my computer and wrote a post about my disgust on the treatment of this Kangaroo and my annoyance that Kraft was sponsoring this event.

I would like to invite you to read this actual post and also my reader’s comments. https://greenerme.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/kraft-who-was-the-marketing-fool-behind-the-boxing-kangaroo-stunt/

Thirdly I would like to express again to you, one of my own comments on the post. “Kraft’s response was expected – nothing earth shattering exciting or proactive. Perhaps if AHA is not able to help exotic Australian animals who are in the USA maybe Kraft could put some money towards organisations who do help exotic animals being harmed in the US. Come on Kraft… you have an opportunity to do something wonderful out of something bad. Be a shinning beacon in the corporate world. Don’t simply wipe your hands and say ‘we are really not to blame’ but say ‘even though we are not to blame we want to help’.

This is just my view but I have to be honest, currently I view your brand (Kraft) as ‘takers’. You took Vegemite from Australia (yes I know you purchased it but I doubt you will find many Australians who are happy about the deal). Now change our view and show us you are givers! Show Australia you do care about your market. I challenge Kraft to do something positive, something wonderful, something out of the corporate ordinary world.

Come on Kraft I dare you!”

 
In finishing I would like Kraft to take the challenge seriously. I believe Kraft has a wonderful opportunity to turn a nightmare of a sponsorship deal into something positive and productive.

It appears to me, from reading my reader’s comments that there are currently organisations who are working towards protecting cruelly treat kangaroos in the USA.  I believe these types of organisations would welcome and be grateful for any corporate sponsorship or donations that Kraft would like to offer.

I challenge Kraft to think outside the box, be creative and to seize the opportunity to show their Australian market that they do care about Australia.

Thank you for taking the time to read my email and I will look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,

Sarhn McArthur

 

Sarhn McArthur Photography
PO Box 355
Seaforth NSW 2092
AUSTRALIA

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‘Kraft’ who was the marketing fool behind the boxing kangaroo stunt??

I awoke very early this morning.  Turned on Sunrise Weekend and was dismayed at the footage being broadcast.  According to the reports in the Daily Telegraph this morning, Kraft who are the US owners of Vegemite, sponsored a boxing match between a kangaroo and a human.

The human is the kangaroo’s owner, Javier Martinez.  The report says Mr Martinez baits the kangaroo by pushing it and poking it before placing it in a headlock.  If the kangaroo fights back too much,  another person from behind restrains the kangaroo using a harness and a lead.

This was all part of a Kraft sponsored US event called the ‘Rocky Show Circus’ which was apart of the BorderFest festival in Hidalgo, Texas.  The event was designed to celebrate Australia.

I have to ask “Which Kraft employee was foolish enough to think this would celebrate Australia?”  The footage is upsetting, disturbing and cruel.

Attention Kraft management who may be reading my post – please listen.  I am passionate about Australia and being Australian and for a long time I have been annoyed that Vegemite is no longer Australian owned.  Now I am offended that the US owners of our beloved Vegemite would sponsor an event that would be so openly cruel to any animal, let alone an Australian mascot.  Are you crazy??  Have you any idea what this will do to your brand here in Australia?  Is your marketing team so far removed from common sense and human decency that they couldn’t connect the dots with this one?

I am thrilled that many other Australian early rises, have flooded Sunrise Weekend with complaints.  I know as other Australians awake to the news, that many more will be vocal on this.

All I ask from my fellow outraged Australians is that we become equally vocal on other ‘internal’ Australian animal issues.  We are in danger of becoming a country of hypocrites and I believe this is how we are, or will be viewed from overseas.  Many of our beloved Australian native animals are on the endanged list.  Past reports and footage showing Australian livestock being exported in atrocious conditions.  And of course the footage and photographs that show how kangaroos have been killed here in Australia.

Maybe Kraft’s event which was designed to celebrate Australia was more accurate than we Australians like to accept.

The Daily Telegraph story and footage

Sunrise Weekend news broadcast

There is one in every photograph

It is not unsual that while I am photographing a wedding, that one of the guests will try to pop up behind a family photograph.  It is also not unusal during a outdoor family portrait sitting, that a complete stranger walks in front of me to find themself in my photograph. 

Amber my cousin emailed me this photograph and I laughed at the realisation that even animals try to get into photographs.

It is nice to enjoy the lighter side of life.  Hope you find the funny side of this photograph too.

Response from Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

As promised here is the letter response from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry about my email to the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP.  See my last post titled ‘Are Australians Hypocritical’. The letter was scanned and emailed to me as an PDF attachment as they did not have my postal address.  I had a lot of issues trying to resize the PDF so all of the letter could be read so last night I had to delete the post as I knew I was going to have to type the letter out again (I’m thankful for taking typing in grade ten).  Also thankyou Nevyn for emailing me about the problem with the post as well.  Here is the letter below (that I retyped):

 

Dear Mrs McArthur

Thank you for your correspondence of 17 June 2009 to the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Housing and Australia’s live export industry. Your correspondence was referred to the Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, as the matter falls within his portfolio responsibilities.  Minister Burke has asked me to reply on his behalf. I regret the delay in responding.

The Australian Government supports a strong, vibrant and growing livestock sector in Australia.

An important part of the sector is the livestock export industry, which was worth more than $900 million in 2008 and underpins employment of around 10 000 people in rural and regional Australia.

This sector comes with challenges and responsibilities different from those in some other export industries.  Being part of the international live export trade means Australia can help improve the way it operates. benefiting not just our animals but those from other countries as well.  The government and those involved in the live export trade are continuing to work on improvements throughout the supply chain from farm to overseas market.

The Minister recently announced the Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership, a new three-year partnership with Australia’s livestock export industry with funding of $3.2 million for activities to strengthen animal welfare and support trade.  From 2009-10 onwards the program will be funded under a shared arrangement (50:50) with the industry. It is a good example of government and industry working together to support Australian agriculture and trade.

Since the beginning of 2008, Mr Burke has approved projects worth more than $2.4 million under the Live Animal Trade Program that will further improve animal welfare practices in importing countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. The funding has supported upgrades in livestock facilities in the Middle East and Asian regions to ensure they meet international animal welfare standards.

Our involvement in the livestock export trade and our leadership in international animal welfare issues provide the opportunity to influence change and improve conditions for animals in overseas countries.

The government and the live export industry are committed to working with our trading partners to improve animals welfare in those countries that receive our exports. In recent years, infrastructure for unloading, handling and slaughter has been improved in several export destinations. Education and training has also been provided for people involved in animals handling, transport and slaughter.

The government has also introduced standards for the long-distance of animals to overseas markets, called the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock.  The standards were written after consultation with scientists and animals welfare experts like the RSPCA.  The standards are regularly updated and are available on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s  website at www.daff.gov.au/livestockexportstandards

Guidelines to ensure exported animals are well treated during road and sea transportation are an important part of the standards. Ships must comply with strict standards about ventilation, drainage and provision of water and food. Each animal must have access to food and water on demand and enough space to lie down and there must be special pens for sick animals to receive veterinary card.

Australia has also signed agreements with some countries in the Middle East concerning the live animal trade. We take these agreements very seriously and have previously suspended shipments to some countries after particular problems have arisen.

While projects funded by the Australian government will provide direct and specific benefits, we recognise that the achievement of long-term reform in animals welfare in developing countries requires the adoption by these countries of the international animals welfare standards. Australia will continue to work with countries in the Middle East and Asia seeking the adoption of the model legislation based on the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (OIE) animal welfare standards.

Thank you again for your correspondence.

Yours sincerely

Peter Ottesen Acting Executive Manager Agricultural Productivity Division