Supporting the Men’s Shed Online

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Neil Stott

I my job in Community Health I have always been a keen supporter of the Men’s Shed concept. Now there is a Men’s Shed Online. Watch the YouTube promo here and then go to their website for a look. One of the most serious issues that faces men is isolation. As blokes, we think we can just go through life on our own without support or help. That can be further from the truth. The Men’s Shed provides a way for men to meet and work on stuff together and along the way, conversations happen.

At Real Men Challenge, we support bring men together. Let me know what you think.

http://www.theshedonline.org.au/

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The Challenge of attitude

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Neil Stott

I receive an email every day from David McCracken and was struck with today’s scripture from Colossians.

Colossians 3:12 ‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’

Yesterday I complimented the work of Father Peter Jeffries and used almost the exact same language in describing his work.

As men, our challenge is to reflect compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience in the knowledge that this is not a sign of manly weakness but is really a manly strength to achieve.

Enjoy the day.

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Well done to Peter Jeffries

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Neil Stott

Just heard that well known local Parish Priest, Peter Jefferies is
leaving Shepparton to take up a senior Seminary post in Aukland, NZ.

Peter is a fine example to all men for his compassion, empathy,
kindness, hardwork and ability to reach across different cultures.

Well done Peter and good luck.

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Being the man you want your son to be

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Neil Stott

My son is getting married. I am very excited for him (and for me). But what I am more excited about is that he is becoming more and more like his Dad, in his attitudes and thinking (just don’t tell him that). Hopefully that is a positive thing. It was very noticeable at Christmas in his discussions about priorities, family was right at the top. Good on you son.

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Best of 2011 – Fathers and Sons

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Neil Stott
First posted April 2011

My 25 yr old son managed to break his ankle nearly 2 weeks ago, resulting in a painful long wait in hospital for surgery and then a longer recovery time, the first week not so good for him.

The challenge of being a parent doesn’t change when your children turn 20+ and are a long way from your support, guidance and direction. What do you do when your children make their own choices, make their own decisions (good and bad) and for which you no longer have any control over their lives. Here is some home grown tips from someone who has lived (and is living) through it.

  1. Love is unconditional. When I took two days off work to be with my son in hospital and he was finally released I was driving him home and he thanked me. I told him that this is what being a Dad is, to love you in the bad times as well as the good times.
  2. Be available. Not pushing in, not nagging, not getting in their space. No, it is about being there when they need you. This might be a hard thing for some Dads (and especially some mothers).
  3. Be consistent in your life. Character, values and the example of your own life is what speaks the loudest. I know I probably haven’t got all these things right at different times, but have worked hard to try and live consistently before my children.
  4. Keep the faith. Almost the same as point 3 but not quite. Being a Christian, living Christian values and demonstrating consistent Christian faith does not come by accident. I was challenged recently by a comment be a leading Christian leader in the US who wrote a book about “Christian Athiests”, about people who claim to be Christians but don’t live anything like how a Christian should live. I certainly don’t want to be like that and for my kids, they need to see the who I am more than what I say I am.

If any of you have any tips that you would like to add to the Real Men Challenge blog, drop me a line at info@realmenchallenge.org.au

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