http://hungrybeast.abc.net.au/stories/end-life-planning
For all you Aussies at home, Hungry Beast airs on the ABC at 9:30 on Wednesdays. :) You can also enjoy previous episodes here: http://hungrybeast.abc.net.au/episodes
I saved this post as one of my favourites. Worth checking out. even if you are religious, it has invaluable advice on how anyone can cope with grief and loss:
http://community.livejournal.com/atheism/2181004.html
The post has information targeted at how agnostics and atheists can deal with grief and help anyone else who is grieving.
Best advice (in my opinion - although most of the advice was helpful):
I honour their life, talk about them and remember them. Comfort their family, and help out where I can.
When my best friend died this year - friends who had not seen each other in a decade gathered to share memories, put his ashes in the ground (no "moving on to better places" - but many teary hugs). We expressed regrets at distance over the years in a group. We drank to a good man (the night before the service, the day after, and the following night).
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What's healthy in mourning is to take your own time dealing with things, neither trying to put on too strong a face nor cowering in fear because it's too hard to deal with.
Although I'm not religious, I disagree with one of the posters saying that tacking on a religious message to someone's death cheapens it.
R U OK day - how to talk about suicide
Dec. 19th, 2009 03:40 pmCheck this website out:
http://www.ruokday.com.au/p_How_To_Have_A_Conversation.aspx
r u OK day is held on November 29th, 2009. It is an annual national day of action that aims to get Australians, right across the entire spectrum of society, connecting with friends and loved ones, by reaching out to anyone doing it tough and simply asking: “Are you ok?”
Why start a conversation? Research shows talking about suicide with someone at risk actually reduces the chances of them taking their life. It is the one thing we can all do to make a real difference. R U OK?Day is about prevention, preventing little problems turning into big problems. So it is not just about asking those at immediate risk.
The lj cut contains tips from Lifeline on how to talk about suicide with other people. Please read. You could end up saving a life if you use this advice.
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Hi everyone,
This week Obama delivered a historic speech to the Muslim world from Cairo -- outlining his vision for peace.
I just signed a petition based on Obama's own words, and I thought you might want to do the same -- it will be published in newspapers in Israel and Washington DC to reach decision-makers.
Click on the link below to support the campaign:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/obama_stop_settlements/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK
Thanks!
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Here's the original email from Avaaz:
Dear friends,
President Obama just made a remarkable speech in Egypt, committing personally to building peace in the Middle East. Unexpectedly, his first move is to challenge American ally Israel directly -- pressing its right-wing government to stop their self-destructive policy of settlements, which are illegal colonies set up on territory recognised by the US and the world as Palestinian.
This is a moment of rare crisis and opportunity. Obama’s bold strategy is facing powerful opposition, so he’s going to need help around the world in the coming days and weeks to strengthen his resolve. Let’s start right now -- by raising a massive global chorus behind Obama’s statement that the settlements in occupied territory must stop.
We’ll advertise the number of signatures in key newspapers in Israel, as well as in Washington DC (where some are trying to undermine Obama in the US Congress). Read Obama’s words now and add your signature to them at the link below, then forward this email to friends and family so they can do the same:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/obama_stop_settlements/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK
There is broad agreement that the settlements are a significant barrier to peace, a view also shared by a silent majority of the Israeli public. Combined with a network of roadblocks and barriers, these colonies now blanket the West Bank, seizing territory and forcing Palestinians to live effectively as prisoners in smaller and smaller pockets (see map at right).