November 2002 Volume 83 Number 11 "serving the protectors"
Chaplaincy Choose happiness
By Dianna Bartlett

Are you finding, as I am, that this year is flying by? I can’t believe that it is November already. Once the pageant is over, Christmas is just around the corner. I am one of those annoying people who already have all of their shopping done by the end of October. “Organized,” you might say? No, I’m just trying to avoid taking four children to the shops in the Christmas rush.

My aim is to enjoy time with my family and be kind to myself. When was the last time you were kind to yourself? If you can’t remember, or it was so long ago, how about planning to spend some quality time, just for you? Life is too short to allow it to whiz past. It does not have to be expensive: walk on the beach, read a book, or catch up with a friend who you haven’t seen in ages, or has just been on your mind. Give yourself a gift of some time out.

In our hustle-bustle lifestyle, it is hard to be spontaneous. We need to make appointments with ourselves for ourselves. Make a window of time in which you get to see or do something that pleases you, something that will bring a smile to your face and put a spring in your step. The first time it will seem strange, but it’s worth the effort. Who decides whether you shall be happy or unhappy? You do.

This reminds me of a story about a couple who were having dinner in a railway dining car during a trip. The woman was expensively dressed, dripping with diamonds. But she seemed to be having an unpleasant time with herself. Rather loudly, she declared that the car was dingy and draughty, the service bad and the food terrible.

Her husband, in contrast, was genial, affable, easy-going and pleasant.

During dinner, the waiter asked the man what business he was in. He said he was a lawyer, and added: “My wife is in the manufacturing business.”

The waiter was surprised, as she seemed not to be the industrial or executive type. So, he asked: “What does she manufacture?”

“Unhappiness,” the man replied. “She manufactures her own unhappiness.”

Often, I am asked what the key to life is, and I say: “To enjoy it.” You only have one chance. Seize every opportunity, and run with it.

Jesus gave us life to enjoy and to have in abundance. Make the most of the life you have been given. Happiness is a habit.

SA Police Chaplains

Welfare Section 58	David Marr	8364 3567
	Senior Police Chaplain.
Academy 8	Brenton Daulby	8272 8324
Adelaide: 158	Vacant
Adelaide Hills Division 54	Vacant
Ceduna 214	Sybil Peacock	8625 3505
Christies Beach 20	Peter Coote	8381 3039
		0412 818 995
Clare 202	Michael Dutschke	8842 3681
Communications 172	David Hand	8376 5612
Elizabeth 52	Lindsay Mayes	8281 8088
Far North 210	John Folkman	8672 5011
Firearms/Records	Dianna Bartlett	8337 8552
		0403 281 596
Gawler 52	Brian Tscharke	8522 2288
Glenelg 22	Vacant
Henley Beach 18	Tim Kowald	8449 6868
Holden Hill 44	Rod Dyson	8365 1170
Kadina 71	Vacant
Kingston 208	Vacant
Mount Gambier 208	Brian Ashworth	(w) 8723 1353
		(h) 8725 2537
Murray Bridge 200	Malcolm Bottrill	8532 5536
Naracoorte 208	Bruce Cliff	8737 2457
		0417 811 702
Norwood 60	Lynton Wade	8362 2227
		0418 831 703
Nuriootpa 204	Andy Kowald	8562 1011
Port Adelaide 6	Jeff Oake	8341 5930
Port Pirie 206	Steve Ardill	8632 3977
Prosecution Services 176	Vacant
Port Augusta PS 210	Mark Thomas	8642 2487
		0401 671 850
Port Lincoln 214	Lester Reinbott	8683 3018
Riverland 212	Robin Zadow	8588 1540
Salisbury 53	Vacant
South East	Terry Natt	8571 1114
Sturt 12	Chris Beal	8278 9578
	Ian Dempsey	8296 7292
Tea Tree Gully 48	Bob George	8395 9363
Thebarton Barracks 32	Vacant
Transit Division	Rob Packer	8332 9155
Victor Harbor	Graham Rogerson	(h) 8552 1718
		(w) 8552 5029
Whyalla 218	Tony Redden	8649 3593

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