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When my sons were young, they had a big black dog they called Godot — largely because our middle boy had a passion for Samuel Beckett’s play. He was forever talking or writing about it, taking train trips to Melbourne to see it again, or explaining it to me — and finally, persuading his brothers to name their dog after it.
What amused me at the time (and amuses me still) was my mother’s adaptation of the name. She would frequently go into the back garden, with a juicy bone, calling “Here God! Here God!”, then, in exasperation, shout “God! Get here now!”
I was always expecting a neighbour to ask hesitantly, “Is your mum, um, I mean, is your mum okay?”
There has been quite a bit written in this newspaper recently about God and religion, and that, in my opinion, is a good thing. We are all entitled to express our varying opinions and beliefs. Sometimes, attempting to explain our feelings in words helps clarify what is important.
In the last census, almost 10 million people said they had ‘no religion’ — but this doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t believe in anything. The census isn’t the ideal place to try to explain yourself!
On March 9, 1966 I started to question my religion; I wasn’t thinking it was wrong for others — or finding any fault with Jesus. It was man’s interpretation of the Bible that bothered me. In the fourth century, the Council of Nicaea decided what would be included in the Bible, and what would be discarded. Some things, they felt, would confuse ‘the people’. And it was what they discarded that I wanted to read.
It was a search that took almost 20 years — reading everything I could get my hands on. By then, I was a very different person to the young girl who had insisted on nuptial mass at her Anglican wedding. It’s a very, very long story — too long to tell you here. And, to tell the truth, I’m not sure I’m brave enough. Sufficient to say that I have ‘no religion’ but a deeper understanding of myself — after looking back at my missteps, the reasons for them and, eventually forgiving myself, I found it easy to forgive others. I can’t claim to know God but my belief is different; I feel a gentler, more loving presence than the judgmental, demanding God of my past. I am content.
St Augustine once wrote “To know yourself, is to know God”. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps we are all ‘children of God’, every one of us carrying a tiny (but equal) portion of divinity. And finding that, is finding God.
Shouting from the back step “God! Get here now!” won’t help much.
By the way, if you have something you would like to share with me, please do! We can then chat about whether or not you would like it published. Or, if you think I’m a mad woman who should be locked up, I’ll happily include that! If we can have a laugh about the vagaries of humanity we are, I reckon, celebrating our differences — unlike the young man who stabbed Salman Rushdie.
Our locally owned retailers
Last week, I mentioned our locally owned businesses and how important I believe them to be. We need shopping centres that offer variety and something just a little different.
So, I’ll be giving you some information about our locals in business, from time to time — and hope you can support them, when appropriate for you.
AOK Specialty Gifts & Salt Room
Owner Michelle Newten was a nurse for 35 years and, today, she is still in the ‘healing business’.
I visited her beautiful store in High St, which is filled with heavenly gifts, to hear her story about the past couple of years — and to find out about the ‘Salt Room’.
Michelle told me that the use of pharmaceutical grade salt is a complementary therapy that is suitable for all ages. It can be used along with other healing methods. It opens airways and helps with respiratory problems; and as COVID-19, in any form, and influenza often leave respiratory troubles behind them, there are many people wanting to breathe freely once more. It may also help with skin conditions and is very relaxing. There are incredibly strict infection controls and COVID-safe procedures in place.
I was surprised to hear that salt rooms are used at racecourses. Yes, for the horses! It helps them breathe freely and race faster. Substantial research is under way — being done by the racing industry. And it amused me that horses have priority over humans — and we both had a laugh. However, the results will be useful for everybody.
Michelle started her business in 2004, joining the Mind, Body, Spirit circuit. She opened a store, at Emerald Bank, in 2015 — and the salt room that first year. Her business grew slowly but steadily.
But then came the lockdowns. The salt room was closed indefinitely, and it was also the end of her five-year lease. Everything was happening at once and decisions had to be made quickly. Michelle closed her store, not knowing at that time when or where it could be opened again. However, as we all know, sometimes misfortune can turn out to be fortunate, in the long run. Since she opened her store at 151 High St, in November 2020, she has never been busier.
Some of the stock at AOK Specialty Gifts is unique to Michelle. She has published two books, available in hard copy and e-books; written and designed three beautiful sets of oracle cards; and recorded two meditation CDs. Both the oracle cards and the meditation CDs are available as apps. If you visit her website, www.michellenewten.com you can find a link to download the apps — and try them free for seven days. You don’t have to give account details or answer any questions; this is a genuine free trial and is available for any smartphone or tablet.
Interest in ‘the spiritual’ continues to grow. When Michelle spoke live on her Facebook page recently, she didn’t expect to be speaking to 440 of her followers. Therefore, we were both amazed to find that 73,000 people had viewed the video.
AOK Specialty Gifts & Salt Room is located at 151 High St (close to the corner of High and Corio streets), Shepparton, where parking is usually possible.
The store is open Monday to Saturday, with opening hours varying a little. If you are unsure, give her a call on 5821 5974.
Last week
I was concerned because I hadn’t heard from one of our regular contributors for some time, so I contacted her daughter Anne to check on her wellbeing. I was glad to hear that Sue is still going strong at 94 years of age. She did have a nasty fall but is recovering well. Anne also included some interesting historical information about Mollie Hill, which I’ll share with you next week.
The Heritage Lecture was well attended, informative and thoroughly enjoyable. I caught up briefly with some of you but, unfortunately, had to leave before sharing a cuppa. I was amused to hear that Nettlecoe Estate is really Nettlegoe. I’ve had it wrong in my head forever! J.A.K. Clarke had difficulty getting rid of the nettles on his property.
That’s it – for now
I’m ‘girding my loins’ for another family gathering — 18 of them and I’ve chosen lunch this time (it’s a bit easier; they eat less). Would you believe, we have five August birthdays and two in early September? September weekends are wiped out by junior football because we have two boys playing in the finals, in two different leagues — and the Tiges will make it too. (And that wipes out most of the family.)
So, we’ve combined the seven birthdays and will celebrate next Saturday. The candles will be re-lit a few times!
Keep well everyone and may it be easy, my friends
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.
Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish)
Town Talk