37

Today I (like thousands of others) I watched the funeral of Jim Stynes, he died of cancer after 3 years of operations, pain and mental toughness, aged 45.

There was a few facts I knew about Jim Stynes prior to his death:

• He was recruited from Ireland by the Melbourne Footy Club when he was about 18.
• He stayed with the Melbourne footy club all his career
• He kicked the winning score for the opposition in a semi final.in about 1987 (he got the ball then kicked it in the wrong direction)
• He won the Brownlow medal
• He had an OBE
• He was President of Melbourne Footy Club
• He was a co-founder of a youth organisation called REACH.

I found out today there was much, much more to Jim Stynes than what I ever would have realised. I found out he was an 'honorable man'. Yes, you read correctly a truly honorable man.
Jim was the eldest of 6 siblings and each and every one of them  looked up to Jim, they respected him, they listened to him. Even though Jim was in Australia and his family in Ireland, Jim made sure that family spirit was never forgotten. When his siblings came over to Australia, Jim guided them, helped to find work and ensured they were happy and settled, in other words he was there for them. Family was truly everything to Jim.

Then there was his work in REACH. I am not going to even try to articulate what he did at REACH, I watched a short video of him working with those kids in need and it was one of the most beautiful and natural sights I have ever seen.

I also learnt Jim would go to schools (as well as many other venues) and talk about bullying. Jim believed education was the key to assisting kids to make the right decisions. Jim was so very generous with his time, yet he was still able to have time for his children and family.

Nothing was too much trouble when it came to assisting young people to discover the  right path to take in life. Doing the right thing is not easy, at times it takes guts and determination but the final result is so very worth it is what I imagine Jim saying. Even while he was so very ill and in pain, somehow Jim  would find the energy  and determination to keep going.
Jim was described as a 'simple sole', maybe so but he was a 'great man' and his legacy will live on.

I found out that Jim's footy guernsey was number  37, that is the reason I have named this posting 37. I am going to inspire myself when I am feeling down or when I am feeling sorry for myself by saying out aloud 37. That will be enough for me to think of Jim and his courage and determination and not be so self centred and negative with my petty concerns.

After such inspiration from Jim, I want to be a better person and do more for my fellow human beings. I am going to really try hard, I will never achieve the same heights as Jim but I am going to try and make a difference in some small way.

Remember , when you are experiencing negative thoughts think 37.

That's a thought.....perhaps we should have a 'think 37' day for people to do something good for their fellow human beings. It could be taking an elderly person out for the day (from their nursing home), volunteering to feed the homeless or giving your time to somebody who needs it. The possibilities are endless.