As parents we spend our lives attempting to teach our children.
Sometimes with actions. Sometimes with words. Sometimes with stoic silence so that they learn the right lessons for themselves rather than react to our attempt to “show them the right way”.
It’s a constant challenge requiring whatever wisdom and diligence we can bring to the situation. We regularly fail, but we keep doing our best.
And so when we see our Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition engaging with each other in question time, as they seek to capture Australia’s interests, it would be good to see that as a learning experience too.
Or is it just the Colosseum all over again?
Gladiators were popular. They took hits and they delivered blows to each other.
These days it’s not blood that is sought, but points.
If we can call somebody enough names, then perhaps everyone will believe us and choose us instead of them?
And if we’re clever enough, perhaps the people watching on will think we’re funny, clever and “hard hitting”.
Perhaps they’ll give us a thumbs up.
And as we score points and take hits, perhaps we’ve lost sight of why we started in the first place. Perhaps we want to earn our freedom from the system that keeps us fighting, but we’re just not sure how to get it.