"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
46 Comments
David Grimmond
2/2/2016 03:18:28 am
Very well put Jimmy!
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Arron
2/2/2016 01:14:58 pm
Thank you for being so candid Jimmy. This reflection is important for others to read. Hope our paths cross again soon.
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Peter Dunn
2/2/2016 01:38:39 pm
Great article Jimmy
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Mitch
2/2/2016 05:54:25 pm
Thanks for sharing hambone . Great insight to the challenges of Life . Be great to catch up soon my friend .
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Nick
2/2/2016 07:25:24 pm
And what a great job you have done at transforming lives and changing those who are struggling with their own battles.
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Bowks
2/3/2016 01:18:19 am
wow, could have done with that speech 20 years ago, but to busy doing what you were doing
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2/4/2016 03:47:37 am
Thanks Bowks - it was a fun time but like you said it'd be great to have heard something like this so we could find some balance earlier! Hoping schools & sporting teams might be open to some presentations around this area!
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Greg Harris
2/3/2016 01:49:00 pm
A very insightful article James and one, which from my own personal and professional experiences, very much encapsulates the issue. The bottom line is that others cannot help you unless you really want to help yourself and that means clearly defining the problem before it can be addressed. As Ron Barassi, a great man, who I had the pleasure of once working with used to say to our players - "If it is to be it is up to me".
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2/4/2016 03:48:38 am
Thanks for taking the time to message Greg! All the best for the season & hope you're enjoying the job!!
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2/5/2016 12:42:07 am
Thanks Jimmy I can only relate to that too well. It takes courage to face your demons. I had the pleasure of touring with Filter and Johns a few years ago and must say they were fantastic blokes!
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2/5/2016 08:56:58 pm
Thanks big Danny! Imagine they'd be lots of fun to travel with. Hope you're well.
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Jaz Ochoa
2/5/2016 05:04:44 am
Great Jimmy! Thank you for your transparency & encouragement to be kind to the person despite the behaviour exhibited. A timely reminder.
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2/5/2016 08:59:32 pm
Thanks Jaz! I don't think you are wrong to expect a certain standard of behaviour from our sporting stars but sometimes the answer for change might not be to beat them with a long stick.
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Mark Bartholomeusz
2/6/2016 01:06:58 am
Great article Jimmy. Extremely thought provoking!
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Brett Robinson
2/6/2016 01:34:36 pm
Hambone
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Malcolm Astle
2/6/2016 02:04:36 pm
Jimmy, thanks for the honest and open comments. Lots of 'ordinary' men struggle with their demons of which alcohol is only one. The struggle and learning from the struggle is worth it. It is a great encouragement to read of yours and others overcoming. Thanks again.
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2/6/2016 07:34:28 pm
Hi Malcolm, appreciate the response & agree the struggle in its various forms & outworkings is quite a normal part of becoming a responsible man...or woman. Jimmy
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David Shand
2/6/2016 08:40:42 pm
Jimmy, Very thought provoking post and more importantly impressive for you to do it by putting yourself out there with the honesty about your life and mistakes. I must say it makes me consider situations differently now.
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2/7/2016 03:42:45 am
Thanks Shandy! I'm not saying it wasn't fun but there came a time to change directions!
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melgibson
2/6/2016 09:20:05 pm
James, you should work the Hillsong circuit. $$$$. A quick Q... If as you say, "you" can hate the socially constructed or illusory self AND "you" can hate the real self....from what godlike position is this "you" coming from. A johns confessed and wrote a confessional book, like you, to salvage a career. The dancing monkey is always there....$$$$$
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Sam
2/7/2016 01:16:19 am
Pretty aggressive Melgibson.
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2/7/2016 05:43:01 am
Thanks for the encouragement Sam. Glad you're doing well off the booze. I get what Melgibson is asking, which is a great philosophical question but I know some of the language written & assuming I know who it is so he can ring whenever he wants. All the best!
Paul Black
2/7/2016 06:05:11 am
Well said Jimmy, one of my favourite Brumbies from the early years of Super Rugby. Hope your message gets across, particularly to the kids. All the best champ.
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2/7/2016 04:21:38 pm
Thanks so much Paul! Those early days were a long time ago but great memories! Thanks for the encouragement!
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Michael Johnstone
2/7/2016 01:12:26 pm
Jimmy, what a great piece.....it certainly captures much of my experience.....especially the "dancing monkey", in teams/clubs everyone have their roles on and off the field....sometimes these are destructive to both...cheers mate. Spicko
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2/7/2016 04:24:45 pm
Hey Spicko! I thought I heard your name mentioned recently but can't for the life of me remember who it was. Very true as you said from my experience too buddy. Hope you are well!!
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Matt W
2/7/2016 07:17:36 pm
Very interesting perspective and well written article James. It is something I can very much relate to in regards to the drinking and not being able to stop. In regards to Mitchell Pearce, what a lot of people don't realise is that there is actually a history of alcoholism within his family. Everyone points to Wayne Pearce as the guy who never had a drink in his life, but what they don't realise is that Wayne's father and brother suffered from alcoholism and now it looks as though Mitchell may have the same issue. There is always more to every story that people don't see.
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2/9/2016 02:35:04 pm
Hi Matt, thanks for those insights! Yes it's easy to presume we know what's going on for people or to see their behaviour and think we know why they do it but as always as you've pointed out we haven't walked in their shoes and these things are like human nature - much more complicated than they seem. All the best!
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Mark Sayers
2/7/2016 09:40:00 pm
Nicely done mate – honesty is powerful tool. Really pleased that you have conquered your demons and are using your experiences to educate and help others.
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2/9/2016 02:37:10 pm
Hi Mark, Thanks so much buddy! Trust you guys are well up there!
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Gus Gordon
2/9/2016 05:23:26 pm
Hey Jimmy, That was a really interesting (and particularly courageous) blog post, and one I'm sure many of our mates would've appreciated reading a long time ago. Well said mate. Hope you're well. Cheers, Gus
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Thanks
2/10/2016 06:51:15 am
A great read, thanks for the candid insight into your battles. I was entrenched in footy culture from a young age have my own track record of embarrassment, injury and regret when it comes to drinking.
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2/11/2016 01:19:45 am
Thanks thanks! You are no doubt right about that competitive nature in all things within that culture! Congratulations on changing direction & agree that you've got to determine how you use alcohol & not how alcohol uses you!
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aaa
9/4/2017 08:48:30 pm
nc
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