For instance, do you realise that for the class of 2015, those 18 year olds starting university in the US last year, the Communist Party has never been the official political party in Russia? In their lifetime, music has always been available via free downloads, and as far as they’re concerned, “Yadda, yadda, yadda” has always come in handy to make long stories short. Amazon has never been just a river in South America. Moderate amounts of red wine and baby aspirin have always been thought good for the heart.

The current list is interesting but try going through their past lists and get even more scared as you realise that they’re talking about people older than 18.

Sometimes we can start thinking, “Well, surely everyone knows that.”, when we’re really talking about stuff that’s ancient history for a large section of the population. Just because we have an understanding of certain world events, we can’t expect that that’s the case for everyone.

I feel older already.

72 year old Bill Teitleff kept a secret for 54 years, but he finally had to come clean and make amends.

In May 1958 Bill stole two hydrangeas from Centennial Park in Nashville. He was recently married and didn’t have money for a Mother’s Day gift. He’s now returned plants from the root system of those he stole all those years ago.

“I knew it was wrong. I thought all along that I was borrowing them. But this stayed with me all this time,” Teitleff said. “Now it’s been 54 years, and I’ve got the root and same flowers that they have accepted back now. This doesn’t clear what I did. That’s between me and him (points to the sky). But this is between me and the people here at the park, and they’ve accepted wholeheartedly.”

And now, a trip to Centennial Park comes without guilt, without shame and with a lesson to fix what you can. – WSMV.com

It’s amazing how such a small act can help towards healing. Stealing a couple of plants might not be such a big deal but Bill knew it wasn’t right and there was something within that told him he had to sort it out.

One of the interesting things about the story is that Bill lived with the guilt for over 50 years. On one hand it shows us that it’s never too late to start dealing with past issues but on the other it makes me wonder how much better life would be if we all kept short accounts with those we’ve wronged. If we refused to let hurts fester we would experience what Bill now knows, forgiveness and a clear conscience. You can hear it in his words, ” … a trip to Centennial Park comes without guilt, without shame and with a lesson to fix what you can.”

What past hurts are you still hanging on to? How much longer will you let them run around free in your mind? Wouldn’t you rather deal with the past and get on with your future?

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16 NLT

However, over the last few weeks, various statements by Prime Minister Gillard and news reports have suggested that this commitment may be postponed. With over a billion people still living in poverty and 21,000 children still dying every day, Compassion Australia is just one of the aid agencies calling on the government to keep their promise. Their Executive Director of Advocacy, DJ Konz, joined me on my Morning Cafe radio program to discuss the issue this week.

We all know that when we have to tighten our financial belts at home we have to decide what’s essential and what extras we can live without. The Australian government’s in a similar position as they try to bring the budget back in to surplus. I asked DJ why it’s essential for Australia that we keep sending money overseas.

You can hear our discussion by clicking the play button on the audio player below.

It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. While the date is aligned with that event in the First World War, the day is a remembrance of all those who have been to war to protect our freedom.

ANZAC Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. It is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity. On ANZAC day, ceremonies are held in towns and cities across the nation to acknowledge the service of our veterans.

My parents served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. (That’s my dad in the picture.)

War is a terrible thing but I am grateful for the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for our country. I shudder when I imagine what it would be like to face a hostile enemy, knowing that any moment could be my last. I would hate to have to go to war. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to say goodbye to my loved ones, not knowing if I’d ever see them again. Having kids of my own, I don’t even want to think about the parents that have seen their children go to war.

ANZAC Day isn’t about glorifying war, it’s about paying our respects to those who put their lives on the line for their countrymen and the generations to come.

He then started on Channel 7’s Better Homes and Gardens where he’s still a popular presenter.

In 2010 he showed the world he’s multi-talented by winning Dancing with the Stars. This weekend he’s in Perth for Garden Week at Perry Lakes Reserve in Floreat, but I spoke to him on the phone this morning during the Morning Cafe on 98.5 Sonshine FM. You can hear our conversation by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

From 19-23 April Perry Lakes Reserve in Floreat will be transformed from tranquil parkland to a bustling hub of activity featuring all things gardening and much more.

Bursting with colour, Garden Week will delight visitors with the huge array of roses, waterwise plants, trees, indoor and outdoor plants, herbs and vegies.

Open daily from 9.30am, the Show is growing in popularity with visitors treated to the best WA has to offer with all things gardening and outdoor living.

Rob Palmer, the ever-popular DIY expert from Better Homes and Gardens will be on the Total Eden Celebrity stage from Thursday to Sunday to charm the crowds with his wit, humour and talent.

Also on the Celebrity Stage will be Chris Ferreira and the team from Great Gardens who will be holding presentations with topics ranging from sustainability and how to grow your own produce.

Great Gardens will also be working closely with Garden Week’s official Charity Partner Therapy Focus on the hugely popular Scarecrow Competition with over 40 scarecrows from WA primary schools on display.

Rob will be appearing at the Garden Show across the weekend.