Cruisin'

While we were in Mandurah, a seaside town around an hour south of Perth, on Saturday we took the opportunity to take an hour long cruise through the canals. If you’ve never taken the cruise, make a point of jumping aboard next time you’re in the area.

We didn’t spot any dolphins but we did see some amazing homes along the canals. There’s an awful lot of money tied up in a rather small area. Outside one of the homes was a nice little boat worth over seven million dollars. There were a few homes that I’d be happy to have if they were given to me.

I suppose the interesting thing about seeing homes like that is that we can spend our whole time wishing we had the money to have what they have. Looking at what others own and the way they live is often a good way to become dissatisfied with what we have. It was nice to be able to appreciate the grandeur of the homes in that area but I think I’d rather focus my attention on those who have less than us. Not so that I can feel superior, but so that I can remember that I have a responsibility to those who have so little.

It was good to hear the captain of our cruise boat remark on one of the property owners on the canals. He has certainly amassed great wealth but he is also known as being extremely generous, having given away millions of dollars to charities over the years. I’m never likely to have anywhere near as much money as he does, but I can still use what I have to help others just as he does.

As for the cruise – it’s a very relaxing way to spend some time and learn quite a bit about the history of the area as well as the local birdlife. I’m not big on boats but it certainly is a nice way to take time out and slow down for a while.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

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