Blind Magic in Alice Springs

Episode 1010 Embracing Wisdom: The Power of Age and Experience

Good morning from Alice Springs, or wherever you are in the world! I'm Murray Stewart, your host for episode 1010 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs. Today, we dive deep into the concept of contentment and the inevitable reality of aging.At 61, I embrace my age with pride, cherishing the wisdom and experiences that come with it. While physical abilities may decline, the mind remains youthful and capable of greatness. Age brings the unique advantage of wisdom, which I plan to use in establishing new ventures and solving community issues in Alice Springs.This episode is a call to all those over 50: you have so much to look forward to and contribute. Your accumulated wisdom and experience are invaluable. Let's harness this power to create positive changes in the world around us.Join me as I share my journey and encourage you to see the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Remember, you're only old once—make it count!

Episode 1009 The Pursuit of Contentment

Welcome to episode 1009 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs, hosted by Murray Stewart. It's a beautiful, albeit cool, day outside as Murray dives deep into the concept of contentment. He discusses how striving for ultimate happiness can often lead to discontent and emphasizes the importance of being satisfied with what we have.
Murray shares his personal definition of contentment, which includes having basic needs like shelter, food, and rest met. He uses the behavior of cats to illustrate his points, noting that cats purr when they are content and are restless when they are not. Murray reflects on his journey toward contentment, highlighting the significance of having a sense of purpose while also being grateful for the simple joys in life.
He concludes by sharing his thoughts on future living arrangements and the comfort he finds in his loyal puppy, Santa, contrasting it with his unease around cats. Join Murray in this insightful episode as he explores the serene state of being content.

Episode 1008 Rebuilding Alice Springs: Vision, Leadership, and Solutions

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you are in the world. I'm Murray Stewart, your presenter and host, and this is episode 1008 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs. I'm back from tropical Queensland, ready to be a solutions man. During my time in local government from 2004 to 2012, I learned that being critical without offering solutions is non-productive. Now, I'm back in Alice Springs to help find and support new leadership that can pull us up from our current decline and rebuild our beautiful town.Alice Springs is facing massive problems, including crime, disorder, and economic and psychological malaise. However, we must not dwell in misery. Drawing inspiration from Cairns, which has recovered from severe cyclones, we can rise from the ashes and believe in ourselves again. I am committed to being a positive contributor and assisting in creating a brand new, incredible Alice Springs.This has been episode 1008, a Blind Magic Communications production.

Episode 1007 Back in Alice Springs: Reflections and Life Lessons

Hi everyone, welcome. I'm Murray Stewart and I am your presenter and host and this is episode 1007 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs. And in Alice Springs I am. Yeah, I'm back. As I have been stating over the past couple of episodes, I am back. Back from our tour, our visit to tropical Queensland, back in good old Alice Springs.
Talking about good old things, I heard this morning that the oldest woman in the world lives in Denmark. She's 108 years of age. Her name escapes me, but it is said by her that the way in which you can grow old, her secret is to drink wine, to have a little dessert, and to flirt with men with beards. Yeah, that's right. That's her secret to growing older, drinking wine, having a little dessert, and flirting with blokes. Yeah, especially those with a beard.
Well, I'll tell you what, I think I can cover off on two of the three. The third one, oh no, I think I'll stick to flirting with the ladies. Yeah, that's my go-to. And I love to laugh. I love to sing. And I love to talk. Yeah, they're my three go-tos in terms of living my life. But the one thing that I have discovered and continue to discover is that you are never too old to get better. You're never too old to learn and to self-improve.
Evidence very recently by an argument I had, a most unnecessary argument I had with a good friend. Right. You know, it started with me talking about a few of the things that I was anxious about, and she dissuaded me from having that discussion, which doesn't go down well with me because I love to talk. That's what I do. But my overcorrection of the situation was very pronounced and very unnecessary and has required me to do some self-renovation.
Yeah, I pushed back really, really hard against this verbal handbrake. I did. I said to her in no uncertain terms that no wonder I'm single and I was expressing great relief that she was married because I at least didn't have to worry about that interference. Yeah, it was a bit personal, a bit over the top and highly unnecessary. There was a million other ways that I could have stuck up for myself, so to speak, as is my want. There was a million other ways that I could have put it and I certainly could have been far more gentle.
So for me, maybe this part of me has been lying dormant since my divorce, which, and separation, which wasn't an overly pleasant separation, I have to say. But surely, surely now I should be through that and over that. That was back in 2017. So come on, muzz, move on and be a better man. And don't resort to that sort of personal vitriol when defending oneself.
Of course, there is the other element with me, and that is the brain issue, the frontal lobe damage. That is the personality portion of the brain, or the portion of the brain that governs your personality. So, yeah, I do have, I suppose, a minor reason. I hate the word excuse because to me there is no excuse for bad behaviour. Yeah. But yeah, in my self-examination of what occurred, I've got no doubt I can develop the tools so that if this circumstance was to arise again, I could find better words and a better manner and therefore a better way of moving through the situation whilst also making it clear about the the things that I do stand for and what I, because I think you can, you can stand on your dig and you can defend what is important to you. But what is unnecessary is personal vitriol. Yeah, that's unnecessary, but there's absolutely no issue with defending oneself and sticking up for the principles that you hold. Absolutely no problem with that. But we must always be respectful of those around us, particularly those we love, even those we like.
Here are our friends, as this lady is. She's a great friend of mine and still will be. And I have certainly said sorry in no uncertain terms. And we've had a bit of a debrief. And I've had a self-debrief, as you can hear. But as for the secrets of old age, as pronounced by that lady in Denmark, Mark. Well, as I said, I've got two of the three covered off, but two out of three ain't bad as they say.
Anyway, if you're out there and you are prone to getting a little antsy, a little bit temperamental, a little bit angry, then yeah, a bit of self-renovation is a good thing. And I guess be able to consult with someone professionally if you need to. I certainly will be in relation to of the brain stuff, and I certainly have had a good hard talk with myself. So I guess from now on, I will allow myself no excuse if such a situation should arise again. I'm sure it won't. Both myself and my friend, I'm sure, can put this all to bed and put it down to experience, experience of which I have learnt and I've always said we live, we love and we learn and if we don't then there are going to be consequences that will continue reoccurring and that is not something that I want, not something I desire and so let's put a full stop on such behavior. Hence, I will. Hence, I will.
This has been episode 1007, a Blind Magic Communications production.

Episode 1006 Finding Contentment: The True State of Mind

Hi everyone, welcome. This is Murray Stewart, your host and presenter, and this is episode 1006. Indeed it is. In episode 1005, I spoke to you about my two loves. When it comes to towns to live in Cairns and Alice Springs. Well, let me now talk to you about state of mind, state of mind, what I'm striving for and what I believe we should all strive for in our latter years.I'm not really into getting myself into states of euphoria or, you know, getting overly excited and I'm not sure about this word happiness. I'm absolutely not sure about this word happiness. The problem with happiness is that it's a state of mind that could so easily go in the other direction. What do they say? What comes up must eventually come down. And so the state of mind that I'm striving for is one of contentment. That's right, one of contentment.That's the place that I want to be in. That's where I want my mind to be at in order to be satisfied, in order to be comfortable, in order to be solid. And that is why I purchased my home in 2020. That is exactly why I purchased this home, so I could have that very state of mind, that one of solidity, that one of being comfortable, that one of feeling absolutely like I am at home.And although I did speak to you in the last episode about my struggles between the towns which I would actually like to live in, I can tell you now there's nothing unstructured about me when it comes to my state of contentment, because that comes from very, very basic things. That's right. My home and my beautiful puppy dog, Santa. Ah, yes. I got those two things in my life. I'm content and that's where everything else can be launched.That's right. Even if I do decide to go to Cairns or go to wherever I like and do whatever I want to do, it will come from that ultimate state of mind of contentment. It will. That's why I purchased this home. And now, of course, I've grown to absolutely love this space and this place. I do have this debate with a friend of mine who is a listener to the show, and I've told her on so many occasions that I like to be grounded. I do. And I do have commitments in other states. I have families or members of my family in other states, and I can choose to see them if I so wish. But it will be done from my state of contentment.That's right. If I can use a metaphor, our devices sit in cradles from which they are charged in the morning and that is their home. And once they are charged, given their energy from that state of solidity, they then can do all sorts of exciting things for us, can't they? I've just charged up a walkie talkie, which I'll be using as a coach in its cradle, it's sat. And now both of the walkie talkies that I've purchased are almost most ready to do some very, very exciting things on the track for me and with me, but they came from a solid base, from their home. That provided them with the energy to do all sorts of amazing things, and so too will my home be.That's right, my home and my puppy dog provide me with a state of contentment beyond belief from which to charge up my life to do amazing things for my family and with my family, no matter where they are. It can be a phone call or I will visit them from time to time, as I've just done with Jasmine in Cairns, my beautiful daughter. And that all happened because of my state of mind, because of my place of restitude, which is right here in my home. Doesn't matter which town it is. The fact is, this is my home. And Saita also provides me with all of the positive strokes I need.We haven't had one argument yet, me and Saita, not one he agrees with everything I've said so far it's all going beautifully yeah no problem whatsoever no wonder they call puppy dog a man's best friend because they are oh yeah no pushback no carry on no it's all good all really really good and I hope that you can strive for your place your home, your state of contentment. And when you find that place, your home. Then make sure you stay close to that home in order to ensure that you can be recharged, ready to do exciting things.This is exactly why I didn't want to rent. I wanted to make sure that I purchased my home because it's mine. It's my sanctuary. It's my castle. It's my pad. From which incredible things will continue to be launched, I'm certain. All right, folks, that's it. I hope you enjoyed. And once again, I hope you gained some inspiration. And I so hope you find your special place, your home, your charging point. This has been episode 1006 of Blind Magic Communications Production.

Episode 1005 Torn Between Two Loves: Alice Springs and Cairns

Welcome to episode 1005 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs with your host, Murray Stewart. In this heartfelt episode, Murray shares his inner conflict between his long-time home, Alice Springs, and the serene beauty of Cairns, where his daughter and grandson live.Murray reflects on his deep connection to both towns, recounting his contributions to Alice Springs as a former deputy mayor, while expressing his concerns over recent criminal activities leading to a curfew in the town. He contrasts this with the tranquil and carefree atmosphere he experienced in Cairns, painting a vivid picture of a peaceful morning by the Esplanade.Tune in to hear Murray's plans to balance his love for both places, aiming to find safety, contentment, and happiness all year round. Join the conversation and reflect on your own journey towards feeling secure and fulfilled, wherever you are.

episode 1004 Recharging in Tropical Queensland

Welcome to episode 1004 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs, currently on tour in Tropical Queensland! Join your host as he shares his exhilarating experience in the beautiful and tranquil Port Douglas. This international destination offers a perfect escape from everyday life, providing a much-needed circuit breaker to replenish the soul and reinvigorate the mind.
In this episode, our host reflects on spending quality time with his daughter and her friend, emphasizing the profound impact of taking a break and the creative rejuvenation it brings. He discusses his plans for the future and how this adventure has helped him refocus on what truly matters. With renewed energy and fresh perspectives, he's ready to take on new challenges upon his return to Alice Springs.
As always, this podcast offers an authentic glimpse into the host's life, complete with thorns and roses. Stay tuned for more exciting chapters as he continues to navigate life's journey and inspire others to overcome their challenges. Tune in, take a pause, and get ready to fire up your own creative juices!

Episode 1003 A Journey Through Cairns: Adventures and Accessibility

Welcome back to "Blind Magic in Alice Springs" with your host Murray Stewart, broadcasting from tropical Cairns, Queensland. In this episode, Murray shares his thrilling experience riding the Skyrail through the rainforest to Kuranda, despite facing some modern-day challenges.
He also delves into a vivid dream about meeting former President Trump and discusses the importance of accessibility in technology for the vision impaired. Murray highlights recent wins in Australia regarding electric vehicles and explores the need for more accessible appliances.
Join Murray as he thanks his wonderful sponsors and reflects on the incredible journey of over 1,000 episodes, celebrating the talents and resilience of the vision impaired community. Stay tuned for more adventures from Cairns and beyond!

Episode 1002 Scary Stuff high in the Sky above The Tropical Rain Forest

Episode 1001 The Magic of PALM COVE