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Oh boy. It’s started. A sober October.
My tee-total commitment to raise funds for Life Education’s invaluable initiative – Ocsober – is about to begin. Thursday, to be exact. At midnight. Well, one second past midnight if we’re getting technical.
And no, I’m not getting schnookered tonight nor tomorrow night. My days of binge-drinking are long over and, truth be told, any more than a glass or two and I’m snoring on the couch like Nanna after a sherry spree on Christmas day.
On top of this, getting my fill of bubbles, Baileys and bourbon before Thursday would pretty much kybosh any of the sentiment behind the whole Ocsober enterprise – namely, to help educate our kids on the perils of excessive drug and alcohol consumption.
Life Education Australia has been empowering young people for almost 30 years to live stronger, safer and happier lives. Founded by the Reverend Ted Noffs, Life Education provides a series of programmes and initiatives (like Healthy Harold the giraffe) to educate children (and parents) in the hope they will make positive life choices for a healthier existence, free from debilitating substance abuse. The organisation also covers other vital childhood issues such as bullying, smoking and healthy food choices.
While I’m absolutely delighted to be involved in raising funds for the important work Life Education continues to provide to our communities, I’ll be the first to admit I’m a little nervous. Yes, I drink regularly. And yes, I may even rely on a drink occasionally. I’m relatively light on the alcohol-consumption scale in terms of bulk, but I am also a regular partaker, and giving it up is going to be an interesting exercise, not only in restraint but also in terms of pure habit.
I know it won’t be easy, but I also know I can do it – particularly with little eyes watching my
every move. Nary a champagne bubble will pop within a ten-metre vicinity while my nine-year-
old daughter is on the case – and this is how it should be. This entire Ocsober cause is to show our kids that we can rely on good old love and old fashioned fun (and perhaps the odd family block of chocolate) to get through stressful days or social situations.
I’m just glad this is happening well before the rounds of Christmas shindigs begin… glühwein is a big tradition in our house, along with sozzled fruit puddings and brandy-punched cakes. And sherry-smashed nannas on the couch.
But seriously, like everything in life, moderation is key – and although a month free of alcohol is already making me sweat lukewarm sake, I am fully cognisant of the fact that a little bit of everything (well, almost everything) is okay. Pickling one’s own liver in a marinade of booze is not practising moderation in the least little bit and if Ocsober can help teach our youngsters just that – they will be a grand and priceless step ahead in the drama that is life.
Gulp. Wish me luck. I’ve always been a revolutionary spirit (‘scuse the pun).
To donate to Tania’s $5000 goal for AWO, visit http://www.everydayhero.com.au/tania_mccartney
For more on Life Education Australia’s work, visit http://www.lifeeducation.org.au/main/
Kids can check out Healthy Harold’s site at www.healthyharold.org.au where they can join Club Harold, play games, win prizes and learn how to live a super-cool, totally empowered and healthful life