PEARL’S COMPLETELY REASONABLE CHRISTMAS WISH

By Pearl Bullivant on December 13, 2016 in Other

When celebrities, WAGs, models and reality TV stars are the movers and shakers in a society obsessed with sport, it is only fitting that Pearl’s Christmas message comes courtesy of a rugby league player, the Melbourne Storm’s very own philosopher, Cameron Smith. Even more apt is the fact that his words were uttered on Eastern Suburbs soil during a Kangaroos training session at Coogee Oval. It was as if Smith was somehow purposely directing his words of wisdom – “I don’t see why it’s so hard to be a good person and do the right thing” – toward the Camilla kaftan clad set of the East, like he somehow had an insight into the very quality lacking in the suburbs of affluence.

This Christmas, Pearl is appealing to the people of the Eastern Suburbs to channel a Melbourne Storm player and the Book of Jeremiah (after all, Christmas isn’t just about perfecting your child’s Santa photo at Bondi Junction Westfield) – be good people and consider the welfare of others before satisfying one’s own needs at all costs.

Granted, Eastern Suburbs people aren’t engaging in drive-by shootings like in Birrong, or making headlines on a Current Affair like they do out in the Druitt, but our behaviour is not beyond reproach, as evidenced by Pearl’s monthly rant and also the letters page of this very magazine. Despite our affluence, which gives us access to privileges way beyond those available to the majority of Sydneysiders, we don’t always do the right thing by others, wrapped up as we are in the smug self-importance that only money can buy.

In this individualistic, look-at-me, competitive world, being good and doing the right thing often garners a negative reaction from Eastern Suburbs people. “No one tells me what to do”, “It’s a free country, not a nanny state”, “I’m averse to following rules”, “Can’t you see I’ve got four kids and I’m in a hurry” – all reactions from people intent on deflecting their bad behaviour. Even worse, these people deflect their bad behaviour onto their victim, labelling the person on the receiving end as a whinger or NIMBY instead of taking criticism on the chin and admitting they’re wrong.

This festive season, think about your neighbours when you toss another soiled nappy into an overflowing wheelie bin. Consider the impact on the community when you submit a DA for the construction of your four-bedroom, four-level ‘dream home’. Ask yourself, “Is my behaviour infringing on the rights of others?” before parking across a driveway. Take into account the fact that you are endangering lives when you use your mobile whilst driving. Realise that buying a Range Rover will clog up an already overcrowded suburb.

And in the spirit of Christmas (and Cameron Smith), make it your mission to be a good person. Remember, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, and what type of child is the village raising when its members fail to be good and do the right thing by others?

As the Christmas carol goes: “He knows when you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!”

Pearl xxx