The Benefits of drawing and painting as a hobby
Friends,
Doctors and Countrymen!
I am
posting these wonderful paintings by colleagues just to demonstrate that, although we trained as doctors, we can still master new skills that are of great
benefit, especially as we get older and the exit doors seem more real than just
an imaginary remote construct.
They are shown solely for the purpose of energising you to try a new skill, or rouse it if it is dormant, and not as a boast. There are many useful ways to preserve our sanity, vanity, and humanity, but I urge you to consider taking up drawing and painting if you haven’t done so already.
YOU..., Me?..yes... YOU!... CAN.. DO..IT!!
The following AI
response on the benefits of Painting is hard to beat
Painting as a pastime offers a wide range of mental,
physical, and social benefits, making it a highly therapeutic and enriching
hobby for individuals of all ages.
Mental and Emotional Health
Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Painting lowers cortisol
levels—the body’s primary stress hormone—promoting relaxation and helping to
quiet an overactive mind.
Achieving a "Flow State": Immersing yourself in a
creative task can lead to a meditative "flow state," where time seems
to slow down, and daily worries fade away.
Emotional Expression and Catharsis: For many, art provides a nonverbal outlet for processing complex emotions or past traumas that are
difficult to put into words.
Boosted Self-Esteem: Finishing a project, regardless of
skill level, releases dopamine and provides a tangible sense of pride and
accomplishment.
Cognitive and Physical Benefits
Brain Health and Memory: Engaging in artistic activities has
been linked to a 73% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and
dementia in older age.
Improved Fine Motor Skills: Handling brushes and mixing
paints strengthens the small muscles in the hands and wrists, improving
dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Problem-Solving Skills: Adapting to unexpected outcomes on
the canvas, such as colour mixing or fixing mistakes, helps build
critical-thinking and innovation skills that translate to everyday life.
Enhanced Observation: Painting trains you to look at the
world with a "child's eye," noticing details in light, texture, and
colour that are often overlooked.
Social and Practical Advantages
Community Building: Joining art classes or workshops offers
opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and reduces feelings of
isolation.
Digital Detox: Painting is a tactile, analogue experience
that provides a necessary break from screens and digital intrusions.
Flexibility: It is an accessible hobby that can be as
budget-friendly or as involved as you choose, fitting easily into various
schedules and skill levels.
These are the paintings sent to me by Chira, Nihal, Srianee and Rohini A. (I have added mine). Two paintings/drawings each.
Please click on the painting for an enlarged and clear view.
Dear Mahen,
ReplyDeleteI am unable to publish my comments on the Blog articles as it gives an error message to say there is an internal error!
Hence I am giving below my comments on the Creative spot on the paintings.
Thank you Mahen for compiling this beautiful mini album of our batchmates artistic skills. Your narration on the benefits of painting is most interesting and I am certain that it will motivate others to join as well. The collection is interesting as it covers a wide variety of styles and subjects. The colourful landscapes from Rohini & ND reveal the contrasting beauty of the urban and the countryside while Srianee, being an artist of longstanding, skillfully expresses her own take on local scenes. As usual Chira's drawings are detailed to bring out the natural likeness of these animals while yours Mahen is rather melancholic being in one shade but brings out the inner thoughts and feelings of persons in real life. Thank you Rohini, ND, Chira, Srianee and Mahen for giving us the enjoyment to appreciate your paintings."
Manel W
Manel, thank you for joining in with your encouraging comments. I'm sorry you are having technical problems. I hope our helpful blog administrator's hints below will help you. As these paintings have demonstrated, everyone has their own style. It can be a solitary activity, which is what I enjoy with some good music in the background, or one can join a class and enjoy the company of others. The important thing is to try. I know you are very busy, but I hope you will give it a try!
DeleteManel
DeleteSo lovely to see you back in the blog. Thanks for the kind comment.
Manel, I just installed Firefox and tried commenting. I used "Anonymous" and I hope you did too.Choose "comment as" and then "Anonymous". Then use "enter comment" and when you finish, click on Publish. If it does not come back and say "your comment was published", wait a a bit and press "Publish" again. Hope this works. Please let me know. Mahen
ReplyDeleteMahen, Thank you for putting this post together and encouraging our friends to try painting, drawing or anything creative that gives them joy. If mastering the techniques of painting with watercolors, acrylics or oils seems too intimidating, I suggest that you pick up a good set of colored markers. Art classes for adults are available in senior centers, adult education programs public libraries etc. I know that in Colombo there are people who have private classes in their homes. You may discover talent that you never knew you had. It is so important to try new skills.
ReplyDeleteHow very true of the old adage "A picture paints a thousand words". In addition to what the artists try to convey paintings can convey complex, detailed or emotional information to the viewer bringing back many personal memories. Thank you for rekindling those memories.
ReplyDeleteMy paintings are drawn from photographs and done digitally on my iPad. Painting is a wonderful hobby and I spend hours perfecting them and enjoy the time immensely. I lack the talent and the patience to paint with brushes, water colours and canvas. My holidays in Scotland have made me love its castles, mountains and lakes. Its many rivers have defined its landscape.
Some can paint pictures with words as William Wordsworth has done:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils
Chira
Once again, you’ve shown your incredible talent as a painter. The kittens and the squirrel look so realistic and full of life—truly wonderful. You should definitely do more paintings for the blog. I’ve tried drawing a cat myself, so I know how difficult it is. Capturing three of them so realistically really highlights your skill as an artist. Thank you for sharing your work.
Mahen
Thank you for posting all these paintings. You are indeed a talented artist. It must be because you manage the blog that you are so reluctant to show off your skills. These are wonderful paintings. The “thinker” and the “craftsman” bring to life the lives of simple people of Sri Lanka. In a fast-moving digital world that simplicity is rapidly disappearing. These paintings one day may show “the way we were”. Anuradhapura indeed has a special place in my heart. Just like the “thinker “. I recall the times I have sat on the bund of the Nuwara wewa, deep in thought watching hordes of birds fly in formation. It was the capital of an ancient kingdom, and thoughts of its glorious past were never far away.
Srianee
I love your painting of the verandah. The chairs and table and the shades of green in the garden captures the mood perfectly. It sends the mind drifting back in time, stirring memories of my own childhood in Nugegoda. My grandfather had a ‘harnsiputuwa’ where he would lie and recount stories from an era now long gone.
I love the light and airy painting of the Galle Fort and the Indian Ocean. Once an active garrison the gun turrets are replaced by green foliage. The Fort also overlooks the lush green turf of the Galle Esplanade as it was called then. This was used for horse racing by the British. This is now the Galle International Cricket Stadium. I had many relatives in Galle and was a frequent visitor to the Fort. We then called it the ramparts. The Portuguese indeed have done a great job of it to survive nearly 500 years of sun and rain. You do use colours so well to illuminate and make them look so real. Thank you.
Rohini Ana
I love sunsets as they are nature’s art with a message. As Tagore once said "Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add colour to my sunset sky."
I like the sunset with the warm colours and the bold reddish brushwork. I can almost feel the heat of the sun. The painting reminds me of the coastal village of Pitipana near Negombo. We lived in Katunayake by the lagoon and could see the sunset across the water and beyond Pitipana. I do know how close you are to Mt Egmont from your days in New Plymouth. You’ve captured the snow and the surrounding vegetation beautifully using cool colours. This must bring back many happy memories for you. Do continue to paint and keep entering the world of meditation and mindfulness.
Thank you Nihal for that comprehensive comment. I am sure all the artists would have enjoyed reading it and it was nice of you to comment on each artist.
DeleteNihal, thank you for taking the time to comment on each individual work of art. We have all used different techniques and media. I guess it demonstrates our individuality! You encouraged me once to try digital art, and I did try, but it wasn't easy! It required a lot of skill and patience. You seem to have mastered it as demonstrated by your lovely creations. I decided to go back to using acrylics and oils. Perhaps I will try the digital technique again someday. (I do have an Apple Pen!)
DeleteMahendra
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this very well written article leading to the drawings and paintings.
I must say I really enjoy painting and and get so much satisfaction on admiring the final result.
As Mahendra suggested to others to start drawing and painting, I want to suggest to ladies to try Cross stitching, Knitting and Embroidery too. These too help you to relax and enjoy your retirement.
I enjoyed drawings and paintings of Mahendra's, Nihal's, Sriani's and Rohini Ana's. What talent our batchmates have !
Wishing you all all the best.
Chira
Chira, both your paintings were superb bu the kittens painting was exceptional. You clearly have talent and patience- a very worthy combination for detailed paintings.
DeleteChira, I agree with Mahendra and everyone else that the two paintings that you have shared here are exceptional in the way you have captured the details. I believe you use water colors, is that correct? It would be helpful if you shared some of your technical details. It may encourage others. I know that painting with water colors is not easy
DeleteHi Mahen,
ReplyDeleteI feel very honored to have my amateur efforts included amongst those of my talented colleagues. Thanks for the display.
It is nice you managed to get Manel back on the blog
Manel, I hope you will share with us some of your own hobbies too.
Chira’s paintings are so realistically detailed and expressive - love the expressions on the faces of the kittens ! Very talented.
I am equally impressed by Nihal’s , Srianee’s , and Mahen’s painting’s of very diverse subjects, fittingly depicted and done in their own unique, inimitable styles - Very inspiring.
Nihal, You’ve been very kind in taking the trouble to complement our efforts individually. I was very fortunate to have this view of Mount Egmont ( now named Mt. Taranaki) in New Plymouth. It was very fascinating in the sense there were no two days when the mountain looked the same . There were times it was completely devoid of snow, times it was completely white like an iced cake ! and everything in between. There were also days when it hid itself completely behind the clouds , so some of our visitors would ask whether there was a mountain there at all !
New Plymouth still is a great city to live in . Wish you could have visited us there !
Many thanks to you all- Cheers- Rohini.
Thank you all for your great paintings - Cheers -Rohini
Rohini
Dear friends , I need to amend my opening sentence to-“ I feel very honored to have my amateur efforts included amongst the fine paintings of my talented colleagues “ cheers
DeleteRohini, our reluctant artist! Thamk you for allowing me to post your beautiful paintings. I hope you will send us some more.
DeleteHello Rohini,
DeletePhotos of Mt Egmont are stunning. I just wonder if it is seen from Auckland on a clear day. I lived and worked in Kurunegala for 3 years. The Elephant Rock in the centre of the city is visible from every corner of Kurunegala. I saw it while going to work and on my way home and while relaxing in the garden or walking the streets. There are stunning views of the city and its surrounds from the top of the rock. Then I felt closer to heaven than ever before. By the time I left Kurunegala it had entered my psyche and the archives of my memory. I still think of it with great affection. The rock does feature in my dreams occasionally. Mountains do have the wonderful ability to get close to the soul of the beholder. Cherish those wonderful memories.
Here is a link for the Kurunegala Elephant Rock which Nihal alluded to....https://www.allceylon.lk/place/128-Athugala-Elephant-Rock-Kurunegala
DeleteRohini, your paintings are lovely! You should definitely continue to create more. Many people are overly critical of their own work and you may be one of them! There are so many wonderful tools one can use to create art. I have a set of pencils which can be used like regular colored pencils. Then with a brush and a jar of water one can convert the creation into a water color painting!! Art supply store are something close to heaven for me. There are a few good ones in Colombo too! Rohini, I hope you continue to create more paintings.
DeleteMahen, Nihal and Srianee - Thank you so much for your very generous and encouraging comments.
DeleteNihal, Mt. Taranaki is gorgeous -It has one of the most symmetrical peaks of all mountains-often likened to Mt. Fuji in Japan. Ana chose the site to build our house in NP to capture this particular view in spite of the builder warning us that with this view will also come the strong winds, but it was the best thing we did as far as choosing a place to live. You might have noticed in the photos, the shape of the mountain depends on where you are viewing it from - the view from south Taranaki Stratford also shows a hump on a side ! It is beautiful from wherever you view, but is not seen from Auckland itself.
Many thanks for introducing me to the Elephant Rock which I don’t remember having seen.
Enjoy your writing and painting so we can enjoy them too !Cheers
Rohini, I suspect this painting of Mt Taranaki has a greater significance for you because it was the view from your home for many years. It's not just a painting, you've captured a memory! I hope you will continue to paint using whichever medium you please.
DeleteOops! The painting was of a different mountain. My mistake! No doubt there is something calming about views of the oceans and mountains.
DeleteDear Srianee , You didnt make a mistake - I am sorry I confused you - Mount Egmont and Mount Taranaki are one and the same, with a long and complex history of how its name has changed over the years - It is the same mountain whose mercurial changes we woke up to each morning over 20 years and loved.
DeleteDear Mahendra, Nihal, Chira, Rohini and Srianee,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed viewing your diverse paintings with great interest. I think the diversity reflects the different interests and personalities of the contributors. I have never attempted painting at a serious level and I am a bit too old to attempt it now.
At my residence I have some portraits of myself done by a professional artist in Paris (near the cathedral of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre , in the early 1990s) and the others by my former students, one of whom is a professional.
My present pastime is looking after a variety of pets at home. I have a Golden Retriever Labrador (the fourth one I am having during the last 25 years).a cat, a pond full of colourful varieties of fish and a farm with poultry, ducks, geese, Guinea fowls and rabbits. I have an electronic incubator to hatch the eggs. My wake -up alarm is usually the crowing of the poultry.
Srianee, now that you are residing in Colombo, if you are interested, you are welcome to visit me to see my farm. You could come with Pram, as she knows where I live.
Sanath, I really appreciate your support for the blog. May I say that it is never too late to start! You may surprise yourself- pleasantly! You are clearly well occupied with your pets and farm and that was so good to hear. Your students and other medical profeesionals will I am sure call on you from time to time to share your wisdom. The word Icon applies to you and- I am not conning!
DeleteSanath
DeleteThank you for the comments and your world of pets. It is indeed a diverse collection that needs a lot of tender loving care.
Sanath, thank you for you appreciative comment and the invitation to visit your farm. I will keep that in mind. Thanks
DeleteIt was in those distant, dreamy days of my youth that I walked up, not on the cobblestones but on air! to that quaint artist’s enclave at Montmartre and had a silhouette of my facial profile done by one of the artists on Ana’s insistence.
DeleteMontmartre in the mid 1880s had been home to many famous artists who thrived in the bohemian setting- Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Monet, Matisse , Renoir and Picasso to name a few.
In addition to it’s artistic history, the views of the city from the Sacre-Coeur Basilica are stunning.- Small world !
Paris was so easy to travel around in the early 1970s , and parking beside important sites a breeze. Even visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame, we drove right up beside them . It was the same in 1983 when we visited again when the children were old enough to appreciate the treasures of the western world. On our subsequent visits Europe was so full of tourists- there was no getting close to anything worth seeing unless one was prepared to stagnate for hours in long multilayered queues. That was when we decided it was enough and there was no place like home -NZ !
Rohini
DeleteYou have wonderful recall for those long cherished memories. Those descriptions are so elegantly written I feel I'm walking by the Basilique du Sacre-Coer. Ah!! Where have those years gone?
Enjoy the summer sunshine and walks on Tamaki Drive by the beautiful Mission bay. Do give a wave to my palm tree that has survived the storms of another winter.
Rohini, I hope you still have that silhouette done by the artist in Montmartre. I suspect your later visits to Europe were in the height of summer when everyone and their uncle were traveling! Perhaps the trick is to travel off season and avoid the popular tourist attractions. I only visited Paris once as part of a European tour a long, long time ago. I hope I will be traveling more now that I can fly out of BIA on an international flight rather than Boston, Mass, which was 2 hours and an expensive car ride away.
DeleteNihal, The palm has ‘Nihal’ written all over it !- I never see it without thinking of you ! I shall make a point of giving it a wave from now on ! Cheers -Rohini
DeleteSrianee , Yes I do have the silhouette, but not the artist’s name -
DeleteIt certainly wasn't Picasso which I am pleased about !
Can’t bear to think how it might have turned out with his cubist vision !
I'm trying to imagine a cubist Rohini! 🤣
DeleteMahendra and Nihal, thank you very much for your responses which are greatly appreciated. I have installed lights to keep away unwelcome visitors at night. During the day, our Golden Retriever called Fluffy performs this duty. However, today a huge Thalagoya (Land Monitor or Bengal Monitor) decided to visit us. With the help of Fluffy, our housemaid managed to chase it away. I must say that there is never a dull moment with all these animals around!
ReplyDeleteThalagoyas are harmless, aren't they? But they may be raiding your chicken coop. Obviouly you have a hobby that keeps you occupied and busy, which is great. But, don't give up on trying something creative.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying all the lovely comments being posted. They are not just observations but reference to factual matters. I have learnt a lot from Rohini, Srianee, Chira, Sanath, Manel and Nihal (so far! more to come I am sure). As we are all retired now (the real meaning is that while we were working we were tired - and now, we are still tired, retired!). You might like this poem I wrote about Retirement.
ReplyDeleteRetirement
Wheels turning rapidly
Blurred images passing by,
No time.
All too brief acquaintances
Forever catching up,
No time.
Deadlines, projects, meetings
Rushing about on wheeled things,
No time.
Finishing, only to start again,
Is this living?
Stop before it’s too late!
And now,
Slow down.
Time to pause, to reflect, to notice
Time to absorb, to learn
Time to indulge, to take, to give, to appreciate
Time to be detached,
Slow down.
Time to rediscover Nature,
The sheer peaceful beauty of trees,
The delightful sounds and sights of birds,
The living tapestry of the transforming sky
Time to treasure all things beautiful,
Slow down,
And live again.
Thanks Mahen,
DeleteI love your poem. It reminds us of the life now gone and what we presently have. I simply wish many more from our batch will join this community to be in touch and exchange stories.
Mahen, thank you for sharing your poem. I completely agree with what you have written. Retirement is a time to discover some dormant talents, and perhaps finally getting around to do something you've always wanted to do. It is never too late.
DeleteMahen , I Enjoyed your poetry and wordplay - I specially liked - “while we were working we were tired - and now, we are still tired, retired! “
DeleteSince you liked my poem, here are two more age-related ones which I hope you will like.
ReplyDeleteWHAT A RELIEF
From London to Manchester in a car
After a large cup of coffee from the bar
That was a mistake, a big one by far
An hour passes progressing on the tar
Oh Hell, I need to pee!
OMG I am now in a sweat
Somehow I mustn't get wet
At last a Motorway stop I see
Rush to the Loo all a quiver
Get ready to stand and deliver
Oh! Oh! the huge relief
It really does beggar belief!
MY KNEES AND ANKLES
My knees are causing problems you know
And my niece is such a nuisance too
My ankles, they do bother me so
Funny but my uncle is also in a stew
Problem relatives are hard, getting old relatively easy
Srianee , Rohini and Mahen
DeleteI love Mahen's poems. Specially done for a winter's day when I dream in my rocking chair and the weather is dull, rain is beating and the cold is biting. The trees have no leaves and where have all those flowers gone? Born in the tropics with the sun on my face on an emerald isle why am I so close to the North Pole now? The answer lies in the fine composition and the iconic clarinet solo from the Act III prelude of Verdi's La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) played by the lovely Emma Johnson. When you get sometime do listen to its magic. The opera was first performed in 1862. It is such a beautiful piece, a salute to the power of destiny.
Mahen, you do have a way with words! These are really fun. These poems remind me of those by Ogden Nash. One example:
ReplyDelete"The Cow. The cow is of the bovine ilk, one end is moo and the other milk." You can find many more on line.
Your first poem reminded me of an amusing incident that occurred when I was traveling with my family in Germany. We were stuck in traffic and my son-in-law needed a rest stop, but there were none in sight. Luckily we were moving slowly on a small street. He got out of the car, found a secluded spot to relieve himself, and managed to catch up with the car while my daughter continued driving, inching along in the heavy traffic. The advantages of male plumbing!!!
TODAY IS OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY
ReplyDeleteI remember so clearly the mingled excitement and joy on our first day of independence from British rule. This period heralding freedom and uncertainty will always stay in my mind. On the 4th of February 1948, the administration and the flag changed overnight. My generation grew up with these rapidly changing cultural attitudes and beliefs, and I, too was caught up in the transition. Sometimes I felt stranded in ‘no man’s land’.
Sri Lankans are an intelligent people with a high literacy rate. We have the resilience and the flexibility to survive adversity and misfortune. We have come through tough times but have much further to go. We now recognize conflict and fear and the consequences of poor monetary policies and bad economic planning. I hope we have learnt from the mistakes of the past. Respect for law and order and honouring the tenets of democracy will enhance our reputation as a nation to receive the assistance we need. The premise that we are all equal, whatever the ethnicity or religion is important. We must all unite and work together for our future peace and prosperity.
The 4th of February is a very special day and has remained so since.
Nihal, thank you for reminding us of Sri Lanka's Independence Day. I watched some of the celebrations on local TV. The numerous military platoons in a variety of uniforms was impressive, but also raised my curiosity. They have not entirely shed the colonial trappings, Some of them still wear kilts and play bagpipes!
DeleteI have to commend the present government for keeping things simple. There were no jet planes flying by consuming expensive jet fuel which we cannot afford. (This wasn't the case under the previous government when jets were practicing for several days before the actual celebration.)
There was a dance routine today (ballet) with many dancers, performing in many styles. I think they were depicting the struggles the country had gone through. At least that was my interpretation.
Please pardon me for journeying back in time to remind you of one of the most beautiful musical presentations I have had the pleasure of doing with our talented and creative Rohini Ana. The lyrics are hers and the music mine... You will have to copy the link and paste it in your browser to watch it and be mesmerised, soothed and transported to another dimension. Enjoy! It is not about painting, but rather about the Arts and what they can bring to you. Nihal reminded us of the beauty of Verdi's The Force of Destiny, which prompted me.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to Ode to the Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvjP4Fp1s54
Mahen, I followed your instructions, watched and listened. Yes, it was beautiful. and peaceful. May i suggest that you work on more such collaborations.
DeleteThank you very much Nihal for your Independence Day message. India became independent in 1947. India had over 500 languages and dialects.Whoever governed India ,the language policy remained the same. Wherever a child was born, he/she had to know three languages, mother tongue ( Tamil, Urdu, Bengali etc.), National Language which is Hindi and International language, which is English.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 and we had only three languages, Sinhala, Tamil and English. We have gone to war more than once due to language issues, thanks to politicians such as SWRDB, leading the way. Muslims are at an advantage because a majority of them are trilingual. The only subject I have had tuition is Tamil. When I was 11 years old, my father literally forced me to go for Tamil tuition and I studied up to Bala Bodhihini Book 4. Now I appreciate the vision my father had. The only exam I failed was also Tamil (the MoH bar exam).
I always encourage my students to be trilingual.
Sanath, your comments are so true. Our language policies have damaged us in numerous ways. We promote tourism, but the Tuk Tuk drivers, taxi drivers, waiters and retail personnel who have to interact with tourists, struggle with their English. It is a sad situation and will take many generations to recover.
DeleteSanath
DeleteI do agree with your comments. We must learn the languages of our country and English which is now a universal language of communication. I grew up until the age of 6 in Bogowanthalawa where my father was a Govt Servant. Both my parents spoke Tamil and were brought up with English. My neighbour and playmate was a Tamil girl and I became a fluent Tamil speaker. Much of it evaporated due to disuse after schooling in Colombo but I could understand and speak "broken" Tamil. I had no problem with the Health Service Tamil interview and passed easily.
There is now a lost generation who were not exposed enough to English. Some of them come from prominent schools in big cities.
I believe in schools students are streamed 3 ways. Sinhala, Tamil and English. Why not have a single stream conducted in English teaching both Sinhala and Tamil. There could be a suitable combination to teach all 3 languages as you know what I mean.
Sanath
DeleteThe greatest benefit of having Sinhala, Tamil , Burgher, Muslims etc all together in one stream has the wonderful benefit of keeping them united before releasing them to the wider world.
Sanath, an important date for Sri Lanka. Here is my wish in poetic form.
DeleteMY WISH AND HOPE FOR SRI LANKA
Mahendra Gonsalkorale.
You wanted change
You needed change
You demanded change
You now got the change
Fed up with dishonesty and greed
Fed up with nepotism and corruption
Fed up with lies and deception
Fed up with bullying and chauvinism
You now have your chance
Your new rulers can only succeed
If you change too
It is a two-way street
Temper your expectations
Change takes time, be patient
Embrace a New Culture
One Nation, One Country
With a proud multicultural heritage
Believe in Humanity and universal love
Cast aside Divisions and unite as one family.