You’ll think I’m crazy when you read this, but, our brains are actually designed to forget!

And before you ask – No, I haven’t lost my mind – all day our brains are working hard to forget things so we don’t get overloaded and have a brain meltdown. Can you even imagine what our heads would be like if our memory actually remembered every single detail, from every sense – smell, touch, sight, hearing and taste – from every moment of every day? Let’s not even think about it!

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By Dr Allison Lamont

Have you ever been in that uncomfortable position when you were about to introduce a long time dear friend of yours … and yes, your mind went totally blank … you simply could not remember her name?

If so, then please read this true story…..

“This moment will stay with me for the rest of my life.

We had just moved into a new house, in a new neighbourhood, and were entertaining some of our new neighbours, on a gorgeous late summer evening out on the terrace.  I had invited some old friends to come along as well, and my dearest friend was helping with the drinks etc.  She came over and as I introduced her to the couple next door, my mind went blank, like my head was full of cotton wool and I couldn’t remember her name.

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By Dr Allison Lamont, PhD, MA (Hons) and Gillian Eadie, MEd, BA, Dip. Tchg, LTCL

Have you?

• Ever put your glasses down then five minutes later can’t find them?
• Gone to get some milk and come home with everything but?
• Forgotten the name of someone you know well?
• Lost the word you were just about to say?
• Forgotten why you just walked into a room?

What a nightmare it is when time is against you, you’re in a crowded parking lot, your phone is ringing, you’re scrabbling for the keys you know must be somewhere in your over-filled handbag, there are cars as far as the eye can see, in every direction and, you DON’T HAVE A CLUE where you left yours?  Is this your worst nightmare too?

Why does this happen?

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Have you ever thought about making changes in your life, or have you thought that for this year, is that one of your resolutions?

If you have, as I have countless times in the past, you’ve possibly thought, ‘I want to make some changes in my life, I need to change, but I don’t know how to do that, so, in due course you do nothing you break your resolution … again.

For others though, the desire to make some life changes is potently strong, but there’s a proviso – it must be lasting positive change.

If you have those feelings do you know who you can you talk with, someone with whom you can brainstorm ideas – certainly not someone who thinks your ideas are ridiculous, but someone who is creative, and a positive thinker?

You may not want to brainstorm or look for ongoing guidance from your family, your friends or your work mates, so who do you talk with?

In a simple nutshell, a life coach!

Life Coaching has become one of the fastest growing successful professions of the last decade and it’s continuing to grow with boomers and seniors adding to that growth.

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The rapidly changing face of western society today has the potential to create monumental problems in future years.

What’s happening?

There are more seniors and boomers than ever before and this demographic is on the rise. In less than 10 years our rapidly aging population will result in one in two people being over the age of 50.

Now add to that aging equation people living alone. The numbers for this demographic are growing at a staggering rate.

While there are significant implications arising from these two life issues, there is a related area definitely worth highlighting.

Why? Because it’s an aspect of life that is rarely discussed today.

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CARS GUIDE, SUN NEWSPAPER
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2005

Cher owned one, so has Rod Stewart, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronald Reagan, George C. Scott and Steve McQueen.

It’s a vehicle that could boast ‘limousine to the stars’ and has jaw-dropping appeal.

While Diana Todd-Banks has never graced the silver-screen, she can now add her name to the illustrious list of Excalibur owners.

Diana collected her car from the US late last year and immediately set about making it compliant to Australian Design Rules.

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GOLD COAST WEEKENDER,
QUEENSLAND,DECEMBER 11-12, 2004

The south side of Chicago was a terrifying place to live in 1969, particularly for a young couple from Adelaide. The husband studying at the University of Chicago.

The race riots of the late’60s were still fresh in the memory and housing for the

University was at Hyde Park, in the heart of the city’s African-American ghetto.

Arriving on September 1, 1969, the couple had only summer clothes. Their winter clothing, along with pots, pans and other equipment essential for living, were on a small cargo ship, which became icebound for six months in the Great Lakes.

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THE REGISTER, WEDNESDAY, OCT 27 1982

The Beverley Hills Hilton hosted a lavish cocktail party recently, and among the array of goodies on a buffet table were appetizers laced with a curious spread that looked like a cross between sludge and fudge syrup.

Most of the attendees eyed specimens with scepticism, but eh Australians in the group laughed. They knew what the secret ingredient was. Their amusement was piqued by the way it was used.

It was their beloved Vegemite come out of the breakfast scene and into the cocktail theme.

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SEPTEMBER 1987

Diana Todd, who has made her mark in talk shows across the States as the lady who brought us Vegemite, has been called the smartest Australian businesswoman in America. It’s a title she earned the old-fashioned way – by working for it. She is listed in the International Who’s in Who in Music as (among other things) classical guitarist, wine connoisseur, nee Grosser (daughter of Adelaide’s prosperous Stan Grosser). Todd cut loose from classical music and a failing marriage to make a career in food and wine, initially as a consultant, then as head of her own company. “It was touch-and-go at first, I lived out for a suitcase for tow years.” Her first import was Vegemite, which benefited from the free publicity of the just-released Men at Work album and became just as much of a hit. Still, Todd found it tough going on her own, sold her company and returned to the road, doing hundreds of radio and television shows across the country.

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THE MAGAZINE OF ORANGE COUNTY, SEPTEMBER 1988

Diana Todd-Banks in 1983, Australia’s Business Review Weekly named her “Australia’s secret weapon in the United States.” Now executive director of the Australian American Chamber of Commerce, Diana Todd-Banks can look back on a 20-year career of doggedly promoting Australia, Australian goods and Australian business around the country.

But this is no starched workaholic here. She can barely finish a story without bursting into a hearty laugh, especially when relating the latest instalment of what her friends call “the continuing saga of Diana.” Just back from a three-week honeymoon to Australia, she apologises that she is working out of her home, her car and the local phone booth, explaining that two days after moving her entire operation to new offices in Mission Viejo, the building went up in flames. “And this two weeks before my wedding,” she laughs.

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