​Being A Good MATE

​Our communities are riddled with numerous social challenges that all stem from feelings of separation and isolation. Life needs to be about all of us empowering each other regardless of gender, age, race or beliefs. The best opportunities to change the world around you come through changing your connection with the people right next to you. By being a good MATE we can all help in bringing people together. 

People who focus on being the best version of themselves will support and uplift one another from a place of strength and empowerment. Those who live in this manner exemplify what it means to be a MATE and a true role-model to their children and their community. By focusing your energy on being the best version of yourself you will have the capacity to reach out and care for others.

"One of the most beautiful qualities of mateship
​ is that you are not alone”

Feeling Connected

As humans, we all have a basic need to feel accepted, appreciated and connected. Even our brain and nervous system have evolved to connect with others. Humans are designed to be MATES. Yet so many people in the developed world are feeling isolated and alone. Loneliness has developed to epidemic proportions and has been related to heart disease, diabetes and early mortality. We see this as being a result of the ideologies which cause separatism among humankind.

Using the term MATES suits in eliminating isolation and bringing us all together. MATES is inclusive of every person on this planet. There is no mention of separation due to different ideologies. The collective term is MATES, yet individually each of us is a MATE. 

As a MATE, when you look around and see something that bothers you, you do your best to change it and know that it is the incremental changes in your life that will add up to reconfiguring the world around you.

What is a Mate?

The meaning of Mate: One of a pair, a counterpart, an associate, fellow worker, comrade, partner, friend, buddy, pal, an aide or helper, to join as a mate or as mates, to join, fit, or associate suitably, to connect or link, to treat as comparable, a colleague, fellow sharer, a suitable associate.

MATES: Eliminate isolation by bringing people together (beyond gender, blame, age, race, and beliefs) by supporting, empowering and inspiring one another to promote True Equality.

MATE: a MATE is focused on being the best version of themselves to support, uplift and empower each other without blame and regardless of gender, age, race or beliefs.

True Equality: Every human being on this planet is your MATE or has the potential to be and therefore is to be treated and respected as one. We aim to inspire a global movement to eliminate isolation and promote a sense of unity by bringing people together through the Emotional Reset Technique and Mates Cafe.

What is the ultimate meaning of "Mateship"?
In today’s world for us at MATES Cafe, it's helping others and being there to save a mate’s life. To be there for the mate who is experiencing emotional turmoil and hardship pushing them towards suicide, and helping to prevent them from joining the staggering statistic of over 800,000 people worldwide who take their own lives each year.
 
Many people have been saved through transforming their pain into drive and motivation to fulfill their potential, thus dramatically changing their world and the people in it. This has been achieved through empathy, support, life skills education and unconditional positive regard from others who have been there before and survived.
 
It all starts from having the courage to walk through that door, then suddenly realizing you are not alone and understanding that we grow through the reflection of ourselves which we see in other people.
 

"There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.”

- JOHN 15:13

​​The Spirit of Mateship

As well as remembrance, Anzac Day brings out the Kiwi (New Zealand) spirit of Mateship. But these days, best mates are not always blokes. The word MATE has been around for centuries, but it was in the trenches of Europe and Gallipoli during the First World War that the true meaning of the word "mate" was forged. It carried on through the Second World War, to the way we use it today.
​

Mateship was vital to the survival of our armed forces, you needed that Mateship and support to carry you through the tough times and to be there for others when you feel strong.

Mateship has always been a very blokey thing, but Mateship in New Zealand has changed, the old form of Mateship is now more of a myth than a reality. Now family, wives and other partners have become a Kiwi's best mates. Whoever your best mate is, research suggests it's good for your health to have one.
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It's a basic human trait to rely on your friends and your best mates; and that will happen whenever people are in need. Yet many men and women have isolated themselves off and forgotten the amazing uplifting power of true Mateship.
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Evidence is revealing that people who are in a really good, strong partnership have better health, live longer and are less likely to commit suicide.