The first and most important door to learning is listening. Not only with the ears, but with the mind, the heart, the eyes and the soul. It entails engaging and immersing yourself fully into the story of the speaker. Without judgement or preconception. Hearing the whole of what is being said. Not only the words. … Continue reading HEAR
respect
this (dis) ability
The greatest limitations that people with disability face are the narrow mindedness and the arrogance of those who think themselves better. ... respect for the amazing people who live lives with physical, emotional or mental challenges ... they have strength beyond the understanding and capacity of most of us who consider ourselves ‘able’.
conflict
Haters of conflict should not be confused with lovers of peace. Gandhi reminded us that ‘peace is not the absence of conflict …’. but do we have to have conflict to know peace? perhaps we should add that peace is not simply the absence of conflict. sometimes, conflict (within your own soul and/or externally, with … Continue reading conflict
divide
Fear and hate are the tools of the ignorant. these tools bind groups of weak people together and make them feel strong and right. they make them feel powerful and even justified. they dull their ability to think and feel beyond the fear and hatred which consume them. fear and hate are the tools of … Continue reading divide
one another
Say the word ‘love’ and most people imagine couples in love. usually young couples. usually young couples holding hands in that state of euphoric exciting new relationship at the beginning of a journey. we rarely imagine an old couple who have been together for a number of years who are struggling and arguing. we rarely … Continue reading one another
fool’s gold
only a fool believes that love will win out in the end. only a fool hopes that people really do have hearts of flesh and that they will care enough to care beyond themselves. only a fool longs for forgiveness and graciousness that wash out all trace of hurt and pain. only a fool attempts … Continue reading fool’s gold
context
It is so easy to think ourselves as smarter or better or even wiser in our own context. it’s so easy to think we know it all and that we can solve problems simply. but I wonder if it were all turned upside down for us? I wonder if we were picked up and dropped … Continue reading context
countercultural
it's interesting to be reminded that Jesus was not white privileged middle class ... that he didn't come to teach exclusion or rejection and that he didn't come on all 'holier than thou' ... though he was indeed holier than everyone ... something about humility that is very confronting isn't there? something about him being … Continue reading countercultural
free
letting go of the past does not mean forgetting. we try the impossible when we try to forget. it means treasuring, learning and forgiving. remember the past. treasure the wonder and beauty it holds, these are the rich soils in which your hope can grow. learn from your mistakes, you will become wiser from learning … Continue reading free
colour
my young son asked me 'why did God make us all different colours? why didn't he just make us all the same? he made us all the same on the inside, so why did he make us all different on the outside? if we were all white then there wouldn't be so many fights'. my … Continue reading colour
cracked not broken 