I often wonder just how free I am? One of the things in my life, and I suspect in most people’s lives, is the baggage we carry. What weighs us down? What are the prejudices, the antagonism, the hurts and anger, the bitter memories that hold us back from being our best and freest self?Continue reading “The baggage we carry”
Category Archives: choice
Shadow work
I cannot think of too many lessons I have learnt in my life. But one thing that my life’s journey has taught me is that we ALL have feet of clay. We ALL have our weakness, our questions, our problems, our struggles, our imperfections. We ALL have those things about us that we think, “IfContinue reading “Shadow work”
One
Recently we had the anniversary of the famous Martin Luther King, “I have a dream!” speech. Regardless of your politics or world view it would be difficult not to agree that it was a powerful speech. One man – a journey of courage and commitment to make the world a better place, a more justContinue reading “One”
Drum
There is a beautiful freedom present when you meet someone who ‘marches to their own drum beat!’ This last couple of weeks I have had the honour of working with groups of fifteen year old boys on a ‘Crossroads Retreat’. The basic concept of the retreat has been to invite these young men to considerContinue reading “Drum”
Why?
I can remember as a young teacher visiting the family of a boy I taught. The lad had a young brother who was about 4 years of age. Little Matthew kept on saying his ‘new word’ – the new word was ‘Why?’ Why did daddy have to go to work? Why was the policeman wearingContinue reading “Why?”
One Step
A dear friend of mine – Denis Hernon – used to say to me, “Damien, can you leave that which is essential and attend to what is important?” In the midst of life’s challenges – can we choose small ‘one steps’ that make a difference? Can we choose small ‘one steps’ that leave this worldContinue reading “One Step”
Journey
Recently a great friend of mine gifted me with a journal. Now in my life you have to have a sense of humour. So the journal sets off from Melbourne all flush and new in all its Australia Post glory. My good mate tells me to expect a ‘gift’ for my long awaited Sabbatical timeContinue reading “Journey”
Covid Courage
Courage is a fascinating thing. There are all types of courage. I am quite odd. Put me in front of a football team or any physical challenge and I lack courage. But put me in front of a large crowd and invite me to challenge them and I am quite at home – while alwaysContinue reading “Covid Courage”
Beauty
Look for beauty with an open heart and you will find it; the mocking of beauty comes from the hardened heart. Have you a favourite movie? A favourite scene from a movie? Many years ago one of my favourite movies was Elephant Man. On April 11th 1890 Joseph Merrick was found dead in his hospitalContinue reading “Beauty”
Covid Tough
You all know I love hiking. I am not sure what it is – probably a combination of being with good friends, being in nature, the adventure and the vistas! Having said that I once tramped (New Zealand for hiking) the Routeburn Track in the South Island of New Zealand in pouring rain for almostContinue reading “Covid Tough”
