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: Encounter
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”
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 Kindness
Recently I shared in a blog a quotation I saw on a poster by the side of the highway; “In a world in which you can be anything; be kind!” Jennifer Dukes Lee Got me smiling I was out walking on the weekend and crossed a small bridge across a creek. On the handrails ofContinue reading “Covid Kindness”
The Power of One
History is full of stories where ONE person stood up against evil or oppression. A polish Franciscan friar, Maximillian Kolbe stepped forward and volunteered to die in place of a stranger in the German concentration camp of Auschwitz in August of 1941. In December 1955 Rosa Parks, an Afro-American woman rejected the demands of aContinue reading “The Power of One”
Breaking open story
In my very first blog I spoke about story as it is ultimately my belief in the power of story that motivated me to begin the blog. That first blog was probably a bit of an introduction and it has dawned on me that I really need to deepen and break open story more. WhatContinue reading “Breaking open story”
