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”
Category Archives: Encounter
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”
Liberation
Our story, the heart articulation of our journey towards self understanding is a sacred thing. Built on a profound sense of the innate dignity that we all share, this story just is; neither right nor wrong, better nor best. When we share story, when we approach another and invite the sharing of story in itsContinue reading “Liberation”
