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”
Category Archives: Presence
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”
Joy
There is an extraordinary Jesuit priest. His name is Teilhard de Chardin. Teilhard once said, “Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God!” I don’t know much. Each day I think I know even less. Perhaps it is growing old but life seems more simple. I know the questions never cease, justContinue reading “Joy”
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”
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”
Self-care
The word narcissist is one of the many words I cannot spell. Yes, I had to ‘have a go’ and then allow those little squiggly red lines to appear under the word and then right click and get the right spelling. Narcissism is a disorder. A narcissist is someone who has an inflated sense ofContinue reading “Self-care”
Stillness and Silence
Treadmill or trapped Have you ever had that ‘on a treadmill’ feeling? You are running around in circles, not getting anywhere! The phone does not seem to stop ringing! The email list is endless and you are going from one commitment to the next! Your life seems to be rush rush rush! And when youContinue reading “Stillness and Silence”
Five Second Choices
I suppose we all have our favourite quotations. One of mine is from the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!” I am very conscious as I write about innate dignity, about coming as guest and being present and more that it canContinue reading “Five Second Choices”
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”
