Being open to new stories

being-open-to-new-stories

The stories that frame our expectations of ourselves are probably laid down in childhood. And then set in concrete by our experience of life. But are they real? What if they are other people’s projections that meet their need for status or control? Turning them off can be so liberating. Do what you can with … Read more

Walking and waiting with words

walking-and-waiting-with-words

I’ve been carrying this quote around in my metaphorical pocket for days: Do what you can with what you have. Nothing more is needed. + Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, Cannongate, 2023 I sensed it was significant for me and potentially for others. And while I understood the words, what did … Read more

Sometimes, it’s just so simple

sometimes-its-just-so-simple

When you’ve been tussling with something for a long time, you wonder if you’ll ever reach the end. And then something happens. A word or comment. An insight. Simply seeing it from another angle. And there it is. The answer is in plain sight. Yet it wasn’t in plain sight. It wasn’t that we’ve been … Read more

A fruitful rest

a-fruitful-rest

A fruitful rest? Somehow this tips on its head all our culture tries to tell us. That we earn fruitfulness, that it only comes through striving. And rest is a means to an end. But what if we’ve misunderstood the very nature of life? THE FECUND FALLOW And what if all this waiting;this trembling body … Read more

This is the way of life

this-is-the-way-of-life

This is Jac. I was trying to photograph those beautiful morning-sun-lit trees in the background. But Jac wanted to be in the frame. We all have Jacs. And sometimes, it’s us who assume centre stage. This is the way of life, and we have the opportunity to discern the difference between ego and calling. Because … Read more

Seeing beneath the surface

seeing-beneath-the-surface

We tend to get caught up in the flow when the pace is swift. Yet we can train our eyes to look deeper, to see what’s beneath the surface. Because often, that’s where the treasure lies.

Perhaps time is more like water

perhaps-time-is-more-like-water

I’ve been wondering if the prevailing notion of time as a measurement isn’t serving us well. We think of time as a unit of existence or resource that can be spent or wasted. Which leads to huge pressure to use it efficiently. Therefore, we feel like we’ve failed if we don’t. And because our language … Read more

Being ready to sit with the question

being-ready-to-sit-with-the-question

Have you noticed? Often our significant questions invite us to sit with them for a while. Yet we’re in such a hurry. We’ve become conditioned to believe that questions need clear answers. Now. But how would we know we’re looking at it the wrong way round, upside down, or back to front? Indeed what if … Read more