The power of love

It worked! It really does work! Pouring oil on troubled waters has achieved a much more peaceful outcome than I could have imagined. And it wasn't too difficult. Just involved me letting go of some of my stubborness and practising grace. A win win situation where everyone felt they were heard, valued, given their place. When love comes to town.

I was there when they crucified my Lord I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword I threw the dice when they pierced his side But I've seen love conquer the great divide

When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that train When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that flame Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down But I did what I did before love came to town

Bono

The only way is up

January has brought a sense of marking time this year. It has seemed a long and murky month accompanied by dampness and dreariness. But I sense that clearing away. Drifting behind. Its time. Time to clear off the cobwebs and forge ahead. No more excuses. No more holding back. Onward and upward is the order of the day. And for those who don't like that? If they're not on board now they are never going to be. There's been enough time. Enough gentleness. Enough cajoling. Those who can't or won't move forward are welcome to remain exactly where they are. This coach is on the move - onwards and upwards.

Waiting for the gap

I want to go and sit at the foot of one of these trees. Feel its coolness, hear its sap flowing. I want to feel the support of the tree on my back and hear the wind whisper through its foliage.
I want the tree to hide me from the world and shelter me, just for a wee while.
I guess I'm craving space, difficult to catch at this busy time of year. These past few weeks I've been very involved caring for folk bereaved - its that time of year. I've also been involved in loads of fun stuff - but all work nonetheless. Sometimes I just need to escape the intensity that caring brings. but, until a gap appears (or until I can create one), I'll have to settle for a glass of something and some chocolate. Sunday nights are good!

To a Mouse

Wee, sleekit, cowran, tim'rous beastie,

O, what panic's in thy breastie!

Thou need na start awa sae hasty, Wi' bickering brattle!

I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee, Wi' murd'ring pattle!
I'm truly sorry Man's dominion Has broken Nature's social union,

An' justifies that ill opinion, Which makes thee startle,

At me, thy poor, earth-born companion, An' fellow-mortal!
I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;

What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!

A daimen-icker in a thrave 'S a sma' request:

I'll get a blessin wi' the lave, An' never miss't!
Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin! It's silly wa's the win's are strewin!

An' naething, now, to big a new ane, O' foggage green!

An' bleak December's winds ensuin, Baith snell an' keen!
Thou saw the fields laid bare an' wast, An' weary Winter comin fast,

An' cozie here, beneath the blast, Thou thought to dwell,

Till crash! the cruel coulter past Out thro' thy cell.
That wee-bit heap o' leaves an' stibble, Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!

Now thou's turn'd out, for a' thy trouble, But house or hald.

To thole the Winter's sleety dribble, An' cranreuch cauld!
But Mousie, thou are no thy-lane, In proving foresight may be vain:

The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley,

An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy!
Still, thou art blest, compar'd wi' me! The present only toucheth thee:

But Och! I backward cast my e'e, On prospects drear!

An' forward, tho' I canna see, I guess an' fear!

This is the day we Scots celebrate our national bard, Robert Burns.

For me, this poem, written when he turned over a mouse nest when ploughing, is so full of wisdom and real insight into the plight of human beings both then and now.

The energy of love

Trying to find a way through a thorny issue at present, mediate a solution. There are those who simply want to win, digging their heels in, blind to alternatives. What energy do I want to bring to the table? Love would be good - so far overlooked. I'm hoping it will be enough and, if I can bring some humour too, perhaps there will be no losers.

Dans macabre

We came across this macabre sculpture in Dublin and couldn't find anything around to explain what it was or what it depicted. But it was fun to come up with our own suggestions. It would make a great caption competition. I'd go for something along the lines of... "After another excruciating presbytery meeting, Tom decided he could hack it no longer." What would you proffer?

Spreading the word

Typical teenage pose - mobile phone glued to the ear, keeping in touch, even miles from anywhere. Thank goodness for mobile phone networks.

I've often joked about my "pub evangelism" but, being accessible and hanging out where communities are is a vital part of spreading the word - another form of networking.

Communication is a huge thing in our busy fast paced lives. It can be a nightmare when it breaks down. When folk don't talk to each other. When folk make assumptions. When folk make decisions on behalf of others without any real thought or consultation. Most communication failures I like to think are caused by just a little carelessness or even thoughtlessness. But, sometimes they are the result of arrogance. Folk thinking that they know best or that they have the monopoly on decision making. Or that their network is the only one that matters. Because life is so busy, because things move so fast, its important to establish networks, to open up communication, to involve people and let them know that they matter. That way, when mistakes do occur, when life gets difficult, there's room for manouvre, there's space for forgiveness and there's no real harm done. Its good to talk!