I’m a writer, OK? I’ve been a professional writer for more than 30 years. That’s what I do - I write. That’s how I communicate. That’s how I spread my ideas. That’s how I can show up without showing off. But guess what? I also have a voice. Not a voice that hides behind words, but a proper voice that makes sounds and everything… Before I was a writer, I sang: a semi-professional backing singer … [Read more...] about Enter the Compassionate Ninja…
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The thrill of appearing outside yourself
There’s no getting away from the fact that I was a shy child. All through my school years my reports praised my conscientiousness and good standard of work but repeatedly criticised me for not speaking up. A typical comment was: “Beverley is a quiet girl who would benefit from participating more in class discussions.” My teachers didn’t seem to consider my shyness might be a factor in this, or … [Read more...] about The thrill of appearing outside yourself
I hurt, therefore I am telling a story
I learnt a big lesson about pain and suffering this week. Pain - both physical and emotional - is unavoidable in life, because we have a body. Emotional pain - in the form of sadness, grief, fear, anger or a messy combination of all these darker feelings - is damned uncomfortable but it’s actually nothing to be afraid of. If you are prepared to turn towards the pain with great compassion, to … [Read more...] about I hurt, therefore I am telling a story
The power of decision is my own
As I was sitting at home this morning, gazing at my bookshelves, my eyes fixed on the distinctive blue and gold spine of A Course In Miracles. After a minute or so, I felt moved to pick it up and open it at a random page. It fell open at Lesson 152. The opening paragraph reads as follows: "The power of decision is my own. I cannot suffer loss unless it is my own decision. I cannot suffer pain … [Read more...] about The power of decision is my own
My own personal longing for fellowship
I have been reflecting today about fellowship. What it means, where you can get it, how you can become a part of it. To me a fellowship, in a non-religious sense, means a company of individuals connected by a common purpose, with similar interests and values, who are committed to that goal or purpose. Each individual works as part of a team to support the other individuals on their … [Read more...] about My own personal longing for fellowship
When is an obstacle not really an obstacle?
Question: what do you do when someone places what seems like an insurmountable obstacle in front of you? Do you try to climb over it? Squeeze round the side of it? Or just give up and back off? Or do you play with the metaphor to see if there is a solution your conscious mind hasn’t yet come up with? OK. Let’s play. What kind of obstacle is that obstacle? It is a great big boulder that has been … [Read more...] about When is an obstacle not really an obstacle?