I asked Artificial Intelligence (AI) to compose a ballad exploring the conundrum of St Valentine’s Day falling on Ash Wednesday. Both are on the Christian calendar. One is a feast; the other begins the Lenten fast. It was fascinating to watch AI wrestle with a binary rather than a unified approach. AI is culturally conditionedContinue reading “When St Valentine wears the Ashes”
Category Archives: Personal
Two Journeys, One Destination
Many Christians worldwide are now preparing to observe the Season of Lent, beginning next week with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week, the days marking the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and the events concluding with the triduum, that is Good Friday to Easter Sunday, the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus as Christ.Continue reading “Two Journeys, One Destination”
Velcro vs Teflon
“Well, if you’re going to talk to me in that way with your insults and ultimatums, you’re going to find me a tough customer! I advise you to find your manners and then come back for a chat.” Does that sound non-confronting? Is there a better way? When I’m in conflict with someone, I canContinue reading “Velcro vs Teflon”
“When I’m 104”
If Paul McCartney was writing the lyrics now, this might be the title. Sixty-four today is young by any standard. So I tackle Sr Joan Chittister’s reflection on “Ageism” in her book The Gift of Years with some diffidence. In my mid-seventies, I can’t say that I have yet experienced to a noticeable degree theContinue reading ““When I’m 104””
G’Day Fear – My Old Friend
I happily belong to a suite of personality styles that have developed lifelong strategies against focusing on fear as their constant background noise. Hence, when Joan Chittister identifies fear as a theme that confronts the adventure of ageing, I am in familiar territory. The experience of a diminishment of mental, physical and financial capacity isContinue reading “G’Day Fear – My Old Friend”
Does Purpose Equal Meaning?
Joan Chichester explores the theme of meaning in the Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully. From my early days, I’ve had what I now regard as a healthy suspicion of the utilitarian spirit that pervades Western society – the mindset that says things only have value for what material worth they can add. Childhood thusContinue reading “Does Purpose Equal Meaning?”
Non, je ne regrette rien
Edith Piaf’s famous song is absolute – no regrets for any past choice or event whether good or bad! All can be laid aside as if they never occurred. (Follow the link to her song and its description.) When Joan Chittister writes about coming to terms with Regret as a feature of ageing, she hasContinue reading “Non, je ne regrette rien”
The Gift of Ageing
Recently, one of my peer groups pointed out a book by Sr Joan Chittister, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully. We agreed to review it and share our thoughts on how it might inform our work in the spiritual companionship of older people. As someone who is rapidly drifting into the “older” category myselfContinue reading “The Gift of Ageing”
The muse stirs
Urge to write insistsArticulation of heartThe muse awakens
Simian Standoff
Going down Murray MallAll gangly limbed and freckledSurrounded by his matesHe shambled apelike towards usArms akimbo, legs bentFixing me with hostile stareOozing testosterone with a simian quest for dominationI met his gaze with a closed mouth smileBorrowed from Paul HoganAs if to say, “You call that a threat?” He dropped his head and skirted aroundContinue reading “Simian Standoff”
Wondering Pilgrim 