Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Daniel

If we are to hear the silent music beneath the noisy traffic of our thinking,
We need to learn how to leave the mind and focus on the senses,
The distractions of modern life prevent us picking up the rhythm of grace.

From Threshold of the Soul by Daniel O’Leary

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Flagyl

I live in a country where the basic human right to medical diagnosis and treatment is honoured. (Be gone parasites!) There is grace in realising the quality of life we have in Australia.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Dylan

In a feverish fog I despaired. Toxic hallucinations consumed my imagination. Fighting infection my body screeched in pain. My moment of grace last night was the sweet tune played by a neighbour on a harmonica that wafted gently through my open window bringing reprieve and reminding me that the pain will pass.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Molly

At 99 years of age my grandmother has finally entered a nursing home. She managed to maintain her independence until now, cooking for herself and planting petunias each spring. The nurses already know her by name, that she has milk in her tea and that she prefers to shower herself. She has settled in and sleeps most of the day. She is safe.

Grace Notes

I have recently arrived home from a trip to Kolkata where I lived for three weeks in a community of 70 teenagers and teachers from Australia called the Pilgrimage of Hope. An important part of the journey for me was the daily encouragement to notice a moment of grace. This is easy enough to do in India, a country of paradox where grace dignifies decay and clemency calms the chaos. My challenge is to notice a daily moment of grace in affluent Australia where it has been so commodified by advertising agencies. Does genuine grace survive materialism? I will find out.
Grace nourishes the soul and reminds us of the enriching qualities of tenderness and beauty. I will endeavour to note one such encounter every day and post it here.