​THE CLOUD

I’ve just realised that 
I rarely look upwards.

And if I keep looking in the same  way,
then   I will continue  to see
what I have already seen. 
What I have already know..

The 'Cloud of Unknowing' was written 
by an anonymous English monk.
I  too must learn to look upwards. 

​​​​​​
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Diversity has been described by some 
as the reflection of God in the world
for we are all made in His likeness. 

Each of us is a unique piece,
needed  for this  complete picture  of God.
Inclusion is therefore our mission.

REVISED CHRISTMAS  SCHEDULE
 
Covid is trying to force the
cancellation of Christmas this year.
Locked in, our loved ones
are feeling lost and uneasy.
 
The time for family and friends
has been slapped down.
There is a different rulebook
on what we can or should do.
 
But Christmas is safe
within each one of us.
No matter what happens,
we can link up and be with each other.
 
Let’s schedule our daily phone calls
to catch up and chat.
Let’s send our texts randomly and often.
Let’s plan Zoom chats for games,
quizzes and present opening.
For Santa is coming as planned.
 
Let’s watch our TV shows
and films as usual.
Let’s set up the laptop beside the TV
and bring all of us together.
 
Let's also take a moment
to remember those who have died. 
Let's  reach out to those missing   loved ones
and  those struggling with isolation.
 
For we can  expand our get-togethers
this year, not restrict them.
Let's use WhatsApp, FaceTime  or Skype
to include more people than  ever before.
 
Let’s have big bubbles and
little bubbles everywhere!
Let’s encourage and bring cheer to others.
Let’s celebrate all of Christmas this year.
 
So, let’s plan our revised schedule now
with who, and what and when.
Let's send out our invites to our loved ones.
And let's include others with  a very
deliberate act of Christmas kindness.
 
And let us  look forward this Christmas   
with moments of love and hope. 
For we know,  as always, there are  babies
soon to be born all over the world.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   Plan an amazing Christmas schedule.
​2. Who, what and when - get your invites out!

PRODUCTIVITY
 
I am at my most productive
when I’m least efficient.
When I don’t have a to do list.
When there is no schedule.
​
When I go off-piste and
my mind has no barriers
or constraints, to keep it on track.
This is where my real productivity is.

DEFROST​ 
 
You are not behind schedule.
You are not trying to catch up.
You do not have a mountain of work .
You do not need to go crazy.
 
No, you are exactly
where you should be.
For all else is just activity,
and not you.
 
You are okay.
All is totally fine.
You can relax.
 
What is really important
will eventually get done.
And all else will melt away.

​CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

What gift will you
be bringing the baby
Jesus, this year?

WRITE  OFF

So often I have
been caught out.
You’d think that I
would know by now,
how to approach these things.

We are all faced
with events, activities
and duties which we are
not really looking forward to,
or even dread.

And yet somehow,
maybe because my expectations
are so low, or I have
allowed my brain some space,
these turn out to be okay.

Indeed, the events we dread
can often become
a lesson for us, a magical moment,
or a joyful experience.
When something new happens.

So turn your switch to positive and
give yourself the possibility,
that the event or activity
you have written off,
might just be okay.

For when we trust
in the process,
life can unfold and evolve
in ways we could not imagine.
New beginnings can emerge.

LENDING LIBRARY
​
Go to your bookshelf.
Look through your collection.
And choose a book
that you haven’t read for years.
 
Go to your past
and rediscover this time.
And bring it forward, anew.
To all that is now.Go to your bookshelf.
Look through your collection.
And choose a book,
that you haven’t read for years


Go to your past
and rediscover that time.
Then bring it forward, anew,
to all that is now.

​CALM
 
It’s really stormy
The wind is howling.
The dark sea
throws us around.
It seems that we
are forever on this boat.
 
I wake up
relieved that I am
no longer a fisherman.
I now explore
a different world at
the bottom of the ocean.

​GREEN LIGHT
​
Now is the moment.
Not later.
Not next week.
Not next year.
 
Now is the time.
To start.
To do it.
To make it happen.