thinking honestly about life and faith
Writing is a subversive act. This is the essential thesis of Richard Flanagan’s essays in a collection called Heresies: Occasional Pieces (Penguin, 2026). It’s a powerful tome. I have found I can only read a bit of it at a time. … Read More »
I haven’t written much of late, but I have been reading and thinking a lot about writing. I intend to write about that! I’ve recalled that a long time ago one of my research supervisors said to me, “You should … Read More »
Here I am after some months of no blogging, but a wonderful time of travel and rest. And reading. I have at last finished a biography of my namesake—I claim him as such—Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis of Assisi, by … Read More »
Along with attention, belonging, truth, walking, learning, self-reflection, growing things, remembering, and gratitude, rest is a crucial habit and indeed great gift of life. It is also a vital discipline, if we understand it well. That may take some time—more … Read More »
Some years ago our Business Manager at Whitley College said to me: You know, in all the years that I have worked in the not-for-profit sector, this is the only place where I am constantly thanks for what I do. … Read More »
It isn’t only old people who talk about the past, but it certainly is old people (like me). Memory is in fact one of the greatest gifts of life, to be able to call to mind the events, places, relationships … Read More »
There’s a wonderful movement promoting growing food rather than grass in front of our homes: Grow food not lawns. https://www.foodnotlawns.com/ On their website are photos of lush gardens where more ‘traditional’ houses have lawns. More than that, however, this movement … Read More »
I really wanted to begin with the term ‘self-critique’, but the idea of criticism has such a bad press: it is almost always thought of in negative terms. We don’t like criticism and we don’t like ‘critical’ people. But actually … Read More »
I really want to speak of several things together: reading, questioning, investigating, and from these and many other things, learn. It is at once a characteristic of humans that we can learn and that in many ways we fail to … Read More »
Walk, This one may sound a little lighter, but it’s a habit of life nonetheless, filled with profound meaning and potential. Like an infant’s first words, so too their first steps are celebrated. Suddenly, their world is much larger. They’re … Read More »