I'm not a religious person but I do subscribe to the regular updates from a church in Sydney as I have supported a campaign of theirs in the past. Their charitable arm helps many homeless people, amongst others, as well as those with substance dependencies, mental health issues and social problems. I think the Pastor really knocks it on the head sometimes - and he is always interesting and often entertaining - so I thought I would copy his latest missive here, as food for thought: "Perhaps one of the reasons that discontent abounds stems from a Greek-influenced cultural legacy that idolises perfection in everything, and we always come up wanting. This deep-seated comparison is a sure recipe for misery. Growing up, I measured myself against the 120 kids in my small primary school by height, colour and aptitude, and frequently felt lacking. Now, technology allows children to compare themselves with everyone worldwide, intensifying feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. What if we sought other understandings of goodness, similar to those embraced by some ancient near east cultures and still practiced by many to this day, where goodness is found not within objects themselves but in the spaces between them? Imagine if we defined goodness by the quality of connections and relationships in our world between things in our beautiful creation? That’s a narrow, but far more rewarding path, where our well-being is indelibly interwoven with others, our Earth, and our universe. Our community gardening groups that gather each week, celebrate such a connection when they work together in nature. Observing the shared healing journey led by our beloved community gardener, Jon, and witnessing his expertise in action is a sight to behold. When the blue banded bees attract the other native bees and they both pollinate the rooftop plants, we’re offered a vivid glimpse into the tangible interconnected nature of all living things. A disaster is to be literally “disconnected from the stars” which happens in the cut and thrust of modern urban life, and even more so for those sleeping on concrete beds. Yet the simple act of plunging hands into the soil and curling toes into the earth can offer as much healing and grounding as a session with a therapist. I can’t help but wonder if my psychologist would agree. A woman twirled around our community cafe today, reeling from the place that ice had taken her. She danced freely about our group, and we momentarily paused our attempts to solve the world’s problems, to look upon her transfixed, in a moment of affection and understanding. Then one man, who had once walked her path but was now sitting clear eyed whispered, “I love you, my dear sister,” as she sashayed past. In that instant, there was goodness. No thought was given to personal worth. For a fleeting second, the world felt one step closer to healing, and we were all the richer for it. Thank you for being part of our Inner Circle, Jon Rev. Jon Owen CEO & Pastor Wayside Chapel, Potts Point NSW 1335" Wayside Chapel | Love Over Hate = website
1 Comment
Sarah Tyler
6/3/2024 13:26:43
What profound words of wisdom. No wonder you like to hear his take on life. The last paragraph made me well up. Such understanding from one human to another is a beautiful and humbling experience to be part of xxx
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
August 2023
|