Author: matt

Welcome to the Words That Encourage newsletter, back after a long break. This week’s words are joy, gratefulness, and hope.

i) Joy

Joy sits at a deep place; it resides in the heart. To abide in joy, to live with joy, is a satisfaction that stays. Wherever we go in our days, if joy is nearby, we will be okay. In seasons of suffering and fear, joy’s signposts can prepare us to build a life on solid foundations. We can align our lives with our deepest purpose.

We want our lives to be a meeting place for our personal “deep gladness” and “the world’s deep hunger” (Frederick Buechner). This is the language of “vocation”, of call, of what will truly satisfy. We search until we find this treasure field where gladness and need overlap.

ii) Gratefulness

Joy emerges with ease when we make it our habit to remember concrete and specific details about good things received in a particular day.

Becoming aware of gifts in my experience will overflow into gratefulness. Our hearts soften and gladness spreads. Gratefulness is a reflective practice that turns the earth into a more friendly place.

A gratefulness practice is crucial if ever we want to be healed of our self-centredness and moved deeper into relationships. When we are grateful and open, we are ready to receive life (and each person) as gift. We can move forward with a hopeful attitude grounded in experience.

What are you most grateful for today?

iii) Hope

Icelandic instrumentalist Ólafur Arnalds composes original music that I’ve found helpful and hopeful. re:member begins as a gentle melody that serves as a welcome to a deep moment of reflection. As the emerging tune opens up, the beat slows to a stillness before being ignited with energy, enthusiasm and excitement after the second minute. The propulsion of the second half of the piece provides a sustaining power to enrich your day. Released in his 2018 re:member album, listen on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Music.

May joy, gratefulness and hope move within your heart, dear reader!

Have a great weekend.

Welcome to the 6th Words That Encourage newsletter. After a month’s break, this week’s words come to you from Ireland. I am loving the crisp air, the festive sounds, and the warm hospitality.

i) Space for Learning

I begin a great new teaching position when I return to Australia later this month. After a dry season, the river of life has bubbled up with fresh water. I am thrilled to take up this opportunity to equip young people for their lives.

As you know from these notes to you, I enjoy commending hope with my words. This practice gives me life. Being a credible teacher is an extension of this work.

The daily words of a teacher make space for student expression. Teachers create rooms for learning where the person undergoes gradual development (see Vygotsky). With the help of teacher scaffolding, each student can build their understanding.

At the heart of learning are experiences of relating, challenge, change, movement, and life. It is by reflecting on these experiences that a person may uncover their freedom to be Sally, Sarah, Séamus, or Stephen; and to take next steps.

In looking back with gratefulness and a desire to learn from what was, the person can look forward with confidence for what can be. We can breathe in the hope for renewal.

ii) The Bar Manager (a poem)

On my first night on the west coast of Ireland, I was very impressed or moved by the approach and skill of the bar manager, and wrote some lines of verse over the next day or so:

The mood of the bar is winning / a peaceful cheer is on tap / each person is enjoying their table / each seat is filled with a grin.

Our leader is bearded and centred / he’s quiet and cares for his team / with a listening heart made for service / he makes the place more human.

Scanning the bar for its people / viewing the needs of his own / he sees what needs to be seen / and does what needs to be done.

Those eyes have seen all sorts / those ears are prepared for trouble / he moves to the beat of his own / and sings of a longing within.

From “no you’re not welcome / after your behaviour last week” to removing / the shadow slinking beside women; / he knows these patrons, his kin.

An attentive mind and a steady spirit / he waits for each moment unfolding / responding to a situation uniquely / specific to the need is his way.

iii) Great Irish Music

I share with you a traditional Irish music session I heard in central Galway on Wednesday. View my recording on youtube here.

Have a special weekend,James