To: The Choir Master and Choir Mistress
From: Michael Done
Date: 31 October 2023
Subject: 71st birthday performance (Nov 5)
A little collection of things I’m trying to turn into habits. They offer me simple portals to the present – generally a good and wise place to locate myself. They’re not rules, they’re guidelines. It can take some discernment to apply them well. They’re not fancy but I find they make a positive difference to me. Done consistently, I think they could even be life-changing. I’m still working on this, so I can’t say yet. Still, I hope they can make a positive difference to you too. Continue reading
A two week retreat in Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh’s acclaimed Zen practice centre in France, helped me see more clearly what I’m really interested in. It also revealed some things I’m seriously not interested in. Once upon a time, I was interested. Passionately interested! But, happily, not any more. Here’s a possibly interesting diary excerpt from 2015 during that visit.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good (Genesis 1:31).
I don’t think so!
When I was young, barely an adult, I lost my dearest friend before he’d had time to blossom, before he’d found wings to fly. We so loved one another. I still miss him after all these decades. And I still remember word for word the very last thing he told me to do. Continue reading
A Christian friend of mine from way back, Geoff, posted on Facebook recently: “The older I get, the more convinced I am that Christianity is true. Where do you sit and why?” As it turns out, I’m what’s called a “backslider”. My story is different. This was my reply. Continue reading
Here’s my current personal creed, though ‘creed’ feels far too grandiose a term. All I’m really doing here is putting a few words to things I do and don’t believe, especially in the area of spirituality. I’m finding it quite exhilarating to say it out loud in front of you. You might like to try it yourself. Continue reading
There’s only one promise you need to make to yourself. It’s this: to live a life you love. I’ll say it again. Live a life you love. Continue reading
It’s winter, 1968. A cold rainy Saturday night in Perth, Western Australia. I’m on my way home from ice-skating where I’d been hoping (again in vain) to impress some pretty girl with my Travolta-like moves on the ice. With just seconds to spare, I leap onto Bus 72 as it pulls out of the Bus Station. Continue reading
Once upon a time my little life began. I was born a human, not by choice, it just happened that way. I could easily have been a porcupine, or a cow, or a caterpillar, or even an amoeba. Continue reading
For all the other shy boys I grew up with.
Yep, we all wanted to ask her to dance … but we just couldn’t!
“I did not crêpe up
To say goodnight …
I just crêped up to say: Ello!”
God and I have a pretty simple relationship. I ask nothing of Her and She asks nothing of me. Nothing! Continue reading
“Out of our hungry hearts a journey starts, we ache for more.
Out of this endless night begins a timeless flight we’ve never taken before.
We’re flying away … destination unclear.”
One thing all us boys know is that girls are really, really nice.
One thing all us shy boys know is that girls are also really, really scary!
A dear friend invited me recently to share what I’d say if I could go back and give some advice to my 14-year-old self. I thought about it for a while, then realised that the advice I would offer my 14-year-old back then is the same advice I offer myself now, fifty years later …
Come, my dearest love, let us speak tenderly with one another.
Sit here, up close, where you can hear me breathing.
See for yourself, I am defenceless too.
