Night-time Poem to Violin Accompaniment

Even at age 71, I sometimes wake in the night frightened. It happened earlier tonight, around 2am. It’s happened thousands of times, going way back to when I was a little kid. Yet it often still shocks and shakes me, as if it were the first time. For a while I just lie here scared and bewildered, with no idea what to do or how to look after myself. But sooner or later, I remember. I put on some gentle music, reach for my beloved bedside notebook, sit very still … and listen. Then … I write.

Continue reading
Posted in Poetry | Comments Off on Night-time Poem to Violin Accompaniment

Doors to Freedom

Doorways

Here’s a little collection of things I’m trying to turn into habits. I’m using them to avoid and even reverse some of the unnecessary complications and self-created stresses in my life. I think of them as doors to freedom. They’re not fancy but they’re making a difference to me. Maybe they can make a difference to you too. Continue reading

Posted in Being Well, Living Well, Meditations | Comments Off on Doors to Freedom

Not Interested

Not Interested - a Reflection by Michael Done
A two week retreat in Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh’s acclaimed Zen practice centre in France, revealed some things I’m seriously not interested in. You might be interested in this diary excerpt from that visit …

Continue reading
Posted in Being Well, Living Well, Meditations | Comments Off on Not Interested

“And God saw that it was good”

And God saw that it was good

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good (Genesis 1:31).
I don’t think so!

Continue reading

Posted in Meditations | Comments Off on “And God saw that it was good”

Beautiful Backslider

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

Posted in Being Well, Living Well | Comments Off on Beautiful Backslider

Creed

Creed - Article by Michael Done

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

Posted in Being Well, Living Well, Meditations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Creed

The One Promise

One Promise - an article by Michael Done

There’s only one promise you need to make to yourself. It’s this: ‘I promise to live a life I love.’ I’ll say it again: ‘I promise to live a life I love.’ Continue reading

Posted in Being Well, Living Well | Comments Off on The One Promise

Bus 72

Bus 72

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

Posted in Meditations | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Bus 72

The Story of Me – A Brief Autobiography

My Little Life - a Brief Autobiography by Michael Done

Dear Reader, welcome to this brief autobiography. Most autobiographies are long. This one isn’t. I just want to share the big stuff, not sweat the small stuff. Even if I included lots of detail, it wouldn’t tell you much more than the bare bones do. And anyway, it’s easier for us both if I keep it short. Enjoy! Continue reading

Posted in Being Well, Living Well, Meditations | Comments Off on The Story of Me – A Brief Autobiography

Peaches and Cream

I Like You - a song by Michael Done

For all the other shy boys I grew up with.
Yep, we all wanted to ask her to dance … but we just couldn’t!

Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Peaches and Cream

Ello

'Ello - A song by Michael Done“I did not crêpe up
To say goodnight …
I just crêped up to say: Ello!”

Continue reading

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Ello

The God I Love

The God I Love - a Reflection by Michael Done

God and I have a pretty simple relationship.
I ask nothing of her and she asks nothing of me.
Nothing!

Continue reading
Posted in Meditations, Poetry | Comments Off on The God I Love

Flying Away

Flying Away - a song by Michael Done“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.”

Continue reading

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Flying Away

I Like You

I Like You - a song by Michael Done

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!

Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on I Like You

Advice to my 14-Year-Old Self

Michael Done at 14

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’d offer my 14-year-old back then is the same advice I offer myself now, fifty years later …

Continue reading
Posted in Being Well, Living Well, Meditations | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Advice to my 14-Year-Old Self

Prayer to Self

Prayer to Self - a poem by Michael Done

Come, dearest love, let us speak tenderly to one another.
Sit here, up close, where you can hear the sound of my breath.
See for yourself, I’m defenceless too.

Continue reading
Posted in Meditations, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Prayer to Self