I did an
exercise on values this week and discovered how important a value connection is
to me. So perhaps its not surprisingly this week has been all about connection. I
have been part of learning environments where it's notable that the deeper we
connect the greater is our growth. I also witnessed a moving graduation
ceremony where as individuals told their stories of the depth of their learning
it was evident that their relationship with others was the key to their journey
to understand themselves. The sense of loss of that connection, their formal
journey having ended I could relate to and moved all who witnessed it.
 |
| Finale with all performers singing Lean on me. |
The
Concert for Carers was such a wonderful evening, sharing the creative talent of so
many but each of the performers linked their work to the carers. Some spoke of
their own journey as carers, their own tears shed as they told their personal
stories. It connected us differently, no longer audience and performer, more a
community enjoying the power of music and song to lift the soul. It's a unique
atmosphere generally at Celtic Connections, the joy of the performers
infectious in this festival during dark January days but this concert was particularly special,
there is no doubt.
Yesterday
again I was part of a group, forming deeper partnerships to fuel the PeoplePowered Health and Wellbeing Project and
feeling the connections made not only between agencies and their people but
perhaps also with the root motivation of the work- it's all about powerful
connections between people, to enable health and also wellbeing. I left feeling
part of a community committed to making a difference and excited as well as
inspired by our shared passion for this work.
And
finally there was a deep sadness fell on our city last week when we heard of a
small three year old boy who had gone missing, learning a few days later that
his body had been found and a mother was charged with murder. It's hard to even
write those words down. But what we also saw was a local community who joined
initially to search and then finally to grieve and honour a brief life. A
moving display of community connectedness that gives hope in such sad times.
Reasons
to be grateful
I connect
with so many inspiring and heart warming people in my work and life. And of
course the blogging community I'm part of enriches my life and connects across
so many parts of the world. Illness can disconnect and isolate people. Blogging
I suspect has many roles but I recognise that for me I have loved that it has
connected me to a wise and compassionate community who understand this
particularly journey so well. Another reminder that what helps us through
difficult times will always be our connection to others.
No man is
an island,
Entire of
itself,
Every man
is a piece of the continent,
A part of
the main.
If a clod
be washed away by the sea,
Europe is
the less.
As well
as if a promontory were.
As well
as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of
thine own were:
Any man's
death diminishes me,
Because I
am involved in mankind,
And
therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls
for thee.
John
Donne
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