SPRINGBOARDS and WALKING STICKS

 Life is a journey we all embark upon, often without a map, and sometimes without even realising we’ve truly begun. I would not be wrong if I say that being an adult is the goal of one’s life. We often define adulthood by chronological age, by legal milestones, or by external markers like careers and families. But I propose that true adulthood is something far deeper, far more profound than ticking off a list of societal expectations. It's a state of being, a mindset, and a powerful embrace of self. At its core, being an adult is to be autonomous. It is to stand on your own two feet, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is the ability to make conscious choices, to navigate the complexities of life, and to chart your own course with a sense of purpose and responsibility. This autonomy is not about isolation; it's about agency. It's about knowing who you are, what you value, and making decisions that align with your authentic self. Adulthood, in...

 When we are driven by measurable outcomes, loving is challenging. We often say, "I love you because you're kind," or "I love you because you make me laugh," or "I love you because you support me." These are beautiful sentiments, aren't they? They speak to qualities we appreciate, to comfort we find, to needs that are met. But what if I told you that the deepest, most authentic love lies beyond these reasons? What if true love is not about the "because," but about the "just is"? Love goes beyond likes and dislikes. If I do not know why I love you, that is real love; if I know why I love you, it is business, it has a payoff, could be money, emotional support, etc. If there is a payoff, it is not true love, it is business. This isn't to diminish the joy and value we find in relationships where our needs are met. Kindness, laughter, support – these are wonderful things. But if our love is contingent upon these payoffs, if it...

 There is a very thin line between affection and abuse, therefore one can abuse another in a relationship in the guise of affection, and it happens more easily with children. To understand the purported thin line, it is crucial to first establish clear conceptual definitions for both affection and abuse. Affection , in healthy interpersonal relationships, is characterised by genuine care, warmth, fondness, and positive regard for another individual. Its expression is typically nurturing, supportive, and intended to foster emotional well-being, connection, and security. Key attributes of healthy affection include: Reciprocity: It is often mutual and flows freely between individuals. Respect for Autonomy: Affection does not seek to control or diminish the other person's individuality or choices. Empathy: It involves an understanding of and responsiveness to the other's emotional states. Non-coercive: It is given freely and does not carry manipulative conditions or expectations. B...

 In spite of the advancement in communication and connectivity, it's paradoxical how often we remain isolated within our own echo chambers, surrounded primarily by those who mirror our experiences and beliefs. This phenomenon is often rooted in what is termed "contact bias"—the inability to relate to others due to a lack of sustained personal contact. This bias, whether born of missed opportunities or outright unwillingness, allows prejudices to flourish unchecked and false assumptions to go unchallenged. Understanding and actively combating contact bias is not merely a social nicety; it is a vital step towards personal growth, societal harmony, and a richer, more empathetic existence. Contact bias manifests in numerous facets of life; from the initial fear of a Protestant child towards a Catholic family in a small town to the chasm between the rich and the poor; it is often not that the rich hate the poor, it’s that the rich don’t even know the poor. Political polarisati...

 In our digital age, where vast repositories of information are accessible at the touch of a screen, we must carefully examine what we mean when we speak of knowledge. Is knowledge merely the accumulation of facts and data, or does it represent something deeper—a transformation that occurs when information encounters experience? The distinction between information that we can recite and knowledge that changes us lies at the heart of meaningful learning and genuine wisdom. Knowledge begins its journey through our senses, serving as gateways between the external world and our internal understanding. Every sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell carries potential information that our brains must process, interpret, and categorise. This sensory input forms the raw material from which knowledge is constructed, but the mere reception of information does not automatically constitute knowledge. Our brains function as sophisticated processing centres, taking the constant stream of sensory dat...

 In our hyper-connected world, where information flows constantly and conversations happen at breakneck speed, the art of listening has become both more crucial and more challenging than ever. Otto Scharmer's framework of four levels of listening offers a profound lens through which we can understand not just how we hear, but how the quality of our listening shapes the very nature of our interactions and the possibilities that emerge from them. This progression from downloading to generative listening represents a journey from closed, confirmatory reception to open, creative collaboration—it is a journey from confirmation to creation. Downloading The first level of listening, downloading, represents our most basic and unfortunately most common form of auditory engagement. In this mode, we become selective filters, unconsciously seeking information that confirms our existing beliefs, assumptions, and expectations while filtering out anything that might challenge our established worl...

 In a world that often prizes rationality and emotional restraint, we frequently overlook one of humanity's most powerful resources: our emotions. Far from being obstacles to overcome or weaknesses to suppress, emotions serve as fundamental drivers of human action and achievement. The notion that we should "be emotional" challenges conventional wisdom and invites us to reconsider how we understand and utilise our emotional experiences as sources of energy and motivation. Emotions are not merely fleeting feelings or inconvenient interruptions to logical thinking—they are powerful energy systems that mobilise us toward action. Every emotion, whether positive or negative, carries within it a charge that can propel us forward, motivate change, and drive performance. This emotional energy represents one of our most abundant and renewable resources, yet it remains largely untapped by many individuals and organisations. When we examine high-achieving individuals across various f...

 Every team, group, or community has a unique journey from formation to dissolution, characterised by distinct phases of growth, challenge, and achievement. Bruce Tuckman's model of team development, first introduced in 1965 and later refined in the 1970s, remains one of the most influential frameworks for understanding how teams evolve and what leaders can do to support their development at each stage. Tuckman's model identifies five consecutive stages that teams typically experience: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning (originally called Mourning). Each stage presents unique challenges and opportunities, requiring different leadership approaches and interventions to help teams reach their full potential. 1. Forming: Building the Foundation The Forming stage represents the initial phase when a group of individuals comes together with the intention of becoming a team. During this critical period, team members are still getting acquainted with one another whil...

 In a beautiful story called "The Big Panda and the Tiny Dragon," written by James Norbury, a large panda lives alone in a forest. He travels with his wise friend, a tiny dragon, who helps him whenever doubt clouds his mind. One day, the panda asks his companion what matters most in life—the destination or the journey itself. After thinking carefully, the tiny dragon replies: "Neither. What matters most is the company we have while we travel." This wisdom speaks directly to the heart of Corpus Christi. As Christians on our life's journey, we face uncertainty. We don't always know our destination or understand the path ahead. Yet we are never alone—Jesus accompanies us in the most real and intimate way through the Eucharist. He becomes our constant companion, offering his very presence for every question, every struggle, every moment of our journey—that presence makes our life possible and worthwhile. Bethlehem foreshadows Corpus Christi. It's remarkable ...

  Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem, meaning the ‘house of bread’ foreshadows Luke 9: 11-17—Jesus multiplying bread for the hungry, it further foreshadows the last supper, it foreshadows the Eucharist, it ultimately foreshadows the solemnity of the most holy Body and Blood of Jesus. The solemnity of the most holy Body and Blood of Jesus celebrates the real presence of Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine—in the Eucharist. The Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Jesus, stands as a profound testament to an enduring act of boundless generosity. It is more than a mere commemoration; it is a sacred invitation to understand the very essence of a life lived in constant self-giving, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice. As the provided text illuminates, The Eucharist, the giving of his body and blood, happened in the last lap of Jesus’ race on earth. This crucial phrase invites us to look beyond the dramatic final moments and appreciate the countless, often unseen, acts of givin...

 The traditional interpretation of the Our Father prayer (Matthew 6: 7-15) often focuses on its didactic elements, teaching us how to pray. However, reading it from the perspective of the prodigal son re-frames it as an active, unfolding prayer, echoing the very real and relatable experience of the prodigal son. "Our Father, let Thy home come" This rephrasing of "Thy kingdom come" is particularly potent in this context. Kingdom is an old usage; today when we have no kingdoms and king, it is more connecting to say ‘home’. For the prodigal son, "home" isn't just a physical place; it's the restoration of his relationship with his father, a return to belonging, security, and love. His journey is the embodiment of this prayer. He's not just wishing for the father's house to appear, but actively moving towards it, his desire for that restoration driving every step. The son actively got away from his father home, not actively makes a return. Simil...

 When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he gave them more than words to recite. He offered a way of being in the world. The Lord's Prayer, or "Our Father" (Matthew 6: 7-15) is not merely a religious formula but a profound guide for how humans should live together on this earth. Within its simple phrases lie four essential truths about our existence: we are connected, we must care for others, we need reconciliation, and we require divine companionship. Connected: We Are All Children Coming Home The prayer begins with "Our Father," not "My Father." This single word—"our"—transforms everything. It declares that we share the same spiritual parentage, making us siblings in the deepest sense. We are not isolated individuals fighting for survival, but children of the same household, all journeying toward the same destination. When we pray "thy kingdom come," we echo the longing of the prodigal son gazing toward home. We are all prodigals...