As the days of the lockdown pass, I’m becoming more aware of a new and powerful sense of renewal in the natural world. Not only have I noticed this on my daily walks but I am hearing it from other people too. “It’s like going back 50 years. Everyone is so much more ‘together’ andContinue reading “Enchantment in the Natural World in this Time of Lockdown”
Category Archives: empowerment
Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 28: Queensland, Australia: from University Campus to Botanic Gardens and Iconic Lookout: Brisbane Highlights
This is the twenty-eighth and final post in my series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, as experienced during my November 2019 visit. In my last post I wrote about our final visit in New Zealand: Auckland Botanic Gardens. Whilst there we enjoyed the outstanding Sculptures in the Gardens exhibitionContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 28: Queensland, Australia: from University Campus to Botanic Gardens and Iconic Lookout: Brisbane Highlights”
Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 27: North Island, New Zealand: Auckland Botanic Gardens
This is the twenty-seventh post in my series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, as experienced during my November 2019 visit. Today concludes my account of a journey through New Zealand’s North Island. In my last post I wrote about our visit to the Coromandel Peninsula. I described our stayContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 27: North Island, New Zealand: Auckland Botanic Gardens”
Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 26: North Island, New Zealand: Coromandel Peninsula: Hahei, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach
This is the twenty-sixth in my series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, as experienced during my November 2019 visit. Today continues my account of a journey through New Zealand’s North Island. In my last post I wrote about our visit to the Tamaki Maori village at Rotorua, when weContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 26: North Island, New Zealand: Coromandel Peninsula: Hahei, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach”
Book Review: the Girl with Seven Names: Escape From North Korea by Hyeonseo Lee
A powerful, emotionally engaging and sometimes shocking account by a very courageous woman. Through her own shrewdness, presence of mind and intelligence, Hyeonseo managed to transform her life and that of her family by escaping from North Korea at the age of 17, undergoing a long and hazardous journey through China, and ultimately gaining SouthContinue reading “Book Review: the Girl with Seven Names: Escape From North Korea by Hyeonseo Lee”
Book Review: ‘Less Than Ordinary’ by Nicki Copeland
‘Less than Ordinary‘, published by Instant Apostle, is a non-fiction inspirational self-help book, an account of one woman’s journey from low self-esteem and negative self-limiting beliefs to a place of wholeness where she is able to blossom, nurture her relationships, rejoice in her own inherent worth, and offer her gifts to the world. A quoteContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Less Than Ordinary’ by Nicki Copeland”
Film and Book Review: ‘Silence’ by Shusaku Endo: and The Film Starring Andrew Garfield
Silence by Shusaku Endo is one of the most compelling and powerful books I’ve ever read. I wrote about it in this way on my website as part of a blog post about an exhibition at the British Museum, Living With the Gods. When I first read the book, several years ago, I think oneContinue reading “Film and Book Review: ‘Silence’ by Shusaku Endo: and The Film Starring Andrew Garfield”
Book Review: “The Making of Us” by Sheridan Voysey
Here’s a book which should appeal to those of you who feel as if you’ve reached a point in your lives where all that you hoped for has not been achieved; maybe it seems you have to let go of your dreams; and perhaps you simply don’t know where to go from here. The MakingContinue reading “Book Review: “The Making of Us” by Sheridan Voysey”
Heaven on Earth: The Joy of A Capella Harmony Singing with The B Naturals
What is the greatest musical instrument of all? I believe it is the human voice. Nothing compares to the joy of a capella harmony singing – in perfect pitch, of course, and under the tuition of an inspirational musical director… or how about four musical directors, one for each voice part? Recently I took partContinue reading “Heaven on Earth: The Joy of A Capella Harmony Singing with The B Naturals”
The Brightest Heaven of Invention
Originally posted on the ACW “More than Writers” blog. We all know who ascends the brightest heaven of invention. Yes, it’s a muse of fire, which Shakespeare wished for in his Prologue to Henry V, as if the power of creativity were indeed a separate being, in this case from Greek mythology. And I believe that it mayContinue reading “The Brightest Heaven of Invention”
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