Dear friends,
When I wrote the first Words That Encourage in February 2023, my aim was to give life, hope and spirit to readers. I wanted to write from an open treasure chest that shared wisdom taken from reflection on experience. To encourage was the desire of my heart.
Now 22 months on from that first edition, I see that in all my yearning to write something worthwhile, I was seeking not only to commend fullness of life to others, but to live it with the people I love.
These last two years have been filled with gifts. As we prepared for marriage, my beloved and I worked carefully on music and words we would gift each other on the wedding day itself.
Now that Summer is enveloping our home and the roses outside our window are in at times glorious bloom, I stop to give thanks for life. Just as the birds sing, so we make a joyful noise.
All is Gift!
As a young man I was quick to realise that "All is Gift!" The insight came through the emphatic proclamation of a friend's father, so emphatic that it has been imprinted on my heart and memory for 15+ years.
Now being held by my beloved I receive the same life gifts with new eyes. I see the treasure of relating. I can behold the gentle care at the heart of all things that keeps the world in balance. There is awe present.
In proclaiming our vows we committed ourselves to the other before a graced community of family and friends. We had prepared our own flow of words to emphasise what matters to us: leading each other to "fullness of life". And in proclaiming those words we were gifted a common life of love, purpose and possibility.
People, Words and Music
Earlier in life I came to a settled view that I valued three things above most other things: people, words and music (in that order). I now value those things from a deeper place.
The persons with whom I give and receive love are the people who shape my actions most. The combination of words I use need not be beautiful to bring life to self, others and the earth. The music is often a source of goodness, gratefulness and joy.
In signing off I am listening to some uplifting music. I think of you moving through emails, and my well wishes fly with you for Christmas and 2025.
Until next time, I send warm greetings from Melbourne,
James
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