or: with whom have I found encouragement in my humanity?
In Play. Tell. Be. Postures for Leading and Living Well, I talk often of the truth that we are fully human only together.
So who are the humans who have encouraged my wellbeing? Who are the conversation partners, the playmates and storytellers, present with me in my story?
Julia Baird affirmed my intuitive yearning for the green spaces of gardens and parks, the blue of sky and the gift of water. Baird writes also of awe and wonder and how necessary it is for us to pay attention in order to open ourselves to the invitation into such moments, open ourselves to gratitude.
Tricia Hersey not only affirmed my commitment to rest. Hersey showed me that my choice to rest is counter cultural, is protest, is resistance, in a cultural context of busy and more and exploitative consumerism. And then she showed me that my capacity to choose to rest is privilege: not to be guilty or shamed, but to be aware that my rest is incomplete while those less privileged haven’t the choice for rest, for play, for the daydreaming that leads to healing and wholeness.
Doug Purnell’s story of healing through hurt met me in my process of healing from hurt. I received hope from Purnell, that a minister might find healing through the mutual encouragement of life in community, following God’s way of Love. Purnell encouraged my approach to being an ordained minister that includes vulnerability and openness, inviting the congregation to care for me as I care for them.
Esther and Mordecai taught me much about the mutual trust and vulnerability required of true allies. And a local Jewish congregation taught me the joy of play, of reimagining our Sacred stories with humour and just enough irreverence to be reverent in keeping the stories alive!
Courtney Goto and David Edgar helped me understand why play is sacred, that play is prayerful, faithful, spiritual.
The Network of Biblical Storytellers International and their Scholars Seminar have taught me more about story, the biblical stories, and biblical storytelling than I have the capacity to articulate.
Jason, Jesse, Jo, Ruth, Katie, and Dave have all been early readers of Play. Tell. Be. Their feedback and affirmations have encouraged the book into its final shape, into its flight into the world.
We are fully human only together. Where will you be found in my story? Where will my story help you find your place in your own?
Buy Play. Tell. Be.
from the author (Australian buyers only), from the publisher, or from your local bookstore
