Sometimes it just the lyrics that capture me in a song. Perhaps build or find a memory develops. Emotion stirs. But yes mostly lyrics that pull me into a song.

 

Worth a listen as well ....

We think that spirituality is passed from modern discussions , not evident but it's clear that in pop lyrics it vague not evangelical or Biblical but it's is present.

Take 'Pink', the pop star of several decades danced tracks very much part of her catalogue...but try this.  І think оf уоu when І thіnk аbоut fоrеvеr

І hеаr а јоkе аnd І knоw you wоuld'vе tоld іt bеttеr
І thіnk оf уоu оut оf thе bluе whеn І'm wаtсhіng а mоvіе
Thаt уоu'd hаtе, yоu'd ѕаy it, you were never оnе tо hеѕіtаtе
Yоu wеrе аlwауѕ fіrѕt іn lіnе
Ѕо whу would іt bе different fоr heaven?
Вut І gоt а соuрlе questions
Іѕ there а bаr uр there where уоu'vе gоt а fаvоrіtе сhаіr?
Where уоu ѕіt with friends and talk аbоut thе weather?
Іѕ thеrе а рlасе уоu gо to watch thе sunset?

Yeah, І know, you'll tell mе when І gеt there.

Deep resonate moving and painting picture of a kingdom heavenly images natural storytelling. When arrive in heaven going to chhat discuss do al sorts of natural everyday stuff in safe environment. Biblical no but worth reflection.

Proclaimers communicate often about Life Love and Relationships again spiritual directions in the brothers catalogue.

The air you breathe

Will be there after you're gone

Will be there after you're gone

Still be there after you're gone

The lochs and seas

Will be there after you're gone

Will be there after you're gone

Still be there after you're gone

Three score years and ten of joy and pain

Adds up to mayflies on the windowpane

The windowpane.

There a discussion that's generated story must be told. Narrative to share. Pointers to bigger picture deep stuff we must engage with. The directions in truth can't build a way to through but there still clarity about big things happening. We could use other examples not from the Praise and Worship folders. But the 'storytellers liveing Life' are sharing thoughts here about death. 

While we discuss the live LIFE of pop stars the dairy accounts of breaking up. We may moan about relationships formed. But always something about extra parts of Life and issues. These narratives open up more conversations.

Leadership outside of British parliament.

We see in present Labour government complete degradation of responsibilities lack of moral compass but interesting advocation of true Leadership. Lack of accountability and innocence is destroyed.

So what is Leadership, firstly it is about security in who you are in yourself. We need to value our selves in Youth work so we can value those in theirs most formative years. They will examine us they will trust you and l. They must know that as they get exposed to a world they are growing up in Society with whole its sham and drugedy..It's about encourage those who are around you wether that's on Church hall once a week nite time provision or street based every moment prison, school , neighbourhood corner or chip shop queue. Leadership is knowing who is disabled who is less valued, Leadership is being able to listen to the quiet one while ignoring the loud full of the moment group members.

Youth Leader soaks up the place, the sphere the noise, the values being formed morals displayed, spirituality on display gets to reflect on the stuff that's is important.

If others witness you doing this in Leadership. They will follow what you present to those who look towards you and your team.

Being human.

The emotions of a Saturday afternoon have been laid bare today in all splendor. Fun in the park with nephew growing up fast in troubled world. Where even l am fearful of the way this may travel. Football result we feared came as expected Home town team couldn't hold onto a 1 nil scoreline.
The fun of being in the park overrode everything else. Swings slides sandpits.

Joy. 
laughter.
Burgers. 
Ice cream. Children's laughter. Happy meal.

We gathered like we often do but not everyone came l was reminded that some people have a way of being affable. Friendly fun to be around. Some people the sound of their laughter fills a room. You wait for them to re-enter the place time just drifts till they arrive back. Human emotions are always confusing to myself. 

Some people, they long for each other, they love to talk
Holding the other one's hand
They always understand
Some people cry
Some people know why
With a word unspoken, with a voice unheard
When a thought is broken by a tender word
When a heart is moved, when a heart is found
The silence tells you you're not alone
Some people are born for each other, they love to walk
Holding the other one's hand.

Again just to remind us all. '...this too will pass ..'

 This too will pass.

So we hear all sorts in the news and we have political commenters who agree but are dishonest. The world sits waiting for idiots to spout rubbish to bully others. Community lack moral compass all are encouraging fast track to better material well being. Lack of understanding.nding about alternative lifestyle it's about better car, better carpets, modern clothing, improved position, power.

The antisocial selfish behaviour has become a way to better yourself, better your Sphere, better your circumstances, bigger headphones to mute the outside world. Your own music, your own space, your own place isolated often with finical benefits from those who contributed to make society better for ....wait for this the isolated few.

That too will pass.

Individual concern for the other must return.

Community that creates for others development and growth where others are empowered to care for others as primary concern.

Bigger better society that built on each individual working in community to improve big society.

Sometimes you can make it with just own gut reaction.

Sometimes do we have to go against the authorities break policy and ignore guidelines ? Of course guidelines along with policy directives change. From the moment they are activated. But we do....have you had experience of ignoring guideline's?

Because my work was detached, well feel my isolated position allowed me certain freedoms to break maybe bend the rules. Mainly because street based directives are few further small, the line management has little if any direct understanding. Nor actual experience of that role.  Only knowledge comes from work practice they may have only read about.But should we may go against directive if it feels OK ? That may be only way we can explain a decision. When l have and:

-  An example was when legally couldn't find accommodation for young person at risk in late teens (17), allowed him to spend few hours resting in youth club.
It's was 5 in morning needed to rest up for 3 hours. Later l was suspended but reinstated at  about 15-00. The problem wasn't risk assessment but lack of support in the field. But here's the rub it was administrator  who created the issue.
Isn't that life. The expert is punished here for not following the rules. 

 Reason commentator issue is to show how LIFE isn't straight forward no matter how prepared we are. It's complex, its difficult, it's  challenging, at times feels uncomfortable sometimes it's our gut that leads us, it's just knowing we are trying to do the right thing. You may understand that or you may need to grasp this anew.

Sometimes you can make it with just own gut reaction.

Gatherings conversations enrich us and are vital to our humanity.

So we get together and enjoy the silence. Waiting for another to speak happy being with each others company. Cliches are long ago often share level 3 of level 5 open honesty.

Last time spoke with another in a coffee place, we hugged. It was rewarding not uncomfortable. Not most open person but have to communicate better because that's LIFE the journey goes on.

But think this writer is a warm person but being detached professionally leaves me cautious. Feel fairly liberated in the conversations take part in always return to role of active listening. Glad when years ago on year long counselling  course, Christine would suggest l am closed. Despite that being truth it also not something recognise as negative. 80 per cent of communication is non verbal so silence and active listening allows us the opportunity to internalised our answers. But gathering too be in each others company is so vital.

Gatherings enrich us. Gatherings are part of our humanity it's essential. It's valuable. But sadly it's become more absent for two reasons.

1:- Health and COVID along with poverty of the last 5 years especially.

2:- internet and social media taken place of gatherings so we get the bus no one enjoys the sights of the journey because eyes are down. This also produced a 'antisocial mechanism'.. phone call conversations are long and loud important information is unnecessary shared. Film or music is not listened too on headphones but Loud enough to impact others comfort zone. This is most evident with the younger passengers l witnessed but not inclusive.

Gatherings, conversations, enrich us and are vital to our humanity. Hence community is broken not created. So we cannot share our brokenness nor our vulnerability. Growth is damaged and our skills to listen are not practiced.

You can't pretend to be in conversation, you can't pretend to listen. You can't pretend to be vulnerable.You can't pretend to be a friend it's a vital part of being human of being you.