Author Archives: donalddeanchambers

Listening is a metaphor for awareness. I listen to my feelings of anger and upset triggered by a text. I listen to my feelings of disappointment and exclusion triggered by a friend’s decision. In the relay of consciousness, my thoughts run the second leg with rapid, reeling, and running thoughts of vicious confrontation with violentContinue reading “The Inner Child”

In my mind two thoughts cohabited and gave birth to one insight – the behaviour of animals and insects imitates human personalities and relationships.  The Social Butterfly. Gently fluttering from flower to flower – individual to individual, drawn by the social, economic, emotional benefits. The Busy Bee. Constantly at work. Endlessly buzzing around. Fiercely focusedContinue reading “Beauty of Diversity”

Ageing is loss.  Ageing is grieving. Ageing is grieving a loss. Ageing is like a departure from the centre stage of the play of life. We are no longer the protagonist. No longer the energic bright star. No longer the heart of the story. No longer the handsome prince, nor the cute princess. No moreContinue reading “Ageing”

Growth in trust is snail-like movement. Like a snail we slowly build trusting relationships. As we crawl, we use our snail antennas to feel out individuals and groups. Who is this person or group? How do they think and behave? What’s his/her story? How about their gifts?  What are their values and beliefs? Will IContinue reading “Trust”

Authentic conversation is like an unending relay. The baton safely secures our thoughts and feelings. One person starts the race with his/her thoughts and feelings in hand. Other players wait and watch to receive his/her incoming thoughts and feelings. For the exchange, Timing and touching are essential. There is rhythm, routine, and reach. In theContinue reading “Authentic Conversation”

I watched in dismay, shock, and fear a television news report . . . school children with heavy knapsacks,  . . . farmers with donkey loaded produce, . . . teachers, dressed in professional attire, exchanging high heel shoes for sneakers, . . . the elderly crawling on all fours, . . . carefully descendingContinue reading “Bridges and Leadership”

“Mout mek fi sey anyting” (Jamaican proverb translated as “The mouth can say anything.”) Clothing communicates beauty yet hides beauty and the broken heart. Words communicate information yet hide a groaning heart. Actors communicate stories yet hide the true persons behind the storytelling. Status quo communicates achievements yet hides the dirty path to achievements. ActionsContinue reading “Door of Communications”

“He bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground” (John 20:5). Naked at birth. Naked in the shower. Naked in intimacy. Naked at death. Clothing at birth to warm. Clothing after shower. Clothing after intimacy. Clothing at death. God creates this rhythmic dance between natural nakedness and creative clothing. Nakedness –  openness,Continue reading “Nakedness and Resurrection”

Jargons, jargons, jargons. Language, language, language. Clichés, clichés, clichés.  Expressions, expressions, expressions. Every profession, Every religion, Every field of study, Every discipline, Every gang, Every ethnic and social group Has jargon, language, clichés, and expressions. Entering a group You learn the jargon, language, clichés, and expressions. Like climbing a steep hill, it’s a steep learningContinue reading “Jargons”

Face to face I stand With an emotionally weary mother. I pierce into her eyes. She grants permission to see her soul. I see fear, helplessness, weakness, vulnerability, and strength. After a boxing match with her tantrum boy child, Bruised emotionally from marital separation,  And tension with the father, exhaustion envelops her. In the post-matchContinue reading “Crucified Mother”