The eternal story…
…into which every other story that has ever been told is interwoven.
Has anyone ever told you the story of Nehemiah?
The story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem captivates me. In this story from ancient times, Nehemiah knows the importance of walls for wellbeing. For Jerusalem and her people to be physically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally strong, the walls have to be rebuilt. And so Nehemiah commits to doing what must be done.
It requires risk. It requires a journey. It requires work. It requires time. Some don’t see it and think it’s nonsense, ridiculing the idea that walls make a difference. A few are openly opposed and are angry.
But many more understand, and Nehemiah Chapter 3 records the incredible moment when the community comes together to rebuild their whare, brick by brick, wall by wall, gate by gate, until she stands as she should - whole, protected, beautiful, ready.
Just one person can make a difference. One person with faith who seeks freedom.
Dr Hinemoa Elder
“This week, if you are feeling that wind sweeping you up and flinging you far and wide, hold onto this whakatauki and trust the aroha of your ancestors deep inside you to realise your potential when you come to your new place of rest.”
My 8 words to sow, to build, to weave, to live by.
(…and my keys to the worlds of teaching, parenting and wellbeing).
“Meditate”
“Capture”
“Renew”
“Follow”
“Resist”
“Trust”
“Rest”
“Lead”
Dr Hinemoa Elder
“No one actually teaches us to gently and kindly examine the thoughts and feelings that we internalise that are not really ours. But it is such an important practice, because otherwise we can unwittingly internalise these thoughts and feelings and they can become integrated into our consciousness.”
Find the freedom that you were always created for.
“There is freedom waiting for you,
on the breezes
of the sky,
and you ask,
”What if I fall?”
Oh but my darling,
what if you fly?”
