My whole life I have been complaining _x000D_ that my work was constantly interrupted, until I discovered _x000D_ that my interruptions _x000D_ were my work.
Interpretation
Embracing interruptions can lead to personal growth and understanding the true nature of oneβs work.
This quote by Henri Nouwen suggests that what we perceive as interruptions in our lives may actually hold significant value and purpose. Instead of viewing interruptions as disruptions to our productivity, Nouwen invites us to reconsider these moments as integral components of our work and personal development, reflecting the interconnectedness of daily experiences and the essence of living.
In practice
In a team meeting, I shared a quote by Henri Nouwen to highlight the importance of valuing unexpected contributions from colleagues.
The Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. God loves us, not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love.
The immense joy in welcoming back the lost son hides in the immense sorrow that has gone before....our brokenness may appear beautiful, but our brokenness has no other beauty but the beauty that comes from the compassion that surrounds it.
Suffering invites us to place our hurts in larger hands. In Christ we see God suffering β for us. And calling us to share in Godβs suffering love for a hurting world. The small and even overpowering pains of our lives are intimately connected with the greater pains of Christ. Our daily sorrows are anchored in a greater sorrow and therefore a larger hope.
To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, welcome, to accept.
Waiting is a dry desert between where we are and where we want to be. (Finding My Way Home)
Becoming the beloved is pulling the truth revealed to me from above down into the ordinariness of what I am, in fact, thinking of, talking about and doing from hour to hour.
Our desires always increase with our possessions. The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.
Some people have great ideas maybe once or twice in their life, and then they discover electricity or fire or outer space or something. I mean, the kind of brilliant ideas that change the whole world. Some people never have them at all... I get them two or three times a week.
Every man needs a blind eye and a deaf ear, so when people applaud, you'll only hear half of it, and when people salute, you'll only see part of it. Believe only half the praise and half the criticism.
Qui plussait, plus se tait. French, you know. The more a man knows, the less he talks.
If you knew who walked beside you at all times, on the path that you have chosen, you could never experience fear or doubt again.
The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says 'Amen' and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening to God is far more important than giving Him our ideas.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.