Nine Lessons and Carols for 2009

Another year on and I've just come back from the 9 Lessons and Carols at church. It was a lovely service, beautiful music and the timeless story of hope for the world. Once again my thoughts turned to what I have learnt this year and I thought I might share some of that with a wee bit of music too. The whole playlist is available if you want to listen anytime.

Lesson 1
gorgeousness is infectious

I went on an amazing 3 day trip to Paris with some folk I hardly knew and came back with 7 new friends. It was wonderful experience just meeting new people, sharing and learning about each other in a relaxed atmosphere that left each one of us just feeling wonderful about each other, about ourselves and about life. Maybe it was just Paris, or the food or maybe it was because being open with people encourages the same from them and that develops gorgeousness. Don't believe me? Try it for yourself.

Carol 1
Stanley Turrentine – Willow Weep For Me


Lesson 2
people don't look at you and think they'd like you more if you looked different

For the second year I have grown a moustache, a mo, for charity through the month of November. You can check out the site, some really bad photos and maybe even make a donation here. The mo taught me a few things but principally, when I was hating it and how it made me look I recognised that no-one who met me for the first time looked at the mo and thought, "I'd like him better without that." Sometimes being self obsessed stops us seeing ourselves as others see us. It may be true that you'd look different having lost some weight, dyed your hair or worn make up but real people, people whose opinions are worthwhile, they don't look at you like that. They see you. And they like you. Deal with it.

Carol 2
Melody Gardot – Lover Undercover


Lesson 3
getting organised IS important

Life is complex and does take organisation for it to be better than last minutes panics, chaotic searching and looming deadlines and missed appointments. There are lots of ways to do that and really I haven't checked them all out but Getting Things Done is a great way that works for me. I currently using ActionComplete on my phone and, whilst it may not seem that to others, i AM getting things done. That makes me feel a little more in control.

Carol 3
Jason Mraz – I'm Yours


Lesson 4
guns don't kill...bulletpoints do

I firmly believe that communication is an art and in particular presentations that so many of us now have to give on a regular basis. Moreover, I feel that bulletpoints are machine gunning any enthusiasm and value of many of these presentations. I'd like to change that because I think that guns don't kill...bulletpoints do! It is up to us to change the way we communicate. We need to stop being conformed to the ways of the bulletpoint and set each other free to express ourselves and enjoy communication.

Carol 4
The Swell Season – In These Arms


Lesson 5
i need to not shout when i "discuss" things with my teenage daughter.


Being a parent is not easy and there are times when strong forces collide. My shame is that in these moments I don't remain as calm as I would like and when confronted by the screaming teen, my response has been, eventually, to scream back. This does not work, for either of us and I promise to change.

Carol 5
Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars (Exclusive Live Acoustic Version)


Lesson 6
management really don't care

I've made a really big effort over the last year. I have studied management philosophy and techniques, concepts and ideas. I have even written a 6000 word essay on it. Yet I am more cynical about my personal experience of management than ever. It is all about the budget and the numbers and grudgingly even they are starting to acknowledge that. Is that progress? I don't think so but recognising that they don't actually care is a step forward for me.

Carol 6
stellastarr* – Lost in Time


Lesson 7
it's great to think about new stuff

My studies have forced me to think about new stuff but also I've been blessed with friends who exist in completely different spheres to me and who have exposed me to concepts and art in a way that is new and exciting. I have learnt a little about art criticism and history and am intrigued; I want to learn more. There is so much more to life than I previously thought and I'm exciting to be exploring that.

Carol 7
The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition - Evil Nine Mix


Lesson 8
torture people with kindness

Some may be aware of my work situation and yes, I keep going on about it. One of my colleagues refuses to speak to me and two years ago even returned my Christmas present. My response is to greet him on every occasion I see him and keep giving him Christmas presents. In a way it is childish itself but I refuse, as a grown up, to play at really childish "I'm not speaking to you" games. I wish things were different and that is a positive way of moving things forward.


Carol 8
Arcade Fire – No Cars Go


Lesson 9
listen to compliments and say, "thank you."

A few of us recently on twitter have been discussing issues of self worth. We have decided that the first step in dealing with these issues is to listen to compliments when we receive them and immediately reply nothing more than, "thank you." There is to be no denial, apologies, excuses or qualifications; compliments are to be received and ultimately believed because they are true, friends do not lie to you. The first step is accepting the kindness that is shown.

Carol 9
The Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling - Edit






Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that 2010 brings you happiness.

Like most Carol services there is an opportunity to give something at the end. I'd love to receive comments and even better you might want to leave something on the plate at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/give/