↓ SECTION 01 — INTRODUCTION
A Year of Intentional Conversations D
uring recent storms the power went out. No TV was my first thought, followed by the thought that we’d just have to have a Thai take away. What a sacrifice! I’d need to go and get a supply of candles too. Chocolate would also cheer us up in such times as these. Chocolates are essential when a state of emergency arises. There was a flurry of activity with the purpose of making sure that we had the basics we needed as the light faded in order to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Yet, 142 years ago, this scenario we were interpreting as a minor disaster, was the norm. It wasn’t until 1879 that electric light burst onto the scene. Prior to that time, candles were essential, and not just for soft light ambience and aroma.
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What a difference 142 years makes, on many levels. One stark difference that the entrance of electricity meant was perhaps the subsequent reduction of conversation. Today, it is much easier to switch our attention to the various screens at our disposal. We are obsessed with screens, and with good reason. This amazing technology has given us incredible insights; windows of opportunity for information, commerce, and the maintaining of relationships around the globe. On the other hand, it has also given opportunity for more toxic behaviour as well. Conversations still happen of course, and some might argue perhaps in contradiction to my earlier comment, that conversations have, in a way, increased. I guess it depends on how you define conversation. Is texting conversation? Is an email conversation? Is social media chat conversation? During this particular power outage, with no TV and only candlelight to read by, we reverted to speaking to each other. By ‘we’ I mean Mrs Chappy and myself. We actually talk a fair bit to each other, usually on a walk or during a meal. This was different though; it was more intimate, intentional. All through this year we have been exploring the theme of conversation: the power of conversation (Term 1), conversations we need (Term 2), and more than words (Term 3). In Term 4, our theme was uplifting voices. On reflection these have been excellent themes; challenging and, at times, confronting. Confronting that is if we actually practise the principles taught. Humans, we have rediscovered, have a deep need to communicate. I’m in a boarding house lounge at the moment and all seven students present are on their
LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL
