When I was 9, I received a blank journal from my father as a birthday present. In the front page was an invitation to write my thoughts, poems and dreams inside… What an invitation! For a few years it sat waiting, pregnant with possibility. Then, as my creativity began to surge alongside my hormones, I started to write. Over the next 8 or 9 years, I filled that diary with some of my deepest questions and greatest insights at the time. Another 5 or 6 years later, I shared the whole book with my father, Noel. This year, at the ripe age of 83, Noel Wilson has published his latest novel, Life of Joni: A story of Compassion. It is an extraordinary story, based loosely on the life of Jesus… But of course in this case, the prophet is a woman, and born in the 21st Century. The parable sets a deeply personal story of spiritual awakening against a world stage awash with real issues of power, corruption, governance, global corporations, terrorism, environmental threat and human suffering. Yet Life of Joni is far from depressing. It is a journey of transformation and possibility which carries at its heart a message of compassion and hope for humanity. Obviously, I like the book! But theres an even more personal story behind it that I wanted to share. Earlier this year, Noel came to visit me, to show me the last edits to the book before it went to print… In particular, he wanted to know if I was happy with the way he had used my poetry, and some of the prose from my diary entries from when I was a teenager, as Jonis teenage thoughts and questions. As a creative person, one of the most satisfying experiences for me is to have my work taken to the next level by another sensitive and creative person. I had this experience recently with Armando Ornano, who is adding music to my poetry in preparation for a cd which we hope to release soon. It was even more profound for me to feel the same sensitivity and inspiration in what Noel, being my father, had done with my work. And extending on this family synergy, my sister Fleurs beautiful drawing perfectly completed the front cover (more of her work at fleurelisenoble ). I am at once awed, humbled and proud of this book, and the grace that created it. May it serve many people to awaken to the power of Compassion at this time when the world deeply needs it. If you feel drawn, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Life of Joni for yourself or a friend (or 3) for Christmas. It is very reasonably priced, and Noel will post it to you himself. Hes old-fashioned like that :-) You can get it at https://noelwilson.net Meanwhile, in honour of this occasion, heres my blog with a poem I wrote when I was 15, that features as Jonis work in the book. soulbusiness.au/the-wind-holds-the-stars/
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:42:15 +0000
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