We have learned to fear face to face conversations.
It’s time to change that.
Texts message after text message.
Email after email.
Social media post after social media post. Maybe as I get older it is social media rant after social media rant!
Often all it takes is for me to be on a school camp or sick for a few days for the messages or emails to mount up. Does someone just want to talk to me and tell me what to do or what they want or how they're really feeling?
It’s time to have some important conversations and build connections with the special people in your life.
Ian “Watto” Watson, a family friend of 30 years, has once again delivered a perfect and timely book for Aussie blokes- along with their families, friends and co-workers.
The result? We are going to talk to you more!
He wants us to talk to you! The revolution has begun!
Another book for champions!
Like his previous three books I reviewed, Every Bloke’s a Champion- Even You!, Champion Blokes “Shed” Their Shame and Champion Blokes Learn to Love, Ian “Watto” Watson is teaching me in a very Aussie way to be the type of bloke this world seems to want and need!
This is Watto’s first book written for women as well as for men and can lead to the elimination of anguish, frustrations and blockages that get in the way.
Seventeen years ago Watto kicked off Shed Nights for blokes. It quickly became known as “Shed Happens.” A safe, non-judgemental night for blokes to chat from the heart without fear.
Shed Night starts off with a burger. We then sit around and chat. We sit and listen to men share their real-deep gut issues – good, bad, happy or sad – through two or three blokes being interviewed up front. It’s held once a month and at some of the “Sheds”, there are up to 150 blokes from all walks of life enjoying being together.
Shed Happens as blokes encourage each other as they do the journey of life together. They are more than happy to tell it as it is from the heart, so that others can be helped. Shed is a place where blokes are champions for who they are - not for what they do or what they have. No-one is allowed to preach, but only to tell their own story.
You are not going to be preached at in Can we talk? But Watto will challenge you to face the tough stuff in your life. His previous books dealt with many painful issues from his past- sexual interference, the death of his Mum (when 15) and his sister, along with big griefs and regrets. He continues to battle the effects of prostate cancer- it will eventually take his life. But with vulnerable honesty, Watto shares from the heart and gut, “Yes, I’m free of all the painful past – I’m proof that you can learn forgiveness, and you can overcome grief.”
The Challenge from Watto
Every chapter in Can we talk? challenges us to be the men and women of encouragement we were meant to be. The book is practical and simple, yet effective. It cuts through the theories and the “waffle”. You can be better and as you read this very easy to read book, it’s like Watto is sitting down over a cuppa and chatting with you face to face. I have had that privilege for over 30 years, you can now get a good dose of Watto without having to meet!
Can you:
- Listen?
- Hear with your heart?
- Be counted on?
- Listen without letting your bias get in the road?
- Feel OK to contribute to the mix?
- Listen without hammering away with your own opinions?
- Encourage another person into a safe, non-judgemental conversation?
- Let the quirky aspects of your personality emerge?
- Love the unlovable?
- Thankfully take in love and encouragement?
- Come to grips with asking the Big Fella (yes, God!) to help you learn how to trust Him?
It would be so good to be able to do this! Watto’s latest book will help you dream dreams and find fulfilment. Even in the heat of “battle”- you will find joy.
Watto is reaching the end of his journey, and he knows it has been a wonderful trip. Over seventy years of living, loving and learning he has experienced happiness, grief, love, passion, pride and humility. Buy this book and discover his secrets!
Hey, do you need a chat?
It’s not that hard to ask someone.
As a husband, father and teacher I have often used this phrase to get a conversation going. I think it is getting harder to get those conversations going. Watto’s book Can we talk? has given me insight into how to make the most of my chats with my wife, sons and students.
What Watto has taught me over 30 years I know I can use to help teach others the beauty and art of having a real conversation.
And that is how we discover and experience real, deep joy.
Thanks Watto.
Russell Modlin teaches English and Physical Education at a Christian School on the Sunshine Coast. He is married to Belinda and they have three children.
Russell Modlin’s archive of previous article can be found at
www.pressserviceinternational.org/russell-modlin.html
Russell Modlin is in his 30th year as a Secondary English and Physical Education Teacher. He has taught in Mackay, Brisbane, Alice Springs and currently on the Sunshine Coast. He is married to Belinda (26 years) and they have three sons- 2 have finished High School, 1 to go!
Russell Modlin’s archive of previous article can be found atwww.pressserviceinternational.org/russell-modlin.html