I am sure his long and flowing greying hair together with a battered leather jacket helped me to focus. But it was when I heard him saying that you should fight, pray and love wherever you are in the world that my attention stall on his eyes for the upcoming hour making the surroundings disappear.
Few times in my life I recall hearing someone describing so perfectly the imperfections of our world, with a little twist, his words were a torrent of hope and kindness.
Father Guy Gilbert is a French priest and educator. Living in Paris, he specialised in working with juvenile delinquents and establish a farm in southern France where troubled youngsters are reintegrated into society through work, contact with animals, nature, and self-respect.
Out of so many teachings, I always wonder how he was able to keep a constant flow of love and optimism while living among transgression and violence. I stood up and ask him.
Remember to breathe – he said – at least once an hour and use that opportunity to reconnect with your core and your center. Praying might be useful ! He smiled.
It has been almost 20 years since the last time I saw him but his “mark” in my heart stayed forever.
If you would like to discover more about his work visit – http://www.guygilbert.net/fr
