Patience

Patience

Luke Watson
book

Patience. I was a bit of a hothead as a young bloke. I grew up with a bad temper and wanted my way instantly. I didn’t have a clue about patience. Thankfully, my dad had his ‘attitude adjuster’ and he gently and tactfully knocked me into reality. Ha ha! He turned my bad-sport attitude around to help me become a determined young achiever. Dad helped me grow a lot of stickability. He patiently and consistently helped me develop.

Where else can a bloke get a bit of help? Unless the Big Fella builds the house, You blokes who build the house do it in vain; Unless the Big Fella keeps his eye on the job, The blokes you have looking after it may as well stay in bed asleep. (Psalm 127:1, Watto Version)

Joy

Joy

Luke Watson
book

Joy moments - Fellas, at this part of the book, what is joy meaning to you? Here’s some thoughts from other blokes.
MATT: Patience leads to joy. | STEVE: Joy is living out God’s desires for me as opposed to the world’s desires or the desires of others forced upon me. | DAVO: Joy for me is connection with friends/mates. It means having friends who stand by you and who you stand by. Our first response to tough times is, ‘God, rescue me!’ but God wants to show us instead that he is bigger than our adversity. God wants to walk with you today however tough the journey is.

Champion Love Story

Champion Love Story

Luke Watson
book

Champion love stories. We were that couple who were crazy, passionately, head-over-heels in love. With the birth of our first child, all of a sudden I didn’t really know who I was. My name, hormones, body, job and lifestyle had all changed dramatically. Our relationship wasn’t exciting dates and holidays anymore but sleep deprivation and boring chores. It was a period of grinding gears, quarrels, confusion and conflict. I went from being independent, capable and accomplished in my professional life, to being at home all day with a baby, doing jobs that quickly came undone. When Toby would leave for work in the morning I felt jealous that he got to go out and ‘have a life’.

Encourage!

Encourage!

Luke Watson
book

Encourage Each Other. I‘m a natural-born encourager and because it’s easy for me to give it, it’s easy for me to teach you how receive it and pass it on to others. Seriously, can anyone get by without encouragement? I don’t believe they can. I reckon most people have to survive on the smallest amount. This need not be the case – it can be changed. So, how do you get more encouragement? Once you learn to give encouragement, eventually it will come back to you in bucket loads.

A Little Bit of Encouragement

A Little Bit of Encouragement

Luke Watson
book

A little bit of encouragement.

thoughts or on your mind? Why not pick up the phone and say, ‘Howdy. I’ve been thinking about you. How’s it going?’ Then listen carefully and give a kind word of encouragement. I guarantee you’ll make that person’s day. A text message also works well – and for the girl of your dreams it’s worth double gold!

From the Work Manual… how good!

Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words, for they release sweetness to our souls, inner healing to our spirits. (Proverbs 16:24 TPT)

We all want and need encouragement. It can make us, or the lack of it can break us. Encouragement is sorta like a plant in the garden. Keep the water and the right sunshine up to it and it keeps looking better and better. No water, no encouragement – the plant withers up and dies. It’s a plant but it’s dead. We can be like that. We can get around, but we’re a dead man walkin’. Encouragement comes in so many different ways and it’s the most amazing thing. It’s pretty normal for us blokes to need an affirming, encouraging word from another man, no matter how old we are. If you try this, remember, blokes like you to call it as it is – straight down the line, with no patronising.

Encourage from the heart 

Encourage from the heart 

Luke Watson
book

Encouragement from the head is good, but whatever courage it may take for you to give it out of your heart will result in a win! Gold!

Come on, how much does it cost to talk to someone? You can do it. Let the words flow from your heart, especially to the girl of your dreams.

Just a friendly nod, or a genuine, ‘Good morning’, or ‘Have a great day’ can lift a person’s attitude. We can’t get inside someone’s head so we’ll never know what’s going on in their life. One word at the right time can really make a difference.

This is a gem from the Work Manual:

And let us consider how we may spur [encourage] one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24 NIV)

That is, lovingly encourage others to ‘extract the digit’ and make it happen.

Remember: Encourage, encourage, encourage. We can change the world for the better with this one. It beats criticism and judgement any day of the week.

Champions, this is another favourite of mine from the Work Manual:

‘Do not hold back encouragement from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act’ (Proverbs 3:27).

How good is that!

I want to repeat this one. ‘Do not hold back encouragement when it’s within your power to give it.’ So come on, let’s do it.

Fellas, the more we learn to give and receive encouragement the more we get to experience that place of being a satisfied bloke in all areas of our life.

The Power of Encouragement 

The Power of Encouragement 

Luke Watson
book

The power of encouragement Have a read of this little beauty from the Work Manual: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9 Watto Version). When we encourage somebody we actually empower courage into that person to get on with something positive in their life. When they encourage us, we are empowered with courage – so let’s make sure we start with the girl of our dreams.

Encouragement

Encouragement

Luke Watson
book

Encouragement from WATTO. Encouragement comes easier to some of us than others, but it’s OK, you can learn it. Once you learn to give it, eventually it will come back to you in bucket loads No ‘fluffy duck’ patronising stuff. Start small, and keep it real. I’ve never seen a bloke or a woman go backward with encouragement!

Share the Joy!

Share the Joy!

Luke Watson
book

‘Pursue righteousness,’ said Jesus, ‘and be satisfied.’ (Matthew 5:6)

In other words, pursue his way of living and be a satisfied bloke.

Fellas, it’s not about ‘religion’! You don’t find satisfaction deep within your heart and soul from chasing rituals, traditions, or stuff that’s human-created.

It’s possible to know the words but not be able to sing the songs. We can sit in church, go through the stuff, and not meet Jesus. Don’t fall for diversion, just go straight to the top and hang out with the Creator of the universe. How good! He’ll keep you in tune!

I am satisfied. I know who I am and Whose I am. My heart and soul are free and clean. I’m in a great place. Hope you are too.

I choose to do a thing we could call ‘right living’ to the best of my ability. That doesn’t mean I’m ‘always right’! It’s doing life the Big Fella’s way from the promises in his Work Manual, and seeing his Son, Jesus, as my true-to-life present-day lifestyle coach. You will know by now that I choose to accept the spiritual part of who I am, so I have my heart and soul open to a constant flow of God’s joy coming into my being. The best way to get more joy is to keep it flowing out to others. Whether you accept the spiritual part of you is your call. Don’t be pushed or rushed either way.

Ian Watson's Funeral - Video Available on FaceBook

Ian Watson's Funeral - Video Available on FaceBook

Luke Watson

We understood that there were many people who wanted to attend Ian's Memorial Service, but could not. So for those who could not travel to Ian's Memorial, but still wish to be a part of it, here is a video of the funeral service of Ian ‘Watto’ Watson:

https://www.facebook.com/wattobooks/videos/564903940750588/

Learning to Play Conversation Tennis - With Watto

Learning to Play Conversation Tennis - With Watto

Luke Watson
book

If you’ve played tennis, you know what it means to have a good rally back and forwards over the net. We can liken this to good conversation, because we want the communication to keep going – just like a tennis rally. We may have a few shots or hard words and are not afraid to lob one up in the air occasionally, but if we trust each other we don’t want to play any shifty shots against the other person and knock them out of the conversation.

Can We Talk? A short story from the Hospital

Can We Talk? A short story from the Hospital

Luke Watson

Since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer seventeen years ago, I’ve attended various Cancer Clinics for different kinds of treatment. It has been an ongoing battle to try to destroy and remove rogue cells before they can attack a bone or another organ.

Can We Talk?

Can We Talk?

Luke Watson

Can we …..

  • Listen?

  • Hear with our hearts?

  • Be counted on?

  • Listen, without letting our bias get in the road?

  • Feel OK to contribute to the mix?

  • Listen, without hammering away with our own opinions?

  • Encourage another person into a safe, non-judgemental conversation?

  • Let the quirky aspects of our personality emerge?

  • Love the unloveable?

  • Thankfully take in love and encouragement?

  • Come to grips with asking the Big Fella to help you learn how to trust Him?

Then … you’ll dream dreams and find fulfilment, and you’ll have joy in the heat of battle.

Learning to love is really one of the most important things we get the opportunity to do in our life. You don’t have to blow it!

Book Launch - Can We Talk?

Book Launch - Can We Talk?

Luke Watson
book

"I hope my dream for you comes true, and that after you’ve found the treasure in “Can we talk?”, you’ll become an outstanding listener your friends and family will love and admire. You’ll be able to let out the magic and quirkiness of your personality, and enjoy being the real you with those around you, connecting and communicating."

"Asking “Can we talk?” opens up hearts, honesty, freedom and the ability for people to accept themselves as perfectly OK and brave enough to say, “I don’t know” and “Can you put it another way, please?” Once the barriers of mistrust and lack of confidence have been smashed, we’re able to begin lifetime friendships and business success has been assured."

Ian and Margaret’s conversation tips

Ian and Margaret’s conversation tips

Luke Watson

If it involves someone close, you may have to just shut up and listen and not get cut up because they don’t show any interest in anything that is important to you. Just continue to invest love into the other person. It will come back to you one day. We reap what we sow. More wise words from the Work Manual: Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. (Proverbs 17:27 ESV)

Let the music come out of you

Let the music come out of you

Luke Watson

Let the music come out of you - I’ve come to identify the moment or moments in conversations where I have a choice to make a call in my head. I can keep on track and not tell myself my sad story in SILENCE or dump on the one I love and drag her into the ‘poor-me club’, or go the other way to ANGER (yell back louder). No, I refuse to go into my sad story. I make the choice and call. I’m not going down that path ’cause I will miss out on the gold of this important conversation. If I want the best conversation, it’s up to me. Just think: If I’m going to dump on Margaret, that’s going to make her anxious and can knock her down emotionally. I can turn her away from me without even knowing it. That’s crazy!

Safe conversations

Safe conversations

Luke Watson

One of my closest mates and I have been practising being safe in conversations, usually with heat and tension, for over 50 years. We’ve proven time and again that we never go past the safe place, because our mateship is the most important thing we want to maintain at all times. Our differences of opinion regarding politics and footy teams open up our world to see a bigger and brighter future. We learn plenty from each other. It’s not often that people change their core beliefs – but we can certainly see the big picture with what we learn from each other if we both can listen.

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