Henri J.M. Nouwen Quote

Then occupation is called a blessing and emptiness a curse. Many telephone conversations start with the words: I know you are busy, but … and we would confuse the speaker and even harm our reputation were we to say, Oh no, I am completely free, today, tomorrow and the whole week. Our client might well lose interest in a man who has so little to do.

Henri J.M. Nouwen

Then occupation is called a blessing and emptiness a curse. Many telephone conversations start with the words: I know you are busy, but … and we would confuse the speaker and even harm our reputation were we to say, Oh no, I am completely free, today, tomorrow and the whole week. Our client might well lose interest in a man who has so little to do.

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About Henri J.M. Nouwen

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen (January 24, 1932 – September 21, 1996) was a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian. His interests were rooted primarily in psychology, pastoral ministry, spirituality, social justice and community. Over the course of his life, Nouwen was heavily influenced by the work of Anton Boisen, Thomas Merton, Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, and Jean Vanier.
After nearly two decades of teaching at academic institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School and Harvard Divinity School, Nouwen went on to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the L'Arche Daybreak community in Richmond Hill, Ontario.