By Laura BennettMonday 6 Nov 2023UNDISTRACTEDPodcastsReading Time: 2 minutes
In 2020 just as the world was unknowingly going into the “pandemic years”, Sydney-based author and journalist Julia Baird released her third book and memoir, Phosphorescence. Investigating awe and wonder, it was a gently written invitation drawing us toward things that bring us light in the darkness.
Julia’s followed up the award-winning international bestseller with Bright Shining, exploring the idea of grace and its power.
“[Grace] is something I’ve thought about a lot for my whole life,” Julia told Hope 103.2’s UNDISTRACTED podcast.
“It’s a moral beauty that unites us.
“Fundamentally [grace] is not deserved, it’s mercy not merit.
“It’s a goodness that goes far beyond what is often required [and] recognises the humanity in other people.”
As host of The Drum on ABC TV, Julia’s often in the thick of social and political debate where graciousness can be lacking but where, if demonstrated, it could be extremely culturally powerful.
“On the public stage, we have a lot of leaders who think they need to draw on what Paul Keating called, ‘our darker threads’ [not] ‘the golden threads’ in our community,” Julia said.
It would be “deeply shocking” if a political leader acknowledged someone else’s mistake but also their decency and the pressures they’re under.
“There’s something kind of arresting about that,” Julia said.
“To know that there are other ways of being, and other ways of living here, which are fundamentally about looking after each other.”
It’s a kind of grace “we don’t see [publicly] but we see it all around us in our lives”.
Some of the most astounding instances of grace Julia’s witnessed have come from the First Nations people she encountered while researching her book, and the medical staff who supported her through multiple bouts of cancer.
“They’re the stories that we need to tell, and we need to remember,” Julia said.
“To know that there are other ways of being, and other ways of living here, which are fundamentally about looking after each other.”
Confronting illness gave Julia “a greater hunger” to be “an awe hunter”.
“I’ve always been interested in awe without giving it a name,” Julia said.
“But I think what struck me when things were really bleak was how sustained I was by it.
“With grace as well, there’s something about thinking about beauty – and in this case moral beauty – that makes you realise it’s worth being here.
“In horrific circumstances there’s still moments of connection and love and humour, and I find that deeply comforting.”
Bright Shining by Julia Baird is out now.
Listen to the full episode of UNDISTRACTED with guest Julia Baird in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.