When in Skye, I had a conversation with Robert Henderson about the film "Being There".  I had only seen the film once and as a boy, sitting up late one night with my dad.  As is common for boys in there early teens, my dad liked it, therefore I liked it.  It tells the story of a man who is essentially an idiot - his world is concerned only with tending the garden and watching children's cartoons on television.  However, he is mistaken for a person of great importance by "the powers that be" and his apparently inane ramblings are taken as having deep significance and mystical foresight by those who engage him in conversation. The film teases the viewer with the impression that the Peter Sellers character is just a fool, while leaving us with the feeling that there is a possibility of true greatness which is sometimes hidden beneath layers of naivity and innocence.

This brief conversation with Robert resonated with me just a couple of weeks ago, when a colleague informed me that I had helped her through a very difficult and challenging episode in her life.  I had no idea that I had been of any help at all.  All I had done was answer the phone and listen to her.  I had not made any lightning bolt observations or come up with any wonderful insights.  And yet she spoke with great conviction of being stronger than she had ever been, more resilient and ready for any further challenges.  I was mystified.

It gradually dawned on me that it was her greatness which had emerged.  For all the terrific experiences and learning that happened to me in Skye, it was a five minute conversation that made me think that sometimes, all that is required to truly allow greatness to flourish and to make a difference, is being there.

Phillip Graham
Columban Graduate