Tuesday 10 July 2012

7 days

" Inner brightness ends up being a much better and longer-lasting alternative to evil than any war, anger, violence or ideology could ever be. All you have to is meet one such shining person and you know that he or she is surely the goal of humanity and the delight of God."

"Falling Upward - Spirituality for the two halves of life"  Richard Rohr

 IMG_3158

I have learnt so much from our beautiful 7 days away.

Seven days away from all technology and to do lists.

Seven days without convenience!

Washing machines!

Seven days away to breathe anew.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genisis 2.7

IMG_3157

Over 7 days I learnt that all children (people) really need 
... is trees, a stream, simple food, shelter, fire and loving company.


 IMG_3156

Our "cabin" was a tiny three bed bedsit.

Yet it didn't feel small.

 IMG_3155

Our "garden" was communal.

Families rambled through it.

Children rode their bikes.

Ducklings squabbled in puddles for breadcrumbs twice daily.

Squirrels scampered through the French doors fearlessly to steal sunflower seeds.

Even a hare gamboled by one morning.

 IMG_3154

Yet there was nothing but greenery and the freedom of the outdoors.
 IMG_3153

And it felt huge.

Expansive.

Immense.

IMG_3152

Maybe the future for us humans is this small, natural, communal, localized, simplified way of living.

 Maybe it has to be.

Maybe this is a good thing.


IMG_3151

I learnt that I do not miss technology, washing machines, tumble dryers, concrete, convenience or cars when I am without them.

 I learnt that, in fact I would happily trade them all in.

 IMG_3150

I learnt that children will never be bored if given a little bit of water, some woodland, a few sticks, stones, mud and the company of other children.

They do not need toys.

Nature is the ultimate playground.

I also learned that a week in nature teaches a child more about life than 100 lessons in a schoolroom ever could.

IMG_3148

I learnt that it is far easier to commune with our Creator when in direct and constant contact with His creation.

I grieved how the world is beginning to divide up.

Poor driven to cities as rich corporations take up more and more land for mineral resources, logging and intensive farming.


IMG_2751

I learnt that having an afternoon and evening to myself is necessary only within a modern life context.

When surrounded by the deep peace of nature all cravings for "space", "my own thing" "time away from it all" fall away.

There is an agenda behind all that advertising and lack of fulfillment in our everyday, systematic, mundane work.

It keeps us in a state of spiritual want that disguises itself as hunger for more stuff, more money, more food etc...

When what we really need is less.

IMG_2724

I learnt that I would happily live in a small dwelling, much smaller even that the one we currently abide in.

So long as I had two things besides.

Nature and community.
 IMG_2728

I have learnt that nothing is worth having unless it is shared.

 IMG_2967

 IMG_2965

I have learnt that each child is a sacred teacher.

IMG_2964

I have also learnt that who I am is far more important than what I say.

IMG_2963

We are not what we say or do as much as we are the energy we emanate.

We can emanate a life energy  or death energy.

IMG_2962

I have learnt that if we don't make the changes we believe in as individuals then the world will never change.

We are reflections of the wider world and the wider world is a reflection of us as individuals.

The pure integrity and love of a single person can move mountains.

I believe this.

IMG_3161

IMG_2955

The truth is that abundant consuming has become a vicious addictive cycle in the modern world.

Connecting to nature is a really important factor in breaking the cycle.

Even spiritual things have become tainted with commercialism.

So little seems untouched these days. Everything has a market. Everyone is a "brand."

IMG_2950

Everything we are resonates.

We can't resist evil externally, we have to go within.

Our own peace will become the world's peace.

IMG_2954

 IMG_2947

Our world is such an incredibly beautiful place.

We need to love it like a Mother, a Father, a Child.

It is the skin of our Creator.

His dream realized.

Manifest.

IMG_2916

I went out into the woods by our cabin with Emmy one still and silent evening.

There was a path of golden sunlight through the ferns and foxgloves.

I don't think I have seen anything more beautiful in my life.

IMG_2803

I saw God there.

In the light that touched my skin.

The light that gave life to the living greenness and the aged bark of the pines.

IMG_2799

From the earth.

I was blessed.

IMG_2794

While walking home I thought of how I need to seek blessings daily.

But not just seek them.

The secret is I have to give them out as soon as they touch me.

The true blessing is not simply in the seeking or the receiving but the giving away.

As Hannah gave Samuel, Abraham gave Issac, Jesus gave Himself.


IMG_2791

We cannot hoard, or store blessing.

We have to let it all go.

Or it becomes valueless.

Beauty to ashes.

 God is all about resurrection, restoration, renewal.

Nature tells us this story every year. It whispers, "there can be no Spring without the "Fall" of Autumn"

Blessings only live in giving.

 IMG_2746

Giving and receiving both require and open hand and an open heart.

IMG_2805

 To be loved and to love.

That is what makes a life.

IMG_2959


16 comments:

  1. WOW!!!!

    So much of what you experienced and wrote resonates with me...thank you for sharing.

    And by the way, you can get raw chocolate :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful and soul touching seven days you have had, simply beautiful. That all could share in such beauty and know God's love would be such a blessing.
    I have been spending some time on Lauren's blog that you linked to the other day, such a sad story that has really gripped me, her post today was amazing. I owe you a thank you for leading me to her space.
    I would love to join you on your 30 day raw eating and no buying month if you want a partner from across the pond.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ~ Tracey, yes, Lauren's family have been in my heart 24/7 lately. She has such an amazing spirit, the loss she is experiencing is unfathomable to me :(

    I would LOVE a partner from across the pond Tracey :)btw :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like you had a truly blissful time with your lovely family. I look forward to hearing about how you get on with your raw diet. I'[d like to add my thanks to Traceys for letting us know about Laurens blog - they are in my prayers xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. .
    "God is all about reserection, restoration, renewal.
    Nature tells us this story every year. It whispers, "there can be no Spring without the "Fall" of Autumn"
    Blessings only live in giving." Amen! I agree!

    ReplyDelete
  6. oh yes suzy. this is amazing.

    and this
    Maybe the future for us humans is this small, natural, communal, localised, simplified way of living. Maybe it has to be. Maybe this is a good thing.

    you see. so rightly. and how about we live this community together?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes Amy :)
    We may be miles apart but I believe that we are part of the same community friend :) Change is happening. Small springs of new life, new thinking. Kinder, gentler, more peaceful living.
    Wouldn't it be cool if we were rl neighbours though :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. absolutely. i'll try to convince my husband to move across the ocean, but i'm not sure he's going to give in :)

      Delete
  8. Sounds like an amazing time. The pictures are beautiful. We need to getaway....hopefully soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That sounds like a real life-changing holiday. You're so right about how we need to wake up from the materialist dream. At the same time, I'm grateful for cameras and blogs so that you could share this amazing week with us. I look forward to following your buying fast and whole-food 30 days.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So peaceful and calming. It's amazing how getting away and appreciating creation restores the soul. We realize how little "stuff" we really need. Great post! Visiting from www.toshowthemjesus.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Something about seven days, isn't there? Looks like you brushed up against holy.

    So glad you've linked.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful photos. Good thinking. Insightful sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. oh girl, you have to move to canada. and be my neighbor. so i can learn from you, and glean from your wisdom every day. i love this, and the peace in your little ones' eyes and the way the sunlight is baptizing them in every photo. and yes. all we need is less. (even the word "blessing" has "less" in it). love you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. wow, this is beautiiful! I will have to bookmark this post!

    ReplyDelete

I treasure each and every one of your comments.
Your kind words never fail to bring a smile to my face:)
At the moment I am going through a busy season of life with 5 girls under my wing! I may not always be able to respond immediately but please know that every word left here is read and appreciated deeply.
xx