Tuesday 29 September 2015

Mooring






The night I drove Emmy back to town, the moon loomed larger and redder than I've ever seen it.
She and her boyfriend Matthew are slowly but surely furnishing what was a small, empty attic room into cosy nursery. Tiny clothes are being carefully folded into drawers, her hand painted pictures cheer the walls and blankets both old and new drape the chairs.

Life moves, seasons change and we become more pliable, mutable and softer with their teaching.
Lines that were once etched in stone have been scribbled over with crayon and small mossy plants have started to take root in the cracks.

The next morning the sunlight is thin as whey.
The gangly hedgerow grasses fray.
The signs of their fading gleam gloriously in the wash.
The sky is a crisp, new canvas, poised and ready as a bird on the brink of flight.
And I have no profound words or deep insights to write, or camera at hand to capture the moment.
Just the gossamer fabric of silence which evaporates on touch.

The days are quiet. Just Boo and I.
With no fixed plans, we fill them with that which feels right and good.
I thought I'd fill these extra hours to their brim. Utilise, might be a better word.
I thought I'd utilise them, make them work for their keep and pay their rent. In other words, squeeze their freshness to dregs.  But isn't that what time is for, to be used efficiently and productively?
After all isn't this what I've always dreamt of; time in which to do the things I never get time for?
Modern life can feel a little as if you are in a boat with a leak that you constantly have to keep pailing out.
Money is a constant need as it is for everyone.
Yet keeping the water out through constant work and busyness can sometimes only mean another way of drowning.

Since my illness, I've not had the same quantities of energy that I had before. I've begun to re-evaluate the way my time is spent, literally.

Not every stillness is in want of movement. Not every silence needs to be filled with sound.

Pacing the day means that I can mindfully prepare meals and take care of the home, garden and animals without distraction or discord.
It means I can more readily carve out a peaceful and open space in which to gently welcome often tired and sometimes fractious children home from school.

I am working even if there's not too much to show for it.

In a product driven world, process, which is often hard to define, weigh and measure, can be easily rushed through, forgotten about or removed from the picture altogether.
Work which can't be compensated for in pounds and pence becomes devalued.
This doesn't mean however, that it is valueless work; an important distinction.

This afternoon we pruned the lavender bushes taking care not to break the delicate lacework of the spiders.
We preserved some more elderberries, read passages from books that we were reading in the garden and made each-other laugh.
I knitted some rows of Matilda's sweater and phoned my Dad.
I'm now going to leave early so I don't have to race down the country lanes as I pick up the girls from school.

When I feel the world biting at my heels I will go to my secret place. The one I have furnished with time spent and attention given. And I will trust as Lady Julian of Norwich said.
“All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”


 "Don't spend your energies on things that generate worry, anxiety and anguish. Only one thing is necessary: Lift up your spirit and love God."
 Padre Pio

 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33


"The Mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders."
Lao Tzu



Joining Tuesday Afternoon at Spirit of Simplicity
 Little Things Thursday
nature notes
Through my lens

31 comments:

  1. I know I've told you before, but I love your view of the world!

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  2. Love that quote...all shall be well....I just read it in a book called Enduring Grace about a few different female saints but I can't remember which one said it. I am not sure what you were sick with but I was quite sick most of last autumn and winter. I had a very serious flu for about 2 weeks, bi-lateral pneumonia, and 2 rounds of strep throat. I know exactly what you mean by not having quite as much energy. I love your photographs of the berries...I always think they look so pretty but never have managed to photograph them as well as you have.

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  3. The high speed modern world does sometimes seem to value only what can be measured doesn't it and yet there's so much to be treasured in slowing down occasionally!! Lovely post :)

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  4. I love this post and the words you use. The words resonated with me as I seem to be going through a particularly stressful time at the moment. I need to step back and take notice of the world outside and not what is going on inside my head. Thanks for this.

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  5. "Not every stillness is in want of movement. Not every silence needs to be filled with sound." This. Thank you :)

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  6. Big resounding YES to this..."Not every stillness is in want of movement. Not every silence needs to be filled with sound."

    Beautiful words. xo

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  7. I can relate when you write of working but not having much to show for it. So many of the most important tasks in life don't yield tangible results. I appreciate your philosophical perspective.

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  8. oh suzy, so beautiful. you always inspire me my friend.

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  9. Gorgeous photos...

    Lovely words...

    Peace to you, Dear One.

    Tessa

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  10. Beautiful words. You speak truth and it is resonating for me deeply in this time of transitioning into homeschool. Sometimes it can feel like I am not really doing anything valuable, that I need to be doing some productive thing of my own expression. I need to come back to this place and remind myself of the peace that is here. :)

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  11. Lovely photos are some great thoughts.

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  12. Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

    Col 3:12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience

    Your words + insights are beautiful. Your images too. Yes, our value is not measured in the material wealth we have. And it is so important to be present in the moment, to be mindful. Wishing you peace + joy today.

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  13. Oh, and your heading is so apt- we need to be tied to the One .

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  14. to read your posts is such a peaceful moment...
    it's so special to have a place for your own when you need to be calm, and so necessary.

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  15. dreamy writing and lovely photos... thanks!

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  16. What a beautiful and inspiring post, thank you so much for sharing. Your photos are gorgeous!

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  17. What a beautiful and inspiring post, thank you so much for sharing. Your photos are gorgeous!

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  18. Welcome to Nature Notes..I always go and check out the about page... I saw this.. "I find God in sunlight, sky, earth and birdsong more than books or buildings" and that is me too. I have been blogging since 2007.. This is the kind of prose I could only hope to write....lovely... I have to go back and see if I can find your illness, but it sounds like a baby is on the way..We have our first grandchild .. a boy...there is always hope in new life... Michelle

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    1. Thank you for your kind words and warm welcome Michelle :) We looking forward to the birth of our first grandchild (even writing those words seems unreal :) in March of next year. xx

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  19. Wonderful words. You have put into words my feelings and thoughts thank you :)

    Did I miss something? The impeding pitter patter of small feet......

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  20. Love the bokeh light coming through the berries, feels very ethereal.

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  21. That light is so gorgeous. I love your line about silence not needing to be filled with sound. Gorgeous.

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  22. Oh yes. Nearly ten years ago now I was very ill. Sometimes I lose what I learnt then about stillness and silence but I bring myself back. I love how aware of your life you are.

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  23. These are such beautiful images. Lovely quotes.

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  24. Beautiful words, beautiful photos. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here this morning, thanks for sharing!

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  25. Beautiful post with beautiful images. I think sometimes the most courageous thing a person can do is heal. You don't have to fill the minutes with activities, but just allow time to heal you. Blessings to you!

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  26. beautiful! Beautiful words and beautiful photos

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  27. These are some very profound words along with some great photos.

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  28. This was beautiful. I like what you said about how we don't pay much attention to the process. It's so true! The process can often times be more important than The finished product.

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  29. Oh....thank you for saying this. I struggle with that leaky boat all the time.

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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