Byways and Banquets

It seems strange today and even selfish to be writing about giving thanks. Over the last few days I’ve been reflecting on the sadness and horror of some of the things taking place in our world, and writing a few words of gratitude can appear, at first glance like an offering of sugary sentiment and superficial selfishness.

It can appear that I’m saying, “Well, many people may have bombs going off on a daily basis, leaving them living in a state of fear and panic, but I’m grateful for my cup of freshly brewed Nespresso frothy topped latte, thank you very much.”

Or another baby dies somewhere from malaria or lack of clean water, while I’m offering up thanks for beautiful red geraniums on the windowsill.

It doesn’t seem right or fair and that’s because it isn’t. The world and creation are quite random and that’s just a difficult fact of life to live with.

A couple of things I’ve found helpful in thinking about all of this are:

1  To a lesser or greater degree we all live with some kind of difficulties, so learning to look for things to be thankful for in them is helpful and preserves us from bitterness and a sense of entitlement.

2  Feeling guilty about the things we have and therefore not giving thanks, will not actually help those who are suffering. Whereas being aware of our comparative wealth and living simply so that we can bless others, can become a great way to help alleviate the pain and hardship people carry.

So today, as well as being thankful for clean running water straight from the tap, I’m also able to consider how I can contribute to providing the same for those without it.

That seems like a far more positive and life-affirming reason to live – with gratitude, not guilt.

My lack of blogging over these past weeks hasn’t been because I’ve had nothing to be thankful about – far from it. It’s probably more to do with the fact that when it’s all the usual stuff that I’m grateful for, finding a way to express that creatively can be a challenge. That, along with travelling quite a bit recently, has left me thinking about putting pen to paper quite often, but although the pen has been poised a few times, nothing has flowed.

Until today.

Today, it feels like my mind has been bombarded with so much to be grateful for, and, alongside this, an awareness that I need to stay awake to the beauty of life itself. The fact that I wake up every morning to this amazing world, which although full of atrocities and pain, which we are called to enter into and identify with, still has so much diversity and order to enjoy.

So, for the cup of earl grey tea I’ve just taken time to drink, and last year’s geraniums starting to bloom again on the windowsill, I’m thankful.

For strength to clean every room in our flat and time to spend reading and listening to music, I’m thankful.

For reconnecting with a friend who we’re going to stay with in a couple of weeks, I’m thankful.

For thoughts, prayers, connections and conversations on the way forward, which is bringing more clarity, I’m thankful.

And so much more.

Today, I’ve been reminded of how easy it is to drift and live as though life itself isn’t a miracle. I need that nudge, so I’m thankful for that too.

How do you ‘stay awake’ to appreciating life?

My lack of blogging over these past weeks hasn’t been because I’ve had nothing to be thankful about – far from it. It’s probably more to do with the fact that when it’s all the usual stuff that I’m grateful for, finding a way to express that creatively can be a challenge. That, along with travelling quite a bit recently, has left me thinking about putting pen to paper quite often, but although the pen has been poised a few times, nothing has flowed.

Until today.

Today, it feels like my mind has been bombarded with so much to be grateful for, and, alongside this, an awareness that I need to stay awake to the beauty of life itself. The fact that I wake up every morning to this amazing world, which although full of atrocities and pain, which we are called to enter into and identify with, still has so much diversity and order to enjoy.

So, for the cup of earl grey tea I’ve just taken time to drink, and last year’s geraniums starting to bloom again on the windowsill, I’m thankful.

For strength to clean every room in our flat and time to spend reading and listening to music, I’m thankful.

For reconnecting with a friend who we’re going to stay with in a couple of weeks, I’m thankful.

For thoughts, prayers, connections and conversations on the way forward, which is bringing more clarity, I’m thankful.

And so much more.

Today, I’ve been reminded of how easy it is to drift and live as though life itself isn’t a miracle. I need that nudge, so I’m thankful for that too.

How do you ‘stay awake’ to appreciating life?

I’ve been thinking about that William Morris quote today which, I believe, goes along the lines of: ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’

Quite a tall order for most of us, I suspect; even those who do not profess to be hoarders. In a culture and society that makes a hobby out of acquiring stuff, it’s probably worth some consideration though.

So, as Spring approaches (hopefully!), even as a non-hoarder (most of the time!), I’m trying to put his words into practice, particularly with actually using the food I have, before going out to buy more.

Today, there wasn’t much immediately available to offer anyone in the way of sweet treats, but I did have all the ingredients to make something, which meant I didn’t have to go shopping and spending. So, it’s just a simple cake, made with stuff that is useful. The beautiful part is the cake slicer which was a gift from some good friends at Christmas. The plate probably fits both of his categories too and belonged to my mum.

So, I’m thankful to Mr Morris today, and his words, which will continue to make me think twice about hanging onto things, ‘just in case…’ But also to use what I already have and appreciate the beauty.

We’re twenty-two days into the New Year, so I thought it was time for a new post. I hope this year is treating you well so far.

If we’re honest, for most of us, life is mostly about the mundane, so it seems to me that learning to appreciate the glimpses of beauty and opportunity within it is key to experiencing some pleasure and releasing gratitude in these moments which make up our days.

Just like yours has probably, my year so far has been a mix of highs and lows, with many even keel moments thrown in. The thing I’m trying to learn is to look for some beauty and hope in all if it, and taking photos of some of these moments is a helpful way of capturing them and serves as a reminder to give thanks.

Here’s a few from the beginning of the year, right up until today: