savouring

these thoughts:

 ". . . One day I realize I am skimming the surface of everything. There is but hollow pleasure in too crowded weeks. Real rewards come from engaging in fewer activities and experiencing each one more deeply. Loss of alertness and freshness of approach tell me to slow up. Life is best when it is a balance between activities and intervals of aloneness. In the intervals we are able to deepen the meaning of the activities.

The days I like least are those when I pass through my environment superficially almost as if it were a stage backdrop. I scarcely see anything except what needs doing at the moment. Meals become just something to get and nothing has depth. This is living "two-dimensionally."

In contrast, when I am not pressed by a push of events I move more slowly and savour each moment. Every activity becomes a feature in itself and the simplest routine has its own joy. I feel the texture of the blanket when making a bed, and it is good. I feel the soil when I am repotting a houseplant and it is good. I listen beyond words to what people mean. I look at the sales person in the store and really see her. I have time to write the author whose book I have liked, and I telephone my dinner hostess to tell her how much we enjoyed the evening. This is living "three-dimensionally" - going that extra mile, doing all the things you are not required to do, but which give added meaning.

Living this way you see not only your goal but the path that leads you there and all the little flowers and ferns that grow along its edges."

p. 198-9 The Shape of a Year  Jean Hershey

I have always wondered why I am irresistibly drawn to take pictures of the tiny details

 a tendril on a rose hip

the curl of bark on a white birch

the way the morning light falls on the cupboard door

I think this quote by Jean Hershey explains it, at least partially.

Noticing the tiny - the small exquisite details - is part of that "three-dimensional life".

There is so much more to it of course.

It's really a way of living in the present - a way of attending - to God, to others, to yourself, to nature,

finding beauty in the everyday,

and

giving thanks.

I love Ann V's encouragement in this area.

Join her and the gratitude community

and

we'll savour life together.

with love,

Update on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 7:18PM by Islandsparrow

You must, must, must head over to (In)Courage - if you haven't already.

Ann V writes of the real joy secret and almost 500 people are joining in the gratitude chorus.

I've been writing gratutude lists for a long time - but I have never numbered them.

Today is a good day to start.

I need the joy medicine

1. A faithful God whose love endures forever
2. my loving husband who works so hard
3. sweet grown-up children who still love to hug and kiss me!
4. a wonderful extended family  - sister, brother, in-laws, nieces and nephews
5. quiet times in the Word
6. comfort of prayer
7. music
8. books
9. walks on the beach
10. laughter with friends
11. sunlight in the morning
12. hot coffee in the morning
13. a husband who sings crazy songs and makes me laugh
14. a daughter who cleans the whole downstairs
15. a great-niece almost here
16. library
17. a warm fire
18. a hot cup of tea
19. my new gel pens
20. playing my harp
21. emails from dear friends who live far away
22. skype - to my son and dil in London
23. facebook to keep track of my band boys
24. a son and dil who are doing so well in university
25. comments from sweet readers on my blog

There! 25 - a good start!

Comments

[Josie Ray]

Beautiful. What Jean Hershey describes is being truly alive. Thanks for the reminder to live life fully awake.

[nikkipolani]

Loving how you're savouring your three-dimensional life :-)

[Jody]

Kathie,
I really love the Hershey quote and your detailed pictures.

Jody

[beth]

Lovely, thoughtful quote, Kathie. Oh, to live three dimensionally day in and day out, even in the midst of full lives...and to know when to say no so that there is time to notice.

[Sara]

A beautiful quote. I must add this book to my list!

When I was still working and constantly under pressure, it was always in noticing the tiniest amazing details here and there that helped me step back into the three-dimensional life, if only for moments at a time.

[Josie Ray]

Kathie, thanks for your kind comments at my blog. What a great idea to get the cookbook from the library! It's very hard to put into words how much fun one gets out of reading something, so I'm thrilled that some of the real delight of that book came through.

[Lorna]

I loved that excerpt. It is so easy to get caught up in the (encouraged) hustle and bustle and think that slowing down is wrong. I need to read this often ... and believe it :>). Thanks -

[ellen b]

Love the details too! It is good to go the extra mile :0)

[Linda]

What a perfect quote Kathie. It is so true and really expresses the way I feel. When I have to rush through my days I have such a sense of missing something essential. Thank you for sharing this.