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| Local Railway Station |
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak. — Mary Oliver
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak. — Mary Oliver
Today is World Poetry Day
so it seemed apt to have an excerpt from a poem as my quote for the day. This is post number 27 for
my marathon blog and I feel a huge sense of achievement and personal
satisfaction in having completed it. I am very grateful for all the kind words
of support and encouragement and, of course, for the donations to Invest in ME
and Macmillan Cancer Support. Thank you, thank you.
The poem speaks to me of
noticing what is around us. Not simply looking for what is obviously beautiful
or good, but developing an appreciation of all that is. Learning to paint with watercolours was quite an enlightening
experience; without the shades of dark and shadow the painting has no depth.
The spaces between objects are as important as the objects themselves. Most of
the time we don’t truly stop and look, stop and listen, stop and consider. We
are too busy with what comes next or who speaks the loudest.
I have learnt to value
quiet even more since having ME and developing noise sensitivity. Yes, in the
silence I hear differently and yes even the stones have colour and shape and a
beauty all their own. I hope that each of you have found something more of the
beauty and richness in your life, as I have, undertaking this journey 'On Gratitude' which
doesn’t stop now.
It seems fitting to finish just before Easter, a celebration of spring, of new life, warmer days, and
the culmination of the Lent journey for many, the Passover for those who are
Jewish. There
is beauty in this moment in time. There is the essence of life and this moment
in your life will not come again. Some call it being mindful, others living in
the present. Being thankful for this moment, for this time of being and not
doing, this miracle of life.
Today I leave you with the challenge to make thankfulness
a part of your daily life and as you do so why not turn it into something
practical? Whether it is simply saying ‘thank you’ to someone each day,
learning to be more appreciative of what is around us and taking more care of
the environment, or maybe helping someone with ME or cancer by being there for them or maybe fundraising, just
do it!
If you would like more ideas on living thankfully
take a look at this website -
And if you would like to donate to either of my two two charities then please click on the relevant Justgiving link on the top right of this page. Thank you.
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