Lessons From Favourite Places

Kaffemisjonen in Bergen, Norway

This cold weather has been a joy. It is not frigid, but the 40s is chilly, and when it doesn't warm beyond 60, I marvel at being able to wear a wool sweater. It makes me feel like I am not in Florida. I imagine myself to be in another place, such as on one of my trips overseas. When I am not there, I dream about being there, and when I am there, it feels like I am in a dream. A very good dream.

The cold days call for tea breaks and scarves, coats and book shops. When I am travelling I tend to overindulge in these things.

Today, I want to live in the present moment, and just enjoy the day, which is a beautiful gift. I can bring in a bit of my favourite travel places wherever I am. I can provide the presence of some of the things I enjoy so much. At home, I seek it out with tea, focused reading and writing as if I was in the Bodleian Library, or I make toast, eggs, and beans. Embracing the grey winter days with a smile is how I think it should be. My imagination leads me to remember places in my head and I recall the joy in a recreation in the now.

I sometimes wonder how my life would be different is I were born and raised in another country. The culture and traditions would surely shape me, as my culture and traditions have shaped my life. I only saw how much I was shaped when I started travelling a lot in the UK. It opened my eyes to a different viewpoint, a worldly grasp of events, different styles, foods, ideas. It has enriched my life in countless ways I have incorporated into my days. 

Tea time is essential to me, but in England is where I fell it love with it. English breakfast, too. Taking on challenges with a steady or even cheerful tone, not rising up in anger. The love of nature, walking, rainy misty days, and dramatic landscapes never affected me so much in an inspired and imaginative way until England and Scotland (those first adventures) entered my life. They are in my heart, always tugging me to be there again. And I will always return.

As of late, I can add Iceland and Norway to that list, for culture, food, design, and lifestyle that has influenced me in many good ways. The Scandinavians enjoy simpler lives with minimal designs in their homes, cafes, and businesses that showcase good quality and thoughtful, clean lines. Have you heard of hygge?

 I like to see the traditions of centuries passed down through a smaller country and the people, and how they quietly appreciate the everyday life, slowing down enough to value quiet time, keeping a minimal lifestyle, and using the fresh in-season foods. They have a cheerful, live-in-the-present mentality. There is much to learn from this, as I feel like I am constantly yearning for these kinds of things. I usually get questioning looks when I mention how I allocate a lot of quiet time at home or I don't want more random "stuff" because I wish to live a simpler, more minimal, thoughtful style in my home. I've always gone against the grain, and prefer not to follows others, so I'll make my own trail here, thanks to my travels to such wonderful places across the ocean.

The Magic of Books

What other object can transport you to another world, another time, another place, and even into another's head? What can open your mind to ideas and ventures of your own imagination? What can do this while allowing your own experience and ideas to meld as a writer's thoughts and musings permeate the space?

The magic of books.
Words on pages create worlds when read.
But they must be read to become something.

The value of books goes back to ancient times. When they were scarce, they were treasured like gold, and when they were abundant (thanks to the printing press) they were available for more people to enjoy. Stories were passed on. Wisdom written down to be shared. Before any such beginnings of technology, books were the source of knowledge, entertainment, learning, and stories. It is not instant, as it involves time and effort to read books. No instant answers from a mobile device. Every piece of writing was by hand, on ink and paper. Is it worth the effort today? Or are we moving away from all things manual? If I receive something written by hand, it means something special to me, as the time of hand-written notes has faded dramatically from when I was little.

We tend to want the easy answers and instant knowledge today. We may binge watch a television show, but dare we read a book that is more than 200-300 pages? There are some worthy shows to watch, but there are so many wonder-filled books to read that engage us in ways that last. Books that cause us to imagine for ourselves the scene and place, and ask ourselves tough questions. They stick with us as we mull them over while we read over the span of a week or two (or three). When we can read and expand our horizons, use our imaginations, and think deeply for ourselves, it is a good thing. Not to mention the brain work is beneficial as well- keeping us sharp, developing good memories, and diverse vocabularies.

Do you still remember certain books you read when you were young? Did they leave impressions on you that you haven't forgotten? What are you going to read this year?

Morning Poem

My heart sings in purest soft hues
in these morning hours
when the realm of time pauses
from the wild spinning of cluttered days.
We tend to praise the busy, as if a badge
to wear in pride.
Yet in the quiet is where I feel full
and explore the deeper visage of soul.

Are my thoughts topsy turvy, or is the world
just caught in between?
This is where we must choose what is joy,
or a clustering of self pursuits.
Oh, ready the day to be in the clear
and make space for thought.
If we dash to and fro we oft feel
the stress and pressure of time.
May this page encourage you to pause and slow,
and allow the gentle unfolding grace to know.

Selador - An Imaginative Story, Ch. 5

I have been working on a story, and when I have a little time I add to it. I think the world needs more light, truth, and beauty, and if I can produce even a tiny glimmer of that, then my imaginative effort is not in vain.
In the spirit of taking the risk of sharing snippets, and trusting that someone may read what I share and connect with it, or ponder the questions raised, I am continuing to share some more chapters.

Read the Prelude HERE.
Read Chapter I HERE.
Read Chapter 2 HERE.
Read Chapter 3 HERE.
Read Chapter 4 HERE.

Chapter V

The room was flooded with soft, natural light. It felt like a tree house since the walls and floor were all wooden, but it was a sophisticated space. A table sat upon a flora patterned rug, and around the round table sat several people, including Master Louver. Two women and three men, all of them elegant, graceful, and quiet. She sat down with nervousness suddenly gripping her as they watched her. She sat her sachel on the table. All their eyes moved to it, as if knowing something.

Master Louver spoke, "Nella, we welcome you most ardently to our realm, Selador. Each person sitting here shall be part of your journey in some way, for each of us has an important role to fill. Long has there been logomachy here, with no one to moderate a central position to direct such use of logos, hence why we need your skills as a philologist, not only for aiding in any disagreements, but also to be an actual writer of our realm. Writing is a very important element of our existence. We are here because it is written so. Lady Cora will explain more of the history so you understand. She has been our historian for an olam."

As Master Nolan spoke, she was beginning to see that she was being asked to fill a position in this realm of Selador, which has had a missing position for a time. She, a stranger, to be an important figure in the history of a place. It thrilled her and frightened her. She didn't feel as if her skills were very grand. She was younger and had much more to learn. How could she be useful?

One of the men stood up, walked to a shelf close by, and took an old, big book down and brought it to the table. He placed it close to Nella and opened it. It creaked with age, but it was well-made and filled with elegant script. The sweet scent of the old book rose as he opened it, vanilla and musk. She was mesmerized by the book. It seemed to be a part of life here, in some way attached to it.

"Books here are different than you might have learned in other places. They have a deeper meaning and importance that I will help teach you. We can exist here because of these books." He began.

She felt a bit like she was diving into a deep mystery that she was going to have to learn about, for all her intuitions wanted her to reject such a thing. Surely books do not hold that kind of power or magic.

Master Louver could see from across the table that she looked puzzled, "I know this sounds like some myth you read as a child, and it goes against all you were taught. We are going to show you how it is a myth, indeed, one that we are living. Your guide with these books will be Master Nolan." He gestured to the man who was standing near her with the book. She looked up at him, and she saw wisdom in his face, but he was not old. He had dark hair and green eyes, which met hers after which he said with a smile, "I am very excited to set to work on all this with you. It will be thrilling."

She could see the excitement in his gaze, and she wondered how it would be thrilling. She, too, grows excited about books, but she has not met anyone else who was more excited than herself. She smiled at him as he sat down again, with the book.

"Nella, are you willing to take on this journey? I know it's not all clear, but it will be much more clear if you can be patient and allow the story to unfold in time." Master Louver spoke again as he leaned forward at the table, "We ask for your help, to be part of our writer's guild, to use your skills for the good of this realm. There are many mysteries to be discovered here, and with your imaginative tendencies, you will easily feel occupied with all it has to offer. If you do not wish to, we can take you back to wherever you wish to go, or you can claim your purpose here."

All was quiet as they looked at her with anticipation. She did not understand the weight they asked her to accept, but she knew that the mysteriousness and beauty of the place had already captured her, and she really did want to find out more of the secrets. Her heart wanted to do good, and she did not know how she would do it, but here she could be used for good, and it was her duty to accept it.

She looked around the table at each of them, and a feeling of excitement rushed through her as she said, "It will be my duty and privilege to stay."

Selador - An Imaginative Story, Ch. 4

I have been working on a story for some time, and I add to it every now and then. I know that the world needs more light, truth, and beauty, and if I can produce even a tiny glimmer of that, then my imaginative effort is not in vain. In the spirit of taking the risk of sharing snippets, and trusting that someone may read what I share and connect with it, or ponder the questions raised, I am continuing to share some more chapters.

Read the Prelude HERE.
Read Chapter I HERE.
Read Chapter 2 HERE.
Read Chapter 3 HERE.

Chapter IV

She woke up from a deep sleep feeling refreshed. A brighter light came into the windows, and she got up to look out to a most picturesque scene. Sunlight streamed through branches and leaves above, scattering the rays where a misty wood was present the day before. She took a deep breath that felt long overdue. But overdue due to what? Her memory before yesterday was so cloudy. She could not even recall where she last slept. What had happened to her? Was she dreaming?

She sat at her desk again and wrote a few more pages. She suddenly had all these words inside that needed to come out. How much time had gone by she could not tell, but she heard a noise in her sitting room. Peeking around her open door, she saw an older woman placing food and drink on her table. She wore a long linen dress and an apron. Her grey hair was tucked up in a bun.

"You are so kind. Thank you." Nella said.

"It is my duty and privilege, Nella. I am Miriam, your attendant. I will serve you anything you need." Then, she bowed a little.

That explained the food last night. She thanked her again and asked her to join her at the table.
"Oh no, madam, I am here to serve."

And with that, she scuttled away quickly. Nella wished she hadn't, for she wanted to ask her questions to learn more about anything.

Sitting down, she noticed the back doors were open, letting in the cool morning air, and outside was an over-hanging porch that was big enough for a couple of chairs and a small table. Bird song echoed through all the trees, like a harmonizing chorus. This place held such natural beauty, but she wondered about the people. What did they do and who were they? Why did they need her, a mere lover of writing?

When Master Louver said she had purpose and was needed, it was a pleasant shock. She had a memory of a place in her dreams of a mass of people all led to no particular purpose. She was pushed along, knowing nobody, moved through different places. Her memory could not recall what was said, but an utter emptiness filled her as she was a speck identical to the person next to her, and yet they all tried to get ahead of her to reach something. Such a hazy memory, as she tried to focus on it, it faded even more.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by Miriam who told her to get dressed for a meeting with Master Louver. Miriam busily cleaned up the plates and she went into her room to change clothing to take on the look of this realm in a drapey linen dress with another layer, prettily embroidered on top, followed by a soft olive green jacket, and soft leather shoes.

Miriam came in with a sachel, "Bring your book and pen with you wherever you go."

The soft leather sachel was lovely, and she gladly took it, placed the book and pen in, and followed Miriam out the door.

Lessons in Lewis

I have a new challenge this new year - to teach my first Sunday School class. I am a bit scared and excited at the same time. I am really excited that I got to select the book for the study and the way I teach it. Since the end of December I have been prepping by re-reading the book I selected, The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis and making copious notes on the discussions I want to drive the classes.

This is a favourite book of mine. It has been for so many years. I find that there is a great confusion about this book, though. I don't know many who have read it, and most people ask what it is about, wondering if it has to do with marriage and divorce (it does, but not in the way you think). So, let me help clear that up, and maybe it will prompt you to want to read this short book!

C.S. Lewis wrote this book as a response to William Blake's book The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, published in 1790. Blake wrote that book in reply to the reductionist, rationalist way of thought that had exploded in that time (ie. that we are all meaningless and just made up of dust and particles with no purpose). Blake thought that we all do have meaning and that we had desires that should be pursued. We shouldn't hinder those desires, but continue to pursue them. Lewis agrees that we have meaning and desires, but he sets out to correct Blake's thought that a passionate pursuit of desires eventually leads to wisdom.

So, the book is a story (a supposal, as Lewis does best) of the narrator (Lewis), who finds himself in a queue at a bus stop in a dreary grey town (hell), he gets on the bus, and the bus zooms up into the air filled with passengers who are on their way to the edges of heaven. they all grumble, argue, and talk about how dreadful they have been treated in the past. When they land, we get to view all the encounters each passenger has with their counterpart spirit of heaven (someone from their past usually) who comes down to greet and help each one of them stay in heaven to go further up and further in (to borrow a phrase from Narnia). 

As the passengers step out onto the lovely looking grassy space, they realize something is wrong. They are all transparent ghosts who are not solid enough to even bend the grass. To walk a few steps is painful and the land suddenly seems dangerous. Yet, if they are willing to open up, let go of some past pains they are holding onto, they become more solid and can walk on the grass more easily. But that is not an easy task. They have to lean on their guide. We learn that underneath all the struggles of being human, desire and choice are at the core. This book explores how we all have two choices - choosing joy and God love, or choosing selfishness and self love. And there are consequences to both.

The Joy of a Fresh Year

Maybe it's the fresh air that is filtering into my neighbourhood after a cluster of warm and stuffy days. The air feels clean and my mind is less cluttered as the breeze blows all the cobwebs away. Maybe it's the new year that takes getting used to, like a new jacket, or a new pair of shoes. Or maybe it is everything one hears online or elsewhere, a new year a new start, a fresh start, a new goal, etc...

One cannot help but feel the need to pick some new thing to try or new task to conquer. It's the new year, right? Is that what we are supposed to do? Or do you not feel that? For me, it's just a continuation of moving toward more learning, growing, good challenges, and being present in every moment. And that means a consistent task to look for ways to move forward. So, while it is a new year, that doesn't change any of the advancements I already am moving toward. It just happens to be January at this time, which is my favourite month, so I will embrace it and always love a new year.

I am a life-long learner, and my passion is pursuing ways in which I can always be thinking, growing, learning, reading, exploring, etc...My personality is such that do not need someone to urge me forward into that, I do it naturally as if it were my daily task like brushing my teeth. I feel fortunate in that, but it sometimes means that I am not experiencing (living in) the present moment because I am always in my head with all the thoughts swirling and trying to gather as much information as possible. So my challenge is to get out of my head and into the moment to feel it and let it sink in. The poetry/creative loving side of my helps me get into the moment to notice all the beauty and truth that may be streaming outward for me to soak. May I learn to live in that more often.

The sunlight is radiant today, and the winds are urging the cooler air into town. I sit on my sofa, surrounded by books, and take a moment to look up. I need to learn sometimes to get out of my head. Maybe I will go downstairs to check my laundry now, and let the cool, late afternoon air shuffle my hair and the thoughts modulating my mind.

A New Volume - Welcome, 2019

The next volume has been taken off of the shelf. A new year with many blank pages to fill. What choices will we make in these coming months? Do the new digits of 2019 mean dramatic changes to you, or the continuation of the good you try to stay true to?

My goal for the new year was to start the year right with a day of books, writing, and soaking it in. I slept in, which is a treat to me, a rarity that I can stay snuggled under covers and not be woken up by an alarm. The morning is quiet expect for a cheerful bird chirping Happy New Year to the neighborhood. I wake up grateful for the cooler air I breathed in. I wake up grateful that I have a day of nothing on the agenda except for my own creative tasks I long for time to indulge in.

I sit with my coffee steaming and reflect in thankfulness for this day. The beginning of January, and a new year. The possibilities that lie ahead could fill all the pages of the book. I am thankful for the beautiful morning light that filters into my home. I awaken to it with a refreshment in my soul. I sit and dwell in it with a thankful heart. 

I hear the birds chirp and I think about how I love to live in a place that has some lovely nature just outside. It may not be a large estate, but a small corner of goodness tucked into the historic neighborhood. Simple and small is my way. I rejoice in the quiet - where sounds of nature are all that I hear. No rush of cars going down the lane, no sirens, no trucks honking out on the main road. I could sit here and listen all day - listen to the wisdom of nature.

I seek more of the simple for this year. Simple time spent with people close to my heart. Sharing my discoveries with others. It is the simple and thoughtful that are the most beautiful things. Indulge in more reading, for a home library is a place of life-long exploration. Holding a consciousness of what I buy and how it is made. Thoughtful and reflective.  Beautiful and simple. Meaning-drenched. Quiet and restorative. A way of life for myself and my home.