First, and most significantly, HAPPY NEW YEAR! In fact, everyone knows, it’s actually simply one other day, the “yr” idea being an arbitrary development of our mind’s want for order. However, hey: “Simply one other day?” Possibly there’s no such factor. Not “simply one other day,” however HOLY S___!, WE GET ANOTHER DAY!!!!
2023 has not been my finest yr. And but, as I’ve stated numerous instances, I’m not lifeless but. I stated that as a joke initially, however as time went on I discovered to understand it for what it truly is: A privilege and an honor to get up each morning, in a life the place I’m not homeless, ravenous, or below siege.
That’s my dedication for the New 12 months, to savor and enjoyment of all that I’ve. Not simply right now, and even each morning once I write in my gratitude journal, however second by second.
I’m impressed by Ross Homosexual’s e-book, The Ebook of Delights, by which the award-winning poet conjures up us to inhale the small and wondrous issues which encompass us. My listing is limitless. The scent of Skip’s paws. The velvet tender fur between Maggie’s eyebrows. The blue of Jim’s eyes. The white, orange, and yellow colours of the dietary supplements I take. (Admittedly, the sheer amount of them makes {that a} push.)
However, then. There’s the sensible writing in my new favourite novelist’s e-book: Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River. The inexperienced shoots of tulips arising within the bulb backyard sitting on our eating room desk from White Flower Farm. Skip standing on his hind legs, unable to comprise his pleasure, as I open the door on the best way to the sheep.
As I stated, the listing is limitless. Ross Homosexual suggests calling out DELIGHT! to mates or to your self when one thing strikes you, as a method to entrain appreciation within the small wonders of the world. What an exquisite factor to do.
This won’t save the earth, finish wars, feed the ravenous, or rescue the struggling, regardless of the species. We’re all known as to do what we are able to, regardless of how small, to proper the wrongs of the world. We should, merely should, if we’re in any respect ready, do one thing to attempt to assist others frequently. However that doesn’t imply it’s mistaken to savor what is nice, not simply the tiny issues, however particularly the tiny issues. To buoy ourselves up lest we get pulled down by the riptide of all that’s mistaken.
Final yr my New 12 months’s put up targeted on how I wished to really feel in 2023, not a lot what I wished to perform. I nonetheless love that perspective. Right here’s what I wished: To really feel Beloved and Loving. Amused. Curious. Delighted. Awed.
And, Energetic.
Whoops, stated the lady who developed Epstein Barr-related Power Fatigue Syndrome in early 2023, together with a boring bunch of different stuff. Ah, the irony. However hey, 5 out of six isn’t dangerous.
And all of the extra motive to study to savor what we do have, regardless of how inconsequential it might sound on the time. You by no means know.
So. DELIGHT is my Phrase, my Feeling, and my To Do listing for 2024. I hope you additionally discover a lot to please in. Go searching–what about proper now?
MEANWHILE, again to the farm: Jim, Maggie, Skip, and I want you a Comfortable New 12 months, as secure and liked as Maggie is right here, in our tiny, however cozy, farmhouse lounge. Maggie’s eleventh birthday is January third. There will probably be ice cream.
Actuality examine: The small desk on the left of the sofa accommodates two African Violets (one, from good friend Donna’s mom Rose, may virtually be as previous as I’m.) Though the lounge had simply been dusted and vacuumed for firm, the canine hairs adorning the crops by no means fail to vanish, regardless of how painstakingly I attempt to choose them off. I’m reminded of that nice quote I posted some time in the past from FB: “#1 Motive the home is soiled: The canines are alive.”
Right here’s one thing to please in: We warmed our hearts on the Solstice whereas having fun with the bonfire at Mazomanie’s Wolf Run Path, one in all our favourite native walks.
This beautiful puzzle from eeBoo was a Christmas current from expensive mates, D & J. It introduced a disproportionate quantity of pleasure into our family–the colourful addition to our eating room made me blissful for the complete two days that it was out. (Solely 500 items, however, actually, it was pleasant to have one thing so pleasing completed.
A lot to please in! Let’s rejoice as a Village and name out DELIGHT! right here, and DELIGHT! there. Irrespective of how small. Maybe, even, the smaller the higher? You, expensive Village, are one in all my favourite delights of all. Not small, however really valuable. I want you so many good issues this yr. Thanks for being right here.
