First, and most significantly, HAPPY NEW YEAR! In fact, everyone knows, it’s in point of fact simply any other day, the “yr” idea being an arbitrary building of our mind’s want for order. However, whats up: “Simply any other day?” Perhaps there’s no such factor. Now not “simply any other day,” however HOLY S___!, WE GET ANOTHER DAY!!!!
2023 has now not been my very best yr. And but, as I’ve mentioned numerous occasions, I’m now not lifeless but. I mentioned that as a comic story first of all, however as time went on I discovered to understand it for what it in point of fact is: A privilege and an honor to get up each and every morning, in a lifestyles the place It’s not that i am homeless, ravenous, or beneath siege.
That’s my dedication for the New 12 months, to savor and enjoyment of all that I’ve. Now not simply these days, and even each and every morning once I write in my gratitude magazine, however second by way of second.
I’m impressed by way of Ross Homosexual’s e book, The Ebook of Delights, during which the award-winning poet conjures up us to inhale the small and wondrous issues which encompass us. My record is never-ending. The odor of Skip’s paws. The velvet comfortable 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 bright writing in my new favourite novelist’s e book: Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River. The golf green shoots of tulips bobbing up within the bulb lawn sitting on our eating room desk from White Flower Farm. Skip status on his hind legs, not able to comprise his pleasure, as I open the door on methods to the sheep.
As I mentioned, the record is never-ending. Ross Homosexual suggests calling out DELIGHT! to buddies or to your self when one thing moves you, so to entrain appreciation within the small wonders of the arena. What an attractive factor to do.
This is not going to 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 will, regardless of how small, to proper the wrongs of the arena. We will have to, merely will have to, if we’re in any respect in a position, do one thing to check out to lend a hand others regularly. However that doesn’t imply it’s fallacious to savor what’s excellent, now not simply the tiny issues, however particularly the tiny issues. To buoy ourselves up lest we get pulled down by way of the riptide of all this is fallacious.
Remaining yr my New 12 months’s publish inquisitive about how I sought after to really feel in 2023, now not such a lot what I sought after to perform. I nonetheless love that standpoint. Right here’s what I sought after: To really feel Cherished and Loving. Amused. Curious. Thrilled. Awed.
And, Full of life.
Whoops, mentioned the girl who evolved Epstein Barr-related Continual Fatigue Syndrome in early 2023, at the side of an uneventful bunch of alternative stuff. Ah, the irony. However whats up, 5 out of six isn’t unhealthy.
And the entire extra explanation why to discover ways to savor what we do have, regardless of how inconsequential it would appear on the time. You by no means know.
So. DELIGHT is my Phrase, my Feeling, and my To Do record for 2024. I am hoping you additionally in finding a lot to please in. Go searching–what about at the moment?
MEANWHILE, again to the farm: Jim, Maggie, Skip, and I want you a Satisfied New 12 months, as protected and beloved as Maggie is right here, in our tiny, however comfy, farmhouse front room. Maggie’s eleventh birthday is January third. There can be ice cream.
Truth test: The small desk at the left of the sofa comprises two African Violets (one, from good friend Donna’s mom Rose, would possibly virtually be as outdated as I’m.) Even though the lounge had simply been dusted and vacuumed for corporate, the canine hairs adorning the vegetation by no means fail to vanish, regardless of how painstakingly I check out to select them off. I’m reminded of that fab quote I posted some time in the past from FB: “#1 Reason why the home is grimy: The canines are alive.”
Right here’s one thing to please in: We warmed our hearts at the Solstice whilst playing the bonfire at Mazomanie’s Wolf Run Path, considered one of our favourite native walks.
This beautiful puzzle from eeBoo used to be a Christmas provide from expensive buddies, D & J. It introduced a disproportionate quantity of pleasure into our family–the colourful addition to our eating room made me satisfied for all the two days that it used to be out. (Best 500 items, however, in truth, it used to be pleasant to have one thing so stress-free completed.
Such a lot to please in! Let’s have a good time as a Village and contact out DELIGHT! right here, and DELIGHT! there. Regardless of how small. In all probability, even, the smaller the easier? You, expensive Village, are considered one of my favourite delights of all. Now not small, however in point of fact treasured. I want you such a lot of excellent issues this yr. Thanks for being right here.