Jan 11, 2011

until it is carved in stone



christmas 1996 ~
i received simple abundance, a daybook of comfort and joy by sarah ban breathnach

january 2011 ~
this is the fifteenth year i am reading this book ...
embarking on another glorious 365 daily passages of inspiration

it is remarkable ...
sarah's style and simple messages speak to me
time and time again
as if evolving
with me ...

yesterday's writing is perhaps my favourite
reminding each of us us to embrace
the 'unimportant' days ...



***

JANUARY 10

Until It Is Carved in Stone

It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth _ and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up _ that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.
~ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Visiting old cemeteries can be very illuminating. They are so still and silent. So quiet. Old cemeteries remind us that until it is carved in stone, realizing our heart's desire is possible every day if we recognize what it is that makes us happy.

In Thornton Wilder's play Our Town a deeply poignant scene takes place in a graveyard. Ghosts comfort the young heroine, who has recently died in childbirth. Emily, still longing for the life she has just left, wishes to revisit one ordinary, "unimportant" day in her life. When she gets her wish, she realizes how much the living take for granted.

Eventually her visit is too much for her to bear. "I didn't realize," she confesses mournfully, "all that was going on and we never noticed. . . . Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover's Corners . . . Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking . . . and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths . . . and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you."

This is the season of Epiphany, when the renewal of light and revelation are celebrated in the liturgy of the Catholic, Episcopal, and Eastern Orthodox churches. On our new path we seek everyday epiphanies _ occasions on which we can experience the Sacred in the ordinary _ and come to the awakening, as Emily finally does, that we cannot longer afford to throw away even one "unimportant" day by not noticing the wonder of it all. We have to be willing to discover and then appreciate the authentic moments of happiness available to all of us every day.

excerpt from Sarah Ban Breathnach's 



***
thank you sarah ~ 
your writings continue to bring me much comfort and joy along my journey
and i know by sharing this here, you will be inspiring far beyond ...



16 comments:

Lisa said...

I loved this book and the author.
Letting go is hard sometimes and hanging on is the hardest and we dont know it until we do let go and its like a breath of fresh air.
Great blog.

Jamie said...

PG - What a sweet and brilliant lesson on life. Thanks so much for sharing. I haven't read this book yet - I may need to change that fact.

Anonymous said...

OH, thank you for sharing. This is beautiful.

Teresa O said...

Simple Abundance, continues to be one of my favorite, go-to books. Thornton Wilder's Emily, certainly did give a poignant view to the simple wonders of living. Two inspiring sources. Thank you for sharing and reminding.

Anna said...

Lovely, thought provoking post! Recent life events have had me thinking about many of the ideas that you raised. Thank you.

Lori said...

I love her too! Thanks for the reminder to pick up that book again as I start this new year. xoxo

Lori said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathryn Dyche said...

I have a couple of Sarah's books and love them. Thanks for reminding me, I haven't read them in a few years so it will be fun revisiting them.

Jackie said...

Beautiful!! I am also re-reading that book this year...it brings forth such great reminders to appreciate life and the little things in it!

dbalyoz said...

beautiful. thank you for reminding us that the ordinary is often extraordinary. xxo :)

Pat Mark said...

I got this book 10 yrs ago after my husband died but I must confess I didn't read it thru. Your insight into it has encouraged me to pick it up and read it again. Thank you.
Life really is to short to not enjoy each moment. Pat

kelly@thebluemuse said...

Just beautiful, and so very true. The past few years, this is the way I have tried to live my life, and it is so easy to forget sometimes, but so good to continue to remind ourselves to live, really live, each moment, every day.
Thank you.

ELK said...

this is a tender and special way to approach life ..your reminder is sitting well with me this day..

Kim Klassen said...

oh pg, such a moving post....and beautiful images....

i just started sarah...a few days late...but I have begun... and as I open the book I give a little thanks each time for you!

'sigh'
xxo, kim

Cindy Ellison said...

Simple Abundance is a favorite book of mine. I'm going to get out my copy today! Glad you posted this "reminder".

Melinda said...

Yes, this was a wonderful book. I'll have to get mine out again. Thanks for the reminder.