I recently read a post from Parker Palmer who shared a beautiful memory of Jeanne Lohmann, who died at age 92 after a long and fruitful life, wrote poetry that I find best described by the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes:
“For the simplicity that lies this side of complexity, I would not give a fig, but for the simplicity that lies on the other side of complexity, I would give my life.”
We spend many years tangled in complexity and rushing past life’s simple pleasures. For me, one of the gifts of age is to realize that the simple blessings are the finest: a child’s hug, a pat on the shoulder, an encouraging word, a spring-blooming tree and, of course, hot showers, steaming soup, clear eyes and a clear mind.
Please take a moment to savor this poem, and savor every sip of that soup you may have for lunch today.
That elusive bird called “happiness” so often nests in small experiences of this sort—and so does the gift of clarity that we need to find our way through the fog of lethal nonsense that surrounds us today.
[Jeanne Lohmann’s books are at http://tiny.cc/t1vsxz.]
THANKSGIVING MEALS
COME AND GO
AND MOSTLY GET EATEN,
WASTED AND DISCARDED
BUT GRATEFULNESS
DOESN’T EVER SPOIL. . .
Right now, some 181 Days away from
THANKSGIVING DAY
What are you most grateful for
t o d a y ?
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