Hey, all you people who sometimes want to be alone. How did your Thanksgiving feel? I say feel because that’s what we’re after, isn’t it--feeling the calm that comes from silence, solitude and simplicity, whatever the situation?
Thanksgiving at my niece’s was a resounding success. It felt simple and effortless, although I readily admit that I wasn’t in charge of getting the meal on the table for twenty-one people. However, everyone brought something and helped along the way, and our mother doesn’t have to know that we used paper napkins. There was simplicity—no one appeared stressed over all the work.
On the other hand, how do we consider silence and solitude in the midst of the Thanksgiving holiday, a time that is clearly to be shared with others. Yesterday, during all the conversation and body-bumping, I was able to step into moments of silence and solitude. I like to think that the time at my cottage by the sea is paying off.
Today there are leftovers and the carcass to deal with. Will it be simpler to make soup or let someone pick the meat off the bone and eat it on the spot. I’ll give it the stress test and report back.
Thanksgiving at my niece’s was a resounding success. It felt simple and effortless, although I readily admit that I wasn’t in charge of getting the meal on the table for twenty-one people. However, everyone brought something and helped along the way, and our mother doesn’t have to know that we used paper napkins. There was simplicity—no one appeared stressed over all the work.
On the other hand, how do we consider silence and solitude in the midst of the Thanksgiving holiday, a time that is clearly to be shared with others. Yesterday, during all the conversation and body-bumping, I was able to step into moments of silence and solitude. I like to think that the time at my cottage by the sea is paying off.
Today there are leftovers and the carcass to deal with. Will it be simpler to make soup or let someone pick the meat off the bone and eat it on the spot. I’ll give it the stress test and report back.