"Food for the body is not enough.
There must be food for the soul."
DOROTHY DAY
Someone recently posed the writing prompt, What's in your hand? For me today it's this notebook* covered with a gorgeous floral design. A veritable summer garden. The colours leapt out at me during a recent browse in the conservatory gift shop we visited recently. I was smitten. I certainly don't need another notebook for my not so secret stash in the desk drawer. So I laid it back down—reluctantly. As you can see, I circled back, scooped up two copies and beelined for the checkout. Already I knew one would be for myself and one for a dear writing friend.
In my note when giving it to her, I mentioned being inspired by Nigel Slater's newest memoir A Thousand Feasts, Small moments of joy...a memoir of sorts. I liked his idea of recording those small moments that feed the soul like a feast. These notebooks could be perfect for jotting such moments. My friend liked the idea and mentioned that Nigel's title reminded her of another book One Thousand Gifts, A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. Oh yes, it was quite popular and enjoyed by many, including myself, when it came out years ago.
I wondered how many other books shared a similar title. A quick search listed a handful, including Mary Oliver's collection of poetry A Thousand Mornings and Zondervan's The Book of a Thousand Prayers. Plus, a third book I've neither read nor heard of called Morning Coffee Reflection - 1000 Things to Think About. A thousand of anything enlivens the imagination and creates a sense of expanse. And I began to wonder what it might be like to curate such a collection as a thousand gifts, a thousand feasts, never mind a thousand mornings or a thousand prayers. I'd want to dip into such collections - what treasures they would hold.
It reminds me of the time decades ago when I began writing a gratitude journal, where I wrote down five things every evening of whatever I felt grateful for in that day. This little habit changed my life in such a positive way. I began to pay attention. I began being more grateful for the many things that came my way every single day. Things I'd never really noticed or given thanks for. I could hardly wait to write down each evening what I'd seen, heard, and enjoyed. I still have that tiny notebook and browse through it once in a while. And it still holds the joy of those moments I wrote about so long ago.
Perhaps it's time to take up a new challenge for this new year. Perhaps it's a time to record some of those luminous joy moments that show up in my life as good gifts from the God above. Not so much to remind myself to be grateful—I learned that years ago—but to gather those beautiful moments that "have given pleasure before they disappear", as Nigel says. These "brief celebrations, each one a tiny feast" that feed my soul in an "increasingly darkening world"—also Nigel. Letting the joy of them push back the darkness, letting the joy of them strengthen me so I may keep calm and carry on.
My Thousand Moments. It may be only a few dozen small things that fit in this small but gorgeous notebook. Nowhere near a thousand, but it's a place to start.
______________
*PS: Someone asked about the notebook. It's published by Peter Pauper Press and is called the Peony Garden Journal. Can be found on Amazon.
❦
Wishing you a beautiful day and—in the words of my
beautiful friend, Susan—"a thousand magical moments".
Brenda
Photo credit:
Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life
Blogging schedule:
I post on Fridays
What a beautiful notebook, it would immediately entice one to write in it!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly has enticed!
DeleteYou've given me an idea for one of the many blank notebooks in my collection.
ReplyDeleteFor years, I've joined other bloggers on Fridays, recording moments in the week that we're grateful for. It's made me more aware of blessings throughout the week, noting these in my planner each day to add to my Friday list.
Happy to spur an idea for one of those blank notebooks. It is fun to keep track of those many blessings.
DeleteLovely post.
ReplyDeleteOnly three “thankfuls” a day would accumulate to over a thousand by year’s end.
Thank you. Yes, it truly doesn't take long to add up. :)
DeleteSuch a beautiful notebook. Definitely worthy of beautiful thoughts.
ReplyDeleteFrom Anonymous Betty
Oh Brenda that is the loveliest notebook. I would certainly want one. Thank you for telling us it is on Amazon. I have a gift card and just may have to treat myself. As always your posts sit sweetly in my heart. Hope you are having a blessed day. Hugs!
ReplyDelete"Record some of those luminous joy moments." I LOVE that phrase. A thousand is a lot, BUT if I think of it as a one-by-one kind of thing, then I can sigh and begin.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's a place to capture that snippet of joy in the moment when otherwise the world seems dark, and it's also a wonderful place to return to so that, as you read, you leave present cares behind and are taken right back to that moment; feasting in it again. In that case, a thousand is not enough. :)
It is an especially beautiful journal. Nothing other than joy befits it.
Beautiful notebook! I would have yielded to temptation and purchased it, just as you did.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful notebook, Brenda. I can so relate to not only circling back and buying one, but buying a second one for a friend (or me!). I have a beautiful journal produced by Peter Pauper Press, that I started as a gratitude journal a few years ago. I should get back to it. You made me think about it, and I'm realizing we can collect a thousand mornings (in any number of ways) in just two and a quarter years. That doesn't seem like such a long time to collect 1000 anythings!
ReplyDeleteHi, I am visiting after a long absence. Blogging had gotten very sporadic. I happened upon this post, and your gratitude journal, and the idea of the little things we are thankful for reminded me that I am (call me strange, that's okay) often thankful for yawns and laughter. Hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteHow I love a pretty journal. The one I have with me now in Mexico is one I purchased in Knowlton, QC at Brome Lake books, Louise Penny’s haunt. I think of that rainy day in September when I use it.
ReplyDeleteRecording moments of joy allows me to revisit them later and capture the feeling once again. Thank you for this great reminder.
Lorrie
As soon as I saw that pretty journal, I knew it was a Peter Pauper! I have quite a few and love them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely blog!
Mary
P.S. They do lovely Christmas cards too!
ReplyDeleteMary