Anisette Studio

Good morning! No sunshine! Rain and coffee! An “OH! Well day? Perhaps! It moves on from here no matter what. Jo is home, so the morning is mine.

It is time to find “the little pleasures in life” and what I mean by that are the things that please us but often are not spoken of. Joyce Hifler wrote about these kinds of things in her book “To Everything A Season”.

“The greatest debt we owe to other people is love. How many times in the space of a few seconds have others given us the little something that changed our lives.

Suppose the man whistling gala tunes was aware tha he lifted someone’s spirits, or that in the darkest mood and fit of depression someone said something positive and changed a pattern of wrong thinking to one of success.

Someone’s thoughtful consideration makes us feel more needed and suddenly we too have our place in the world. And someone asks our help and we know we have something worthy of giving.

But most of all we owe God. The cardinals’ songs, the dappled pattern of sunlight on the walk, the delicate petals of the crocus, and the night song of the merry mimicker.

How great our gifts and even greater our debt of love. Riches consist not in the extent of possessions, but in the ability to appreciate. How great our blessing and how small our appreciation.

The richest people in the world are those who can see the changes of the seasons, the faces of those whom they love and more important, they can see past the doors of prejudice and hate and despair. They are rich because they can breath deeply the fragrance of flowers, but also peace. The can feel the cool and the heat and the tender touch of a hand, but also the touch of souls.

For these blessed few, food, both spiritual and material, is fully appreciated and enjoyed. Their hearing is tuned to the sounds and songs of the land, but never to sarcasm or cynicism.

The ultimate is love, for to be truly loved is to be truly rich.” (J Hifler)

I love Joyce Hifler’s way of thinking because it brings me to a peaceful state of mind. This manner of being has enriched my life. It has helped me see others through different eyes. The elders in my childhood home, and other adults would say things like: “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” Or it was said as, “Do unto others as you would have done unto you!” Then there was, “Set an example, it matters how you carry yourself”. “If you can’t say anything positive! Don’t say nothing at all!

I may not have been glad to hear this as a child, but I did think of what was said to me, and over time it made sense. I wonder if these are said in today’s world. If so, then they make the world a bit richer if they are thought about by all who may inhale them like flowers. “Pearls of wisdom.”

I think we need to rethink life, and look at what is truly important to us, with all that is happening. Love and kindness, patience, compassion____ such things come to mind. The acts of “holding the tongue” and thinking before you speak come to mind as well. All of us are wrestling with how to feel these days. The question is how to best deal with what is happening. Be watchful and step with care. Creating change takes time, and thought. Sound answers do not come over night, and anxiety, anger will not give you what is needed. There is good anger and bad anger, and distinct ways of being. What people come to believe are why we are in the mess we are in. What we can do is set an example of rationale and reason. Find balance. Nothing gets solved without balance. Talking loudly over everyone without listening___ not the way to go. Truly listening helps others to find calmness and the ability to listen too.

May love and laughter find you! Pejj Nunes