Following on from the previous blog I grew up in a thatched cottage, of a type which people now refer to as ‘of the grid’. I remember it with great affection, and the lifestyle that went with it. Whilst I would not want to go back to it I can say that that way of life has much to teach us about survival, and may be useful to us as we recover from the desperation of the past years, and current environment.
In a recent news reel there was a story of a woman who had, through life’s circumstances, found herself living in an ‘of the grid’ cottage. She begins her day at five thirty, going to collect water, that is a considerable distance away, she does this ten times a day, then boils it on the open fire ,for washing etc.It follows that she also collects her turf and sticks for the fire, and cooks and bakes bread over it.
Her day continues with her general tasks, and because she has no lighting she goes to bed at six thirty. Her cottage is in a beautiful scenic spot, and nature is continually doing it’s work all around her. It seems that when people ask to see her cottage she notices some can’t wait to get out, but not all.
Having lived in a cottage til I was sixteen I remember leaving it with great sadness. We went on the grid when I was eleven so that made a difference, but what was most precious was we, as a family were loved, and love and being loved is a strong base for effective living, the house you live in even if not a castle, becomes a home,
As we walk in recovery let’s pick up some of these things and return, or maybe for the first time create a loving base from which to develop meaning and purpose.
Life flies by in today’s world, and in the regressive somewhat fearful circumstances we currently deal with day by day it is good to stand and review, and in so doing , see and pick up from the mess around us that which is important for rebuilding a strong and meaning base for purposeful living.
If we use are imaginations it’s possible to consider the ingredients for so doing, and to allow ourselves to build these into our more healthy lifestyle as we are able. Once again we need to pick up and maintain the notion and practice of reflective living.
in our modern living we tend to rush around and often can’t hear ourselves think, so stop for a moment ,and see what comes to your mind, what can be prioritised in the mess, and what maybe doesn’t even matter, and can be let go.Do we really need a new kitchen every few years and the most up to date bathroom?
If the main ingredient for building a new base with meaning and purpose is to love and be loved then maybe material things take on a lesser importance, or are given their proper place. Life and health are way up there instead. We may not want to live in a cottage but the stamina and resilience of such a life has a gift to give us if we allow it.
I sometimes watch chef programmes on television, now, there’s the thing there were no televisions in the old cottages, and I confess I would miss mine, I would rarely make any of the recipes shown on those programmes, but at times the chef would talk of building the recipe parts up, such as putting a type of burger together. The analogy makes a point, so let’s build our strong base beginning with love.
My heart goes out to those of you who can’t at the moment do this, and who need the loving care of others. May you find comfort and peace and the appropriate care of others.
COME ON BUILD!
aoibheann thoughtful reflections 