Cold Tangerines
Summer is so beautiful on so many levels. It’s busy, but somehow lazy in all the right ways. I’ve taken a break from social media, marketing and blogging to recalibrate and slow down. For me, slowing down is very difficult and can sometimes even feel excruciating. I read fast, drink coffee fast, and go to the store fast fast, fast, fast—but I’m slowly learning the art of slowing down. I’m taking time to paint watercolours and, believe it or not, I’m learning to see cooking as a form of art instead of a means to an end, which is making me hate it a lot less. Because my brain is in hibernation mode, I’m going to share with you a piece of writing from someone else—Shauna Niequist. I’ve been learning a lot from Shauna—about life, priorities, love and passion. She is breathtakingly honest about her inward life and doesn’t hesitate to share the lovely, gritty parts. Her authentic sharing is making me feel safer to share openly and vulnerably with others. She is showing me the importance of community and connection and how essential it is to cultivate togetherness. The piece I’m going to share with you comes from her book Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are.
Right Now all the leaves are falling, and there’s no reason that they have to turn electric bright red before they fall, but they do and I want to live like that. I want to say, “What can I do today that brings more beauty, more energy, more hope?” Because it seems like that’s what God is saying to us, over and over. “What can I do to remind you again how good this life is? You think the colour of the sky is good now, wait until sunset. You think oranges are good? Try a tangerine.” He’s a crazy delightful mad scientist and keeps coming back from the lab with unbelievable new things, and it’s a gift to be a part of it.
I don’t want to get to the end and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and errands and receipts and dirty dishes. I want to eat cold tangerines and sing loud in the car and wear pink shoes. I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes. I want my every day to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift.
Have a beautiful day everyone. Loads of love to each and every one of you.
