'Tis a Gift to be Simple

In 1774 Ann Lee and eight other members of The United Society of Believers in in Christ's Second Appearing emigrated from Manchester, England to the New World - they settled on a communal farm in the town of Watervliet, New York.

Members of the Society believed in communal property, pacifism, celibacy, and the sacredness of work.

For their pacifism, the Society members were persecuted during the Revolutionary War.

For their communism, they face enduring criticism, though it was founded upon biblical example.

For their celibacy, they have almost vanished. There is only one community of the Society left in the United States. It has fewer members today then Ann Lee brought to Watervliet in 1774.

For their belief in the sacredness of work, they have become immortal. Hands that crafted in the service of God gave birth to a aesthetic of simplicity and elegance expressed in un-paralleled worksmanship. Today, we remember them only as the Shakers, and more people know of them as a style of chair then as a people.

But I do not forget their philosophy, and it's simple gift of understanding that work uplifts the soul as it glorifies God.

Words, words, words.

Words I like.

gloaming

whimsy

tropical

whilom

chef

On Today

Today I have had joy in success, in teaching, in cooking and in tea.

Today I have heard birdsong in the morning, walked in the mist, listened to water boil, been hugged by a child and smelled rain.

Today I have touched tomato plants, seen the yellow flowers that promise tomatoes in August.

Today I have worked. Today I have played. Today I have loved.

Today is a good day.

Accomplishment

How do you measure accomplishment?

Is it in completing the story?

Or in winning the prize for it?

Or are they seperate joys, to measured on different scales and both rejoiced in?

Brick by brick, my citizens, brick by brick.

To build a joyful life I follow Hadrian's advice. Brick by brick. (Though to be honest, I am quoting Seabiscuit, which quotes Hadrian. Unless of course the screenwriter just made that up.)

My bricks are:

tea

fountain pens

order

good scents

mornings

the grandeur of nature

The life fantastic.

"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same." - Anne Frank

Last night I found myself filled, overflowing, with a strange deep mirthful joy. Being American, I am of course frightened by this, and wonder if it is some sign of illness of the mind, or impending disaster.

I wish to celebrate joy. To exalt the happiness of here and now. So much of life is spent distracted by the inner darkness that I want a very public place to proclaim joy.