The Farm Home
The Farm HouseMyrtle Vorst Sheppard
Peace dwells here, and quiet security:
and love, stripped bare of selfishness,
makes homely tasks beneath this roof
true sacraments. Here breaking of the
family bread, and story hours, and tucking
babes in bed are joyous highlights
of the day. Within these walls a strong
man's gallant heart is fed. This is a
place apart, serene beneath the loving
hand of God: a spot that travelers mark
....where yellow lamplight on the snow
becomes a beacon light to those who go,
uplifted, past in the dark.
It is my prayer that all our homes be as this poem speaks.
Emery in the glow of the lamp light bringing in the final load of wood for the night.
Comments
good morning from California!
I'm one of your probably many, anonymous readers (anyonymous at least in the sense that I've never posted before). I've been reading your blog off and on for a few months and am touched by the honesty you share, by your willingness to show the trials as well as the blessings of life.
Isn't that what helps us make connections? The recognition in each other that life isn't always easy, even if we're better off compared to someone else. But likewise, there's the recognition that we can find beauty in our lives even if we're not better off than someone else.
I was watching this recent friction with the anonymous poster and though I'm in no position to offer advice in any direction, I just thought I'd pass along a little something from Buddhist practice that might help.
It probably stems from meditation students who get completely absorbed in whatever visions might occur during deep meditation - the Zen master is usually recorded as saying something like, "Don't get lost in the pleasant sensations, and likewise don't be repulsed by the negative. Take the middle path."
In this culture we're socialized (especially women) to react personally to both praise and blame. They both have something to teach us when we can step back a little and not take them as something we "own" or as something that attacks our identities.
Maybe this is just a reminder that when something we perceive as negative comes our way, take a chance to breathe. Even if someone thinks everything you do is completely wrong, and expresses it in a way that makes your hackles stand up, that doesn't detract from your inherently beautiful essence.
best wishes.
neighbor
(on a side note, I'd been thinking of 'unveiling' my somewhat new blog in the next few weeks, but your new 'anonymous prevention' program just kicked me into being brave about it a little sooner!)
Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it so much
Thanks also, Patty, for being the first person to ever post a comment over at Temporary Reality!