I’m rereading, for first time since high school or college, Middlemarch by George Eliot. I’ve wanted to for a long while as one of the main characters, Dorothea, has informed my main character of Jane (in my yet to be rewritten novel) but I lacked the mind space to pay attention to Eliot’s intricate dead-on observations of human nature, love, and the desire to live a worthy life. This is not a book you can sleepwalk through for even a paragraph. I’m pleased to say I seem to have the mindspace right now. I read this today and I thought you might find it worthwhile:
“The best piety is to enjoy — when you can. You are doing the most then to save the earth’s character as an agreeable planet. And enjoyment radiates. It is of no use to try and take care of all the world; that is being taken care of when you feel delight — in art or in anything else.”
I believe this to be true, and that while we cannot rest in delight alone, without taking action on the behalf of injustice, without delight infusing our life, without desire, without fun, the actions we take are both unsustainable (we burn out) and less effective in a way — think dour do it my way help versus laughing unattached to outcome help.
What do you think?
6 responses so far ↓
1 Kate I Nov 6, 2007
I totally agree Jennifer. This may be the best and yet the hardest part of living…to not take ourselves too seriously and to find and recognize the joy that’s all around us. It’s so easy to slip away from the fun, the laughter and the delight in life and begin to believe that it’s an utterly serious and heavy event…but maybe we have to go there, to know we don’t want to be there!
I loved the Lucsious Life Retreat last month Jennifer! I’ve happily moved into a new space of allowing my creative juices to flow and of letting the fear that was holding me back, go with it. Thanks so much for an amazing gift.
2 Jennifer Louden Nov 7, 2007
Thanks Kate, that’s so great to hear!! I felt a little off teaching and got one not so great feedback form back, which always makes me (in this scritchy way in the back of my head) think I should give up teaching and go work at… where? who would ever employ me?? anyway, thanks!! I’m so love hearing how the retreats resonate over time!
3 Gwen Nov 7, 2007
Hello Jen!
I love this quote, it is an amazing concept, and I can feel the truth in it, though I have lately been in the throws of trying to take the world on my shoulders, so vain!
Love to read what you have been thinking and doing, you are always so honest. Will ArtFest be part of your retreat in 2008?? I also signed up for Play: the retreat, I just felt like I had to.
Would love to see you again! Gwen
4 Mona Nov 8, 2007
When we’re taking care of ourselves, everything around us naturally gets taken care of also. The self-care can’t help but radiate out from us and everything and everyone around us is better for it.
Speaking of books and delight, my dear…have you read Eat, Pray, Love yet? It’s a delicious book that I think you would delight in. :-)
5 Madeline Nov 8, 2007
I had an interview at a HOLISTIC womens’ health center this week. The manager is soooo unhappy with her “management” job..she is REALLY a belly dancer, a Reiki healer, and a massage therapist. She has taken on a JOYLESS job and as a result, the place is very poorly managed and NO ONE THERE is very joyful — and the whole concept of the clinic was to be a delightful place for women’s health — So — - I see it that we have to follow our BLISS and reside in JOY.. otherwise ALL our endeavors to enlighten the world, save the world, make joyful workplaces, families, and communities, will fall flat on it’s face!
yes, savor life!! All else will fall into place after that.
6 m Nov 13, 2007
Jennifer have you seen Into the Wild the film by Sean Penn? Its an interesting exploration of misdirection. Made me feel old ! shaking my head at the young man portrayed in the film