"Simple Joys Are Holy"

Blessings, everyone!

For my article this week - I GOT NUTTIN'! My head is spinning, lots on my mind, but...I just don't know what to say sometimes!

I love baking bread - the process and preparation, and especially the end result when it comes out right. As in many things of life, especially cooking, how good it turns out depends on what you put into it!

There was a movie that came out back in 1977, BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON - an artistic depiction of the life of St. Francis of Assisi. It was an incredibly beautiful movie produced by Franco Zeffirelli (who also made Romeo and Juliet around the same time, and Jesus of Nazareth. Not surprisingly, all of these movies had much the same feel about them - a sensitivity to our humanness, to both harsh reality as well as beauty that can be found in life. 

One line from Brother Sun, Sister Moon is found in a song in the movie, ascribed originally to St. Francis. 

“Do few things, but do them well. Simple joys are holy.”

How often do you hear anything close to that these days? So many of us try to do so many different things, often at the same time - multi-tasking is seen as a real way of life. But is that the best for us? Certain studies have shown that trying to do too many things, too much, is not good for us mentally. It can actually detract from not only the quality of what we get done or what we are trying to learn, and it can lead to more confusion and frustration in the end. 

I am amazed when I see and hear some incredible music being played by someone, whatever the instrument being featured, like piano, guitar, violin (which I used to play in my school years), or whatever. And to think all it took was practice - lots and lots of practice. To be sure, it sure helps if someone has a gift for whatever talent, and you can usually tell if someone has a gift! But if they don't focus and spend lots of time practicing with their gift, it would never become what it could be. 

When the gift is there, there is usually an accompanying joy. This joy one has in expressing their gift, in playing with it, in sharing it - it is often contagious and obvious. And it brings joy in those observing. It is inspiring. 

Be sure to do what you can to know what your gift is, what brings you joy, something that you can even share with others if you are fortunate. It might be as simple as baking bread or cookies! God gives gifts to each of us, even if they are sometimes quite basic and simple. 

Thanks be to God! Blessings!