This is one of those “Are you a glass half full, or glass half empty, person?” images. When you look at this I’m guessing you’re either going to be thinking “Yikes! Look how BLACK that cloud is! There’s a storm coming!!” or “Look how pretty and soft those clouds look just above the vines! Better weather is coming!”
I’m neither glass half full, nor glass half empty. I can be optimistic some days, and pessimistic others. But what pleases me most is a sense of wholeness. I love the contrasts, polarities, and their dynamic relationship with each other. So, in fact, this is just the kind of image which really appeals to me.
I love how the blackness of the storm cloud is echoed in the blackness of the vineyard (which only happens because I exposed for the bright blue sky and white, fluffy clouds). That makes this image a bit like a yin yang symbol for me, and you know how much I like that!
I was reading some articles in the French Press about what kind of world might lie ahead for us after this pandemic. They use the term “L’après” – in English we’d use the phrase “The After World”….or, more likely, “the world afterwards”, but just using the term “The After” in the French way conjures up connections with that other “after” term – “The After Life” – which traditionally relates to life after death, doesn’t it? Well, many of the articles are in fact about the “after life” but not in that traditional sense. They are about life after the pandemic…..or how could/might/should we live in the light of what we have experienced?
That’s a really ancient question, isn’t it? “How to Live?” It’s one of my favourite questions, and I think its interesting that we humans have been wrestling with it for centuries. There are, of course, a myriad of answers based on different world views and beliefs, but, somehow, I find, it’s not answers I’m looking for…..what thrills me is the hunt….the enquiry….the exploration. Maybe one of my strongest drives is curiosity. That and wonder. And I find both of those incredibly satisfying.
So, I’m drawn to the “whole”. I’m drawn to dynamic change. I’m drawn to “émerveillement” (wonder and amazement – or “enchantment” perhaps?). I’m drawn to explore, to understand and to learn. As I move forwards through 2020 and beyond those will be my foundations – along with love and care.
Do you remember the two words I picked for this year? Based on two books I received for Christmas?
Émerveillement and Bienveillance.
How about you? What values are going to help you to navigate the weeks and months ahead?
Heroes Not Zombies 
Leave a Reply