So Pamela Nathan has very kindly tagged me in the gratitude challenge, and while Id like to offer some thoughts on things that Im grateful for, I decided not to do it daily, realising that at least one of those days would lead to me being grateful for toasted sandwiches and not having to get out of my pyjamas all day. I did try to be grateful for five days though, and have some thoughts to offer on the subject. Last week I visited a senior class at Scotch Oakburn and asked them to share their favourite sentences from literature. I was delighted to find out that one girl in the class had the same favourite book as me: THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman. But her sentence was a surprise. It comes from a section where the main character, Bod, talks to his guardian Silas, who is explaining the concept of unconsecrated ground. The ghosts out in those areas, he explains, are often suicides - people who search for an escape in death. When Bod asks if dying helps them with this escape, Silas replies: It doesnt work that way. Wherever you go, you take yourself with you. That was the girls chosen sentence. I re-read that part of the book and found it really struck a chord this time. I was reminded to be grateful for the little things: a walk in the sun, a good cup of coffee, chatting to my friends, hot running water, an episode of DOCTOR WHO, or a particularly outstanding piece of lemon tart. I tried to understand who I was, and be happy with that person. After all, I took them with me wherever I went. When I explain to people what Im doing with my life - making hamburgers and writing, hoping that the latter will lead somewhere - I often get sympathy. Well, everyone has to start somewhere I suppose! people say. But here are the facts: I have wonderful friends and a fantastic family. I have a great job, and even better, great people to work with. When Im not working I have lots of time to write and read and explore. I am living the arts graduate cliché - the one were all supposed to fear, or be mocked for. But I have work when so many others dont, and Im surrounded by nice people and nice things. I get time to read and write stories, in a world where people who are better off than me claim that they dont have the resources to do either. Its not everything, but its plenty. And its something to be grateful for.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 13:37:39 +0000
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