"There is a traditional saying of ancient wisdom: 'A threshold is a sacred thing.' In some places of the world, in some traditional cultures and in monastic life, this is still remembered. It is something, however, that we often forget today. To take time to pause at a threshold - be it a place, or a moment between one action and the next - is to show reverence for the handling of space and time, and respect for those we meet. Pausing allows us to let go of all the demands and expectations of the previous activity, and to prepare for the encounter with another."
Those words of Esther de Waal's, from her book Living on the Border: Reflections on the Experience of Threshold, have particular resonance as we step into a new year. They come with my thanks to you for your presence here (and here), and my hope that - as Esther de Waal goes on to say - we are all "firmly earthed and grounded ... ready to move forward into the unknown, open to new questions, new explorations".
Wishing you well.
Absolutely wonderful words. Thank you for sharing them. My best to you in the new year.
Posted by: Nan | 01 January 2019 at 03:35 AM
Wise words indeed, thank you. Wishing you all the best for 2019.
Posted by: Fran H-B | 01 January 2019 at 05:59 AM
Always good to pause for reflection before running headlong into any journey--literal or figurative. Ancient wisdom, indeed. Many thanks to you for all the work behind both your blog posts. A good new year for you and Mr. C, I hope.
Posted by: Mary | 01 January 2019 at 02:48 PM
Oh, I like that so much. Thank you! And all the best in 2019!
Posted by: GretchenJoanna | 02 January 2019 at 04:24 AM
Thank you for this.
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 02 January 2019 at 06:49 PM