Inspiration Friday – Daring to enjoy, daring to suffer

Even though it is Spring (on this side of the world, anyway), this time of year is – for me – a time of sadness. Although the renewed life that can be seen in every garden and along the sidewalks does give some kind of solace and as well as the need to start anew, it is time when I find it more difficult to find inspiration and motivation. When despair is not an option, the silver lining must be sought, the old coat thrown off, the cobwebs dusted and some kind of happiness found. Even if it is just the promise held in the scent of a blooming Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.  

So, in order to keep the spirits up, I propose three steps.

 1. Remember to give it some soul

Elke artikel wat sy maak is ‘n nuwe skoonheid waarvan sy die skepper is: dis hare en ‘n ander kon dit nie so gemaak het nie, want sy het haar siel daarin gegiet.

– C.J. Langenhoven

Every article she makes is a new beauty of which she is the creator: it is her own and no one else could have made the like because she poured her soul into it.

– C.J. Langenhoven

2. Do not dwell in a grey twilight

Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
       - Theodore Roosevelt

3. Go to the source

Before the throne

In my room I will bow before the throne

And be still and search for words

In the tongues I know

To exalt and praise and plead.

I will go into my room to be alone,

I will be still and think only of this

And realise that there is an ear that will hear my words

On the throne that none can see.

I will think of ancient stone and desert lands harsh to withstand

And buildings great and grand.

But not there, not there will I go, not where all can see

A lone person praying. A broken person pleading.

I will be still and know that here my words are like

A song of praise that I can but imagine and not sing,

That stuttering words will become sweet music,

That simple words will be given flight,

That all asked from the Prince will be answered,

That the Spirit will fill the simple room where I am,

That the King will place his hand on my shoulder,

That I will go from this room with new life.

Tears will be dried,

New life will enter me.

New love will enter me.

New peace will enter me.

I will be unbound and look at the world anew.

I will go into my room to be alone,

To plead, to praise, to humbly ask for new life.