L.M. Montgomery's classic series, Anne of Green Gables has so many ways in which it can inspire us and encourage us to live our lives well. The main character, Anne Shirley views life in a way that seems excessive to our more modern way of thinking, which is one of the reasons why I love her so much! Her deep way of feeling - both the highs and the lows - can sometimes be exhausting to bear (just ask Marilla!) but it also shows a profound love of living. Life is made up of these tiny awesome moments. We deserve to take the time to savour them. To feel deeply is just one way that we can savour moments throughout out day, something that seems to be shouted at us from every self-help website around! Mindfulness is not necessarily Anne's aim, in fact, I don't think she has an aim to live in any particular way. She is true to herself and confesses that she simply cannot be any other way. It is the way that Anne savours the moment that I want to focus on today. I hope these four simple ways will also help us to find the good in every moment and remember to pause, and savour.
Note: the word 'savour' has many meanings but I am using it here as a verb, meaning "to relish, or to enjoy deeply."
1. Every moment has something worth savouring
Anne teaches us quite clearly that we can't enjoy the blissful highs of life without the low moments. We might not feel as comfortable being as verbose about these emotional mountains and valleys but if you are someone (like Anne) who enjoys verbalising such things, I would advise that you be particular with whom you share such emotional journeys. Not everyone in our modern world appreciates the exuberance of intense emotion. Just remember Alec Baldwin's character Parker from Friends:
If you are not one to share, that's fine too. Simply acknowledge the deep feeling of the moment, whether it be a high or a low. Savour it. Be thankful that you can identify it and just sit with it. This sounds much simpler than it actually is! If you can't verbalise the feeling to someone, write it in your journal. This simple act is one of savouring. Don't dwell on it - dwelling is not savouring. As Anne says, "It's all very well to read about sorrows and imagine them yourself living through them heroically but it's not so nice when you really come to have them, is it?" No, Anne, it's not. We cannot authentically enjoy those wonderful, joyful moments if we don't let ourselves live through the sorrows. So let's acknowledge, savour but not dwell on or regret our feelings.
2. Savour the seasons
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers! It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it? Look at these maple branches. Don't they give you a thrill - several thrills?"
I see this lovely quote on Instagram every October, mainly because so many people can relate to it! But Anne doesn't just savour autumn or October.
There are a number of ways in which she savours the season: decorating using foliage from the season, spending time outdoors, simply sitting at the window and savouring the season. During a winter evening, Anne is mesmerised by "the great shimmering, pearl-like sparkle of an evening star in a sky that was pale golden and ethereal rose over gleaming white spaces and dark glens of spruce." And during spring we are equally enchanted by "the beautiful, capricious, reluctant Canadian spring, lingering along through April and May in a succession of sweet, fresh, chilly days, with pink sunsets and miracles of resurrection and growth."
Anne savours the arrival of the Mayflowers just as deeply as she relished the turning of the maple leaves. There is so much to savour in every season if only we take the time to open our eyes and enjoy it.
3. Savour tea time
Where would we be without our tea time? It's such a wonderful ritual, that can be done regularly and casually or with all the pomp and circumstance that only Anne Shirley could bring! Second best dresses, fancy rose tea-sets, little yellow crocks of cherry preserves, and raspberry cordial.
"I can just imagine myself sitting down at the head of the table and pouring out the tea," said Anne, shutting her eyes ecstatically."
I understand exactly how Anne feels! Every morning my desire for that first cup of tea is what gets me out of bed, especially when it is still early and dark. Adding a touch of glamour or a sense of occasion to such a ritual makes the act itself all the more sweeter to enjoy. Sharing it with others will only double the pleasure!
4. Savour the anticipation
This is my favourite of the four keys to savouring the moment. I love the thought of savouring the anticipation; in fact, I feel this every December! For me, the anticipation of the approaching holiday season is so much more special than the actual day! Also, this week at work I kept in the back of my mind that I would be visiting the Van Gogh Alive exhibition and that anticipation was a wonderful feeling. Anne's anticipation is palpable throughout the book. Her longing for a new dress, with puffed sleeves of course; her anticipation for the Sunday school picnic; her anticipation over hosting a tea party whether for her best friend Diana or fellow kindred spirit, Mrs Allan; the long awaited for concert. All of these bring Anne such joy - before they have even happened! Perhaps the event itself isn't as wonderful as we expect it to be, but that will never take away the 'scrumptious' anticipation we felt in its lead up.
L.M. Montgomery's writing is a delicious way to spend a few days, enjoying life through the eyes of Anne Shirley. I hope that these four little tips are a simple way to add some extraordinary moments in your otherwise ordinary days. Anne reminds that there are so many special moments to savour everyday and if today hasn't been as wonderful as it could have been, remember Anne's words:
"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" Ah, sweet anticipation for tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you've enjoyed savouring some sweet moments with Anne and I.
The last paragraph about anticipation. My mother is the I want it NOW sort and then wonders why nothing is 'different' or special. She has berated me for years because I only eat one peach ice cream each summer, or will only buy certain foods in season. She's never understood that for me the anticipation of that being part of my year is what makes it so fulfilling.
ReplyDeleteI love that you only eat one peach ice cream every summer Terri! What a wonderful way to enjoy and savour a real treat each year. I think we forget that when things become everyday or common occurrences, there is no sweet anticipation anymore. A simple lesson to remember.
DeleteThanks, as always, for stopping by 😊