It's a Classical Life

"Whether in winter or summer, spring or autumn, it’s always got its fun and its excitements."     The Wind in the Willows ~ Kenneth Grahame                                                      May is a funny, in-between month where I live. The beautiful glory of autumn, heralded at the start of April is near over, and the dark, quiet of winter hasn't yet arrived. May, sort of a blip on the seasonal calendar, passes with variable weather and little to inspire me. One thing that I love about reading classic literature is how well they (and by 'they' I mean the characters and the authors) do to live seasonally. They savour the seasons for what they have to offer. In our busy, modern world it can be hard to see the opportunities that each season has to offer. We continue school through winter, and the children's extra ...

  This week's Bitesize Inspiration is slightly different in that it has come out of a novel that I am currently reading, The Tiger in the Smoke  by Margery Allingham (1952). It is not a quote from a philosopher, a famous author, a scientist or a religious leader. It's also quite a controversial one, but I wanted to share it with you and see what you think.  " Normally he was the happiest of men. He asked so little of life that its frugal bounty amazed and delighted him." The character to whom this quote refers hasn't yet taken a substantial role in the story, yet this wonderful image draws such a special picture that I can't help but want to know more.  The next sentence goes on to add: " The older he grew and the poorer he became, the calmer and more contented appeared his fine gentle face." He is a man with a vivid imagination, who believes in miracles, and whose house "had mellowed, just as he had, with care and use and quiet living . "...

3 October . —As I must do something or go mad, I write this diary. It is now six o’clock, and we are to meet in the study in half an hour and take something to eat; for Dr. Van Helsing and Dr. Seward are agreed that if we do not eat we cannot work our best. Our best will be, God knows, required to-day. I must keep writing at every chance, for I dare not stop to think. All, big and little, must go down; perhaps at the end the little things may teach us most. The teaching, big or little, could not have landed Mina or me anywhere worse than we are to-day. However, we must trust and hope.                                                                                                       ...

  There are so many things that I love about this quote. We have talked about happiness here before, sometimes touching on views of happiness that may seem counter-cultural. Angelou's beautiful quote incorporates two important, often over-looked factors of happiness: Firstly, t hat happiness is a choice and secondly that to be happy contains a certain level of responsibility. I don't think she is implying that we are responsible for the happiness or emotions of other people. On the contrary, I think she means that we will struggle to find real happiness or contentment within us if we don't reach out to others who may be struggling or in need of help. Doing good things for others is a fundamental part of happiness. So what does this look like? It can be small, everyday actions for friends and family. It can be volunteering your time with charity organisations. It can be random acts of kindness for strangers. All of these add light to the darkness for others and...