Is There Only Comfort?

 This week I've been reading Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet and there is so much wisdom in this book that we can draw from to find fulfilment in our modern lives. Although written in 1923 and set in the fictional, island town of Orphalese, the prophet Al Mustafa is addressing the people of the island, with whom he has lived for some 12 years. The advice that the people ask him to share before he leaves them, is timeless and inspiring to us even today. 

I love the quote above that reminds us to consider what exactly we use our homes for, and how we view them. Of course, we want them to be places of comfort, but more importantly than that they should offer us peace, the warm memories of time spent well together and the beautiful steps to a more fulfilling life, outside of material possessions. 

In our age of home decor and all that that encompasses (think shops with ever-changing decor options, shows that tell us how to decorate, not to mention the apps and social media that do their best to make us feel like our homes are never good enough), it is important to remember what the true meaning of home should be. And this advice was written in 1923, on an island that was still living the old-fashioned ways of the pre-industrialised world. That meant that clothes, decor, fabrics, ceramics, food, and more were all made by hand by the people on that island. If Gibran thought it necessary to warn those people of falling into the trap of only seeking 'comfort' from their home, what, I wonder, would he say to us?

As I said, I believe comfort is a very important aspect in a home. People should see home as a place where they feel comfortable, can be themselves and find shelter from the troubles of the outside world. I see 'comfort' in this sense then, as a refuge or a sanctuary, not as the more traditional meaning infused with luxury and wealth. We find peace when we know we are in a place where people love us and accept us for who we are. We can bask in warm memories of time spent together in this place over the years, or we can bring with us to a new home memories of what a welcoming home feels like. Finding quiet moments of stillness in our days at home will lead us to find a spiritual peace, or a connection with nature that Gibran talks about extensively. Although he does not speak to any one religion or dogma, this book offers wisdom to people of all faiths and beliefs, especially if you feel that nature holds the key to find deep, spiritual fulfilment. 

There is a lot more to be taken from this book, on topics such as work, love, death and life. If you haven't already delved into Gibran's classic book on your journey to live a simpler, more fulfilled life then I highly recommend it. The link at the top of this article will take you to an online copy of the book that you can read for free. I'd love to hear what you think if you do have a read.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much for stopping by.