Labor

Letter 4565

Labor — purple linocut illustration

I am awake early, watching the new sun about to shine on new lands.

In my rooms, while outside the world seems to frolic, I turn inward and inward.

Where has there been progress? Where not? How far is left to go, as I try to grow more like whom you would have me be?

❖

My neighbor once remarked how dismal a view they found this to be. But for me it brings the deepest satisfaction. If I am your instrument, let me be continually perfected.

Even on days of glory, there is work to be done.

Consider:

Can I seek improvement today?

Reading:

❖ “Live the questions now.” — Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

❖ “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” — James Clear, Atomic Habits

❖ “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

Thank you for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.

Remembrance

Letter 4564

Remembrance — purple linocut illustration

For what will I be remembered? The chores I do each morning? The flock? My tidy rooms? My devotion to you, Lord?

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When past, it will be my effect on others that will be recalled. My neighbors will remember how they felt with me.

Let me create fond memories today.

Consider:

Can I be kind to all today?

Reading:

❖ “What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other?” — George Eliot, Middlemarch

❖ “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” — Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

❖ “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” — Proverbs 22:1 (KJV)

Thank you for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.

Flowing

Letter 4563

Flowing — purple linocut illustration

A lake, to be living, I need an inflow and an outflow.

The guidance and strength to act.

The inclination and fact of my acting for the benefit of others.

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Inflow and outflow.

Let me not be stagnant, Lord.

Consider:

Can I both receive and give today?

Reading:

❖ “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” — Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

❖ “All flourishing is mutual.” — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

❖ “Freely ye have received, freely give.” — Matthew 10:8 (KJV)

Thank you for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.

Thanks

Letter 4562

Thanks — purple linocut illustration

Do I speak words of thanks?

Do think thoughts of thanks?

Do I act in the way of thanks?

The grass grows, the sun rises and shines, the air is clear, the ground supports my feet.

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Each a boon. Together, a miracle.

Let me take nothing for granted today.

Consider:

Can I live a day of gratitude?

Reading:

❖ “The world is so full of a number of things, / I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.” — Robert Louis Stevenson, A Child’s Garden of Verses

❖ “Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind, and for air and cloud, calms and all weather,” — Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Sun

❖ “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” — Psalm 103:2 (KJV)

Thank you for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.