Yesterday, we watched the light beam make its way into the chamber of Newgrange and luckily, it was a sunny morning. We watched it on the tiny screen of R's cellphone and it was ridiculous and wonderful at the same time.
This is an older video but it looked just like it. Those ancient Celts knew their stuff.
When walking in the cold, I usually end up counting my steps, pulling my knees up and rolling my feet with every step to stay warm. This eventually sends me into a kind of drowsy absentmindedness, just functioning, for a while and then a string of thoughts starts up, sending my mind all over the place. Today, there were snippets from a podcast on the end of civilisation (Margaret Wheatly in conversation with Sarah Wilson), the new school the grandchild with go to after the xmas holidays, my brother's birthday coming up, how to use all of the leftover wool for one big project so I start from scratch, how reading thrillers is like "eating chocolate in bed" (a quote by Siri Hustvedt) and that I have actually read 99 books this year - most of them thrillers I don't even remember.
As usual, R had announced that his new year's resolution is to not have any resolutions, while I silently started to make a list. Or two. Out loud, we compared our lists of the number of doctor's visits we need to schedule, strictly check-ups and vaccine updates. It's going to be an exciting year. Watch this space.
No matter what times we live in, no matter who holds power or who is being oppressed, we all have to hang onto ourselves, to what we know to be right and good, to not sacrifice those values even for our own skin, much less our own power, success, or status.
The moral codes we live by do not have to be immaculate. They do not have to check every box of what we think is expected of us, or what we expect of ourselves. All they must be—and this is harder than it sounds—is sturdy enough to withstand the wreckage of history.
Thank you for the link to Antonia Malchik's website. Thank you and R for your presence in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe Celts, the Maya, the way these people studied and honored the seasons of this earth we live on is something i truly love to ponder. Our civilizations stand on the shoulders of all who came before us. And yes, there is certainly and always wreckage.
ReplyDeletethe ancients certainly knew their stuff and they knew it without all the modern tools and science we rely on.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on only routine medical checkups this new year. last summer is not one I want to repeat.
I wonder how many civilizations have risen and fallen so old that they have left no trace.
I just love that Antonia Malchik --
ReplyDeleteThat looks like an interesting podcast. I've bookmarked it and will go back to listen. It is amazing how aware earlier civilizations were about nature and the world around them.
ReplyDeleteThe moral codes we live by do not have to be immaculate. They do not have to check every box of what we think is expected of us, or what we expect of ourselves. All they must be—and this is harder than it sounds—is sturdy enough to withstand the wreckage of history.
ReplyDeleteAntonia Malchik
I love this.
Merry Christmas Sabine and Mr. Sabine:)
We are coming to be more aware that we're part of nature in all its glory and cycles. Wishes for you and your loved ones to have a Joyous Christmas and all good things in the new year.
ReplyDeleteSome aspects of nature seem never to change through the ages whether observed in simple ancient Celts fashion or with sophisticated technology as with the winter solstice. Basic moral codes are no exception, with the challenge to remain "...sturdy enough to withstand the wreckage of history." Sooner or later every human generation seems likely to experience especially high degrees of moral threats. Our U.S. Native Americans have survived against all odds despite challenges which they still face. They, who even eons ago appreciated humans place in nature and still do in ways not all others do.
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