A blog about life, arts and culture
It’s been a while since I’ve been here.
Not that there’s been no wonders to relate. Quite the opposite, in fact. I think we can just say I’ve been ‘marveling in silence’. Sometimes things go that way.
But that’s also fine. Silence can be a good thing, too.
Easter is a special time of year for me. It calls me to focus on renewal, to resurrect old dreams, and to awaken to new possibilities – new ways I can make my world more real and meaningful.
Somewhere in quiet, unassuming Leuven; my favourite bar in all the world.
Having cookies and apple juice at a motorway services station in beautiful Amstelveen. A lovely moment in a lovely day.
One of life’s little pleasures – spending all day in a book-lined library. (Yes, these still exist.) A lovely feeling that never gets old.
Somewhere great to go for lunch in Miami – Perricones Market Place and Cafe. It was recommended to me by the friendly doorman at the Conrad Hotel. Perricones (I later learnt) is often described as the best Italian restaurant in Miami. [Read more…]
A wonderful Spring day greeted us this morning. All the more remarkable as we are still in February. No pictures, though. Somehow it didn’t occur to me to capture the views*. Thinking about it, sometimes cameras do get in the way. There is much to be said for staying in the moment and for absorbing all that there is in that moment, without feeling the need to take a picture.
A brilliant post by Peter Bregman, on how to read a book a week. His method promises to help you get through a non-fiction book very quickly, by identifying and reading mainly the salient parts. And the active way in which you engage with the content means that you will retain more of what you read. I’m going to try this out.
Something to look out for: a new book by acclaimed wine critic, Jancis Robinson. This slim volume will tell you the key things you need to know about wine. You don’t need to be an expert in oenology in order to appreciate wine and wine-making. The 24-hour Wine Expert promises to be a fun guide to the essentials. I’m looking forward to reading this book. Publication date: 4 February 2016.
When we speak about religious belief or discipleship, invariably there is a perception of selfless service, of self-denial, and of hope for a better life, to compensate for any discomforts suffered by our faith-based privations in the here and now.
But that’s not the whole story. There is, I think, an element of (perhaps, wholesome) self-interest. I think having faith also brings with it promise of benefits in this present world. I think we need to gain something ‘immediate’ from religion in order to cement our beliefs.