Ordinary Time
A rather large part of the Anglican church’s calendar falls into what is called Ordinary Time. In other words, nothing special is happening and life is just going on as normal.
While I’m a big fan of Christmas and birthdays and holidays, I’m rather fond of ordinary time.
My ordinary time means the daily routine of domesticity, working a bit, maybe some sport (my hip is better, thank you for asking, but on my first run in the woods again this morning I managed to twist my ankle quite badly and it’s now sore, swollen and bandaged), housekeeping, gardening, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry and maybe a little quilting or sock knitting if there’s time.
It’s a gentle life. Sometimes it all gets a bit hectic, but a few days alone at home, indulging my introvert streak and I feel calm and content again. I’m full of admiration for mums who go out to work, but I’m very glad that my life is organized so that I can work at home in my pyjamas. I don’t think I do stress very well anymore. Life is happier for everyone when it’s simple and unstressed.
I like to stop working (real paid work) when the children come home. The older two seldom require a huge amount of parental input anymore, but right now I’m working regularly with my 12 year old son …..the dreaded French…and it really works best if I’m not trying to multitask at the same time. It’s nice when the girls come in and want to stop for a chat, but mainly we’re still in the ‘I’m locking myself in my bedroom and don’t want to see you or the rest of the family’ phase. Still, I do enjoy it when they do want to open up a bit. Usually more comes out over dinner – and as a result I move hell and high water to ensure that we have family meals, even if they are sometimes done in shifts to accomodate late night dancing and sport activities.
There’s a lot to be said for ordinary time. I think what strikes me most is that when things are just quietly plodding on and when life is ‘normal’ I have time to notice the little things in life. Time to notice and time to enjoy. Small things. A nice cup of coffee, a clean kitchen floor, a note from a friend, a boy who still wants a hug from his mum, a view over the fog in the morning. Nothing that will change the world, but little things that make my heart sing. When I give it time and space.
Helen
PS I realize the photo above has nothing whatsoever to do with this post – but Linds wanted to see a little more of the Maldives and it is full of happy memories for me. By the way, we did sleep in one of the water villas…and yes, I did have the odd tsunami panic thought….
October 21st, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Thank you! Sigh….it is so beautiful! I can just imagine the sense of peace there, excluding tsunami thoughts.
I so identify with you. Ordinary time is what I function best in now, and the less stress, the less multitasking the better. I was told to practice mindfulness, and what you have written here is almost a manual for practising it. Really seeing every small thing and noticing it all. Slowing down and appreciating the tiny parts of life.
there is a great deal to be said for it!
October 21st, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Ahhh…that’s all I can say, and you have a lovely way with words. But, that’s what you do right? You really are a good writer.
October 22nd, 2011 at 8:47 am
My sentiments entirely… beautifully put!
October 22nd, 2011 at 1:03 pm
For the most part I love ordinary time and then I`ll have a burst of having wanting extraordinary time but for the most part I`m pretty content.
October 22nd, 2011 at 2:55 pm
I love ordinary time too, and you have written about it beautifully here. The sound of water in the villas must have been so soothing….
October 23rd, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Most of life is about ordinary time. That’s what makes the extraordinary moments, when they come, so remarkable. You put it very well.
October 26th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Actually, I think the image had EVERYTHING to do with this post. A perfect choice to get us in the mood to hear your thoughtful and inspiring words.
Thank you. I enjoyed this one very much.