This phrase comes from one of my favorite books- “The Lupine Lady” which tells of a woman who scatters flowers seeds around town to carry out the legacy of her grandfather.
“The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss would also be included in my personal canon of classics. I highly recommend the reflective exercise of reviewing what you would include in your personal canon of stories, parables, and art. The trouble with a canon is that it is limited, and while some are chosen, others are excluded. That just doesn’t seem to fit with my faith tradition and values. Art appreciation and so many things, is a matter of personal taste. We can strive for a definition of “classic” that verifies the impact on society of a specific work of art.
Gardening is one way to make the world more beautiful. In some Native American traditions, Beauty is not just what looks good. It refers to what is true and right and just, that which is in harmony with nature is seen as the highest good. It is a continuation of the idea that you leave the world a better place for the next generations. This is the primary way we honor what has been given to us and continue a legacy of right living.
Art is a big part of that, for when we put our creative energy into something, we put our heart & soul into it. It is something of value, which can be rare in a materialistic, throw-away society.
Homemade gifts and tokens are special and prized, not just for their artistry, but also the relationship embodied in the shared gifts. Music is more vibrant when it expresses our life force- our yearnings and passions and stories. We put something of ourselves into what we create. Photographs can capture something transcendent or a fleeting moment, drawing us into the story or image, and triggering our own memories. Religious community is like a homemade gift, for it is shaped by the quality of relationships over time, it wears well though it is often less than perfect or polished. Its value endures over time and in the sharing it means even more. Bright Blessings, Kathryn
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