While leafing through the pages in the Charlotte Mason Digital Archives, I chanced upon this letter from A MOTHER. She shares this insightful list of aphorisms (pithy observations that contain general truths). It made me wonder what her "long period of suffering" was.
This one is my favorite -
"When portions of life are stormy,
and buffet you, remember the shore is sweetest where tides run ; you
have no right to claim always half-tide."
It reminded me of this quote by Charlotte Mason which Marcia shared in last nights' Living Education Lessons.
"Sometimes the springs swell in the hills, the rivers overflow, and
there is a flood; but this is not always a misfortune in the end,
because much that is rotten and unclean is swept away, and lands washed
by a flood are very fertile afterwards." Vol. 4, p. 7
Which one of her aphorisms below strike you?
DEAR EDITOR,—I venture to send
you a few aphorisms which have
come to me during a long period
of suffering, with its intervals of solitude. They may be interesting to other
mothers, who will perhaps, in their turn, be induced to send you for
publication some of the teachings of life that have come to them also in times
of weariness and distress.
A MOTHER.
Live all the hours you can in the
sunlight.
Work by rule ; with exceptions.
Let good habits bear sway; not as
tyrants, but as friends.
Let unimportant things be.
Don't tell everybody everything.
Reserve your strength ; others
have shoulders too.
Give deliberation beforehand, and
the right rate of speed to the action.
" Do the nexte thinge "
by all means, and know you are going to do it, but do not always betray your
intention.
" Trye before you
truste," and have faith rather in acts than words.
Blame the right person only and
to the right amount only, but give
encouragement to wash it down.
Remain alone and at peace, if you
have a right to solitude ; but emerge the better for it.
When you know what rests you,
REST for others' sakes.
If sleep flits, mercy looks down the long day
through.
Believe in yourself up to the
point you would believe in another,
otherwise you are unjust.
Mental prayer needs no "
style." If it did could you better the
Psalmist's ?
Make a museum of your mind, and
let conversation be the well-oiled key.
In an important interview, weigh
your first words ; after that trust to opportunity, instinct and the
spirit.
When portions of life are stormy,
and buffet you, remember the shore is sweetest where tides run ; you
have no right to claim always half-tide.
Torrents and whirlwinds have
their glory, and great souls bow down and worship ; so only do they hear
the still small voice."
Who is the welcome humourist ? He
that takes off, not the individual, but the race.
Judge people as they mean to be,
not as they appear; but judge their works, not as they appear, but as
they are.
Wholesome " chaff"
leaves grain behind; but in domestic life sarcasm is a file which may wear down a
fine edge.
If we could but fathom each
other's methods of work and play, how
much greater would the aggregate be.
(From the "P.R." Letter Bag, p. 131, Vol. 8, 1897)
Woah. Those are deep! Definitely copying down for further rumination! I'm not sure my favorite yet, although this one is so good, "Judge people as they mean to be, not as they appear; but judge their works, not as they appear, but as they are." Happy weekend to the Kelly Family! <3
ReplyDeleteAmy dear,
DeleteYes, still pondering some of the deep ones also! You have a wonderful, worshipful Sunday, too.
Warmly,
Nancy
❤️
ReplyDeletePunch-Moon by Lizzie is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to choose one nugget. These three hold pertinent meaning for me: Make a museum of your mind . . . Mental prayer has no style . . . Rest for other's sake. Thank you for these Nancy.
Dear Karen,
DeleteLizzie says "Thank you!" And thank you for sharing the nuggets that struck you. I like those, too.
Warmly,
Nancy
Love.
ReplyDeleteEven the hurricanes going on right now are essential to the Earth; though very devastating to humans at the time. Without them, the earth could not function properly.
ReplyDelete"Believe in yourself up to the point you would believe in another, otherwise you are unjust." An encouraging reminder, when anxiety tempts me to belittle my efforts and impact. It's not about me, but yet I have to do the work! There were so many worthy thoughts in your list. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete