Wednesday 9 May 2012

words on a simple life

Are you familiar with this book?

I bought it a few days ago and was very glad to see
that the first quote of the collection was by a Greek writer.

How simple and frugal a thing is happiness:
a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier,
the sound of the sea....
All that is required to feel
that here and now is happiness
is a simple, frugal heart.

Nikos Kazantzakis
(1885-1957)

This hasn't been an easy day for me. A stomach-ache kept me up late
and woke me up several times during the night
and, at work... this day counts in my book as a very bad one; patience? what is that?
Then this amazing shower came and washed all the negativity away!
So invigorating!
I'm much better now -and so are my plants, which had a good wash from the city dust.
Happiness is indeed a simple thing!

Then I opened this book and a thought crossed my mind:
at these challenging times for my country,
it's good to remember that there have been people, Greeks, who led the way to many others. Who were inspiring; leaders in their own way,
who made my country famous.
I'm sure there will be more in the future.



2 comments:

Lisa said...

No, I hadn't heard of that book - such books are so helpful. I'm glad you're feeling better, and hope things will improve in your country.

Marigold Jam said...

No I hadn't heard of the book either but will be looking out for it now. Had been thinking of you and wondering how you are not being Twitter literate! You are right about the Greeks - I am sure there will be many more inspirational leaders from your countrymen too. These are difficult times for you and indeed many other European nations but we will survive and your little book sounds just the sort of thing to read whilst we wait!