583. Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness. ~George MacDonald

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To sit with a dog on a hillside
on a glorious afternoon 
is to be
back in Eden,
 where doing nothing
was not boring – 
it was peace.
~Milan Kundera

Screen shot 2014-12-19 at 2.50.20 PM

The Old Poets of China

Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe
that I do not want it. Now I understand
why the old poets of China went so far and high
into the mountains,
then crept into the pale mist.

~Mary Oliver

When Mozart was composing at the end of the eighteenth century, the city of Vienna was so quiet that fire alarms could be given verbally, by a shouting watchman mounted on top of St. Stefan’s Cathedral. In twenty-first-century society, the noise level is such that it keeps knocking our bodies out of tune and out of their natural rhythms. This ever-increasing assault of sound upon our ears, minds, and bodies adds to the stress load of civilized beings trying to live in a highly complex environment. ~Edited comment by Steven Halpern

He (the Lord) makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. ~Psalm 23:2-3   ✝

**Image via Pinterest

35 thoughts on “583. Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness. ~George MacDonald”

  6. I think that’s what we are often missing: doing nothing can really allow enjoying peace! Oh, and we need that! Have a blessed evening!

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    • Yes it sure can and it wasn’t until I retired that I finally got to really enjoy it on a much more regular basis. We do need it so much and this crazed world we live in robs it from us. I hope you’ve had a blessed evening as well as a wonderful weekend. Hugs, N ❤

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  7. How relaxed I feel after reading your post and marvelling at the fabulous image dear Natalie ! By being close to nature we can easily see the grandeur of His Creations and let Him lead us to peaceful paths … Love the inviting ambiance in the misty forest scene !!! Happy oncoming weekend , hugs Doda 🙂 ❤ xxx

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  10. Sacred idleness is a blessing that I have received on many occasions, always appreciated, always thankful for. And a gift that is hard to accept with grace and dignity.

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  13. I love everything about this post: the dog on the hillside, the photo of trees and bridge, the eternal psalm…..Especially at this busy time of year, we need moments of quiet stillness, sacred idleness. I am compelled to re-blog this on Loving Me too, with gratitude.

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  15. Reblogged this on Ta hendene til din kjære – se på dem og hold dem hardt Disse hendene skal du følge, leie og lede. Du skal få føle på varmen fra dem og kjenne en inderlig glede. De skal stryke deg og de skal holde rundt deg – de er ikke skapt for å såre i vrede For du skal ikke alene mer vandre. De skal klemme og kose og aldri klandre De skal skjerme deg for det du ikke selv ser. De skal elske og aldri forakte – bare hjelpe når du ber. Disse hendene skal jobbe for at dere skal få det godt De skal gi – og du skal takke for det du har fått. De skal tvinnes sammen i kjærlighet og være ømme og gode og et tegn på inderlighet Hendene du holder er sterke og unge De skal gjennom mye for din skyld når dagene er tunge De skal stryke og klemme og være gode og fromme De skal ruske i ditt hår og takke når dagen er omme Disse hendene skal følge deg gjennom livet. De skal holde fast ved deg og verne om samlivet De skal være hos deg når alle andre har gått De skal aldri slippe men holde fast og tørke tårer når du har grått. Hendene skal bære din ring med rette Den skal skinne og for alle berette Jeg elsker deg! – kan den bekjenne Det er bare en som har maken til denne En dag er hendene blitt ru og grå Hver fure og rynke forteller om livet som bak dere lå Dere kan minnes den dagen i dag – da et livslangt bånd Ble knyttet Og fra denne dag dere gikk Hånd i hånd..

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