‘And
through the rhythm,
of
moving slowly;
sent
through the rhythm,
work
out the story’
Yes
‘The Revealing Science of God’ on the album ‘Tales from Topographic Oceans’
(1973)
I remember when I used to post supposedly deep
(pretentious?) reflections on my blog regarding matters of life and faith and
so on. It has been a while since I have done so. But I hope to get back to
these posts… sometime.
Meanwhile, this post consists of (yet) more musings on the
stage of life at which I now find myself.
But, perhaps that is the point; I am now reflecting on different
things and it seems my focus has changed. Or – to put it another way – the rhythm
of life has changed.
I am aware that since I became a grandfather, and since I retired, I have said quite a lot on my blog about contentedness, gratitude, the
seasons of life, the ‘pleasures of a lifetime’ and so on. I am very much
enjoying this new phase of life.
And, more than that, I am aware of how I am adjusting the rhythm
of my life. As I look back over the years, I am amazed at, and grateful for,
the many things I have done, places I have been, marvels I have seen, and so
forth. Fifty years ago I would not have imagined even half of the experiences I
can look back on.
But now I find that the rhythm is changing, or perhaps I am
choosing to change the rhythm. No longer do I feel ‘driven’ (or even greatly
motivated) to go to exotic places, do adventurous things, or so on. I realise that for many of my contemporaries
retirement is a time for foreign travel, prolonged holidays and such like. And good
for them! They seem to be enjoying it, and I am very pleased for them.
Just today, a group of old school friends who get together from
time to time were in touch with one another by email to see if we could plan
our next lunch date. The first date suggested suited me fine… and only one
other person. The rest couldn’t make it as they were (variously) in Turkey,
Japan, or Switzerland!
Now, I guess I still have a few foreign trips in me, but the
prospect no longer ignites my excitement as once it would. Instead, I find I
want to spend my time in different ways; possibly in ‘simpler’ ways?
I want to spend time with my grandchildren, I want to think about writing, to compose and play more music, to spend more time doing things around the house, to watch the birds in the garden, to explore local parks and museums, to read more books, and so on.
Yes, the rhythm has changed.
And, although I am still involved in a little bit of ministry,
I am pleased that the rather hectic rhythms of full-time parish ministry are a
thing of the past. The new, slower rhythms of life allow me to enjoy just a little more time to pray and ponder, to
read and reflect, to think big thoughts and even sometimes just stare into
space.
I guess if I keep doing that then some new posts of the more
reflective and thoughtful nature may eventually reappear. But then, perhaps
even these will have a different rhythm.
