TRUTH . . . IS ALL AROUND US

'It's a foul day, Nick' I sighed heavily as we drove towards a speaking engagement in South London. 'It's raining hard, if that's what you mean' he replied, 'But I enjoy the rain'.

That remark, made over twenty-five years ago, opened up a whole new avenue of thought to me. I realised that if upon waking I found the sun shining brightly, I seemed to get off to a much better start. It occurred to me that I had been walking through life with my eyes half-closed. Unless the scene was one of extreme and immediate impact I was switched off and I could be missing quite a lot.

I had to admit to very little appreciation of the varied creation around me. In order to see and experience more of this truth it would be necessary to begin to open my eyes to a whole new world of variety and subtlety. The opportunity soon came.

Eileen and I took a much needed winter break. We booked into a comfortable hotel in the Peak District and were both looking forward to some time together away from our responsibilities. As we left Essex on a Friday afternoon the sun was streaming down, which was unusual for mid-January. We cheerfully headed north towards the scenic delights of Derbyshire.

Arriving earlier than anticipated, we exploited the bonus of a few unexpected hours of weak winter sunshine by exploring the local dales and watercourses. We continued enjoying the scenery until darkness descended. It was both beautiful and exhilarating. After an excellent meal we retired to bed in jubilant mood : 'God's in his heaven, all's right with the world!'.

At about one o'clock I turned over in bed and was forced to acknowledge that the noise I could hear was torrential rain. I clambered out and closed the window, then curled up again and with a groan, was soon fast asleep.

Morning brought no respite, for the day was grey and wet. I very nearly slipped into my routine way of thinking, which would have meant retreating to a corner of the lounge to bury my nose in a book. But we could do that at home! Then I remembered that Nick said he enjoyed the rain, that life is not just spectacular sunrises and sunsets. There is a whole world of subtle variety to be appreciated, but enjoying it takes a little more application. You have to be at peace with yourself, for subtlety is not always immediately rewarding. We cannot demand instant gratification.

//Continued