ISBC 33 - The Practice of Surviving the Winter
Chapter 33 of Hope: A User's Manual
Vaclav Havel said, “Hope is not prognostication. It is an orientation of the spirit.”1
Tie a lifeline. Twist hay. Make light. With a few simple practices, hope remains alive.2
Understatement time... I love sunrises, as anyone who has seen my photography knows. I am an early riser but I’m also one who wants to get out and moving early. Yes, I’m weird. I get it. But these two quotes - from Vaclav Havel and from MaryAnn Dana speak to the orientation that I have grown into for my spirit and for what is a simple practice that keeps hope alive for me.
But what is it about sunrises? First, on a super basic level, it is the coolest point of a day most days. I really hate being hot so, in summer, I love getting out before it gets ridiculous out. Scout also appreciates this.
Second, sunrises speak to me of the daily renewal of the world. In the Bible’s book known as Lamentations, there are a few verses that are far from laments - in 3:22-23 it says, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” A sunrise exemplifies this truth.
Sunrises are also absolutely unique. There truly is never one that is the same as another. There may be similarities, but never the exact same. The combination of clouds, temperature, the sun’s location, all of it - never the same.
But sometimes, sunrises require a bit of work. Sure there are the ones that are a majestic array of colors in the sky and reflected on and through the clouds, but what about the grey days where the sun (but not the light) is hidden? Is that any less beautiful? Is that anything less new? Nope - there is a unique beauty in a cloudy morning just as much as a clear morning.
In this last one, sunrises speak to hope for me. Sometimes, the beauty of a sunrise is absolutely obvious. But others require work. Others require me to not focus on the disappointment that the sky and clouds didn’t come together in a burst of color but instead to find other aspects of beauty on those days. And even still on the clear mornings, sometimes the beauty isn’t in the sky but maybe reflected in the water or the beauty might be in the western sky rather than in the east. Or maybe it is in the animals that one sees moving about early in the morning. Or or or.
I am grateful to have a body that likes to get up early. Not everyone has that. I am grateful to have these times and I am grateful to share them with those who find their first parts in other ways.
New every morning. New every morning. New every morning.
I’d love to hear what practices you have that help stir hope for you.
Grace, Peace, Love, and Joy,
Ed
McKibben Dana, MaryAnn. Hope: A User's Manual (p. 143). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition. Vaclav Havel, "Disturbing the Peace," posted by the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation, May 4, 2015, https://www.vhlf.org/havel-quotes/disturbing-the-peace/.
McKibben Dana, MaryAnn. Hope: A User's Manual (p. 145). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.
In 1980, I had an OT friend from WI who woke up every morning to watch the sunrise as she sipped coffee and then played her guitar before her day started. I feel GOOD waking up early but I really have to “work” to move from my bed. Another friend of mine from my recent past would wake up at least twice a week and watch the sunrise over the Ohio River from her kayak. I ASPIRE to wake pre-dawn to watch the sunrise but my mind goes straight to my workday. On the weekends or when I’m on vacation, I DO watch sunrises and it’s glorious. And full of hope. But that’s vacation mode. For “ordinary time”—I tend to pause and watch the sun SET. And I’m not really full of hope—but I AM full of gratitude!
That collage 😍