“Savoring is an antidote to our increasingly rushed lives. We live in a busy world, with an emphasis on speed, efficiency, and productivity, and we often find ourselves always moving on to the next task at hand. Life becomes an endless series of tasks, and our day becomes a compendium of to-do lists. We become “human doings” instead of “human beings”.
Savoring slows us down.”
-James Martin SJ
An antidote is something that counteracts or cancels something else. I always pause when I read this is an antidote to that. It feels important. Or better stated, it feels like I’ve stumbled on a secret cure. So, of course, when I read the above quote, “savoring is an antidote to rush,” it caught my attention.
The attitude of gratitude has or will soon be the mantra as we celebrate Thanksgiving this week. I’m all for gratitude and counting our blessings. But the invitation to savor feels a little more tangible. To savor means to enjoy thoroughly. Out of curiosity, I looked up the origins of savor. It comes from old french and means to taste, breathe in; appreciate, care for. The roots of the word savor also mean to taste and to perceive.
Savor is a full-bodied invitation to taste, breathe in, care for and appreciate. It’s something we do. When we savor, we must slow down. Savor is a reminder to be fully present; to see, really see, what is before us. In a busy holiday week, that is all about gratitude and thanksgiving may we stop and savor.
A Savor Blessing
May you find moments, people, food, and sights to savor this week.
May you taste and breath in small delights and joy at the sight of a bird or taste of jam.
At the moment you stop to savor, may you feel the space and grace sparkling in the moment.
Savor.
I made a Savor checklist. You can download and print the list right here. Let it be an inspiration and reminder this week to savor.
Recently Finished:
Matrix: A Novel by Lauren Groff
I checked this book out from the library on a whim. I had heard it mentioned a few times, and I needed a new book. About halfway through the book, I said to a friend who had read it, I’m enjoying it, but I don’t know where it’s going. She told me it’s not going anywhere, which was helpful. It’s the story of Marie (based on Marie de France), who was an illegitimate child of the King of England and sent to live in a monastery as the prioress. She becomes the powerful, forceful, visionary abbess of the monastery. It’s a powerful book that poses many interesting questions about the impact of history and personal choices and how they touch the future. I enjoyed this book. I realized when I finished this was the third 12-14th century nun book I’ve read this year; apparently, it’s a genre that I appreciate.
Other Middle Ages Nun books I’ve read this year: (And really enjoyed!)
Revelations by Mary Sharratt (This was based on Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich)
Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen by Mary Sharratt
I try and pay attention to words or phrases that stand out to me in my reading and listening. There is a spiritual practice called Florliledgium that collects short, interesting pieces {words that “sparkle” up} and put them together. This is kind of like that. Watching for things that sparkle. Gathering them and seeing how they work together and what message, mantra, or new idea might arise.)
A Practice:
Read slowly.
Notice if a word or phrase stands out to you.
How do the words make you feel?
Is there an invitation?
(I’m sharing in italics the lines that stand out to me in these passages. Maybe it’s the same, or maybe it’s different, there is much food for thought in each of these passages)
“When we hygge, we frame the moment, give it our full attention, savour and hold it, in an awareness that the moment will pass.
We feel how one moment becomes layered on to the next; past and present mingled together - everything falling into place, into one accord.”
― Louisa Thomsen Brits, The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Living Well
“The more we recognize our found blessings, the more they increase around us.”
― John O'Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Invocations and Blessings
“The further I wake into this life, the more I realize that God is everywhere and the extraordinary is waiting quietly beneath the skin of all that is ordinary. Light is in both the broken bottle and the diamond, and music is in both the flowing violin and the water dripping from the drainage pipe. Yes, God is under the porch as well as on top of the mountain, and joy is in both the front row and the bleachers, if we are willing to be where we are.”
― Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have
“Therefore, all around you there is a secret and beautiful soul-light. This recognition suggests a new art of prayer: Close your eyes and relax into your body. Imagine a light all around you, the light of your soul. Then with your breath, draw that light into your body and bring it with your breath through every area of your body.”
― John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
