Caretake this moment

I visited a friend this morning and over green tea and homemade biscuits I said how much I'm enjoying summer days spending time with friends, or swimming, reading and gardening, but that I worried that I lacked a sense of purpose. She told me how an older woman had said to her that looking after yourself, your environment and your relationships was surely enough. It makes sense. I've always believed that if each of us did just that, all these small circles would join up and create a peaceful world.

It's not a new idea. My friend later sent me this quote:

Care take this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars.

Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed.

As concerns the art of living, the material is your own life.

No great thing is created suddenly. There must be time.

Give your best and always be kind.

Epictetus (AD 55-135)

And Rumi says this:

“All day I think about it, then at night I say it. Where did I come from, and what am I supposed to be doing? I have no idea. My soul is from elsewhere, I'm sure of that, and I intend to end up there.”

-Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273)