‘No hurry, honestly!’ read the text from at least two clients this morning when I informed them that their horse rugs were ready for delivery; washed, re-proofed and repaired by my own fair hand.
Man of the Woods always enjoys a snow challenge and offered to drive, and as the fields are too frozen for tractor work it made sense to give him something to do.
A clear rug workshop before Portugal will mean I can mentally relax and the monk at the temple would be proud of my forward planning.
I finished this little book last night – for anyone who missed this gem, here is Shoukei Matsumoto’s version of how to keep our lives more simple than modern-day perceptions may have us believe we should be living it.
While I shall take away a few wonderful tips from these pages, there are some major differences with how Shoukei lives his life to how I live mine.
For starters, all his housemates are trained to the same high standard and approach each day with an identical desire to clean, maintain and nurture.
My fellow monks wouldn’t know a dishcloth if it hurtled across the kitchen at eye level, slapping them in the face.
Unlike the temple monks who believe every item has a place and those items are indeed returned to that place after each use, my monks prefer to leave items within grabbing distance. So we have a black finger-marked bottle of Swarfega on the kitchen windowsill and I’ve learnt to ignore it. This is a farmhouse kitchen after all.
The country roads were surprisingly passable and the Isuzu Denver with it’s BFG ‘All-Terrain’ boots coped with the drifts we did find. None the size of those in Wales I see on the news tonight 🙈.
Very surprised but happy clients thanked me for my efforts. Ten years I have run this sole-trader business and customer service is very important to me. My clients know I will always try my best for them and their horse’s comfort and welfare.
And now it’s my turn… cup (or jug so I don’t run out) of milky tea, my laptop, the woodburner and an evening ahead of words… on the WIP.
The message I shall not forget from Shoukei is that being mindful of every single task we undertake will result in a clearer heart and mind.
I sent an emailing withdrawing membership from a local book club which I had not enjoyed for some meetings and the pressure I felt to complete the reads had niggled for some time.
Life is short, sometimes shorter than we assume. I wish to spend my non-business time doing tasks I enjoy. Blogging and chatting to you is one task I refuse to give up. I’ve only really started and I adore your company.
My book and it’s progression is another task I am enjoying and hope 2018 will see its first draft completion. I know you want me to do it and now I want to show you I can. A shared goal is a great driver – something Shoukei knows all about. 🌸
<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/above/”>Above</a>
Wonderful post. Hope your trip to Portugal is a good one. We are going for two months in a few weeks. Went for ten days last year and going back, with hops of some evangelism. Regina
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Fabulous!
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That book sounds like a good one. It reminds me of the need to simplify the days
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Exactly… it was full of really good tips about not just being tidy but how it affects our hearts and minds .. like sweeping a small area around her homes DAILY (like they do at their temples) even if not untidy can sweep away bad feelings!!
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Thoroughly enjoyable. Think getting my kids to clean even their bedrooms would be a start never mind a part of the house they would not normally clean
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Haha .. I know .. kids and tidying just doesn’t go together.
The monk explained Japanese kids clean their classrooms altogether before lessons start!!!!!
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Oh heavens can u imagine the eye rolling at the very thought
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Indeed I can.
And the carnage while they attempted it. We are talking primary school children… that page in the book had me chuckling but also understanding why Chinese adults are so very driven in their purpose …
so somewhere along the line it makes good sense ….
Not as regimental as army training, which gets results through pressure/fear of consequence… more an understanding and living with the benefits of ones own efforts 🌸
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I think you might have convinced me to pick up the book… if only to look at it and think look at what could have been
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It’s a 4-hour read (without distractions) probably faster if you read faster than I. Worth a read. Today I plan to ‘remove all unnecessary items from ….’ (my make up collection – don’t laugh) ‘… as they will be cluttering your mind as well as taking up valuable space in the ….’ (my god, he’s so right – has he BEEN in my make up basket, shelf, drawer cupboard?? 🙈)
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Ha the monk knows all
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Lovely post Viola,now enjoy your week end and a bit of time I’m going to download that book on my kindle……..it’s my week end plan,snow balls fight permitting 😉
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well….I so enjoyed this post. I read every word. I have made note of the little book and will be eager to read it. And bravo to you for getting out there in the snow. I know that is not a usual thing for England. Have a happy weekend and all the best for your upcoming trip.
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Hi Anne!
Thank you for reading … I guess horses in the states have less need for rugs?
Stay posted for Portugal pieces 🇵🇹 😃
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I wouldn’t mind a book club WordPress edition 😎
1 chapter a month
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That’s a great idea… you mean same book .. same chapter?
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Yes
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I bet we can get others involved , read a chapter every month or every other week .what ever works for people. Then write 50 ish words on what you thought of the chapter . Then compile the thoughts into a single blog post?
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Love it … yes!
Do you want to do first post to advertise the idea? (And have you released your diction piece today? I looked earlier)
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Yes I have” Phillip of the DragonFlies”
We might get more of a response if you advertised the Idea, I’ll approach some of my follwers that I think might like the Idea
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What book would we choose?
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We could write out books we want to read and list them out from 1- (however many books) and then have a number generator pick the number
or we could agree on a certain book
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I’m not invited….yet,but consider me in for the work book club.its been years I m trying to join one but the are very close circle here.🙄
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You’re in .. you don’t need an invite 🥂
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Those glasses means that the book club is Irish style?just an excuse to drink wine?😂😂😂😂
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Perfect (except make mine a vodka .. or whiskey, I don’t/can’t do wine – causes migraines 🙄😖)
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I suffer from chronic migraine but never thought to give up wine😳may I should.plenty of whiskey in the house so don’t worry u are covered….gin too.
P.s
Oh my,just realized it sounds like an alcoholics house😱🤣🥃
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We should start coming up with a list of books we want to read
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Do u already have something in mind?I took notes of few books but need to find the list as I put it aside having already two books on my bedside table that I’m reading
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I’d love to hear your thoughts. My suggestion will be ‘100 years of solitude’ by Marquez somebody ..
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Gabriel Garcia Marquez,I read it in Italian over 20 years ago but happy to read it again as sure my prospective changed and it will be interesting to see a different translation.Have you every red anything from Isabelle Alliende.?
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That’s the one..
Isabella.. this rings a bell. I believe I may have done .. name one..
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Again I read most of her work when in Uni and in Italian,most famous is The house of spirits ,I think is in English.Peter Hoegg is an other interesting author I find.
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I’d love to read one.
Name one you’ve not read before … Joseph I’m sure will consider them …
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They are all authors i red a long time ago so never mind if reread them .im open to everything and happy to receive suggestion as lately I m finding myself reading mainly crime stories.
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I’ve got a few books I’ve been wanting to read for a while
The Samurai’s Garden
The girl with the Pearl Earrings
Five Star Billionaire
The Physician
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Fabulous!!!
I’ve read the girl with the pearl earring but I’d read it again – it’s amazing and HANG ON!!!! Is it by the author ortensia was mentioning earlier???? How weird and soooky would that be?
The Samurai’s Garden sounds intriguing … Japanese link there? ☺️
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🤔 I don’t think Gabriel Garcia , has written any of the books I’ve suggested but I might be wrong going to check.
What about you viola any books been wanting to read
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I have about 20 on my shelf, many debuts from members of an online FB I belong to…
Some are YA which I’ve never read really..
Philip Pullman (which might be classed as YA? Or younger? I have his books but never read any. I’m terribly behind on the classics.
I’ll go with one of yours ..
do you fancy the samurai one?
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Let’s wait for Ortensia , and what she thinks
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Do you happen to have a number generator lying around??
Now I must go and find your piece … then I’ll think about a starting post 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎😉
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Yes I do have a number generator 😆
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That doesn’t surprise me for some reason … 🤣🙈
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IDK just a thought
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