a little nonsense…

Once in a while a little nonsense is needed. Nonsense lifts our hearts, delights our spirits and fuels creativity. The world would be a very sad, sad place indeed, if it were not for the delightful creations of Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel), Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), L. Frank Baum, C.S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, J. M. Barrie, Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens), the Brothers Grimm, Aesop and countless others.

Fantasy and nonsense are relished by the wisest of us for good reason. It gives us a break from reality. It allows us explore our imagination into a world of possibilities. A little make-believe stimulates our creativity, which lets us and encourages us to be inventive, efficient and effective in our daily routines. “How?” you ask.

Creative thinking promotes people to see things differently, from new angles and perspectives, which in turn allows people to find better ways of tackling their daily chores and jobs. As Dahl stated, “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest of men,” because nonsense ultimately serves a wonderful purpose in our lives.

I invite everyone to use a purple crayon, mismatch your outfit, talk backwards, or any other nonsensical thing you wish to do for a spell. I keep blowing bubbles in my car, so if I am ever stuck in traffic, I can enjoy the moment as if I were a kid again. And, it is fun to see people’s faces light up when they see bubbles dance in front of their windshields. It is that “whistle while you work attitude” that really makes our lives worth living. One final note…I leave you with this phenomenal quote from Alice in Wonderland:

“Alice laughed: “There’s no use trying,” she said; “one can’t believe impossible things.” “I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

 

Related articles

• Phonics speaks to children’s knack for nonsense | Louise Schweitzer (guardian.co.uk)
• Nonsense Makes Sense (saxtonstudio.wordpress.com)
• Writing for Children: Let Your Imagination Rip (theindieexchange.com)
• “The Seven Lady Godivas” by Theodor Seuss Geisel (“Dr. Seuss”) (petergalenmassey.com)

Faith

 

Faith, what is it really? According to the dictionary faith is confidence or trust in a person, entity or thing, for example, faith in another’s ability. Faith is belief that is not based on proof.

C.S. Lewis expressed that faith is merely the virtue by which we hold to our reasoned ideas, despite our moods to the contrary.

In some scopes of thinking, faith is a conviction that something is; a determination to accomplish one’s goals; and/or a sense of joy deriving from both.

So, what is faith to me?

I perceive, comprehend and grasp the nature of faith to be a deep trust, a profound confidence and a relentless belief without the benefit of any proof.

I have faith in myself to carry out everything I plan to do to fulfill my new year goals, resolutions and intentions. I have faith in my family and friends, who will support my goals, resolutions and intentions. Faith is needed and desired to develop and nurture any relationship including and most importantly the relationship with our own selves. Faith is such a positive word and positive feeling.  As such, I humbly perceive faith to be closely related to love. Love and faith go together like milk and cookies.

Perhaps you could have one without the other but it would be a shallow experience; like having cookies without milk. Milk adds so much more to the cookie experience. Yes, I seem to have food on the brain, but that is because it makes a good illustration of love and faith; and, how the two go together.

I profoundly believe and trust my spouse. I have faith in him. I love him. Could I love my spouse without trusting him? It would only be a shallow form of love. Profound, unconditional love requires faith. Anyone who has been in more than one significant relationship knows when you do NOT have faith in your partner, your relationship is doomed.

So, along this line of thinking: if we do NOT have faith in ourselves, then our relationship with ourselves is in trouble. How can we repair that profound belief in ourselves? I propose that one great way is to KEEP those promises we make to ourselves, especially those promises that involve self-love and self-care like our new year resolutions, intentions and goals. Keep the faith and Happy New Year!