Taking ‘time out’ to grow happiness

I was starting to write today’s blog about the Four of Swords I pulled yesterday as my daily reflection card, and thought how apt it was, on holiday with no specific plans.   The Four of Swords, take some time out, relax, realign, and what an enjoyable day it turned out to be.  As I was opening Word, this poem happened to be the last document open, which I re read, and couldn’t help thinking it added a whole other level of beauty and meaning to the idea of the Four of Swords.  To the idea that by ‘taking time out’ happiness grows and is created out of everyday moments of peace…..

Here it is.

THE WORK OF HAPPINESS
by May Sarton

I thought of happiness, how it is woven
Out of the silence in the empty house each day
And how it is not sudden and it is not given
But is creation itself like the growth of a tree.
No one has seen it happen, but inside the bark
Another circle is growing in the expanding ring.
No one has heard the root go deeper in the dark,
But the tree is lifted by this inward work
And its plumes shine, and its leaves are glittering.

So happiness is woven out of the peace of hours
And strikes its roots deep in the house alone:
The old chest in the corner, cool waxed floors,
White curtains softly and continually blown
As the free air moves quietly about the room;
A shelf of books, a table, and the white-washed wall —
These are the dear familiar gods of home,
And here the work of faith can best be done,
The growing tree is green and musical.

For what is happiness but growth in peace,
The timeless sense of time when furniture
Has stood a life’s span in a single place,
And as the air moves, so the old dreams stir
The shining leaves of present happiness?
No one has heard thought or listened to a mind,
But where people have lived in inwardness
The air is charged with blessing and does bless;
Windows look out on mountains and the walls are kind.

The four of swords lies in contemplation aligning his integrity

May Sarton’s poem speaks beautifully to the idea that happiness grows bit by bit, day by day,  from a peace that comes from quiet and silence. The Four of Swords speaks of taking time out for inner reflection.  We always talk of swords representing mind and thought and so the picture represents the process of someone aligning their kundalini, third eye, throat and heart chakra energies in order to tune into themselves and find peace.  Find what is true for them.  Integrity. 

I love May’s idea of a tree growing roots that lift the tree up, it reminds me of someone growing old gracefully and how a daily practice of gratitude grows such roots.  Of going to bed and spending time before sleep going over the day and remembering the simple pleasures, moments taken in appreciation, laughter for sure, and peace. 

Today I am very grateful for May Sarton’s poem.

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