“Once, while we were on a roll call, a cruel guard kept us standing for a long, long time. Suddenly, a skylark began to sing in the sky, and all the prisoners looked up to listen to that bird’s song.” (Corrie ten Boom, 'The Hiding Place')
Everything feels so uncertain in the world at the moment. So many hearts are anxious. And so many people are unsure as to what the future might bring.
The past couple of years have been personally challenging for me as I have journeyed through trauma and grief. But something I discovered while walking through difficult times is that it can be helpful to purposefully take time to notice that which is beautiful. Even fleeting glimpses of beauty can be restorative to the soul.
I recently read a book called The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. This amazing woman helped to hide Jewish people in her house throughout World War II, but as a result, Corrie and her sister ended up in a concentration camp. However, even in this cruel environment, glimmers of beauty could be observed. In her book, Corrie described how, “Once, while we were on a roll call, a cruel guard kept us standing for a long, long time. Suddenly, a skylark began to sing in the sky, and all the prisoners looked up to listen to that bird’s song.”
The skylark came every morning, precisely during roll call, for the next three weeks. The eyes of all the prisoners momentarily lifted away from their troubles as they watched the skylark and listened to its song.
I realise how difficult the weeks ahead will be for many of us. I am writing this in the hope that it might encourage people to purposefully seek out those glimpses of beauty, no matter how fleeting they might be. Beauty can be found in so many different places. My ‘skylark’ moments today have included:
The past couple of years have been personally challenging for me as I have journeyed through trauma and grief. But something I discovered while walking through difficult times is that it can be helpful to purposefully take time to notice that which is beautiful. Even fleeting glimpses of beauty can be restorative to the soul.
I recently read a book called The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. This amazing woman helped to hide Jewish people in her house throughout World War II, but as a result, Corrie and her sister ended up in a concentration camp. However, even in this cruel environment, glimmers of beauty could be observed. In her book, Corrie described how, “Once, while we were on a roll call, a cruel guard kept us standing for a long, long time. Suddenly, a skylark began to sing in the sky, and all the prisoners looked up to listen to that bird’s song.”
The skylark came every morning, precisely during roll call, for the next three weeks. The eyes of all the prisoners momentarily lifted away from their troubles as they watched the skylark and listened to its song.
I realise how difficult the weeks ahead will be for many of us. I am writing this in the hope that it might encourage people to purposefully seek out those glimpses of beauty, no matter how fleeting they might be. Beauty can be found in so many different places. My ‘skylark’ moments today have included:
- Discovering that the sweet-pea seeds I planted a couple of weeks ago have started to sprout!
- My dog, Charlie, snoring on the floor as I type this.
- Finishing a picture book story today!
I have been pondering about how to go forth with my business in the weeks ahead. Some of my regular freelance jobs have been ‘paused’ until I’m not sure when! But that’s okay. I still have many projects to keep me occupied. Whether I sew tiny creations or write stories for children, my aim is to fill imaginations with hope, joy and beauty. I am continuing to design felt patterns (and hope to make them available soon), and I plan to write some short stories for children. I hope my creative endeavours will bring a smile to people’s faces! I will be glad if they become a ‘glimpse of beauty’ in someone’s life…
If you would like to sew any of my felt designs, I can make up a mini-sewing kit and post it to you. I have a supply of wool felt, threads, stuffing and beads. (Message me, and I can quote you a cost). I’m not sure what the situation is with international post (so I cannot guarantee how long an overseas package might take), but Australia post is still operating.
Otherwise, I have a few free sewing projects available (click ‘Free Pattern’ in my Blog Categories list). There are also some free printable puzzle sheets for children (click the word ‘Puzzle Page’ in my Blog Categories list).
I thought it might be fun to have a Mini Competition for Kids: Any child who completes one of my puzzle sheets can go into a draw to win one of my tiny ‘Cat in a Sleeping Bag’ toys (pictured below). The winner can choose whichever colour they like and I will hand-sew it personally for them! To enter, print out and complete any of my puzzle sheets, scan it (or take photos), and send it back to me. Completed puzzle-sheets can be uploaded to my Sally Dixon Author Facebook page or emailed to me. Deadline is 15th April 2020 (just after Easter). (Note: Entries are welcomed from overseas, but I cannot guarantee delivery time due to all that is happening in the world at the moment).
Feel free to comment about your ‘skylark’ moments below. What glimpses of beauty have you noticed today?
If you would like to sew any of my felt designs, I can make up a mini-sewing kit and post it to you. I have a supply of wool felt, threads, stuffing and beads. (Message me, and I can quote you a cost). I’m not sure what the situation is with international post (so I cannot guarantee how long an overseas package might take), but Australia post is still operating.
Otherwise, I have a few free sewing projects available (click ‘Free Pattern’ in my Blog Categories list). There are also some free printable puzzle sheets for children (click the word ‘Puzzle Page’ in my Blog Categories list).
I thought it might be fun to have a Mini Competition for Kids: Any child who completes one of my puzzle sheets can go into a draw to win one of my tiny ‘Cat in a Sleeping Bag’ toys (pictured below). The winner can choose whichever colour they like and I will hand-sew it personally for them! To enter, print out and complete any of my puzzle sheets, scan it (or take photos), and send it back to me. Completed puzzle-sheets can be uploaded to my Sally Dixon Author Facebook page or emailed to me. Deadline is 15th April 2020 (just after Easter). (Note: Entries are welcomed from overseas, but I cannot guarantee delivery time due to all that is happening in the world at the moment).
Feel free to comment about your ‘skylark’ moments below. What glimpses of beauty have you noticed today?
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