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Good Morning

My father had a little Words book, in which he jotted down good lines he’d read, or quotations he liked.  There’s one I remember particularly, because I stuck it on the wall beside my desk. It’s from the 17th century scholar, Robert Burton, and it says:

There is no greater cause of melancholy than idleness; no better cure than busyness.

My father was one of the few people I ever heard use the word ‘idle’ – rather than ‘lazy’.  It was one of his words.  He said it held the added sense of a pleasure and delight in not having anything to do.  Those moments were rare for him.  He was always working.  For him, a moment of idleness was to get up from the typewriter, sit in his chair by the window and take a few puffs of his pipe.  Then, back to the desk, back to the work he delighted in.

There’s a great creative energy in doing what you love. I met a 5th year vet student called Ruby who set up a clinic in Glasgow where homeless people can bring their dogs.  They get free basic vet care, and people donate food, and things like toys and collars, for the dogs. Ruby’s passionate about the human-animal bond, particularly for homeless people who’ve lost so much.  She wants them to be able to hold on to that relationship - which is often the only stable point in their lives. 

Ruby saw the need, so she started the work.  No melancholy, no idleness, just busyness and the enthusiasm to create something better.  She and my father would have got on like a house on fire.

For the people who look around them, and see how to make life better; for their energy and commitment – thank you, Lord.  Amen