I recently stumbled upon the work of the talented film maker, Tom Harmer. He has a gift for telling stories, and the one I want to share here is a real lightthroughthecracks one …
Imagine losing your life – and everything you have ever known – in an instant. Imagine that this has happened because your heart has stopped beating for almost five minutes. And imagine how you would feel if you survived.
When you prune something in the garden, it can be hard to imagine life continuing. But give it time, and new life bursts forth in new buds and branches, which wouldn’t have been possible if the pruning hadn’t happened.
It’s been the same for Richard (Dick) who features in this film. When his entire world altered irreparably in a moment, he had to learn to let go of his previously held hopes, dreams and way of life – and to rebuild his life, shaped by its new limitations, but still lived to the full.
He now lives with a profound sense of gratefulness for the simple things in his life, having come to recognise that these are the things that matter most. He has also embraced a deep empathy for those who feel misunderstood.
To hear Dick speak movingly about what happened to him, and how he has developed this attitude of gratitude over the course of time, you need to watch Tom’s short film about him here:
What are the simple things in your life, for which you can be thankful? How can you cultivate an attitude of gratitude?
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
4 Comments
DEVELOPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Thanks for posting the film about Richard. I paused after watching to think about your question: “What are the simple things in your life, for which you can be thankful?”
As I look out of the window in mid October, the lingering colours of the last summer flowers impress on my senses along with the growing glow of the autumn leaves. I think of the wind in my face as I venture out after a stuffy morning indoors at my desk. I rest in my freedom to walk and work and worship and share my thoughts with a friend without fear of oppression.
Then I realise that these things are not ‘simple’ at all. In fact, I’ve got it back to front! The things I so easily fill my life with; organising meetings, paying the bills, keeping up with the endless communications that pour through my computer, my phone, my front door; these are the ‘simple’ things. The autumn leaves, the ever changing weather, my friendships; these are the truly complex… but, in my preoccupation with the simple, I fail to recognise their complexity.
Thankful? Most certainly! God has created us a truly complex world!
Martyn
Thanks for taking time to watch the film and think about my question, Martyn. I’m glad it’s helped you appreciate the simple things in life, as well as the complex ones!
Ooh – that’s a bit of a tear-jerker. What a reminder this is to take a moment each day to remember all of the amazing things that we do have and not to rush blindly through our day and miss all of those treasures. Thanks Jo xx
I’m glad to hear you’ve been reminded to appreciate the treasures of each day, Betty Boo! We all need to do more of this, not just you.