Notes on How a Lifetime Can Fit into a Day

Today I was reminded of one of ‘Leunig’ Poems. It reads;

“Dear Vasco,

I have just remembered something! Each day is a lifetime.

In the morning we are born. The day lies before us: vast and bright and new. We say, ‘Good morning!’ as a prayer and a blessing because a good morning may bring a good day and a good life.

By lunchtime we have come to mid-life. We take a hearty meal and rest. We are in the midst of the day’s demands and we are doing our plain duty in attending to them. This is how we find out the truth about ourselves and the truth about the world. What a thing to find out! But we have to.

The evening is calm. We sup and reflect. We ready ourselves for the end and prepare for the hereafter: for the next day: a bit of tidying; a little reparation, some shared peace and pleasure and then a prayer on the pillow. An owl hoots. ‘It was a good life’ we say. A cricket sings, the lamp fades and it is over. We die.

So good evening Vasco; good day to you and good morning too!

Yours truly,

Mr Curly xxx”

This was a gentle reminder for me that everyday is its own lifetime, and that I can in fact live a whole lifetime in one day.

I tend to get overwhelmed with the ‘big picture’. Let’s think of life just like that for a moment, a big picture, a huge canvas to paint on. It’s daunting to think of the end result, and how to get there, and for most of my 20’s i’ve try to plan it out. Sure some paintings need a little planning, or at least a good colour combination, but now what I think would be most effective for myself is to ‘paint a little everyday’. Not paint the whole canvas, I have my life to do that, but just paint enough to see that i’ve shown up and created.

Each day I can ‘paint a little’, each day I can be present, each day I can adventure. Each day I can live a whole life.

Lots of love,

Shikani ♡