“A quiet tongue shows a wise head.” – Irish Proverb
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.” – Anne Frank
“Truth hath a quiet breast.” – William Shakespeare
“I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” – Albert Einstein
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”-Isaiah 30:15
My favorite castle in Ireland, Ballycarbery, was built one stone at a time. They did the work. Photo: Ed Lyons, 2009
Worries. Anxiety. Circular thoughts that go nowhere. When these things hit me, I head outside to the garden. Pick the beans, discard the bad leaves, plant fall spinach, kale and carrot seeds. Water. Just doing the work in God’s good earth quiets my mind every time.
As I dig my hands into the dirt, I am thinking of some of my favorite quotes about work.
“You’ll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” – Irish proverb
“Castles were built a stone at a time.” – Irish proverb
“Pick the potatoes yourself, Joseph; you ambitious boy.” – Far and Away, film 1992, directed by Ron Howard
So now, instead of snapping and freezing the green beans, which I was going to do, I am writing this. But that’s ok. Work is work, no matter what kind of work it is. It keeps the hands busy, the mind active on positive things.
Which reminds me of another good quote I heard a lot growing up: “Idle hands are the Devil’s playthings.”
The Enemy likes nothing better than for me to be idle, to be aimless, to worry, to fret. It breeds fear and anxiety. It is not good.
So now I will snap the beans. I am grateful. I am feeling productive. God will take care of the rest.
Think About These Things 