Castlepollard,
Co. Westmeath,
Ireland.
1st December, 2010.
Dear Reader,
The country is covered in snow. Teenagers are having a great time in the fields and parks sliding along on makeshift sleighs and throwing snowballs. Motorists are not having so much fun – the roads are hard to navigate and the stress of trying to avoid a skid is not funny. Older people are not to be seen out and about in this weather and there are repeated calls on the radio to check on neighbours and those living alone. The Irish Times reported on the tragedy an elderly man found dead near his car in north Cork. May he rest in peace and be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.
While the outer disturbance to our lives from a few days snow is easy to identify, the inner disturbance is less visible but can be more disturbing to some people. Most of us spend a lot of time and energy distracting ourselves from what we experience inside. We are often on the go regardless of whether we need to or not. When we are forced to stop by some outer circumstance such as the snow this week it can be quite unsettling. In particular if our social contact comes from going to school or work or via our regular daily activities. When these are cancelled or we cannot get there it is easy to find ourselves cut off and isolated.
The phone and internet can be invaluable tools during a time such as this and may be the only point of contact some people have with another human being till the weather softens. This does not apply just to those living in rural areas – the cities and towns can often be more isolating than rural areas. Bear this in mind when you get a call from someone out of the blue in the next few days. Take a few minutes to really hear what they may be saying to you. Better still if you are reminded of someone as you read this maybe pick up the phone and give them a call.
The spirit of community can operate in new ways now with the technology we have at our disposal. This blog is one such facility. When I think of community I think of Aristotle who lived around 384-322 BC was known as the prince of philosophers. He stressed the importance of community and friendship for human happiness. Happiness he believed is a by-product of living a good life. A good life for Aristotle is one that supports human development in body mind and spirit. This has become known as ‘human flourishing.’
As things slow down a little with the snow maybe reflect on what a good life means to you. As always I welcome your feedback and comments in confidence to info@psyche.ie or via the contacts page of my website www.psyche.ie.
Yours faithfully,
Mary Stefanazzi
