Homage to Sei Shonagon
When reading Sei Shonagon's lists, one gets a sense of the truly restrictive society that she lived in. And yet, the women could on one hand be moved by such beauty and also be deeply petty. How much of the pettiness was due to the societal restrictions imposed and the very little power one did have, was to be fiercely guarded?
This was not in the readings of the list, but from the actual pillow book and someone sneezed during her conversation with the Empress, and that was taken by the Empress as a sign that Sei Shonagon had lied (p. 190). Such a small thing, that could give such an impression. I think sometimes we perhaps do not notice the little things in life that can also cause such damage.
Sei Shonagon was new to court and did not know how to reply to the Empress. I also think there are times that a little thing actually becomes so much larger in our own lives because we do not know how to deal with the situation. Honest, clear, and concise communication is becoming a very lost art. Perhaps that should be a list! Can you imagine Sei Shonagon's dismay if she were witness to the lack of simple courtesy and the manners of today?
My Homage though is a list of things that can take my breath away:
Sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee, watching the sun rise...
Pennsylvania hills in the splendor of fall....
Unselfishness given when someone doesn't know they are being watched....
A rainy day, a fire in the fireplace, a good book, and a soft couch....
The ocean breeze and the cry of a gull on a deserted beach...
The touch of a hand from a loved one...
A piece of art that defines an emotion...
A kitten or puppy tumbling at play...
A baby's laughter...
These things, they are the reasons your heart can fill like bursting. These are what make those myriad little annoyances feel like empty nothings, chaff upon the wind.
Thank you Sei Shonagon for a glimpse into your world. Thank you for sharing not only the beautiful, but also the little annoyances and displeasures. Life is about the contrasts, sometimes a lesson we often forget.
Photo by Meir Roth from Pexels
This was not in the readings of the list, but from the actual pillow book and someone sneezed during her conversation with the Empress, and that was taken by the Empress as a sign that Sei Shonagon had lied (p. 190). Such a small thing, that could give such an impression. I think sometimes we perhaps do not notice the little things in life that can also cause such damage.Sei Shonagon was new to court and did not know how to reply to the Empress. I also think there are times that a little thing actually becomes so much larger in our own lives because we do not know how to deal with the situation. Honest, clear, and concise communication is becoming a very lost art. Perhaps that should be a list! Can you imagine Sei Shonagon's dismay if she were witness to the lack of simple courtesy and the manners of today?
My Homage though is a list of things that can take my breath away:
Sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee, watching the sun rise...
Pennsylvania hills in the splendor of fall....
Unselfishness given when someone doesn't know they are being watched....
A rainy day, a fire in the fireplace, a good book, and a soft couch....
The ocean breeze and the cry of a gull on a deserted beach...
The touch of a hand from a loved one...
A piece of art that defines an emotion...
A kitten or puppy tumbling at play...
A baby's laughter...
These things, they are the reasons your heart can fill like bursting. These are what make those myriad little annoyances feel like empty nothings, chaff upon the wind.
Thank you Sei Shonagon for a glimpse into your world. Thank you for sharing not only the beautiful, but also the little annoyances and displeasures. Life is about the contrasts, sometimes a lesson we often forget.
Photo by Meir Roth from Pexels
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