Yesterday being the first Sunday in Advent (already?!), I decided to start some resolutions early. Since one of my resolutions is to stop procrastinating, I wanted to get a head start. One of my resolutions (also one of Eric's) is to become more efficient. We've been inspired by the work of this father in New York City. If he can have vermicomposting in his apartment in New York, surely there's more WE can do! So when it got dark yesterday (and it was dark for most of the rainy day), we didn't turn on any lights. We ate, read, folded laundry, wrote, cleaned up and lived by candlelight. It really was beautiful and peaceful. I remember Advent with Mom and Karen growing up. We'd turn out all the lights, light a candle (or candles, depending on what week of Advent it was) and talk about the good things we'd done that day. For every good deed, we'd put a straw into a little manger - to prepare for Jesus' coming. We'd admit to bad things we'd done, and have to take out a straw. I remember sometimes being too tired and not wanting to participate in this ritual, but I was always pulled in by the glow of the candlelight. And it was always worth it. So, thanks, Mom!
So far, this ritual has been cleansing and therapeutic for me. I'll keep you posted!
Hello. Eric here. I think Mary Beth's post might give the impression that we're doing this for energy conservation reasons. While that may be an added benefit (although I have a feeling that, lumen for lumen, candles are far less efficient than CF bulbs), I want to elaborate.
ReplyDeleteSo much of our literary and religious imagery is wrapped up in natural cycles. For me, these cycles had almost completely vanished. Over the last five or six years, the seasons have run together in a blur of fluorescent office lights and computer screens. I can barely remember a single spring or fall. Things are going too fast.
This year, we have somehow managed to slow things down a bit. I'm not sure how, but perhaps it has to do with the garden, or riding my bike to work, or the return of the old school cycles. Whatever it is, I feel like we were finally was able to be actively present for spring, fall, and that blazing hot summer.
Now that winter is two weeks away, I didn't want to lose the momentum. Since Advent began on Sunday, I thought it would be appropriate to experience an aspect of winter that we have lost in the 21st century: darkness.
I know this might sound weird, especially considering that there are many people in my own city who are living this way not out of choice, but because they cannot pay their electric bill. Still, in only three days, everything has changed. This isn't my blog, so I won't go into the details, other than to say that I'm really enjoying it.
We probably won't keep this up forever, but for now, it seems like the right thing to do.
Eric
Guess what Meebers, I tagged you! You have to post 7 wierd/quirky things about yourself on your blog! See my blog for more info! :)
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