Perhaps you have heard the ever-popular words from C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, "further up and further in". I'll admit to not being the hugest fan of Lewis, as there are many of his writings on love and life that I don't personally don't agree with. However, there are some of his words that I find remarkably wise and profound, and full of beauty. These being some of them. Further up and further in. Such promise and hope I find in these words, knowing that there is still so much ahead. Just going further up and further in. I have long pondered these words and have felt the desire to implement them somehow in my writing journey.
That brings me to today.
Being the avid reader that I am, I am always devouring some sort of book or another. In the past, this meant exclusively non-fiction books, but last year, the world of fiction opened up to me the way the blue skies opens up after a summer thunderstorm. All bright and lovely and more than welcome. I have found a grand world amongst the fiction novels. I've met characters along the way that have felt more like friends than some result of a talented author's imagination. I've travelled to places near and far and shared many adventures with these fine people. In the non-fiction books, I've been reminded that loving, cultivating and cherishing that which is good and true and beautiful is still very much worth it. And that it is still very much out there and alive in the world, though dark it may seem at a quick glance at the news' headlines. I've been reminded of timeless truths that have reawakened a richness within me that I once knew as a little girl. The writers who I have come across have become mentors and examples and teaches for me. They have encouraged me, taught me, inspired me and challenged me.
Needless to say, these things have been gifts in my life.
Through the strange invention of the internet, I have also come across some lovely writers through this thing called blogging. Some of these folks have written things so beautiful there are no words to express how thankful I am to have read their words. These people, though they may not have their works published in a bookshop or on Amazon, are about as gifted as they come. Their words have provided a kindred spirit hug when I felt alone and like I was the only one who thought a specific way. I have found mentors and examples and teachers this way, too.
Throughout the past couple of years, I have kept notebooks full of these writings and quotes and words that have inspired, challenged, taught or encouraged me. I have quite the treasure trove, and yet it is growing all the time. I return to these passages often and am filled up once again with the boost of encouragement and truth that I need. And I want to pass it on...and walk further up and further in with you.
This is the start of an ongoing, endless series here at the Inglenook, in which I will share some of these wisdom nuggets with you and offer you a kindred spirit atmosphere as we journey further up and further in together. To bloom, grow, and flourish together.
As a lover of words, I find learning the precise definition of words fascinating. For example, as beautiful as the word bloom is, once you know the exact definition of this word, it takes it to another world. Bloom means to produce or yield blossoms; to flourish or thrive. When I hear the word bloom, I think of a flower, obviously. But I think of how unique that flower is among all the others. How it blooms contentedly and confidently just as it is, in its own perfect way and time. I think of how beautiful a flower blooming is and what beauty it adds to the world. I think how wonderful it is when we apply that same attitude to our own lives.
Grow is another word that I love. I think of springtime and the earth reawakening from her long winter slumber and how she returns to her glorious green color. Everything is growing fresh and new. I think of how, we, too, grow. Every day we are in the process of growing. Sometimes that growth is visible and on the surface, and other times it is deep within our souls and hearts and even though it's not visible to the eye, there is much beauty taking root down deep within us. To grow is to arise as a natural development from an original happening, circumstance or source.
And finally, to flourish...I think that flourishing comes along with blooming and growing, as I believe they all work together. While it may seem as though only one may be taking place at any given moment, in truth, we are always blooming, we are always growing and we are always flourishing. To flourish is to thrive or prosper. I think of nature, once again, and how nature often is a mirror image of ourselves. Nature thrives when it receives water and nourishment and care and yet, nature also needs the rest of winter so that it can properly thrive come springtime. We are the same way. We need rest and nourishment and care.
These words are all verbs, which of course, are words that show action. If we want to bloom, grow, or flourish, we must put an action forth. I believe this is where the whole further up and further in thing comes into play. As we learn and expand our minds and read and ponder and chat together, we are walking that road together of blooming and growing and flourishing. We are journeying further up and further in to a whole side of the world that is completely shut out to those who refuse to learn.
I invite you, dear one, to my new ongoing, endless series here at my cozy Inglenook. May we walk further up and further in together. May we find kindred spirits here as we bloom and grow and flourish. May the atmosphere be gentle and soft and sweet and full of wonder and imagination and encouragement. May we open our minds to learning and reading and embarking on the adventure that awaits us if only we open our minds to it.
Be sure to come back often for new installments in this series. If you ever want to catch up on any posts in this series you may have missed, you can simply click on the "Further Up & Further In" tab on the menu at the top of this page. All posts will be gathered there for easy reading!
What do you say...are you with me? Will you journey further up and further in?
Let the adventure begin!