“Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, shake us from our lethargy.”
Pope Francis

These outside-in office world reflections remind me how much the exterior world seems to have to nudge my awareness of its presence. After months of lockdown, as well as the uninviting winter weather with its cold winds and constantly muddy footpaths I’ve become far too embroiled in the virtual world

Since this Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and there is a whiff of Spring in the air, I plan to abstain from the virtual world until Easter at least.

"This is the moment
we ask for the blessing
that lives within
the ancient ashes,
that makes its home
inside the soil of
this sacred earth."
Jan Richardson ~ Blessing the Dust

This means I’m mostly taking a blog holiday (except for a coming commitment next week) and by eschewing YouTube I shall not waste time on clickbait on any subject. Meanwhile, the garden will benefit from the next stage of landscaping, my body will benefit by more exercise and some fasting, and by spending time with family and friends, we all benefit.

And finally, I hope against hope that Russia and Ukraine will seek genuine compromise and find the way back to a settlement of peace.
And for all of us who take the season of Lent seriously, I pray we can take it in our stride!