REFLECTION: ‘It’s easy to become cynical about humanity. To see the worst. And you don’t have to go far to find it. The apparent worst is all around us if we look for it. But that worst is not the whole picture. Our best refuses to let go. Often this best is quieter, less obvious, but it’s there waiting for us all the same. So the practice of Everything as Extraordinary is a commitment to wonder at the brilliance of human endeavour and ingenuity. It’s also a recognition that beauty can change us for good…’
PRACTICE: ‘Once you begin to see beauty somewhere, you begin to see that beauty really is just about everywhere… Wherever you go today take a camera or camera-phone with you. Take pictures whenever your attention is caught by beauty, particularly by earthy human interventions in the landscape – like pavements and grills, posters and signs, glass and walls. Enjoy the extraordinary beauty that you find. Allow yourself to be drawn into a landscape that is often ignored. Sense your own participation in a paradise hidden in plain view…’
©Ian Adams 2013 ‘Running Over Rocks: spiritual practices to transform tough times’ (Canterbury Press)
Look out for short daily posts around the week’s theme on Facebook and Twitter. We’ll be doing the practices wherever we are, and we’ll look forward to hearing how you get on – do let us know!