Fresh Air and Porridge | Simple Ways to Create a Vibrant Life

About Meaningful Connections

JULY 8, 2010

so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens.

- William Carlos Williams

Many people spend huge amounts of time and untold sums of money in search of The Meaning of Life. I believe the answer often lies right in front of our noses.

The connections we make with each other, with the world around us, with the passing of the seasons, with what has happened in the past to bring us to where we are now – these are truly the everyday wonders that bring depth, meaning, and context into our lives.

Children instinctively know how to do this. They are fascinated with how the world works, where things come from, and the people in their lives. Even the most energetic child will remain completely still to watch a bumblebee among the flower blossoms, and will ask again and again to hear stories about “when you were little.” Nurturing this sense of wonder and thirst for connections is essential to creating a vibrant life for people of all ages.

More focused on “moments” than on “how-to” tips, this section of Fresh Air and Porridge is where you’ll find the types of stories, resources, and observations that have helped our family cultivate meaningful connections, and includes:

Traditions and rituals to mark the passage of time and the milestones in our lives

Nature’s profound beauty, captured on both grand and tiny scales

The people who provide us with food, clothing and other everyday necessities, and the plants and animals from which they come

The “failures” in our lives that have led to wonderful realizations and new areas of growth

In addition to reading and commenting here on my blog, I hope you’ll also visit the Fresh Air and Porridge Online Community, where members share images, stories, positive energy, and experiences related to Nourishing Food, Radiant Well-Being, and Meaningful Connections.

It has become quite possible to go through an entire day without having any interactions with other people, the world around us, or even our inner selves. In our family, whenever things seem out of balance, we stop to consider whether there has been a chance in the day, or at least the week, for the kind of contemplation, conversation, and connection that feeds our minds, bodies and spirits. Creating space and time for these interactions with yourself and those you love really does make all the difference.

Now that the web is such a part of life, it is easier than ever to foster a sense of connectedness. Building bridges to other people, places, and times gives us a sense of being part of something bigger than ourselves.

I look forward to seeing what adds color and interest to your life, and to sharing the traditional wisdom, new discoveries, and everyday wonders that have added so much to mine!