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"To love one person with a private love is poor and miserable: to love all is glorious."
-Thomas Traherne, "Centuries of Meditations"

"It is a strange thing that men will be such enemies to themselves. Wisdom is the principal thing, yet all neglect her. Wherefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her and she shalt promote thee, she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace, a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee."
-Thomas Traherne, "Centuries of Meditations"

Revisiting The Irrational Season as I first read it when in my 30s. I actually think I may be past that season and I‘m enjoying this second reading from the perspective of my 60s.

"All men see the same objects, but do not equally understand them. Intelligence is the tongue that discerns and tastes them, Knowledge is the Light of Heaven, Love is the Wisdom and Glory of God, Life extended to all objects is the sense that enjoys them. So that Knowledge, Life, and Love are the very means of all enjoyment, which above all things we must seek for and labour after."
-Thomas Traherne, "Centuries of Meditations"

"Love is the true means by which the world is enjoyed: Our love to others, and others' love to us. We ought therefore above all things to get acquainted with the nature of Love. For Love is the root and foundation of nature: Love is the Soul of Life and Crown of rewards. If we cannot be satisfied with the nature of Love we can never be satisfied at all."
Thomas Traherne, "Centuries of Meditations"

"Love is so noble that it enjoyeth others' enjoyments, delighteth in giving all unto its object, and in seeing all given to its object."
-Thomas Traherne, "Centuries of Meditations"

A friend of the family gave me, my sister, and my mom this book after my dad died a year ago tomorrow. I‘ve been reading a page a day, as it is organized by calendar days. I do think it helped. There were some common themes that resurfaced throughout the year. It at least regularly gave me the space once a day to work through my grief. As the book mentioned, there is no set time for when it will feel better. A year later doesn‘t stop the hurt.

I found this book to be highly comforting and inspirational at this time of my life even more so because I am Catholic. (I am not judging anyone else‘s religious views at all.) I was a bit bothered by him speaking for Christ (“The Voice of Christ”) sometimes without a Biblical reference. But, it did help him make his points. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was looking forward to something like Grace Notes in Living A Beautiful Life. The practical things like setting a pretty table and making your bath your own private oasis. This was more meditations and deep thoughts. I ended up using it as an On This Day quote journal. Because of that I will keep and refer back to. The actual book bored me. I've already finish up the year of writing holiday quotes and yearly reminders in it. 😒 #myyearinbooks

December 8th #ChristmasCheer Advent #WinterGames24 #HolidayBookDragons @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @StayCurious