Truth breathed by cheerfulness

Cheerfulness is something I’ve been lacking for the past few days. I’ve been struggling quite a lot emotionally, and feel very tired. 

It doesn’t help that I’m aware of all the many ways I’ve been blessed, which only makes me feel worse for feeling so low.

Smithers understands, and is doing his best to lift me up. We took Wordsworth’s advice and went for a short local walk this afternoon to get out into the natural world, and this photo was taken before we’d even left the front garden. 

I love these Cheerfulness narcissi, and I was also pleased to see that one or two clumps of snakes head fritillaries have now emerged in the front garden to join the ones at the back that I’ve already blipped. The rose bushes are all budding profusely too. 

Wordsworth knew a thing or two when he explained that studying the natural world will expand our minds and delight our hearts.


The Tables Turned

Up! up! my Friend, and quit your books; 
Or surely you'll grow double: 
Up! up! my Friend, and clear your looks; 
Why all this toil and trouble? 

The sun above the mountain's head, 
A freshening lustre mellow 
Through all the long green fields has spread, 
His first sweet evening yellow. 

Books! 'tis a dull and endless strife: 
Come, hear the woodland linnet, 
How sweet his music! on my life, 
There's more of wisdom in it. 

And hark! how blithe the throstle sings! 
He, too, is no mean preacher: 
Come forth into the light of things, 
Let Nature be your teacher. 

She has a world of ready wealth, 
Our minds and hearts to bless— 
Spontaneous wisdom breathed by health, 
Truth breathed by cheerfulness. 

One impulse from a vernal wood 
May teach you more of man, 
Of moral evil and of good, 
Than all the sages can. 

Sweet is the lore which Nature brings; 
Our meddling intellect 
Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:— 
We murder to dissect. 

Enough of Science and of Art; 
Close up those barren leaves; 
Come forth, and bring with you a heart 
That watches and receives. 

William Wordsworth