Life’s Moments Strung Like Pearls
The Imperfectionist
My longtime readers are aware of my admiration for Oliver Burkeman. Although we have never met, just by reading his books and listening to a few interviews, I learn new things and have old ideas reconfirmed. His newsletter, The Imperfectionist, arrived in my inbox last Thursday, with the title “A String of Beads,” which immediately caught my attention, for two reasons:
1:) I always love reading his newsletter
2:) the title – “A String of Beads.”
Many years ago, I attended a Haiku writing course on Gabriola Island, and in one of my haiku-like attempts, I wrote, ” Life’s moments strung like pearls,” to describe how I viewed my life. Naturally, I was intrigued by “A String of Beads.”I wish I could point you to a site where you could read the article, but there is no archive. The best I can do is to give you a link to his free bi-weekly newsletter, The Imperfectionist. (Find it in NOTES) Each time he publishes something, I inevitably take away a kernel of gold.
So, in this case, I asked Claude (AI) to help me craft this summary to give you a glimpse of this piece. So, I am experimenting here. The article was lengthy and filled with generosity, practicality and wisdom. This nutshell summary barely scratches the surface.
“In his latest piece, Oliver Burkeman tackles the overwhelming anxiety many of us feel in these ‘dark, unsettling, apocalyptic times’ – from political upheaval and global conflicts to climate change and AI fears. Rather than offering hollow reassurances, he introduces a surprisingly powerful metaphor from Zen monk Paul Loomans: viewing your daily actions as threading beads onto a string, like making a necklace. Your morning shower is a bead, so is a work meeting, playing with kids, or making dinner – and crucially, all beads matter equally.
This isn’t just feel-good philosophy. Burkeman explains how this perspective cuts through three key sources of modern anxiety: our tendency to engage with problems at abstract, unactionable levels (fighting “authoritarianism” versus volunteering locally); our habit of diminishing small, meaningful activities in favor of supposedly “more important” ones; and our futile attempts to control an unknowable future. The bead metaphor grounds us in what we can actually do right now, reminding us that the only real choice we ever have is selecting the next right action. It’s a framework that’s both calming and energizing – one that might just help you feel excited rather than paralyzed about navigating these turbulent times.”
The Ordinary
You can see why this article resonated with me – daily actions, what’s controllable and what’s not, small ordinary activities, what can we do right now, and all within our own circle of influence. In the meantime, I have been thinking about a jar full of colourful and beautiful beads, and stringing them on some golden thread or transferring them one at a time into a beautiful pottery bowl to remind myself daily that each little thing matters.
Considering the importance of small things and not missing the present moment, I took myself for a walk to Dow’s Lake, this evening to view the trees, flowers and canal in the early evening light. This week, wherever I go, I am captivated by the beauty of the light, the foliage, and especially the vivid orange of many of the maples. So my plan is to put as much of my work on hold as I possibly can and spend the next few days in various parts of the city capturing glorious moments of impermanence. Each day is different now, and I don’t want to miss the fleeting opportunities to take in the autumnal beauty.
New Insight
I had an odd insight this evening where I recognized that my photography is amplified by my bike. I am not riding my bike much anymore and I am taking fewer photos. It was a surprising recognition. However, still time to change that for the next few weeks. I had no idea that they were tied together, and to see how each is beneficial, on its own, yet even better together, was fascinating to me. My bike allows me to access areas of interest and beauty easily that are simply not possible by walking.
We all have our own lens for making sense of our world. Thinking of life’s moments as strung by pearls or beads works for me. They represent all the moments – the good and beautiful and painful and heartbreaking. Big and small. The rare and the ordinary. The unpolished and the sparkly. Every shape and size. All of them make up our lives. Each one counts.
Notes
- The link to subscribe to The Imperfectionist for any of you who are interested.
- “The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.” John Ruskin
- “The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things. “Hans Christian Andersen
- Many thanks for taking the time to read my musings. May you have what you need to always take the next step. And may we all notice and create joyful and beautiful moments every day. Warmest and best wishes, Trudy
Ah Trudy, I see your string of beads, pearls, round wooden gems, tiny rocks resting in silver, an emerald, a ruby, precious stones, perhaps a special one given to you by a child. I just found out my ashes can be made into beads; I would like to think of my family and my close friends cherishing a bead and thinking of me. And maybe my beads will add a bit of beauty in this world. Just about the end of your birthday month. Sending a wish for a happy day for you tomorrow.
Thank you Pat. That is a fascinating idea.There are so many things that I don’t know. I appreciate you telling us about this. Warmly, Trudy
Love this analogy Trudy, life as a string of pearls, and you my dear, are a gem on the string of my life. Thanks as always for your wisdom. xoxoxox
Thanks dear Janice, for your generous words. I do like the analogy myself – something I can relate to.Warmly, Trudy
I love this so much Trudy for so many reasons. Thank you for sharing this powerful (and gentle) imagery. I am going to use it. I have also signed up for the newsletter. You continue to share and inspire. I am so grateful for you.
Thanks dear Patti. It is always a treat to spot your name here. I am pleased that you can relate to this imagery and I am confident that you will enjoy The Imperfectionist. I hope you get to have many outdoor adventures this autumn. Warmly, Trudy
Thank you Trudy for another wonderful reminder of how lucky we are to just get outside and observe and simply ‘be’ there. And then, just do it! Happy day!!
Thank you dear Purdy. Keep on enjoying these beautiful autumn days. Warmly, Trudy
Hi dear readers: I woke up this morning thinking about my blog and realized that I had made an error. I meant to title it “Life’s Moments, Strung Like Pearls.” That was what I wrote in my Haiku many moons ago. I have changed it now. Thankfully, I remembered. :-))
You are a pearl in my life string of beads. Thanks for being there time after time.
What a beautiful compliment, dear Mary. Thank you so very much. See you next summer.(fingers crossed) Warmly, Trudy