Tag: promise

Winter

Posted on by Olaf

In 1623, William Shakespeare wrote a far-fetched play entitled ‘The Winter’s Tale’, borrowing heavily from the plot of Robert Greene's pastoral romance ‘Pandosto’, first published in 1588.  Part tragedy and part comedy, it spoke of the deep pain that is caused by separation and the wasted years when relationships break down. Despite the sorrow of the first three acts involving jealousy, accusation, death and injustice, things turn out well in the end.  The two fathers, Leontes and Polixenes seem spiritually dead and have lost all ability for feelings.  However, there is a resurrection at the end and joy as reconciliation comes through Florizel and Perdita in the next generation.  Winter is the season when structures are revealed as trees shed their leaves and you see their essence. This tale echoes this process in a fanciful story but God’s story does it in stark reality as relationships are redeemed through from his son’s work on a bare tree.

  • ‘I prefer Winter and Fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn't show’ – Andrew Wyeth
  • ‘Even in Winter an isolated patch of snow has a special quality’ – Andy Goldsworthy

RISK

Posted on by Olaf

Are you risk averse or a risk taker?  Is either position right or wrong? The truth is that from dawn to dusk and from first breath to final gasp, we take risks and are encouraged to do so.  Our parents encouraged us to take risks as we took those initial wobbly steps, holding our hands and then releasing us to walk by ourselves.  Whilst it may be true to say ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’, everyone lives within what they deem to be acceptable risk levels.  Whether it is in the genes or in a person’s experience of risks already taken and consequences received, our risk parameters become established.  One person with a high risk tolerance may think of someone with a lower level as unnecessarily timid; conversely, the view would be of irresponsibility! Many people routinely took the risk to cross the famous limestone Azure Window on the island of Gozo, but on the 8th March 2017, this ancient arch crumbled into the sea. 

  •  ‘Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go’ – T S Eliot