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16/11/2020

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with poet, writer and history teacher Jaspreet Kaur.

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Poet, Writer & History Teacher Jaspreet Kaur

Good morning.

Over the weekend, I decided to take on the looming task of trying to tidy up my wardrobes. It had got to a stage that we’re all too familiar with... Shove the clothes into some sort of pile and shut the door – quick – before it all lands on top of you! I needed to find some of my old comfy winter hoodies so I thought it would be a good opportunity. Instead, I found clothes that I hadn’t worn in ten years, and shamefully some that had never been worn at all - tags still on.

Whilst I sat in my piles of stress, I remembered an old saying that my Mum used to say to me when I was little. It went something like:

“Kuttaa vee jithe bahindaa, pahila poonchh maar ke bahindaa.”

It roughly translates to “Even a dog sweeps his tail in the area before he sits down.”

It’s an ancient reminder to keep our spaces free of clutter. Our ancestors were masters of a simple lifestyle and spaces were kept clean. When I was younger, growing up in a working-class family, this was just how we lived. Nowadays we call it minimalism.

Embracing minimalism, or my preferred word, intentionality, brings freedom from the all-consuming passion to possess. It lets us see all that we already have and reminds us to be grateful. In doing so, we find a more abundant life.

Dear God, help me free both my mind and my life from clutter and excess. Guide us in living more intentionally and with purpose.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (the traditional ending to a Sikh prayer)

2 minutes

Last on

Mon 16 Nov 2020 05:43

Broadcast

  • Mon 16 Nov 2020 05:43

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