Messages of encouragement from the District Administrator: The special in the everyday
The coronavirus is omnipresent at the moment - and dominates every area of life almost every day. In order to encourage the people of Waldeck-Frankenberg in these difficult times, District Administrator Dr. Reinhard Kubat started the "Lichtblicke" series of articles at the beginning of the year with a total of four messages to encourage people. The second part is now about the small joys - seeing the special in the everyday.
Dear fellow citizens,
The response to my first "ray of hope", my brief mental eye-opening for the often hidden beauties of life, was beneficial. I was very pleased to receive so many approving feedbacks from you and also one or two thanks. I especially liked the many, many wonderful "light" pictures on Facebook, each one a little treasure in itself.
This resonance not only shows me that my thought journey is being noticed. It also encourages me to share further hints of the beauty around us with you. Even the question in a comment on the first "ray of hope" whether I had gone among the preachers makes one thing clear: we obviously need such encouragement in these difficult times. For what is a sermon but a theological message of encouragement? And so, in the second "ray of hope", I would like to acquaint you with the little joys, the peculiarities, which are so readily hidden in everyday life.
Shortly after Candlemas, we all thought that spring had really arrived in Waldeck-Frankenberg. Mild temperatures with glorious sunshine on 4 February led to veritable migrations of people on the footpaths, despite the sometimes muddy, waterlogged ground. Three days later, winter showed its dominance with power, sending masses of snow and arctic cold to us. Not exactly an everyday occurrence, but also nothing unusual in the white season. And something special could be found in this everyday winter life, too.
I'm sure you have grumbled about the snow, dear fellow citizens, got upset about supposedly poorly cleared roads and pavements, snorted with exertion while pushing snow or scraping windscreens. But with all the anger about the "onset of winter in winter", haven't you forgotten one thing? Have you stopped and marvelled at the filigree, unique structure of a snowflake, the artful, transparent structure of an icicle? Or about the different states of aggregation in which water, our everyday commodity, can occur? Did you enjoy the countless opportunities for sledging with the children, the diamond glitter of ice crystals in the sun? If you were able to recognise these little joys, surely all the trouble wasn't so big anymore.
The ability to harness small pleasures to evoke a very personal feeling of happiness also plays a major role in "hygge". At the latest since the term appeared in Disney's "Ice Queen" and thus became known worldwide, more and more people are adopting its philosophy. Yet the original meaning of Danish hygge is simply to cherish and spread well-being - or in other words: a deep cosiness, the celebration of life, making this life as pleasant and beautiful as possible. Enjoying the moment, leaving negativity behind, doing good for oneself and others... all this is part of a hyggelige attitude. And the art of seeing something special in everyday things is an essential part of hygge cosiness.
That is why you, dear fellow citizens, are enjoying the prospect of suddenly being able to immerse yourself in fantastic worlds - something very special - thanks to the ability to read, which is commonplace for most of us. Enjoy the prospect of soon being able to meet up again with our widely scattered extended family or friends, as we were used to doing on a daily basis before the pandemic taught us what was so special about taking such things for granted. Rediscover the satisfaction of keeping physically fit in a group of like-minded people, as soon as your favourite sport is once again allowed to be practised together, once again part of everyday life. Or experience the very special gratitude in the club community to meet again in person instead of on a digital conference platform, to resume everyday club life after contact has been restricted. Personally, I can hardly wait to start gardening again soon. Digging in the fragrant earth, sowing and planting, towards spring....
In short, dear fellow citizens, are you not one of those of whom the writer Pearl S. Buck speaks in her insight: "Many people miss the little happiness because they wait in vain for the big one." So instead of cold flakes causing annoying snow clearing, see the white splendour of the kisses of the sky and the butterflies of winter. Wander through your everyday life with open eyes, consciously notice the small joys it has to offer, and thus go through life a little lighter and more contented.
Dr Reinhard Kubat
District Administrator