When strong relationships are in place, it is not necessary to measure gaps between our interactions. People who are important in our lives should stay intangibly connected and continue to enrich our lives in ways we may not appreciate unless we pause. I’m reminded of this each month when my newsletter containing a summary of the last few articles is sent to those who have subscribed to my mailing list. I’m touched by the responses I receive, often from people I may not have spoken to for some time. These relationships stay alive.
Let me share an example: Some months ago, in the Leadership category, I wrote an article about Michael Mathews, an outstanding leader who taught me a great deal about effective leadership. Recently, after reading my current newsletter he contacted me. I was delighted when he responded positively, reminding me of the poem ‘Leisure’ by W H Davies. Reading the poem again now is particularly relevant. My life has evolved to a point where I’m constantly reminding myself and those whom I coach about the importance of stopping. Yet, like many others, I am so busy on the treadmill of life that I had not stopped to rekindle that connection to the poem. So, thank you Michael for reminding me.
Leisure
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad day light,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
from Songs Of Joy and Others (1911)
Reading the poem inspired me to find out more about the poet’s colourful life. From Wikipedia I learnt that as a young man, Davies finished school under a cloud of theft and was considered delinquent. He spent a significant part of his life as a tramp or hobo, in the United Kingdom and United States, but became one of the most popular poets of his time. The principal themes in his work are observations about life's hardships, the ways in which the human condition is reflected in nature, his own tramping adventures and the various characters he met. Davies is usually considered one of the Georgian poets, although much of his work is atypical of the style and themes adopted by others of the genre.
W. H. Davies
Davies in 1913, photographed by Alvin Langdon Coburn.
Born: July 1871, Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales
Died: 26 September 1940 (age 69), Nailsworth, Gloucestershire.
Occupation: Poet, writer, tramp
Nationality: Welsh
Period: 1905–1940
Genres: Lyrical poetry, autobiography
Literary movement: Georgian poetry
Notable work(s): The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp, "Leisure"
Spouse(s): Helen Payne (m. 5 February 1923)
By taking the time to read my newsletter and including the poem in his response, Michael inspired me to ‘take action’ and explore further.
By responding we let people know that we care. So, take time to stop and absorb what others are saying. And respond appropriately in a meaningful way. You’ll enhance your own ‘way of being’ and enrich the lives of others.
For more information please contact Brenda on brenda@146.66.90.172 or +27 82 4993311.
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