I have a huge problem with diaries. I just love them. I get so excited by the potential of a new diary. But every year, and it's getting worse, I become terribly indecisive. I need an A5 page-a-day diary because I'm so busy doing busy things. On the other hand, what I really need is a smaller week-to-view diary that can fit neatly into my bag and take everywhere with me. Now I'm a vicar there's the added complication of whether or not I should get a big vicar diary full of important churchy information which I will probably never look at. The biggest revolution in this whole date recording saga has been the introduction of diary apps on my phone. I've been using one for years, I love it, it's so easy and pretty and colourful, but it's not like having a lovely book you can write in. So, as I start this new year, I have two diary apps and three diary books, and I need to make a decision!
Our global markets and capitalist systems mean that consumer choice is revered. The plethora of diary choices for indecisive vicars is the least of it. Decision anxiety is a huge 21st century problem, along with drastically reduced levels of satisfaction and contentment. I'm a firm believer in choice, but too much of it isn't necessarily a good thing. Pottering around town window-shopping has morphed into hours lost down the rabbit hole of online browsing. And if you do venture out to the high street and fancy meeting up with a friend for a coffee, you find yourself having to make fifty decisions just to get your hot drink.
Our lives are complicated. I'm rubbish with new year resolutions, but I do want to try simnplifying things a bit this year, to hone a more contented, grateful heart. It's going to require some discipline, not my strongest quality, but I think it could be worthwhile to work out what are my simple pleasures, like an afternoon spent with a comfy chair, a cup of tea, a lovely view and a good book. Time with friends, time to ponder and to dream, time in God's company. I wonder what your hopes are for the coming year? Whatever comes, my love and prayers are with you for good health and every good blessing. May the Spirit of peace bring peace to your heart.
Rev Angie x
Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay