What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday 415

I know it's been aeons since I last participated in this great bloghop, but I thought it was a great way to share the completion of my wee Book of Comfort

And it heralds my intention to keep my desk clear enough to actually work on... [famous last words, I know!]
So here it is - full to busting!




And as you see, it will no longer close, so I fashioned a loop of twine...




... no mean feat one-handed, I can tell you!! I love that the colours match the wee nun's habit on the front :)

So here are a random selection of the last few pages...


The pleasure of abiding,
The pleasure of insistence,
of persistence. The pleasure of
dependency. The pleasure
of ordinary devotion.
~ Maggie Nelson ~

If we are not sometimes baffled and amazed and undone by the world around us, rendered speechless and stunned, perhaps we are not paying close enough attention.
~ Ben Marcus ~


Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.
~ Hermann Hesse ~

All the images are clipped from magazines, junk mail, newsletters - I throw nothing away until I've scoured it for useful images :) 

Or adorned by stickers from my stash.

These are pages from a wee, free church diary the local congregation were all given at Christmas... Other pages I stuck in the back of my wee book include the times of services at each of the 12 churches in the group - very useful information, especially if I have a hankering for Evening Prayer as our local church only offers Morning Prayer.


Listen to you life, see it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than the excitement and gladness. Touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.
~ Frederick Buechner ~

Sometimes I don't know exactly what it is I want, but it fairly makes my heart ache, I want it so. 
~ Mark Twain ~

Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward of faith is to see what you believe.
~ St Augustine ~

There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.
~ Aldous Huxley ~

And I'll close with these two pages...

During Lent, I discovered this site. I love its daily emails, as at the moment we Count the Omer. I am not a Jew, but it just shows me that thoughtfulness, meditation and wisdom are certainly not the preserve of any one faith or thought system.


Let this day be a holy vessel.
Sit in whatever is.
You are filled with divine light.
Feel yourself shine.

~0~

A resting place.
A moment to pause.
A day to stop and notice
where we are on our journey.

We take a deep breath
and give thanks for
everything that has brought 
us to this moment.

This is why I began creating this wee Book of Comfort back in the Summer of Uncertainty, when I felt the very ground shifting under my feet, as we had to move, find a new home, prepare for being empty-nesters...

This little book became a touchstone of words and images that speak to me and remind me of what is important. It's been several months in the making, and now it's full to busting of beauty and wisdom, I know I'll turn to it again an again in the years to come...

And if you've read through to the end of this l-o-n-g post, I thank you!
Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday :)

Sharing with Julia here.

20 comments:

  1. Looks like you have created a beautiful project of words and images. So important to focus on those short phrases that have such meaning when we live in a crazy fast paced world.
    sandra de @3

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  2. That book is absolutely wonderful! I loved seeing the beautiful illustrations and reading the words of wisdom - I'm sure you'll enjoy returning to it over and over.
    Hugs, LLJ 6 xxx

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  3. What a great WOYWW TFS xx Jan

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  4. Hi Claire, WOW! that is just perfect. What a wonderful idea.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    Happy WOYWW
    Sue #18

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  5. A lovely and meaningful book.

    Beautiful quotes.

    I don't hold to any religion, but there are lovely things to be found, in the teachings, of many. -smile-

    Luna Crone

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  6. What a beautiful book! Such wonderful pages.

    Happy WOYWW
    Sharon K #29

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  7. fantastic pages! Helen #1

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  8. oh, Claire! such a beautiful book....you've collected some gorgeous, gorgeous words and pictures. xoxo

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  9. What a super journal and all the better for bursting and love how you have dealt with that too.
    Thanks for the visit BJ#4

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  10. What an amazing book - and so personal too, yet worthy of sharing :)
    Have a Wonderful Wednesday!
    Bubbles #22
    http://patchworkapples.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/woyww-415.html

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  11. What a fab way of grounding yourself during your shifting summer and giving you something to turn to thereafter, it just invites browsers!

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  12. Very beautiful, very you, love St Augustine! X x ❤️

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  13. Beautiful journal. Hope you succeed in keeping your desk tidy, I know I never will Lol! Have a great crafty week and a happy woyww, Angela x15x

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  14. Impressive evidence of your work!!! Wow
    Rose of Rose's Art Garden

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  15. Great job on your journal. Thank you for sharing it.
    April #26

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  16. Lovely book - I love the name! Thanks for sharing, Lindart #33

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  17. That is such a beautiful book; both in text and pictures. It must indeed be a comfort to look through it. Sarah #17

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  18. such a lovelsy, sweet book. I'm the same, nothing can be trhown away in the paper recycling bin before I went through it for useful pictures.have a nice weekend, vicky #5

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  19. what a though provoking and wonderful book of gems... I hope it gives you lasting contentment and comfort,you should be very proud of it.I am not religious by any means but can understand how your beliefs and being open to that of others can be uplifting ...beautiful... belated woyww wishes andrea#42

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