How Do Our Lives Impact Others?

/ moragnoffke

Four years ago, on this day, 30th of September 2021, as I was finishing off a Jungian art course I was attending, Derek came to me in much excitement: “I have got my British Citizenship!” Next he said: “We can move to Scotland in January!”  It turned out we had much to do and we could only leave in August the next year.

Between that day and now much has happened. I never imagined so much could happen on our journey from then to now. Every action we make has a ripple effect. Some of it I have written about and I don’t intend to refresh all the happenings but if you are curious about anything you can ask and I can write another post.

When one chooses to make a dramatic change it becomes a very powerful tool for change and we have both been tested and changed as we responded to the challenges. It also impacts those you leave behind and those you meet in your future.

Right now I celebrate: I have arrived! Not in some cocky, insolent way but with a deep knowingness in my heart that I can stop now and I can rest; I can savour where we have come from and where our future is headed. We will all ultimately die, but that’s okay, if we know we have lived our best lives; if we have lived well and given life to others we can rest. Every one of us has arrived at this moment right now; what’s import is how we cherish it and not squander what we have left. Do not fret. Are we going to moan and groan and fritter our lives away or are we going to make every moment sing for joy in gratefulness that we still have life?

The building isn’t finished and it has its stressful times especially for me but I want to savour this moment. I don’t want to relent over the past or labour into the future, thereby missing the joy, the peace or the opportunity for growth, but savour the moment, enjoy the now, every moment has its joys and its challenges. I have ‘arrived’ in such a way that I am doing what I set out to do. I have settled into my studio and it has everything I need (not everything under the sun, just enough) to create, sew, knit and write. I have a garden and I have grown all sorts of things and as I learn how to tend a different land I will grow more in years to come.

I end with these thoughts:

I have struggled to write this year as I have been aware of all the bad things happening in the world; the genocide, the wars, the refugees and all the hate and I have thought ‘how dare I write about the good and the beautiful and the blessed things in my life, how dare I ask you to think of these joyful, peace-filled, loving moments as others suffer’, as I mentioned this to my husband he said ‘but your readers need encouragement and exhorting, there is still light in this world. Don’t hide your light under a bucket because of president so-and-so or president so-not-so’. I paraphrase his words but that was his message. Don’t let the good, the loving, the peaceful, and the beauty of this world pass over you as you focus on the ugly things of life. Choose to look to the pure and beautiful, the good and loving and let it fill your minds with peace. Choose to be part of the answer. It might sound cliché but think about how can we light up someone else’s life today, and tomorrow and the next.   

Sunset at Sea Point Beach, Cape Town by Morag Noffke, Acrylic on laminate flooring offcut.
Wax crayon rubbings, Morag Noffke, 2015.
Whales Playing, unfinished painting done in egg tempura, ground eggshells and powder paint by Morag Noffke, 2020
Owls in egg tempura, by Morag Noffke, 2020
Image by Morag Noffke: the Soul.
section of a personal image, by Morag Noffke.

I don’t ask you to turn a blind eye to the atrocities, but don’t let yourself be filled with it’s darkness because it will overpower you. Choose Love.

Take care,

Morag Noffke.

22 thoughts on “How Do Our Lives Impact Others?”

  1. Absolutely beautiful and so true!! We all go through hard times. But what we learn from them can make us stronger, wiser, and even happier. You have reached that pinnacle of peacefulness. Hugs and much love, my friend.

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  2. No, Morag, to paraphrase some of your thoughtful words, …’we are not going to moan and groan and fritter our lives away, we are most definitely going to make every moment sing for joy in gratefulness that we still have life.’ Whatever is going on in the world., we can only accept, then try to cope as best we can. I’m so pleased you’ve reached the position of comfort., of being able to sort out where you are, and where you want to be. … I’ve always been a believer in ‘pay it forward.,’ … Give someone a helping hand, or simply a kind word, when needed, helps lift someones life, … take care, my friend, I’m so happy for your good news, …💙🤗

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  4. What a great and challenging journey you have had. Your husband is right there is still light in the world and your candle is part of it. Keep it going.
    I love all of your artwork. Glad to see you are getting back into the painting groove since you moved!

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  5. I know your journey has been challenging, it might have felt tough back then, but completing it surely brings a deep sense of satisfaction. What I truly admire about you and your husband is the positive outlook on life. I’m glad to see you back to writing and creating art. Wishing you all the very best in your endeavours!

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