“The future, good or ill, was not forgotten, but ceased to have any power over the present. Health and hope grew strong in them, and they were content with each good day as it came, taking pleasure in every meal, and in every word and song.”
J.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
I am not sure what to call the opposite of living-in-the-present, but I think I have become accustomed to it. Practices and dispositions now common among us subtly draw us away from really being present in the present.
Fears that draw our imagination and thoughts to what might happen. Regular consumption of what poses as ‘news’ that fosters such fears. Obsession with the next practical achievement that keeps our focus on the future, often again with a certain anxiousness. Success mis-conceived in terms that undervalue the simple things of our day-to-day life. The list goes on.
Tolkien masterfully points to something different. There is a way of living each day that is an antidote to this dominant, contagious malady. And Christmastide and the new year are custom made to practice such living.
Tolkien describes Rivendell—the ‘last homely home’—as a place of intense life, focused on the things that endure. Perhaps most notable, and subtle, is how people relate to the future. They foresee it and prepare for it appropriately. But they do not allow it to co-opt and overrun the present—and this makes all the difference. And it is harder than it sounds.
Our life, our home can be like Rivendell in the essentials. But it will require something very difficult.
We must find that golden point of balance: being alive to the dangers and demands of the future while at the same time savoring and prioritizing the present. This means we must adjust our desires, and correspondingly moderate our fears. This makes good sense , since our fears are always rooted in our desires. Purifying what we want is the surest way to moderate our fears.
‘Success’ for us will look and feel different. It will lie more within us; it will likewise be more within our means, and probably more, though certainly not exclusively, within our homes. And in any case—and this is the great point—it will be more within the kinds of activities in which a vibrant home excels.
If we opt for this human wealth—and again, now especially is the time—then health and hope can grow strong in us, and we will be content, nay joyful, in each good day as it comes. Taking pleasure in every meal, in every word, and in every song.
And if tomorrow holds a journey of great peril, we will be ready, and willing. Since what we have cultivated within ‘at home’ will be who we are, and what we take with us, and share, wherever we go. Even to the mount of doom.
Related reading:
- Sorting Out Stress
- Wealth: Seeking Only What’s Needed
- Belloc on Observing Christmas
- Making the Times that Matter
- Having a Homely House in Ugly Times
Once again, here is a five minute video on festivity for Christmastide. Check out all the Concepts Made Clear (CMC) videos.
Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.
J R Arrrr Tolkien
My attempt to prompt a transition in discourse from the importance of recognizing John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s selected manner of presenting his name in letters to my favorite anecdote about Robert Louis Stevenson and William Ernest Henley falls flat…again.
Cheers to second chances and future book sales.
Have a blessed AD MMXXII, Fra Cuddeback.
Tolkien as an author has taught me so much. After chasing a very empty life, reading him has been a refreshing, hope-filled journey. But like you said, living the way he encourages is not easy. And I still struggle with it. What would you advise about living simply like a hobbit, about embracing the things that endure like those in Rivendell, while also accepting the limitations that one has? How are you patient with yourself as you pursue a life built more on Tolkien’s wisdom and less on worldly gain? Sometimes I feel like I have to”have certain things” or be a certain way before these freedoms are possible.
Adrienne, You have asked some very profound life questions–indeed, you raise issues I think about often and are behind many of the reflections posted here at LifeCraft. First, I really like how you have posed the issue: the goal is to live ‘simply’ in some important sense. Surely, this is a key feature portrayed in the life of Tolkien’s hobbits–at least the hobbits of integrity. Their head is not turned by the attraction of gold; they tend to savor the rich, ordinary things of daily life. You mention accepting limitations. This could be taken in a number of ways–I think you might mean personal limitations or weaknesses given one’s background. Patience with oneself is always a first principle. One thing illustrated nicely in Tolkien’s stories is that each person is called to live and bloom where he is. Wherever we are, we look and discern how we might move forward, how we might grow and serve the broader common good. Sometimes we are frustrated we don’t have certain things to offer; we need to learn the wisdom of accepting what we have been given. It is all gift. Often what can seem our biggest liabilities end up being our greatest gifts–to be received in humility and offered, as we are able, to others. Yes, there are habits and even ‘things’ that we must try to cultivate in service of the good life. But cultivation takes time and patience. And that very cultivation and patience are themselves part of the good life itself. Thanks for asking.
Thank you so much for this post. Just last week, I copied that Tolkien quote into my notebook, adding it to a 100% media fast that I enacted to save myself from the overwhelming fear that threatens whenever I click on the news. I am doing my best to find out how to put this quote into practice in our family life.
Love the blog, thanks!
Diana
Diana, We are on this journey together and asking ourselves the same questions. May God grant us wisdom.
Dr. Cuddeback, this is so timely. I have been looking for a place to “hang my hat” when describing how we must live in the grace of each moment. Your have given that place to me: Rivendell. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Tyler, I’m so glad to hear that. I know exactly what you mean. We also just read the section on Lochlorien and its queen, Galadriel. It gives more such opportunity to reflect on this same beautiful point. All best in this holy season to you and your family too.
This video and the winter wisdom one were exceptionally joy-making.