Welcome

“ For me there are many moments of joy. The first can be a walk on a sunny day by a beach with a view, delighting in the colours of creation.

WHAT makes your soul soar?

That is the question posed to a small number of contributors this month.

We all know those moments of resonance – those moments when something touches the very heart of your being and offers an instant of pure joy.

For me there are many moments of joy. The first can be a walk on a sunny day by a beach with a view, delighting in the colours of creation. This always serves as a reminder how blessed my life is to be living in a land of such natural beauty and not to be living in constant stress and fear for myself and my family – unlike those who live in areas of the world impacted by conflict or who face daily the constant fear of hunger, poverty or violence. I’m also struck by the privilege to have life and existence when we have, in recent years, sadly said goodbye to a generation who also appreciated the warmth and beauty of spectacular views on balmy days.

Singing in church can also make my soul sing – I have a few favourite hymns and one, in particular, still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. It is one associated with my call to faith and appears unexpectedly in worship, often at times of unexpected challenge.

Other moments which make my soul sing is the sound of my daughter’s laughter – the laughter of children when she was much younger was a sound of pure joy and delight.

Another pleasure is the beauty and scent of flowers and herbs in the garden, particularly if they have been grown from seed.

Such plants have taken careful care and nurture and for them to bloom – sometimes against the odds of poor weather – always provides moments to treasure.

There are also solitary pleasures – the delight of settling down with a newspaper, magazine or book and reading contentedly, with a good cup of tea by my side. These are all simple pleasures, but each somehow touches my soul through invisible threads created by God.

Some of our contributors share their moments this month as we seek to create an issue striving to be positive and hopefilled for our readers.

Whilst some may roll their eyes at the very thought of an issue dedicated to positive news, it can offer some welcome respite and a moment of joy and hope gifted by God and we hope this month’s issue helps to make your soul soar in even the smallest of ways.

Lynne McNeil Editor