Lockdown 2020

Before I get people telling me that I haven’t lived and don’t know what real hardship is, let me acknowledge that I know that I’m one of the luckiest people alive. I’m in good health and have a roof over my head, food in the fridge and money in the bank. I’ve a level of security that a lot of people here in the UK don’t have much less in other parts of the world. And, I’m very, very grateful.

So, Lockdown. As of today, April 27th, I’ve been in lockdown for 6 weeks and it’s been ok and frustrating in equal parts. At the beginning of the year, I planned out everything that I wanted to do, especially regarding visiting and photographing all of the Anglican and Catholic Cathedrals in England. I may or may not be able to complete it this year. I suspect not as I think we’ll be in lockdown for quite a while, yet.

As the saying goes, “Man plans, God Laughs”.

You’d think that I’d be using this time to edit the photos of the cathedrals I’d already visited and get them uploaded. Guess what? Didn’t happen, I couldn’t be bothered. I am planning on getting some more up. Will I get all of those I’ve visited done, maybe.

A few days ago, I looked out of my living room window and saw the fox in the photo sunning him/her self in the late afternoon sun and it reminded me to “Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life” (Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Volume 1 page 681).

So, I can’t get out and do the things I want to, I’m alive and it’s far better to be bored than dead.