Download it for free from Kindle UK or Kindle US to your Kindle, PC or phone by the end of Wednesday 25th. Here’s the lovely paperback on Amazon UK or Amazon US. Here’s why I’m giving it away. (not just because I’m nice…)
Fiona writes: Today people all around the world will be blogging about their most beautiful things, in celebration of the release of my new novel. We’ll republish some of our favourites here over the coming weeks. But what is mine???
Of course, it’s an impossible task to choose one. And the paradoxical thing is, once you start looking for ONE beautiful thing, beauty springs up all around you. This is what our mindful writing practice, small stones, is all about.
I won’t be choosing my husband (sorry Kaspa), or my cats, or my family or dear friends. I won’t be writing about my garden, or my empty notebook, or my bookcase of poetry. I won’t be choosing the perfect veggie Sunday roast I just polished off, or the expensive ice-cream waiting for me in the freezer (tempted though I am).
Shh. Can you hear it?
Silence. A pause. A still moment. This is my most beautiful thing.
You might be unimpressed. But if you insert many of these beautiful things into your day, everything will taste more delicious, have richer colours, sound more inviting, feel smoother. The world will offer itself up to you. Everything will become worthy of praise.
Look outside the window. Linger. Beads of dew clinging to grass-tips are shining like jewels. The dandelions look like the bright fringes on a child’s stuffed lion. A blackbird is doodling a song as the clouds are blown slowly across the sky.
Pause inside your body. Notice the tension in your neck, between your shoulder blades? As you sit in silence, it starts dripping away into the floor. A deep breath arises spontaneously. Another.
I know you’re busy. But take five minutes out to sip your cup of mint tea slowly. Sip. Sip. Enjoy the fresh green on your tongue. Notice your mind whirling, and let it gradually slow. Like leaves blowing through an empty room.
I’d like to offer everyone seven free most-beautiful-thing pauses, one for every day this week. If you forget to use them, don’t worry – they’ll keep for ever. When they’ve run out, you can find your own. They’re already in your hand – see? As many as you’ll ever need.
Enjoy your silent pauses. Linger. Luxuriate. You might even be inspired to write a small stone or two : )