There is Always Room to See Things Anew

There is always room to see things anew.

Many new faces have entered into my life lately. I gained two new housemates over the last two months (still waiting for the third, please God, get Dan here quickly!), I have met parishioners that I never got a chance to interact with in person last year, and I have been introduced to some new friends in the area. Although my parents’ faces are not “new” to me, they were also able to visit for 10 days and witness what my life is like here for the first time together. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of introducing new faces (and some familiar) to the schedule and happenings that make up the days of a current House of Brigid Dublin fellow.

I have been able to help Morgan and Sammie learn how to do some work duties and showed them how to function or manage the quirky things in our house like the showers, dishwasher, & washer/dryer. I welcomed my dad into Newman University Church for the first time in person and witnessed his reaction to what it looks like outside of the many livestreamed videos that he has watched on YouTube (a lot bigger than he thought for anyone who is wondering). I introduced Morgan and Sammie to my favorite restaurants and pubs, and I have shown/recommended them to some hot spot coffee shops in the area.

During the process of showcasing these past, familiar routines to those around me, I have been able to see a lot of the places and tasks anew. A specific moment that comes to mind to best explain this was the first time that Sammie entered Saint Stephens Green Shopping Centre, a place that I walked into almost every day last year. Her eyes lit up, her excited voice came out, and she exclaimed “I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BUILDING.” It forced me to stop and actually look up at the gorgeously intricate architecture of the building. I quickly recalled the first time that I entered the building, I had the same bright eyes and fascination as she did. At some point in the last year, I stopped looking up. When you do the same old routine of walking to Dunnes in the shopping centre and back to the office almost every day for a year, I guess there comes a time when it’s just familiar and maybe not so shiny and new anymore. Sammie reminded me at this moment that I really need to take time to stop and look up at the beauty that surrounds me in these now familiar spaces. The beauty has never gone away, I have just stopped taking the time to notice it.

While doing the Howth Cliff Walk for about the 5th time while my parents were here, instead of doing the same old path, my dad led my mom and I onto a different one where I was able to witness the scenery in a new way. When Morgan pointed out her favorite pub on Camden Street from her studying abroad experience, I was able to go and experience something totally new and different from my fan favorite pubs in Dublin. When a parishioner that I met shared what emotions and reflections they experienced during a Taizé song, I was able to hear and pray with that song anew. When my community members did community prayer together and they each vocalized their interpretations of a specific reading, I was able to hear that reading anew.

I’ve learned that although I have entered into a lot of similar routines from last year, there is always room to see and conduct them in new ways. Even when I feel the urge to be a creature of habit and only stick to what I know and am comfortable with, there is always room to explore and see my friendships, relationships, this city, this country, this world anew. I am grateful for those who can continue to introduce me to these new perceptions and adventures and for reminding me to stop my busyness, to pause my worries and stressors, to not be in such a hurry to complete a task or plan my next move, and to just stop & look up.

There is always room to see things anew. This will be continue to be my constant prayer and reminder throughout the year.

ew david

P.S. Happy Halloween!! Here is a glimpse into our weekend home, the Rosebud Motel. (We hope that you understand which television characters we tried to dress up as). & a Happy All Saints’ & All Souls’ Day! Saint Brigid, pray for us.