Reading “The Beauty of Ordinary Things”

Recently I read The Beauty of Ordinary Things, by Harriet Scott Chessman, and I thought I’d share because it’s so different than most of the literature we typically come across today. It’s contemplative, understanding, and forgiving—very much like the spirit of the abbey Chessman presents within its pages.

I came upon this book through unusual circumstances, which makes sense given its rare content. My aunt is a cloistered nun, and after visiting her this past summer, she gave it to me, thinking my wife and I might enjoy it. She was right. It is a lovely novella that weaves together several authentic characters, inside and outside an abbey, struggling to find their way in the world. Raising questions about what it means to be a good person and how that reality can look very different for different people, The Beauty of Ordinary Things shows us that we are all connected through our desire to be better. That peace may come through different avenues, but is possible through steadfastness and an open heart.

The Special Places We Can Go

I’ve been visiting my aunt’s abbey my whole life, and I’ve always cherished it. It’s a magical place that doesn’t make you feel judged for not being a stellar practicing Catholic, but welcomes you as an individual looking to grow. For me, the abbey always makes me feel better about life. Knowing there are special places like that, with women living in communion with the land, gives you an incredible sense of hope and strength when you are back home, dealing with the stress of regular life.

Throughout the book, Chessman so eloquently conveys all of the feelings I have about the abbey, but there was one quote in particular that really stuck with me:

“It was as if Isabel had introduced me to a new country, one where I could always go. And it’s funny, because I started to see I could carry that inside me too. I could take it back to Somerville with me, back to the hospital. A landscape isn’t just outside you. It changes how you look at things.”

This idea, that the special places we go can rub off on us—and we can carry them with us—is exactly how I feel about my aunt’s abbey. Similarly, it’s how I feel about the mountains and natural places I like to explore—what a gift to explore these divine wonders of the earth. And it’s true about carrying them with you. Special places, and the kindnesses we experience in them, linger well after our visit. They can sustain you and help you grow into the person you want to be. Chessman’s novella reminds us of that in no ordinary way.

Book Shop

If you’d like to check out The Beauty of Ordinary Things, I added it to my bookshop, where I highlight my favorite books and authors. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading!