// The colour of our world

The colour of our world

In a discussion dealing with the bigger issues of life, the question emerged "why do we say green with envy?". Why not puce or beige or vermillion?
The colourful spectacle of World Pride celebrations in Sydney and of our Prime Minister smeared with multiple colours at the Holi festival in India serve to remind us of the importance of colour throughout the world.

Advertising agencies give careful attention to the selection of the most appropriate colour that will help to influence the consumer. Interior designers and fashion designers give careful attention to colour to enhance the appeal or their creations. Psychologists turn their minds to the influence of colour on all aspects of daily life - and yet cultural influences are also in play.

In East Asian cultures the accepted funeral colour is white, representing purity and re-birth. In stark contrast, the Western world's inclination is towards black, representing solemnity and mourning.

The spectrum of colours that we see on our wall when the sun strikes the open louvre windows is magical.

And so it is in life. Individually we display our different and unique colours: reflected in personality, values, interests. In my tradition the colours of life might also be described as the fruits of the Spirit "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity."

But, it is in the mix of colours where real beauty and true value lies. By each person making their unique contribution to our local community, it creates a caring, strong, generous and rich environment for us all - truly a unique, desirable palette.

So there is every reason and encouragement to savour, celebrate and appreciate the diversity of all within our neighbourhood - skin of brown or black or white; hair of silver or blonde or dark or none; eyes of blue or hazel or grey.

And should you chance, along the way, to meet with others feeling blue or down-hearted take a moment to express genuine concern: to engage in open conversation, to provide careful nurture and personal reinforcement.

Your interaction may well result in the colour of their world becoming lighter - not so much characterised by the darkness of despair but progressing towards the delight of the light.

Oh yes, that question about green with envy. Yet again we can blame that fellow Shakespeare who, in at least three of his plays, associated green with envy and jealousy.
 
 
 
Peter and the Chaplaincy team