There is much that craves our attention, but we have long since moved on to the next thing... colourful, more colourful, garish – that is how the packets on the shelves light up. The range is not only extensive, it is often barely comprehensible. So many possibilities that are offered to us. On the street, people approach us saying we should sign up at once to try out something new and exciting. Or someone wants to encourage us to join their party. Striking speeches are delivered with vehemence. Loud, unrelenting and demanding. The message: we should take what is rightfully ours. Or they focus on beautiful images and emotionally moving statements. Yes, we know it already: it could always be a little cheaper, faster, simpler and easier. But does that make it better?
In the new book by Titus Müller, we discover the strength of the quiet notes, of slowness, of stillness and of gratefulness. For happiness can often be found in the small things: in the beauty of a dewdrop, which refracts the sunlight; in the beaming smile of a child; in the taste of a ripe raspberry, fresh from the bush; when we look in awe at a delicate white butterfly that is breakfasting on a flower; a visit to a chapel in the mountains and a view of the valley in the first days of spring; the scent of a homemade cake; or the joyful moment that we put this book to the side and realise, “Yes, it could be like that. There is so much to discover!” That also goes for the beauty of the Christian faith. Many people literally try to capture the charm of the sea of lights at the Nuremberg Christmas market with a snapshot using a simple mobile phone camera and then wonder why the image is out of focus and appears dark. Others wait for years for the suitable moment and never take the time to stop and listen to the silence.
