Welcome!

Welcome to Daily Divertissements! If you want to get away from the endless barrage of negative news and political punditry, you’ve come to the right spot. Daily Divertissements is a place where I hope to bring some rest for the weary. I will share my thoughts, ideas, and encouragement in the spirit of Philippians 4:8 -- Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (ESV).

So what is a divertissement? The most common use of the word is in the context of classical ballet. A divertissement is a group of short dances that aren’t necessarily part of the storyline but are added to the ballet in order to display the talents of the dancers, making for a more entertaining performance. The second act of The Nutcracker is an excellent example, with the Chinese, Russian, Arabian, and Spanish dances, as well as a number of others. As a former ballet mom, I am very familiar with this type of divertissement.

A divertissement may be thought of as a delightful diversion. One might think of frivolous or meaningless entertainment here, but I like to think of divertissements as pleasant or beautiful thoughts and activities that refocus our minds from the world’s woes to the loveliness of life. They can be as simple as morning coffee on the patio, surrounded by the birds and other wildlife that visit my garden. On the other hand, a divertissement may be an endeavor to create something of value, such as a new dress, a delicious dinner, or a watercolor painting. It could be the enjoyment of reading a well-worn book, playing my flute, or reflecting on the goodness of God.

There are so many blessings in life! Let us think about these things!