My favoured subjects at school were maths based, and numbers have made up a lot of my working life. But oddly enough the lessons I remember most are not maths or science. I remember several English lessons, mainly poetry.
One that stuck with me was about Milton. I remember discussing his blindness. Milton went blind in about 1650. As a poet that made his life difficult (no braille typewriters in those days). He wrote a poem about it.
Over the next 10 years he wrote one of the most recognised poems in our language (paradise lost), to be followed with others. As a blind man he found a way to use his talents.
I got thinking about how so many people are having doors slammed in their faces at the moment. A lot will be feeling like Milton did – how can you use your gifts when the path is blocked?
When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide;
“Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”
I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
I like that line “they also serve who only stand and wait”. The concept of not feeling guilty when the world is crashing down around you is a message that has stuck with me.