Q
is for Q-värde
Q is not an easy
letter in Swedish and there aren’t many words to choose from. The easiest would
have been Quaker – but in Swedish the word Quaker doesn’t begin with a Q, but a
K – for Kväkare! I could have chosen a Latin word, but that felt like cheating.
So I’ve chosen Q-värde, which in English means Quality factor.
Over the years I
have met people who have put more emphasis on the quality of life than the
quantity of money or prestige that life can amass. A man I translate for has
chosen to work three-quarter time rather than full time, for ‘quality of life’
reasons. The quality factor can mean different things to different people.
As I was born
and brought up in Yorkshire I was encouraged to be thrifty. That can mean choosing
cheap, rather than quality, although experience has taught me that choosing
quality often turns out to be cheaper – and more sustainable – in the end.
In terms of my
spiritual life, the quality factor is being able to worship and live out my unique
ministry in a way that enhances me, my life, my family, my work, my surroundings
and the people and creatures around me. This is not always easy, but for me, being
a Quaker enables me to express my faith in a way that is challenging, sustainable,
nourishing, enriching and meaningful. In my book this boils down to quality.
In terms of my
work, it means being able to run my own business and do work that I enjoy and that
helps others to further their ideas and publish their research results to an
English-speaking audience. Quality also means eating and living healthily – and
having a lovely husband who cooks all my meals! Above all, it means having time
to just be.
What does the
Quality factor mean for you, I wonder?
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