“Experience one beautiful thing a day. However small. However trivial. Read a poem. Play a favourite song. Laugh with a friend. Gaze at the sky just before the sun’s final tumble toward night. Watch a classic movie. Eat a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Whatever. Just give yourself one simple reminder that the world is full of wonders.” ― Matt Haig, The Comfort Book.
Inspired by the above quote from my recent reading, I set myself a challenge to record one small, beautiful thing each day. The difficulty was breaking down the big events, resisting the lure of the shiny-shiny, and really noticing the small gems that often hide in plain sight. Here’s my list.
April
1. Booked Easter dinner for Mom and family. Planning builds anticipation!
2. Canadian-made Nespresso capsules finally arrived after a three-week wait. Morning coffee feels right again.
3. Spring Cleaning. This always sounds worse than it actually is. And the end result – fabulous.
4. Replaced two pieces of lawn furniture that had seen better days. Instant patio refresh.
5. Enjoyable drive to Sooke to take care of our granddog — with a favourite breakfast stop along the way.
6. Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit at Royal BC Museum, Victoria. Nature. Talent. Awe.
7. Full rest day spent reading and relaxing. Rest days are hard for me to take without constantly feeling that I need to be doing something productive. Memo to self – rest is not only productive, it is necessary.
8. Online chat with a friend to help plan her upcoming visit to Canada–more joyful anticipation!
9. Drive home from Sooke with a must-stop bakery detour in Ladysmith.
10. Took our granddog to join us for our regular walking group. Witnessing our granddog’s delight increased our own.
11. Attended my first political rally ever – Elbows Up: Charles Angus Resistance Tour. I loved seeing passion and conviction come together peacefully and respectfully.
12. Rock Painting Party at one friend’s house and then dinner at another’s. So, I admit that’s two things. Summing it up into one: the immense joy of friendship.
13. There’s a young couple who sell their homemade bread at local outdoor pop-up locations. I love seeing their warm, smiling faces and eating their freshly made goodies.
14. Online workout with a friend. We haven’t had a workout together since February. I loved catching up right where we left off.
15. I was juggling to fit in a few different appointments today, so my hairdresser came in early to help make the juggling easier. Small kindnesses speak volumes.
16. Met up with previous book club members. I love a good catch-up with long-time friends.
17. What’s On Your Bookshelf Linkup is live. I love being inspired by book recommendations of others – and inspiring others in return.
18. Attended early voting for our Canadian Federal Election. I am grateful for this right and privilege and for living in a country with an abundant quality of life.
19. Trip to Vancouver to see our youngest son, who is visiting from his home in Hong Kong. No words can adequately express this extreme pleasure.
20. Trip continues on to Kelowna (with youngest son in tow) to visit my parents in Kelowna. Remember that dinner I booked on April 1? It was fabulous!
21. Dinner at the home of a long-time amazing friend. She changed her family’s Easter dinner date so Creighton, Richard and I could attend. This ties back in with #12 – the absolute joy of true friendship.
22. Immense gratitude for my incredible, 94-year-old mother.
23. In Kelowna, we have been staying in a very comfortable home exchange. Richard and I have been fortunate to have discovered this way of travel over 17 years ago. Since that time, we have had over 100 exchanges and no regrets about this form of travel.
24. Pack up to head out to Vancouver tomorrow to visit more family there.
Thank you to Matt Haig for the suggestion. This exercise definitely heightened my awareness of the kaleidoscope of small pleasures around me — a reminder that what we focus on often multiplies before our eyes.
Here’s how my camera captured some of this past month’s joys. A slightly different pov — but still overflowing with simple delights!
This is my contribution to April’s What’s Been On Your Calendar.
What’s been on yours?
What are some small pleasures that you have experienced lately?
Cohosts: Jo Tracey, Debbie Harris, Sue Loncaric and me.
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