During my meditation feeling the comfort of taking a deep breath and exhaling. Listening to a piece of music that takes me back to a very special time in my past. Watching my cats ears and whiskers flicker as they are dreaming soundly.
Along with everyone else here who are so fortunate to have our necessary resources I would like to add – peace.
Peace is another necessary element we need and not everyone gets to have. Everyday I wake up and it’s peaceful where I live . No one carries weapons (at least not many anyway) I live in one of the world’s top safest countries to live in and it’s a blessing. We’re not far from Russia which is indeed scary.
Now that the doomsday clock was set at 90 seconds before midnight last week, I am ever more mindful of what I consider to be ordinary is so precious.
I pray for us all and deeply appreciate peace. Let’s do our best to coexist in peace with each other.
Most of the “ordinary” in my life seems to me to be “extraordinary” as someone else here wrote.
Electricity, hot water to make my coffee, toast, clean water, a working toilet!, a roof over my head…..& so much more. I am blessed.✨🌟🙏🏻
Br. David was the first person ever to present the magic of the mundane to me. At least 20 years ago I heard a talk with him on college radio discussing the importance of water. He spoke with such love and appreciation for the ease with which we access this resource. Then, he pointed out how many people didn’t have this luxury—or worse, their water may blind or kill them. A few years later, I learned about Thich Nhat Hahn’s pithy haiku-like aphorisms on the mundane, the Gathas. Between these two enlightened masters I’ve learned to appreciate: my breath, my body, the water, the electricity, my home, personal space, a meditation room, my safety, paved roads, trash collection… I can go on and on. The ordinary is the extraordinary. I mean how often are you having a peak experience, like a wedding or birth. All of those moments in between are where the magic happens. Thank you God.
When people spell my name correctly. I understand it’s common to spell it with two N’s, but I find it kind when someone puts in the effort to spell it correctly in emails, texts, etc. To me, it shows the person is being mindful and respectful.
100% agree with you Jenifer. I am a one ‘L’ Michele – it annoys me when I see the 2 LL’s, especially in emails when my Signature is right there [work].
Thank you for sharing Michele 🙂
Our name is a big part of our identity so it makes sense that we get annoyed when someone doesn’t take the time to spell it correctly. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt though, it’s a common mistake that I’ve learned to accept and not get too hung up on.
I’m picking up on what Charlie said. Attention transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, or at least into that which I can appreciate more because I’m truly tuning in and thinking about it–which, after all, is the point of these questions for me.
When I think about the ordinary things that I enjoy, I’m reminded that they are not enjoyed by all nor are they available to all. Water, some have to walk miles to get water. A warm shower, some have never experienced the joy of warm, cleansing water pelting their skin. The sound of my furnace blowing warm air over my feet as I sit here at my computer sipping hot coffee on this chilly morning. So many ordinary things that I take for granted would be extra ordinary luxuries for a large percentage of others.
I appreciate a warm dwelling, (or a cool one in the heat of the summer!) a comfortable bed, running water, my hot tea in the morning …and the fact that I can get up and move from one place to another without pain or assistance. As someone said…the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. I am grateful for all of that….and one more -the ability to read- a wonderful gift.
When I think about the “ordinary” things,
they are immediately transformed into
extraordinary things. Isn’t that how this
works? A greeting as I pass others while
walking or riding, a delicious cup of coffee,
a smile from a stranger, a hot shower,
a clean kitchen, another dawn.
Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.
– John Lennon
Laughter
Acknowledgement as opposed to indifference
A good night’s rest
A handwritten note in the mail
Quiet
Comfortable clothes
A great cup of coffee in the morning
Solo time
Fresh snow.
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During my meditation feeling the comfort of taking a deep breath and exhaling. Listening to a piece of music that takes me back to a very special time in my past. Watching my cats ears and whiskers flicker as they are dreaming soundly.
A good meal. Friends. Music. A warm house to come home to. My husband. My dog. So many things to be grateful for.
Caring and loving family and friends , a great employer, A safe place to live and a house I can call home.
Getting a close parking space in a crowded garage.
Words, spoken, written or sung.
Professionals that take time.
Along with everyone else here who are so fortunate to have our necessary resources I would like to add – peace.
Peace is another necessary element we need and not everyone gets to have. Everyday I wake up and it’s peaceful where I live . No one carries weapons (at least not many anyway) I live in one of the world’s top safest countries to live in and it’s a blessing. We’re not far from Russia which is indeed scary.
Now that the doomsday clock was set at 90 seconds before midnight last week, I am ever more mindful of what I consider to be ordinary is so precious.
I pray for us all and deeply appreciate peace. Let’s do our best to coexist in peace with each other.
Most of the “ordinary” in my life seems to me to be “extraordinary” as someone else here wrote.
Electricity, hot water to make my coffee, toast, clean water, a working toilet!, a roof over my head…..& so much more. I am blessed.✨🌟🙏🏻
Br. David was the first person ever to present the magic of the mundane to me. At least 20 years ago I heard a talk with him on college radio discussing the importance of water. He spoke with such love and appreciation for the ease with which we access this resource. Then, he pointed out how many people didn’t have this luxury—or worse, their water may blind or kill them. A few years later, I learned about Thich Nhat Hahn’s pithy haiku-like aphorisms on the mundane, the Gathas. Between these two enlightened masters I’ve learned to appreciate: my breath, my body, the water, the electricity, my home, personal space, a meditation room, my safety, paved roads, trash collection… I can go on and on. The ordinary is the extraordinary. I mean how often are you having a peak experience, like a wedding or birth. All of those moments in between are where the magic happens. Thank you God.
What a wonderful piece of writing. You said everything I wish I had said. God bless you.
Thank you
I wholeheartedly agree Avril.🙏🏻
When people spell my name correctly. I understand it’s common to spell it with two N’s, but I find it kind when someone puts in the effort to spell it correctly in emails, texts, etc. To me, it shows the person is being mindful and respectful.
100% agree with you Jenifer. I am a one ‘L’ Michele – it annoys me when I see the 2 LL’s, especially in emails when my Signature is right there [work].
Thank you for sharing Michele 🙂
Our name is a big part of our identity so it makes sense that we get annoyed when someone doesn’t take the time to spell it correctly. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt though, it’s a common mistake that I’ve learned to accept and not get too hung up on.
I’m picking up on what Charlie said. Attention transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, or at least into that which I can appreciate more because I’m truly tuning in and thinking about it–which, after all, is the point of these questions for me.
I rounded up a collection of links to poems celebrating the everyday that seems appropriate to share here for those who appreciate poetry. https://biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-quotidian-poems-celebrating.html
Thanks for linking your fun blog Barb! I share your preoccupations 🙂 . Lovely roundup of poems!
My bed. The coffee maker. The washer & dryer. And yes, the toilet & shower & running water!
When I think about the ordinary things that I enjoy, I’m reminded that they are not enjoyed by all nor are they available to all. Water, some have to walk miles to get water. A warm shower, some have never experienced the joy of warm, cleansing water pelting their skin. The sound of my furnace blowing warm air over my feet as I sit here at my computer sipping hot coffee on this chilly morning. So many ordinary things that I take for granted would be extra ordinary luxuries for a large percentage of others.
I appreciate a warm dwelling, (or a cool one in the heat of the summer!) a comfortable bed, running water, my hot tea in the morning …and the fact that I can get up and move from one place to another without pain or assistance. As someone said…the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. I am grateful for all of that….and one more -the ability to read- a wonderful gift.
Today’s quote from Eudora Welty speaks far more to me than the above reflection question.
So, my answer to this question is my appreciation for how God provides moment-by-moment guidance if I am able to listen discerningly.
When I think about the “ordinary” things,
they are immediately transformed into
extraordinary things. Isn’t that how this
works? A greeting as I pass others while
walking or riding, a delicious cup of coffee,
a smile from a stranger, a hot shower,
a clean kitchen, another dawn.
Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.
– John Lennon
Exactly! Attention transforms.
Laughter
Acknowledgement as opposed to indifference
A good night’s rest
A handwritten note in the mail
Quiet
Comfortable clothes
A great cup of coffee in the morning
Solo time
Fresh snow.