It’s the ordinary things that deserve the most gratitude. The daffodils I planted in my yard 25 years ago still coming back again season after season. Snow. Thunderstorms. Our dog. The wabi sabi way.
Ordinary things I appreciate: being able to sit in my rope swing in the backyard while enjoying nature. It was a Mother’s Day gift and a well used one.
I think we have all decided
that there is no such thing as ‘ordinary’,
that everything,
everything in our consciousness
is extraordinary.
To have a life,
to have my life
is extraordinary,
and I appreciate this the most perhaps of all things,
but seldom actually think about it.
I am grateful that my lungs take in and release breath,
that my digestive system
utilizes what is needed
and discards the rest . . .
that my hands can touch and feel and hold things,
and engage in so many functions that help me move things
and perform intricate tasks . . .
that my feet and legs
take me where I want to go,
that my body can feel unimaginable pleasure as well as pain . . .
that my womb has held and borne children,
and my breasts have nourished life,
that my heart still beats firmly in my chest.
My son and I
are the last of my family . . .
my older sister and my younger brother are gone now
and I am getting older myself.
My body is not as agile and quick as it once was . . .
it is no longer beautiful in the eyes of this youth hungry world
and sometimes I feel invisible.
But I feel a different sort of beauty emerging,
and a different kind of strength.
It can no longer make children or climb mountains,
but I am at peace with this for the most part.
It has been a good,
reliable vehicle with which I have experienced much,
and has enabled me to grow in other ways.
It has given me heartache
and healed me as well . . .
I have no complaints
as I enter a new phase of being,
although I fought it for five years.
No complaints and few regrets . . . ♥
The ordinary is truly the extraordinary.
I appreciate my morning coffee & toast.
My windows with a view….Clean water to wash my face with upon arising. Heat on this cold, damp, rainy morning. Electricity for all it makes possible, especially classical music on my radio.
I could go on & on…..
Peace & love to All…..🕊️🩷
“To recognize something as beautiful, sometimes all it takes is a change of perspective.” Christian Cooper
As today’s quote reminds us, perspective has the power to control our thinking about what is ordinary or extra-ordinary. Perhaps a question that asked: “What is gift and what do I take for granted?” should be asked of us all. Well, I know that I take electricity for granted. I turn a knob and the light goes on. I’m not living in a tent or trying to raise a child without running water or a stove to cook on. I’m not dodging bombs but I should care that others are. That said, I’ve known both joy and sorrow in my life and they both have been my teachers. As spring approaches, I think of Pete Seeger’s song: “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” There is one thing that has become quite ordinary–WAR. When will we ever learn to care and share this one Life we all have been given?
I too enjoy the privilege of having access to water and electricity at all times. With that said, I enjoy washing dishes. My two hands are my dishwasher(!) I enjoy using an electric tooth brush and flossed teeth. Simple and helps my perspective on life. to all -Have a restful rejuvenating weekend. 🌅
Running water. Heated water for showers.
Pens and notebooks.
The coffee maker and delicious brew it puts out for us every morning.
Laughing with others.
Like Mary M, a great find at a thrift store.
And hugs!
Okay, here goes!
A great fitting shoe or boot.
Excellent lacing systems in the above.
Coming in out of raucous weather.
The perfect calendar. I still love paper.
A book that is hard to put down.
A poem that stops me in my tracks.
Steel cut oats cooked to perfection.
Windows.
Being content.
Anything old that is well maintained and functional.
A piece of clothing that I have had for decades and still pull it out to wear on a regular basis.
A friend dropping by unexpectedly.
A well trained dog.
And on it could go …
🩷
I love your list Mary Mantei! I have to comment on “a friend dropping by unexpectedly” though. It shows how we are all different. I enjoy spending time with friends. But a friend dropping by unexpectedly? That would send me into a panic! 🙂
Ha Ha – I understand Elizabeth and Sparrow. I have actually said to friends with a laugh, “Stop by anytime, just know you get what you get.” It helps me let go of any pretense. I could just as easily say, “Stop by anytime and meet the real me!” 🩷
The question made me sigh. Ordinary? The most?
As I am learning here, or maybe re learning, or maybe I always knew, that there is no such thing as ordinary. Everything is extraordinary when I view it from an engaged perspective. Knowing that I am part of this miracle.
I have been to the opposite pole and have seen this life through a different lens. A different perspective. In that state, I only saw the darkness. Now, It’s not as if I only see the sunshine and rainbows. I see the darkness and the light. All of it. The Buckeye tree in brilliant green and the decay of old road kill. The generosity, and the greed. All of it, across my sensory field. Taking it in with a sigh. Mind pictures playing out in the drive in theatre of my mind. Attaching meaning here and there. All of this, as I sit and enjoy this meditation and my perfectly ordinary cup of coffee.
I look forward to reading all of your responses. 🙏
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It’s the ordinary things that deserve the most gratitude. The daffodils I planted in my yard 25 years ago still coming back again season after season. Snow. Thunderstorms. Our dog. The wabi sabi way.
I love daffodils, they are finally blooming in my neck of the woods. I learned last year there are 36 different species!
Ordinary things I appreciate: being able to sit in my rope swing in the backyard while enjoying nature. It was a Mother’s Day gift and a well used one.
What a great gift!
Light a candle and a stick of incense in thanksgiving and bow 🙇♀️🙏✨❤️🙏
. . . elegant response,
dear Ose . . . ♥
I think we have all decided
that there is no such thing as ‘ordinary’,
that everything,
everything in our consciousness
is extraordinary.
To have a life,
to have my life
is extraordinary,
and I appreciate this the most perhaps of all things,
but seldom actually think about it.
I am grateful that my lungs take in and release breath,
that my digestive system
utilizes what is needed
and discards the rest . . .
that my hands can touch and feel and hold things,
and engage in so many functions that help me move things
and perform intricate tasks . . .
that my feet and legs
take me where I want to go,
that my body can feel unimaginable pleasure as well as pain . . .
that my womb has held and borne children,
and my breasts have nourished life,
that my heart still beats firmly in my chest.
My son and I
are the last of my family . . .
my older sister and my younger brother are gone now
and I am getting older myself.
My body is not as agile and quick as it once was . . .
it is no longer beautiful in the eyes of this youth hungry world
and sometimes I feel invisible.
But I feel a different sort of beauty emerging,
and a different kind of strength.
It can no longer make children or climb mountains,
but I am at peace with this for the most part.
It has been a good,
reliable vehicle with which I have experienced much,
and has enabled me to grow in other ways.
It has given me heartache
and healed me as well . . .
I have no complaints
as I enter a new phase of being,
although I fought it for five years.
No complaints and few regrets . . . ♥
Thank you! A very lovely reflection of a life fully lived.
A beautiful and gracious reflection, Sparrow. Thank you.🩷
Our bodies
are amazing,
dear Mary! 🙂
All of my senses!!
Happy week-end all!
The ordinary is truly the extraordinary.
I appreciate my morning coffee & toast.
My windows with a view….Clean water to wash my face with upon arising. Heat on this cold, damp, rainy morning. Electricity for all it makes possible, especially classical music on my radio.
I could go on & on…..
Peace & love to All…..🕊️🩷
“To recognize something as beautiful, sometimes all it takes is a change of perspective.” Christian Cooper
As today’s quote reminds us, perspective has the power to control our thinking about what is ordinary or extra-ordinary. Perhaps a question that asked: “What is gift and what do I take for granted?” should be asked of us all. Well, I know that I take electricity for granted. I turn a knob and the light goes on. I’m not living in a tent or trying to raise a child without running water or a stove to cook on. I’m not dodging bombs but I should care that others are. That said, I’ve known both joy and sorrow in my life and they both have been my teachers. As spring approaches, I think of Pete Seeger’s song: “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” There is one thing that has become quite ordinary–WAR. When will we ever learn to care and share this one Life we all have been given?
It would be nice if humankind broke out of its collective madness and let light and peace shine through. Thank you, dear Carol.
Yes to 🕊️…
Every breath I take! Every heart beat!
It just happens. I don’t have to ask for it.
How marvelous!!
I too enjoy the privilege of having access to water and electricity at all times. With that said, I enjoy washing dishes. My two hands are my dishwasher(!) I enjoy using an electric tooth brush and flossed teeth. Simple and helps my perspective on life. to all -Have a restful rejuvenating weekend. 🌅
Clear, clean water to drink, sunshine, good health.
Oh yes, the sunshine!
Running water. Heated water for showers.
Pens and notebooks.
The coffee maker and delicious brew it puts out for us every morning.
Laughing with others.
Like Mary M, a great find at a thrift store.
And hugs!
“Laughing with others”, one of the greatest stress relievers and simplest fun of all time. Thank you, Sunny Patti.🩷
Laughing is the best!
I love pens & notebooks too.
Greeting cards too.
It’s a great feeling getting a card with a nice hand-written note in it.
Sunnypatti– I had written my response before reading others– it is interesting that we both came up with water first off our lists ♥️
Gotta be grateful for that clean water 🙂
And one more, a great find at a resale shop.
. . . one of my favorite activities as well,
dear Sunnipatti . . . ♥
Oh yes, I love thrifting!
Same! I love a good find! Maybe that’s what I should do this afternoon!
Any luck, Lauryn?🩷
My lovely wife Cheryl would be along your sides at the “Segunda’s”! She rarely finds one she does not like.
Okay, here goes!
A great fitting shoe or boot.
Excellent lacing systems in the above.
Coming in out of raucous weather.
The perfect calendar. I still love paper.
A book that is hard to put down.
A poem that stops me in my tracks.
Steel cut oats cooked to perfection.
Windows.
Being content.
Anything old that is well maintained and functional.
A piece of clothing that I have had for decades and still pull it out to wear on a regular basis.
A friend dropping by unexpectedly.
A well trained dog.
And on it could go …
🩷
These are all good ones!
I love your list Mary Mantei! I have to comment on “a friend dropping by unexpectedly” though. It shows how we are all different. I enjoy spending time with friends. But a friend dropping by unexpectedly? That would send me into a panic! 🙂
Ha Ha – I understand Elizabeth and Sparrow. I have actually said to friends with a laugh, “Stop by anytime, just know you get what you get.” It helps me let go of any pretense. I could just as easily say, “Stop by anytime and meet the real me!” 🩷
Me too . . . 🙂
The question made me sigh. Ordinary? The most?
As I am learning here, or maybe re learning, or maybe I always knew, that there is no such thing as ordinary. Everything is extraordinary when I view it from an engaged perspective. Knowing that I am part of this miracle.
I have been to the opposite pole and have seen this life through a different lens. A different perspective. In that state, I only saw the darkness. Now, It’s not as if I only see the sunshine and rainbows. I see the darkness and the light. All of it. The Buckeye tree in brilliant green and the decay of old road kill. The generosity, and the greed. All of it, across my sensory field. Taking it in with a sigh. Mind pictures playing out in the drive in theatre of my mind. Attaching meaning here and there. All of this, as I sit and enjoy this meditation and my perfectly ordinary cup of coffee.
I look forward to reading all of your responses. 🙏
“Everything is extraordinary when I view it from an engaged perspective.” Thank your for this. Your post today gives me a lot to think about.
So beautifully said, dear Charlie. You’ve made my day!
The “ordinary” is always “extraordinary”… I greatly appreciate it all!