It’s a cool spring Washington morning, and I’m sitting on our porch with my winter fuzzy boots, bundled up in my winter warm coat. Above my head, hummingbirds are buzzing, and in front of me, birds, squirrels, and baby chipmunks are foraging for their morning meal.
I’m smiling – entirely mesmerized by the morning garden action. There are no thoughts of doing, simply delighting in the little things.
That is, until an idea to write about came to me. And that’s okay. I’m delighted to write on the porch, with birds tweeting in the background.
It occurred to me that the last two years have been like viewing life in black, white, and shades of gray. Shortly after thinking this, I read that the world becomes colorless and flat when our hearts are jaded and desensitized.
A few times, I have said, “I feel like I’ve flatlined.” I wouldn’t have thought of myself as jaded and desensitized, but perhaps on the unconscious level, I was.
Gratefully, color is seeping back in.
A few weeks ago, my husband and I attended a play with friends. I giggled for two hours straight – delighting in the humor right along with the young kids a few rows in front of us.
Recently our small town hosted its first grand parade in two years. I laughed, and smiled, as the bands marched by while receiving reminders of delight from the little one sitting next to me yelling, “anudder float is coming, anudder float is coming!” So colorful, so much fun.
The intention of presence and living in the moment—perhaps this is a gift the past two years have given us.
As color seeps back into the tapestry of life, I’m craving more connection and more interaction while being attentive to what I really want and what is driven by our “do more, be more” culture, and let’s not forget – FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
There are big challenges ahead for our country and our world that will deplete your energy and well-being if left unchecked. Healthy energy and well-being are essential to sustaining mental health so we can help others (and Self) without losing our balance.
Remember… you help others by being the healthiest version (mind-body-soul) of yourself. All the rest is icing on the cake.
A friend shared that when she wakes in the morning, she asks herself, “what will bring me joy today?” I love this question, especially when coupled with the reminder to delight in the little things.
Delight is simple. Delight is easy. Delight is free.
Delight slipped away in my life because it didn’t feel like enough. Understandable as we’re conditioned with phrases such as “go big or go home, no pain, no gain, work hard, play hard.”
I bought into our push culture hook, line, and sinker. Emphasis on “sinker” – this way of ‘being’ sunk me! How about you?
It is said that without joy, one is not well. Delight is a key element of joy. Delight is quickly buried under busyness and striving for more.
HERE’S A ‘DELIGHT’ FULL IDEA:
When something catches your attention, practice pausing.
Stop, listen, experience…
What do you see?
What do you hear?
What do you feel?
Without this practice, I wouldn’t have noticed the gathering of baby chipmunks that led to sitting outside for the next 20 minutes enjoying their antics.
With color returning to our life tapestry… it’s vital to engage “choice.” Choose how you spend your life energy. Choose who you spend your time with. Choose what you’re saying “yes” to and “no” to. Choose your boundaries. Choose to keep your boundaries. Be mindful of cultural pull and the pull of the “shoulds.” Is this what you want, or is it someone else’s wants?
Above all else, prioritize well-being, connection with Self, and fostering ‘connection’ with family and friends while dancing with what brings you joy and meaning. But that’s me – what’s you?
As I bring this email to a close, I imagine myself here with all of you, watching the birds, and the baby chipmunks, sipping our morning coffee and tea – setting a tone of delight, joy, and presence for the day ahead.
I hope you’ll join me in this visual – I love company in person and within the spiritual web that connects us all.
Delighting in you!
~Suzy
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