Every month I chronicle those ordinary delights that give me comfort or offer a place of reflection or joy. Here are my everyday delights for August:
1. Taylor Swift Concert
We surprised our daughter with Taylor Swift tickets a few weeks ago. Although I love my solitude and downtime, I adore attending concerts. The energy is refreshing and when a performer takes the stage it incites a variety of feelings: awe, inspiration, connection and admiration. TS didn’t disappoint – she encouraged the audience to honor their true selves and offered comforting words to those girls who don’t fit in all the time. By the end of the show, my daughter and I were on our feet, moving our hips and hands to “Shake It Off.”
2. Spectacular Sunsets
This summer I am in love with capturing dazzling sunsets. When I look up at the sky and see the layer cake of colors, I am swallowed whole by the mystery, wonder and beauty of the moment. In August, I lost my footing navigating uncertain terrain, but the sky pushed me to pay attention to the goodness in my life. If you enjoy these photographs, please follow me on Instagram, where I regularly post various images of what captures my attention.
3. Online Writing Groups by Jena Schwartz
For the last year, I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of participating in several online writing groups with facilitator, Jena Schwartz. Her writing groups offer community, artistic freedom and a way to push your writing whether you’ve published many times or are just venturing into writing. Her prompts help me confront issues I’m avoiding or am fearful of revealing on the page. I can’t say enough about how much I adore Jena and her groups. Take my word for it, you will learn so much about yourself if you participate in her classes.
4. How To Be An Explorer of the World by Keri Smith
I discovered this book, How to Be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith. I love Smith’s advice on how to engage with your surroundings – Always be looking and view the world in way where everything is interesting. And if you aren’t seeing the sparkle – look closer. She encourages you to explore your world in a way you haven’t before.
What were your everyday delights this month? Would love to hear from you.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I love the photo from the Taylor Swift concert, such a great memory for both of you. Xo
Yes – we will treasure that night forever. It was so much fun!
What a great series of posts. The picture from the Taylor Swift concert is the best and I couldn’t agree more about Jena’s class. I can’t believe I waited so long to write with her!
Thanks, Stacey. I loved participating in the class with you and hope you do it again. I always learn so much.
I’d love to see Taylor in concert! How fun!!
I hope you do! She puts on a great show.
I love these posts! The sunsets – wow. And I know that book by Keri Smith and it’s so wonderful! xoxo
Glad you liked Keri Smith’s book. I am so fortunate to catch dazzling sunsets in the last few days. The desert is experiencing monsoon season so the colors are even more brilliant. Looking forward to reading your words again in September! xo
Ohhhh! I need to investigate that book!! And of course I love your IG sunsets. I need to get out west someday.
I hope you come out West someday. You definitely are welcome to stay with us! The book provides so much in the way of sparking creativity. You would definitely like it. xo
I so enjoy these Everyday Delights of yours. 🙂 The sunsets are stunning. I am checking out that book ASAP.
Thanks, Sarah. These everyday delights serve as great reminders, especially when am feeling down in my life. Glad you enjoy them as much as I do! xo
I just started to read Jena Schwartz!
I can’t wait to go to concerts with my daughter. What an amazing experience!
Tamara – you will have so much fun with Scarlett at concerts. Jena is just a gem. I know you would love her class as well. xo
That book sounds like a great book for a poet.
Yes, Luanne. Curious to see what you think about it and how it might influence your prose. Miss ya. xo
What fun to go with your daughter to the Taylor Swift concert! I used to go with my mom and friends to concerts when I was younger and I still cherish those memories! Such fun 🙂 My delights this month was realizing where I’m going next in my career path. Bring it ON! Have a great one Rudri! -Iva
Good luck on your new career path, Iva. Transitions bring change, but also excitement too. xo
I love these posts because delights is the perfect description. My girls would have loved Taylor swift! And that is the greatest picture. And of course–Jena!
Taylor rocks it in concert and I am glad I shared the experience with my daughter.
Jena is all kinds of awesome!
I love these! I’m heading to Taylor Swift next week under the guise of taking my kids- but really, I just want to go. 🙂 I’ve seen her before, she puts on a great show. And this is like the 3,756th time I’ve heard such great things about Jena’s class- I’m definitely going to do one. Don’t know that book but am intrigued! As for me- I’m rereading Twyla Tharp’s Creative Habit, which is wonderful. Can’t stop listening to Willie Nelson’s new song “Just Breathe”. And I am haunted by the last book I finished, A Little Life. Happy September!
OH and of course those sunsets are just spectacular!!!
I hope you check out Jena’s class. I know you will find so much to love about her groups and prompts.
Oh, I need to check out Tharp’s book. Thanks for the recommendation. A Little Life is on my bookshelf – maybe it is time to read it! xo