“The small things of life were often so much bigger than the great things . . . the trivial pleasure like cooking, one’s home, little poems especially sad ones, solitary walks, funny things seen and overheard.”
― Barbara Pym
Over the weekend, the rain drenched the desert. Puddles of water littered the sidewalks and the moment I thought the rain might stop, it continued. It wasn’t until yesterday evening the sun started to make its gentle way back into the sky. Grey clouds eavesdropped and created the perfect backdrop for a rainbow, with its full peacock colors on display.
I didn’t want this opportunity to go undocumented and captured a few shots of this moment. The act of taking this picture, contemplating the giddy joy I felt confirmed what I’ve embraced in midlife – the abundance of joy in little things. Here is a list of little things I adore:
The silence of morning. I love the start of every single day.
The sky. There aren’t many absolutes in this world, but the light blue umbrella always provides a refuge.
Browsing the aisles of a bookstore. I adore the mere act of holding a book in my hand, flipping through fresh pages and reading opening lines of a piece of work.
The sound of my daughter racing across her room. I listen to the beat of her walk-run and know the house is full of this young, wondrous life.
When my family spends the day reading books. It threads all my my favorites together: silence, the love of words and of bonding in a common pursuit.
The moment immediately after I finish working out. I never regret moving my body, although there is a healthy amount of resistance right before I start running or attending an exercise class.
Letters or cards in the mail.
Watching movies with my husband.
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.
Writing and planning in my bullet journal.
The feel of the heater on my feet as I write.
The acceptance notification from a publication.
Naturally flavored water, mint and lemon especially.
Revisiting old photographs.
Edits from an editor I admire.
Revisiting our childhood with my sister.
When a friend texts, just because.
The smell of my daughter’s baking.
An unexpected conversation with my Mom.
Car windows open, music blaring loud from the radio down the highway.
Holding a newborn.
A good haircut.
Writing everyday pages.
Sharing an inside joke with friends.
I could likely continue, listing all the everyday moments that push me forward, fill me up and renew my commitment to focus on the little things. . .
What are the little things you love?
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 do love the sound of my kids racing across their room! I imagine the sound of the rain is different for you, where it’s so wet here in general, that the sound in the daytime doesn’t excite me. I like it overnight, though.
And the acceptance emails for a sponsored post that start with “Congratulations” make my heart flutter after all this time. Each time. (even just writing this made it happen)
Rain is a luxury in the desert so, yes, when it happens it is a welcome event. I am fan of rain during the nighttime as well.
Dear Rudri. I adored this. I am not a writer but little things makes be so happy. Seeing a rainbow, observing an unexpected kiss from an elder brother to a younger one, listening to boys chatter while they are playing, emerging proudness and happiness when I tell. Y boys that they are special, laughter with my uni friends during the lunch break, my best frien’s call, speaking to my parents and siblings and I can list forever and I am realising how blessed is am and I am thankful.
Vani
Loved that you shared your list, Vani. Cheers to simple pleasures. xo