When I was a little girl, I loved Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I loved all of the guests he had on his show and how he started off by coming in and putting on his sweater and getting all cozy.
Almost every time I ate a meal, I asked my mom if I could eat in the living room while I watched tv. It might seem small, but it was a dream of mine. One day, it was time for lunch and I asked the question I asked most days, “Mom, could I eat downstairs? I’ll be really careful!” And, to my delight, she said yes! I grabbed my plate of spaghetti and some napkins and skipped down the stairs to begin my long-awaited experience of eating in the living room while watching my favorite show.
But, this episode must have been a REALLY great one. Because as I stood in front of the tv with my plate in my hands, I couldn’t move. Hypnotized by the show, I forgot all about the food in my hands. It was only a few moments later that I realized my plate was getting lighter and lighter. I looked down to see half of my spaghetti on our carpet, and strands of more noodles on their way to the floor! Terror flashed before my eyes. I knew I was going to be in real trouble as soon as my mom came down the stairs and saw what I had done. Quickly, I used my single napkin to try to rub the spaghetti out of the carpet (I’ve since learned that rubbing doesn’t quite work). I scanned the living room for anything that could help me…and saw a bottle of Windex. It would have to do! I grabbed the Windex and sprayed the carpet thoroughly. The spaghetti didn’t disappear. So, I walked calmly up the stairs and asked mom for a couple of napkins. “I’m just being extra careful.” I explained. Mom must have instantly known something was wrong. She headed down the stairs straight into my spaghetti fiasco.
I’ve recently been thinking about what brings me joy. What do I love now as much as I loved Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood back then? What could hypnotize me now in such a way that I’d drop a pile of spaghetti on the floor? And, for a while, nothing came up. But, today, while I was working on my balcony, a rainstorm came through. First, it started getting dark and overcast. The wind rocked the swing next to me back and forth. Then, the refreshing smell of rain came. And, I could no longer concentrate on the task in front of me. I was hypnotized by the experience. Just like when I watched my favorite tv show when I was little.
What about you? What brings you joy? If you’re not sure, be sure to pay attention to the little things today. Sometimes, it’s the smallest things like a kind word, a beautiful flower, or a drop of rain. Share by leaving a comment (reading this via email? Click “Read in browser” below).
P.S: Mom must have seen the error of her ways in giving a small child spaghetti in a carpeted living room. She didn’t kill me for my transgressions.
*This is a repost from a previous The Way Back blog entry.
When Things Don’t Go Perfectly
It is by far the sunrise with a delicious cup of coffee that brings me joy and sets the tone for the day. It used to be that I would spring out of bed and immediately go to my phone and computer, furiously responding to emails and texts that came in overnight when I was sleeping. My day would begin in a frenzy and the cycle didn’t end – even when I slept. I have a good friend to thank for making me stop to realize that work could wait and nobody was going to die if I didn’t respond to their text right away. Now I wake up rested and don’t gravitate to electronics. I make coffee, give the dogs treats, and position myself to watch the majestic sunrise pop up over the Kenosha mountains.
Oh how lovely that sounds! And I agree, morning is my favorite – watching the steam rise above my hot coffee, feeling the warmth of the cup in my hands, watching the birds fly – absolutely magical.