My “One Little Word” for 2023 is “Ordinary.” I have been intentional in listening and watching for the sacred and beautiful in everyday, ordinary life. These five encounters really touched me recently.
A Simple Flower
The Stargazer Lily above suddenly appeared in our backyard this year. We’d purchased its great-great grandmother pre-Covid at a small farmer’s market and a bunny made a quick snack of it. It never sprang up again until this year. Now she sits directly in my line of sight when I sit at our kitchen table, and she always makes me smile.
A Different Flower
On my walk last week, this simple flower struggling against the relentless drought looked more beautiful than all the carefully landscaped annuals and perennials I had passed along the way. Set against the “shabby chic” mailbox this little flower brought me to a halt with its natural, courageous fight for life.
A Perfect Start to the Day
What is more ordinary than oatmeal? Not the way Rich makes it with fruit, nuts, seeds, and adds peanut butter and almond yogurt. But that’s not what made me stop and feel the joy. When taught, I got up at 5:30 a.m. and hit the ground running. When we got married, Rich taught me how to “ease into the day.” I realized how much joy it gives me every day.
Did I Hear That Right?
At a coffee shop, my friend Sandy ordered tea. When it came it was BLUE! She said it was Butterfly Pea Tea. I heard Butterfly PEE Tea. I pondered just how that might have been collected. None of my other friends seemed confused. They knew Butterfly Pea was a plant. The other day Sandy served it to us at her house. The blue color brought me joy. Here’s a link to find out more BUTTERFLY PEA TEA
Chocolate, of Course
Chocolate always brings me joy. And when I found out there were GLUTEN FREE oreos I was ecstatic! After dinner I always like (as my mother used to say) “a little something sweet.” A cup of tea and a plate of oreos is perfect. The icing on the cake is I always have them on a cup and plate I bought at Gallery Indigena in Stratford, Ontario, Canada while attending the Shakespeare Festival.
What Ordinary Thing Brings You Joy?
I’d love to hear from you. What ordinary thing did you see differently? What ordinary thing happened that took your breath away? What made you smile? If you have a photo of it, even better.
Wishing you lots of Ordinary Joy.
Elizabeth
Love the photos, Betty. I think what brought me joy today was seeing that our butterfly bush, which we were pretty sure had died, is now blooming. Now we just wait for the butterflies to alight. 🙂