Fresh sparks of daily joy

“Joy has been leaking out of our lives. The small pleasures of the ordinary day seem almost contemptible, and glance off us lightly.…So, perhaps it’s a good time to reconsider pleasure at its roots. Changing out of wet shoes and socks, for instance. Bath robes. Yawning and stretching. Real tomatoes.” ~ Barbara Holland, Endangered Pleasures

These days, sadly, we can count on a non-stop news cycle of war casualties, airline calamities, dangerous storms, and unsettling political turmoil. Which is why I always look forward to David Muir’s “America Strong” segment on ABC’s “World News Tonight.” Concluding the nightly news broadcast, “America Strong” highlights uplifting stories of generosity and resilience, giving me a wee glimmer of hope for the state of humanity.

I can also look for sparks of joy and pleasure in daily life, as author Barbara Holland suggests in today’s quote. For instance, I’m uplifted by early morning visits to my garden, checking out the new, fragrant starts in my herb garden while I sip my first cup of coffee. I can retreat to my own little sanctuary and (if only for a moment) ignore the havoc outside. What ordinary moments make your day a little happier and more comfortable? ~CL