Illuminate the ordinary
“To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” ~Henry David Thoreau
Sometimes we’re so focused on planning a big vacation that we take for granted the “ordinary” days we’re experiencing right now. On average, a good vacation lasts a couple of weeks, but a good life is measured by how we live every single day. After investing so much time and emotional energy into our holidays and special occasions, no wonder we feel let down when we resume our usual routines.
Life isn’t just a series of special events and high expectations. And we’ve only ourselves to blame when boredom strikes.
In today’s quote, Thoreau suggests that we have the power to transform our ordinary days into something more beautiful. We can start by appreciating what’s around us. And then we can look for opportunities to brighten the day for someone else. What would elevate an ordinary day for you? ~CL
Cindy La Ferle
Throughout my career, I've worked as a book production editor, travel magazine editor, features writer, and weekly newspaper columnist. My award-winning lifestyles features and essays have appeared in many national magazines and anthologies, including Newsweek, Reader's Digest, The Christian Science Monitor, Writer's Digest, Victoria, Better Homes & Gardens, Bella Grace, and more. My weekly Sunday "Life Lines" column ran for 14 years in The Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI) and won a First Place (Local Columns) award from the Michigan Press Association. My essay collection, Writing Home, includes 93 previously published columns and essays focusing on parenthood and family life.
