Finding the extraordinary in the everyday.

Greetings my lovelies,

It’s another October afternoon here in Tucson, where Mother Nature apparently hasn’t received the memo that we’re supposed to be enjoying cooler weather. The sunshine is hanging around, the temperatures are still flirting with the 90s, and there’s a chance we might actually get some rain later. Personally, I’ll take the clouds and a good rain shower over another scorching afternoon any day!

I’ve been thinking about something today while going about my usual routine. Nothing particularly earth-shattering, although knowing how my brain works, give me five minutes and I’ll probably find something else to ponder.

Why do we treat ordinary moments as though they’re somehow less valuable than extraordinary ones?

We spend so much time looking forward to vacations, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and exciting adventures that we sometimes forget to enjoy all the wonderful little things happening between them.

And that got me wondering: What if every ordinary moment deserves a little appreciation?

The Little Things Aren’t So Little

I’ve experienced enough in my 55 years to know just how quickly life can change. I’ve survived septic shock, abuse, homelessness, and losses that have left permanent marks on my heart. I’ve held my brother as he was dying, experienced the heartbreak of losing loved ones, and faced the terrifying possibility of losing my husband twice. I’ve known what it feels like to have the security of everyday life disappear almost overnight.

Those experiences didn’t magically turn me into some endlessly cheerful woman who floats through life sprinkling gratitude like fairy dust. I still complain, get irritated, have difficult days, and occasionally wonder what in the hell is wrong with people. But they’ve certainly changed how I look at the ordinary moments that make up our lives.

Think about waking up in the morning and getting out of bed. Walking across the room, stretching your arms, hearing your favorite song, or dancing around the kitchen simply because the mood strikes. Singing along with the radio, even if you sound like a cat having a disagreement with a vacuum cleaner.

There’s the pleasure of opening a book and getting lost in its pages, hearing birds outside the window, or listening to someone you love laugh. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the kitchen, the earthy scent of rain, or the aroma of dinner simmering on the stove.

And let’s not forget taste. A cold glass of milk, a juicy piece of fruit, warm homemade bread, or that first glorious sip of magic bean potion in the morning. Yes, coffee. That wonderful little beverage deserves its own moment of appreciation, preferably before anyone starts asking me complicated questions.

Then there’s touch. Holding someone’s hand, feeling the softness of a beloved animal’s fur, slipping into clean sheets, or letting cool water run over your fingers. A hug from someone you love can sometimes mean more than anything money could buy.

We experience so much of the world through our senses and abilities, yet how often do we stop to appreciate them? Not everyone experiences the world in the same way, and many people find beauty and joy through entirely different abilities and senses. That’s part of what makes being human so remarkable.

A Simple Meal Can Be Something Wonderful

We don’t need fancy food or expensive drinks to appreciate what’s on our tables. A peanut butter sandwich, a bowl of homemade soup, scrambled eggs, or leftovers from the night before can be every bit as satisfying as something served on fine china.

There’s something comforting about the sound of a spoon stirring a pot, the warmth rising from a bowl of soup, or sitting down to dinner with someone you love. Even a simple glass of clean, cold water is something worth appreciating.

Food doesn’t need to be extravagant to be enjoyed, and a meal doesn’t need to cost a fortune to become a cherished memory. Sometimes it’s the conversation around the table, the laughter between bites, or the familiar comfort of a recipe we’ve made a hundred times that makes it special.

I’ve also lived through times when having a safe place to sleep wasn’t guaranteed. My husband and I spent a period of our lives living in our truck. We eventually stayed in a state-paid motel, but we left rather than be separated.

Experiences like that change your perspective on what truly matters. Having a roof over our heads, food in the kitchen, water to drink, and a place where we can simply be together aren’t things I want to overlook.

That doesn’t mean people facing hardship should be expected to smile through their struggles or settle for less than they deserve. It means even during difficult times, moments of comfort, kindness, and connection can still matter.

The People Who Make Our Lives Richer

When I think about the ordinary things worth appreciating, I can’t leave out the people who are part of our everyday lives.

Our spouses, partners, families, friends, coworkers, employers, and employees all contribute to the world we experience. Sometimes it’s a meaningful conversation, a shared joke, an unexpected kindness, or simply knowing someone is there when we need them.

And what about the people whose work makes our lives easier? The cashier ringing up our groceries, the delivery driver bringing a package, the sanitation workers collecting our trash, the people keeping our utilities running, or the technicians helping us when something breaks.

We depend on one another far more than we sometimes realize. A little appreciation, patience, and a genuine thank-you can go a long way.

Of course, we can’t forget our fur babies. Those wonderful creatures who bring companionship, affection, entertainment, and sometimes complete chaos into our homes. There’s nothing quite like a wagging tail, a curious little face, or an animal curling up beside you as though there’s nowhere else in the world they’d rather be.

Even their ridiculous antics become memories we treasure. Although, when they’re getting into something they absolutely shouldn’t, I may need a moment before I start feeling particularly grateful.

The Beauty of Seasons and Celebrations

Every season brings something worth appreciating, whether it’s the fresh blossoms of spring, long summer afternoons, colorful autumn leaves, or the quiet beauty of a cold winter morning.

There’s something wonderful about noticing how the world changes throughout the year. The scent of rain, the sound of wind moving through the trees, the warmth of sunshine, or the refreshing chill of a winter breeze.

And then there are the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and traditions that give us reasons to celebrate.

Not every celebration needs elaborate decorations, expensive gifts, or a perfectly planned gathering. Sometimes a homemade cake, a favorite meal, a few decorations, or spending time with people we love is more than enough.

These occasions give us opportunities to create memories, reconnect, laugh, and appreciate the people who share our lives.

But I also think there’s something special about the ordinary days between those celebrations. A random Tuesday can hold just as much happiness as a birthday or holiday if we take the time to enjoy it.

The Joy of Entertainment and Everyday Escapes

Let’s talk about another part of life we sometimes overlook: entertainment.

Television shows, movies, music, books, video games, theater, concerts, and all the wonderful ways we entertain ourselves deserve a little appreciation, too.

There’s nothing quite like settling into a comfortable chair with a favorite television show, getting completely absorbed in a good movie, or opening a book that transports you into another world.

Music can change the entire atmosphere of a room. One familiar song can bring back memories from decades ago, inspire an impromptu dance party, or make an ordinary afternoon feel wonderful.

And sometimes, after a long day, there’s nothing wrong with putting on a favorite show, picking up a game controller, or watching a movie you’ve already seen twenty times.

We don’t always need to be productive, accomplishing something, or working toward another goal.

Sometimes enjoyment is reason enough.

Yes, Even Social Media

I know. Social media? Really?

Absolutely.

For all its nonsense, arguments, negativity, and occasional displays of spectacular stupidity, social media has given us something pretty remarkable. We can reconnect with childhood friends, meet people from different parts of the world, discover new interests, share photographs, and maintain relationships across thousands of miles.

We can celebrate milestones, exchange ideas, learn from one another, and laugh at something completely ridiculous together, even when we’ve never met in person.

Having grown up before the internet became part of everyday life, I can appreciate just how extraordinary that ability really is.

Does social media have problems? Oh, hell yes. But recognizing its flaws doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the opportunities for connection and creativity it provides.

Gratitude Doesn’t Mean Life Is Perfect

Here’s where I think we sometimes lose sight of things. Too many of us become so focused on everything that’s wrong with our lives that we forget to recognize what’s right.

Now, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting anyone should ignore their problems, stop striving for something better, or pretend that hardship doesn’t exist. I’ve experienced enough difficult chapters to know that sometimes life is downright brutal.

And I’m certainly not claiming to be some perfectly grateful human being who never complains. Please. I’m a Jersey girl with opinions. Complaining occasionally comes with the territory.

But there’s a difference between acknowledging life’s difficulties and allowing them to consume every moment of our attention.

We can be frustrated with our circumstances and still enjoy a beautiful afternoon. We can work toward improving our lives while appreciating the things we already have. We can experience grief and still laugh, face uncertainty and still find comfort, or have a miserable morning and discover something wonderful before the day is over.

Gratitude doesn’t require wealth, luxury, perfect health, or a picture-perfect family. It doesn’t erase genuine hardship, either. Sometimes it’s simply recognizing a moment of goodness in the middle of an otherwise complicated life.

And I think that’s something worth practicing more often.

Romanticizing the Life We’re Already Living

I’ve been intentionally romanticizing my life, and the more I think about it, the more I realize that it isn’t about creating some elaborate fantasy or pretending my world looks like something out of a movie.

It’s about being present.

It’s enjoying my morning coffee instead of rushing through it. Noticing the sunlight coming through a window, listening to music while preparing dinner, appreciating the comfort of my home, or sharing an ordinary afternoon with my husband and our animals.

It’s remembering that I don’t need to wait for a vacation, holiday, birthday, or special occasion to enjoy myself.

I can make a regular Tuesday feel wonderful simply by paying attention to the things that make it mine.

That doesn’t mean I don’t want adventures, new experiences, or opportunities to explore the world. I absolutely do. There’s so much I still want to see, do, learn, and experience.

But I refuse to treat the days between those adventures as though they’re nothing more than filler.

Those days are my life, too.

I’ve seen how quickly everything can change. I’ve lost people I would give anything to spend one more ordinary afternoon with. I’ve experienced moments when simply surviving was the only thing that mattered.

So yes, I’m going to appreciate the smell of coffee, the taste of a good meal, the sound of laughter, the comfort of my home, and the people and animals I love.

I’m going to celebrate the mundane, enjoy the ridiculous, find humor in the frustrating, and appreciate the simple pleasures that make everyday living worthwhile.

And I’m going to keep reminding myself that happiness doesn’t always arrive with fireworks, grand announcements, or a hefty price tag.

Sometimes it arrives quietly, disguised as an ordinary moment.

So, which ordinary moments deserve more attention?

Every single one of them.

Because life isn’t something that begins when we finally get everything we want. It’s happening right now, in all its beautiful, messy, unpredictable glory.

And I intend to enjoy as much of it as I possibly can.

Preferably with a cup of magic bean potion in my hand.