The Extraordinary of the Ordinary
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour
William Blake
Yesterday, I walked a familiar trail not too far from my home. I choose it because it was close, good exercise for my pup and I, and because it was somewhat shady on a rather hot spring day. With a busy day of inside work and home tasks ahead of me, I was focused on “getting the mini hike done” and getting busy with the rest of the day. As we set out on the trail, initially, my mind was already at home working on various tasks. I had walked that trail probably close to 200 times over the last eight years, so it was easy to let my mind drift to chores.
As we continued walking, though, I began to notice things outside of myself. The joyful bounding of my pup exploring the forest. The new aspen leaves with bright green grass below. Colorful Indian Paintbrush gazing at the mountains. Bright yellow flowers spread sparsely on the forest floor under the trees while pale yellow bitterbrush shrubs were in bloom in sunny areas. The bright blue sky framed by tree tops. All things that I’ve seen many, many times before, yet they are still beautiful and worthwhile to notice and appreciate.
The hike made me think of how often that we begin to stop noticing the extraordinary in the “ordinary” around us. We begin to take so much for granted, rather than really seeing and appreciating our numerous everyday blessings. This can be true even of those we love, our dearest family and friends. Our home and neighborhood. Our ability to walk, talk, and otherwise experience the world around us through our five senses.
So, today, take time to appreciate the extraordinary in the “ordinary” around you. Really notice your spouse or child and tell of not only your love, but something that you recognize as special in that person. Go out and sit in your yard just to enjoy that you have one! Drop a card to a friend and share some of the attributes that you treasure in that person. Give your dog or cat some extra play time and affection. Watch a sunrise or sunset!
Enjoy and savor the simple ordinary pleasures of life!
