Little Things

Everyone has bad days. A pain here, a late plane there. But today I’m taking my own advice and listing a few of the things that I’m grateful for. 

I’m grateful for:

A good breakfast. Today it was oatmeal with blueberries. 

Public transportation. When I visit a new city, good trains and buses make it easier to explore and allow me to get around without renting a car. 

Art. I am inspired whenever I go to an art museum. It allows me to see the world in a different way. 

Good writing in books, articles, and blogs. Writing each week has helped me to understand how hard real writers work. Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead was both lovely and disturbing. I recommend it.

My cell phone. I use an iPhone, and it is an amazing piece of technology. It’s a computer and a camera in my pocket. I remember using a party line that was on a wall in our kitchen, so cell phones feel like huge leaps forward. 

Reasonable people. It feels like they are harder to come by, so when I encounter someone who makes sense to me, it is a joy. 

Music. Lately I’ve been listening a lot to The National, but I enjoy all kinds of music. 

My family and friends. I know how blessed I am to have them in my life. My wife consistently amazes me.

Travel. Seeing new things is awe-inspiring. 

Movies. They make me laugh, they make me cry, and they generally give me enjoyment.

Learning. There is a special feeling when something comes together for me — a new insight, or some new connection. I hope I never stop getting that feeling. 

Sunday dinners. I have a standing invitation from a friend to come to his home for a wonderful meal every Sunday that we are both in town. The group I eat with is my second family, and it feels warm and comfortable and loving. This has been going on for years, and it is one of the best parts of my week. The food is great, but it is really our relationships that make this time special. 

I’m blessed to have all these things in my life. When things go wrong, I need to remember that. How about you?