We can’t all win a Pulitzer, an Oscar, or the lottery, but it doesn’t really matter. Big things rarely take the place of the little moments we experience each day that give us pleasure . . . make us smile . . . warm our hearts . . . and give us the desire to get up in the morning and face a new day.
Thirty years ago I was reviewing scenes of a day’s production with eighties film star Yaphet Koto. I casually remarked that I really liked the way he delivered a particular line. He was surprised by my comment, but I could also tell this was something he didn’t hear that often. After a day of shooting his reward was the pleasure of hearing someone appreciate his efforts and skill . . . a small pleasure.
Small pleasures usually cost nothing and sometimes only take a few seconds, but their affects can be long lasting. My wife, Peggy and I compiled our own list of small pleasures:
Peggy Doman’s Small Pleasures:
The sun streaming in the window at morning
Listening to Don play the piano
Seeing my kids and grandkids
Driving a just washed car
Enjoying my flowers looking good
Picking homegrown tomatoes
Creating a card I like for a friend
Finding just the right colored pencil
Seeing the early spring blooming trees and shrubs
When reading, finding something so well written I want to put it in a quote collection
Liking a book so much I keep re-reading it
Finding clothes that fit perfectly
Don Doman’s Small Pleasures:
Seeing my grandchildren perform
Throwing an apple to our deer visitors
Starting crossword puzzles each morning . . . and leaving half for my wife to finish
Enjoying a good film or book and then telling others about it
Writing an article that people enjoy
A soft warm kiss out of the blue
Patting my wife’s curly hair
Hearing Peg laugh at my puns
Eating left-over chicken chip bake
Friday evening dinner with friends
Making my wife laugh and giggle
Meeting interesting people
Playing games with family members after Thanksgiving dinner
Making a difference in our community
I grew up in the 1950s and can still recall one of the most popular songs of 1954. Count Your Blessings was written by Irving Berlin:
When I’m worried and I can’t sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
Blessings . . . pleasures . . . pretty much the same thing. Life can be good or life can be bad . . . in reality life is just life. It’s all in how you look at life and how you enjoy it that makes a difference. Please, think about your own small pleasures . . . and then share them with family and friends.
Thank you! A very much needed reminder of our many blessings, especially the small ones that can truly brighten our days.
Foodie,
Thanks for writing. Please, note I think I only mentioned food once in my list of small pleasures.
Don
Just the sort of list I’d expect from you Don. You forgot, knowing me. Might add, not driving to Seattle with all the traffic clap-trap up that way.
Dennis,
Thank you for writing. You are correct, it is a small pleasure knowing you . . . but then size doesn’t really matter . . . well, so they say . . . Actually, we only stay friends because Peg likes to collect your napkin drawings.
Please, write again . . . as if I would have to ask . . .
Don