Every forgettable Wednesday

One of the lessons cancer taught us was to pay closer attention. To life. To time ticking away. To simple pleasures, such as, sound of water rushing over large boulders; smell of sunbaked pine needles; strain of muscles and sense of accomplishment; another hike together, even as cancer was stealing a little more of my husband’s life each day.

 

Sept 2013 in Wyoming’s Tetons – nine years into a terminal cancer diagnosis

 

Tim Urban writes this:

Happiness is the joy you find on hundreds of forgettable Wednesdays.

Forgettable Wednesdays speak to me of the mundane tasks and daily requirements for keeping a home running, a family fed, friendships strengthened, for maintaining good self-care.

Things, like, throwing in a load of laundry; writing an encouraging note on paper (gasp) and dropping it into a mailbox; brewing a cup of tea for a friend; aroma of pumpkin scones coming out of the oven; enjoying a good read; welcoming family home for the night; setting a table with candlelight.

If we can find joy in these mundane things, if we can imagine what life would be without them, and if that can cause us to appreciate everything that seems commonplace, then I think we’re on to something.

What would it be like, for example, without the fully-stocked grocery stores we’re accustomed to? Without taste buds and the sense of smell? What if we had no family to welcome home, no reason to ever set a table with candlelight?

I spent some time in Europe with Youth With A Mission before I was married. Regular showers and laundry facilities weren’t available. We took sponge baths, did our laundry by hand, and hung it out on a balcony to dry. To this day, every time I get to shower or do laundry, quiet thanksgiving goes up for these everyday, normally-unnoticed luxuries.

At the moment, I’m babysitting Chloe, one of my grand-dogs, and writing long hours near a pool in Tucson. (Yes, in Arizona. Yes, in August.)

 

Chloe doesn’t know she’s a small dog

 

The pool has a lovely water feature, and if I close my eyes, I’m on a trail in the Colorado Rockies near the music of a waterfall.

The gifts I don’t want to take for granted on this particular non-eventful day are numerous:

Being able to get outdoors

Shade

Companionable dog sitting at my feet

Mug of Good Earth’s Sweet and Spicy tea

Freedom

Gentle breeze wafting through this covered patio area

Interesting writing project with deadline

Splash of water feature

Text from girlfriend checking in on me

Energy and good health

People in my life I can count on, who would drop what they’re doing, if needed

 

I think the key to joy and happiness is this: Noticing the gifts God places in front of us, opening and exclaiming over them, being grateful for them.

Because who knows how much longer we’ll be able to hike trails, perform simple household chores, read a book, smell pumpkin pie spices, prepare meals for the people we love.

Tim Urban’s comment is worth repeating:

Happiness is the joy you find on hundreds of forgettable Wednesdays.

Which begs the question: What simple-pleasure gift have you not yet opened and expressed gratitude for?

P.S. If you found this blog inspirational or helpful, please share, tweet or pin!

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9 Comments

  1. Pat

    Good morning Marlys…
    I truly enjoyed reading this blog after my morning devotional. You are such an inspiration to me with your kind and beautiful spirit.

    Enjoy your time in the warmth of Arizona.

    Blessings,
    Pat

  2. Kathi Denton

    Hi Marlys – Thank youfor this message. It came at a time I needed to hear those wordsmiths and be thankful for the days I have someone I love and love to share the time with after some unjustified harsh words ( not by me). Thank you. I am continually grateful for your words of wisdom . Each and every message seems to speak directly to my heart. I am so thankful for you, your servant heart and your wonderful way with words!
    Love you and hope to see you soon.
    Kathi

    • I’m sorry to hear about your pain, Kathi, but so glad you see beyond the harsh words to this: “thankful for the days I have someone I love and love to share the time with.” Well said, my friend.

  3. Peter Howe B.E.M.

    You’ve made me think about each of your 12 pointers and I can’t get ‘Count it all Joy’ – James 1- 2 scripture out of my head and wanting to write a ‘song of praise’. It’s not as if we need to be reminded that ‘there will always be a better day’, it’s turning the dreary day into one that shines and blossoms and is so meaningful. Thank you so much, once again. I’d just about put ‘Trust in the Lord’… with all of your heart….., into a new song, so I have to thank YOU for prompting me, Amen to that. You took me/us to pitching our own tents, digging our own toilets, wandering off into the desert with some water and finding some privacy, to get cleaned up after a hard days ride in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Mexico etc and then tempting the senses in God’s wilderness (i.e. The Rockies of Colorado). I can see that herd of Pronghorn minding their own business. God Bless, B & P

    • “It’s not as if we need to be reminded that ‘there will always be a better day’, it’s turning the dreary day into one that shines and blossoms and is so meaningful.” Wisdom, Peter. Thank you for sharing!

  4. Peter Howe B.E.M.

    We are all brothers and sisters in God’s abode, therefore it is my/our pleasure to serve and ‘Thank you for your comments’. Our love, God Bless, B & P

  5. Thomas Archer

    “Unforgettable Wednesdays” … I love this term and shall remember it all my days. I sometimes think something similar in the middle of a mundane task – for instance this morning, collecting laundry and thinking nothing in particular, I caught sight of myself in a mirror as I passed through a bedroom and into my mind popped again the gratefulness of my life, of how happy I am to be here and how much I enjoy most of what I do. And of how lucky I am. Now I will also think of the term “Unforgettable Wednesdays”, which I know will bring even more thankfulness. Thank you Marlys for such inspiration.

    • Well said, Thomas: “… and into my mind popped again the gratefulness of my life, of how happy I am to be here and how much I enjoy most of what I do.” Thank you for sharing!

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