The Gift of the Ordinary

   

The greatest joys are in the small ordinary moments of our lives. It’s watching someone we love sleep, a cup of tea on a cold day, a thick mat when you step out of the shower. I’m finding that it takes courage to live in the fullness of these moments these days. Not because they don’t exist, but because we are bombarded with messages that tell us who we are and what we have is not enough. We are told in a hundred different ways that we don’t measure up, that the world is not safe, and something bad is just around the corner. It’s fear at its most insidious best. And I get it.  I get that we’re afraid, and I understand why. I’m not living under a rock.

When I did my 90 Day No Negativity Challenge I learned one thing for sure, it’s either fear or love, baby. Fear is a soul sucking joy stealer that brings out the worst in people. We destroy our bodies and relationships, get into debt up to our eyeballs, and we test our poor children to death.  We finger point and blame because if someone else is bad it makes us a little more okay. We take care of ourselves like King Rat and turn a blind eye to anyone other than ourselves.  We demand perfection in an imperfect world, just ask the 12 year old girl with an eating disorder how that’s working.  That’s fear for you.

Then there’s love. People tell me that I can’t change the world. I wonder though if we can’t change the world by how we respond to it.  I’m beginning to think we can. So, I am choosing to enjoy the small ordinary moments in my life.  I’m going to suck up all the little bits of daily happiness like marrow out of a bone.  Yes, I know that I’m a little too fat, I like my music a little too loud, I drive a ratty truck that I inexplicably love. All of that is just fine with me. That’s what love is, unconditional acceptance for your self, flaws and all.  I am deeply blessed and profoundly grateful for the life I have just as it is. And I dare you to make me believe I’m not.  It’s either fear or love, baby. I’m choosing love.