Finding the Big Magic in Small Moments
Hello, sunshine! (Or, if you’re looking out the window in Moose Jaw today… hello, surprisingly persistent snowflakes!)
We have been walking a pretty deep path together over the last few months. We’ve talked about resilience (and met some amazing people), we’ve dug into the “gritty” side of growth while also embracing love in action, and we’ve done the hard work of building a foundation that can withstand just about anything. I am so incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made. Seriously, take a second and give yourself a high-five. You’ve earned it!
But here’s the thing about foundations: once they’re built, you’re supposed to actually live in the house and wash the windows every once in a while.
Lately, I’ve been feeling a pull. A nudge. A tiny, exuberant voice in the back of my head saying, “Hey, you’ve done the heavy lifting. Now, where’s the sparkle?” So, today, we are making an audacious pivot. From “Survival” to “Savouring.”
In the spirit of being totally real with you, I’ll admit that my “resilience” was tested a couple hours ago when I looked at the weather forecast. I’m over here ready to embrace “Spring Energy,” and Saskatchewan is over there saying, “How about a little more white to go with your coffee and hockey watching plans?”
In the past, I might have gritted my teeth and “resisted” the snow – a.k.a. grumbling under my breath as I had already started packing winter stuff away and talking to myself wondering where on earth I packed up the hats and mittens. But that’s the old way. The new way? It’s about Micro-Joys.
If resilience is the armour that gets us through the storm, Micro-Joys are the little sunbeams that remind us why the storm was worth weathering. They aren’t big, life-changing milestones. They are tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them moments of “glimmer” that make your soul do a little happy dance. Like the chuckle you share with the neighbour while you both shovel. True Story: “The farmer’s said they needed moisture and the universe provided… but damn no one can say I didn’t exercise after shoveling this time.” We totally laughed together and when he needed a tea break I went over and finished up his sidewalk.
The Magic is in the “Notice”
I had a moment yesterday that reminded me of this. I was doing my morning chores with the dogs while trying not to get frustrated with myself. When I opened the back door, Angus immediately stops and looks at the blizzard, at me, at the blizzard, and then at me before sitting down. I said, “hey, come on, let’s get this over with,” and he looks at me as if saying, “nope.” He then proceeded to try to go back down the stairs to his bed. I laughed, and then pulled him out into the snow chuckling the entire time.
It wasn’t a “big” moment. It didn’t win me an award. But for about five minutes, I wasn’t thinking about my goals, my to-do list, or the household chores waiting for me. I was just… happy.
That’s the magic. And that’s what the next two weeks are all about. We aren’t going to “work” on our mindset; we’re going to play with it.
Your Micro-Joy Scavenger Hunt
To kick off this pivot, I want us to go on a hunt. Not for big answers, but for tiny delights. Over the next few days, I want you to keep your eyes peeled for three things:
- A “Sensory Spark”: A smell, a sound, or a texture that feels like a hug for your brain. (For me, it’s that sound of the coffee pot gurgling, or the feel of freshly washed sheets on my skin.)
- A “Visual Glimmer”: Something beautiful in an unexpected place. Yes, even if that “beauty” is the way the frost looks on your windshield or the way the lilac bush is dusted with snow.
- A “Low-Stakes Laugh”: Something so silly or small that it makes you huff a little breath of laughter. Think turning around and seeing Spock (or your cat) laying upside down with his legs in the air.
Let’s Bloom Where We’re Planted
(Even if there’s snowdrifts)
We’ve built the strength. Now, let’s build the joy. This isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff – is anyone else thinking teenage attitude here? – it’s about refusing to let the hard stuff be the only stuff.
I am so excited to dive into this “Everyday Magic” series with you. We’re going to look at our spaces, our habits, and our creativity with brand-new, glitter-tinted, glasses.
Tell me in the comments (or over on Threads!): What is one Micro-Joy you’ve noticed today? Let’s start a thread of tiny wins!
Sending you so much light and exuberant energy with a dash of fabulousness.
Image for graphic by Surface on Unsplash