Daily Delights

Today I took a quick jog on my lunch break. With a full schedule planned for the day, I didn't even take the time to put on headphones to listen to music. I'm so glad. About halfway through my run, the church bells began to ring. Within moments, echoing peals of Amazing Grace filled the air and my heart. 

Absolutely delightful. 

Refreshing. Centering. Joyful. Wholeness. 
All this richness in under five minutes. 

Which brings to mind a moment from yesterday, when my daughter Natalie arrived home after a five-hour show choir rehearsal... "Mom, it smells so good in here! What did you make?" Watching her peek into the apple crisp on the chilly fall afternoon was nothing less than absolutely delightful.

I remember that feeling from my own childhood. Coming off the school bus in the afternoon, I RAN into the old farmhouse as mom always had a snack awaiting us. Very often, something warm and yummy that she baked fresh. Best part of my day! Every single worry and care I had melted away as I absorbed the wafts of homemade breads, pies or cookies. 

One of the keys to living our best lives is to find and relish daily delights.

Too often we relegate the care of our lives and stress management to things that take more time or money than we have on a daily basis. Massages, vacations, long workouts, leisurely dinners, movie nights, sleeping in... you name it. All wonderful, but highly impractical in our day to day living. 

I suggest you make a list of daily delights today. Things you can do in 10 minutes or less that really can make a difference in the amount of joy and peace you experience. 

Here's a few to get you thinking...

• Get a move on it - stretch, breathe, jog or walk a lap around the block.
• Listen to your favorite song REALLY loud.
• Light a candle and enjoy the scent, as well as the flicker of the flame.
• Slow down to savor a favorite beverage or snack.
• Shower or in a tight pinch just wash your hands / feet / hair with a favorite soap.
• Read the comic section in the newspaper.
• Pray through a Psalm.

Most of all, enjoy your life right where you live it. What is right around you that you really enjoy looking at? Smelling? Hearing? Take the extra moments and absorb it today and always. 

After all, living your best life is simply about living your best day every day. Enjoy it.