This is Gratitude
for you, dear reader, and myriad simple things
You’re reading life: examined, a compendium of ideas, thoughts, and questions about living a creative, intentional life—from my home in Portugal to you.
—> life: examined is reader-supported through buy me a coffee <—
Hello, you.
I hope all’s well in your world.
At the same time I send these well wishes, I acknowledge your world is part of our world, and wow, the world is in turmoil, isn't it? So if all's not well, that's okay.
I'm sitting on my bed listening to the rain splatter on the windows, as I write this letter to you. I have a stack of books next to me and my dog ‘s asleep at my feet. This is my idea of paradise. Or at least one of several versions of paradise. Although my energy’s been low (spoiler alert: not a rare state) and I've been feeling a bit antsy and cranky, still, earthly paradise is right here in my room!
I have so much to be grateful for.
The simplest things delight me. Even today, although my wife is sick and we're both housebound (shh, don't tell, but we don't mind), I find joy in this day filled with reading, writing, and caretaking.
Another Birthday Goes By
I had a birthday earlier this week (thank you to all the readers and friends who sent birthday messages).
The day was lovely and, to the untrained eye, quite average. My inamorata brought me coffee in bed (usually my job) and gave me small gifts throughout the day: a book, a mortar & pestle, cupcakes.
The day was lovely and, to the untrained eye, quite average.
We walked around the Baixa, greeting neighbors we met along the way. In the afternoon we made lunch and probably took a nap—a not-unusual activity. In fact, I'd say napping is our love language.
These simple things, along with the friends I've made here, the kind neighbors, and the local merchants who wave and say bom dia as I pass their shop door—where sometimes I stop for a coffee or just pass for a shared smile—are the things that fill me with gratitude.
So, at the start of my sixty-first year, I want to thank you. I am grateful for your support. I enjoy your thoughtful comments and continued readership.
Let's go forward together and see what this new year brings. Let's find small joys and moments of gratitude in a world where it's often hard to do so.
Tell me, what delights you? What are you grateful for?
FAVORITE PORTUGUESE TO ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE WEEK:
You can’t go wrong with food translations. Here’s a gem:
A meal at a special price that began to be served on January 2 and that includes a sandwiches on normal bread - ball baker, beak carcass or ball of water - stuffed with cheese or ham.
That ball of water sandwich sure sounds refreshing…
Thanks to So, Abbie A., Jeanne, Shawn, Venomator, Elaine, Denny, Jane, Roxanne, Mark, Elaine, Fred, and several anonymous someones for supporting life: examined through Buy Me a Coffee.
ONE GOOD LINK:
Tree.fm —> Take a break and Listen to a random forest
Whether you post a comment, share my work with your friends, or buy me a coffee, I’m grateful to have you along for the journey.
Happy belated birthday!
Gratitude holds such power and healing. It takes us out of a “seeking, striving, struggling, grabbing for more” state of being for just a moment (and hopefully longer.) There is baseline gratitude, of course, such as waking up each day, mental clarity, decent health, friends and loved ones, a safe place to lay my head, food on my table.
I also try to remain open to and notice those small, unexpected opportunities for gratitude throughout my day, which as you describe are the simple occurrences. And they generally also involve moments of awe or delight such as watching very young children running and giggling at the beach, the comfort of time spent with a friend, seeing an elderly couple holding hands as they shuffle down the sidewalk, a striking sunrise or sunset, amazement as an ant wrestles a large bread crumb back to its nest.
In these moments of gratitude and contentment, my heart is full and my soul is at ease.
Happy birthday to you, and best wishes to you and your wife for a gentle recovery. Love to all.
Also. For whatever reason, I began singing "ball baker" to the tune of "Moon River," and I quickly saw that the whole translation lends itself to the song: "ball baker, beak carcass or ball of water - stuffed with cheese or ham..." I am indeed grateful for this little gift you've just given me.