Short list today—it has been busy. But these are delights that really stuck out, even though one way or the other I have pretty much been running all day long. All. Day. And I notice that when I take the time to meditate even on a busy day, just take the time to take a mindful breath every once in awhile, delights appear and make the whole day much easier.
1: Bright sunshine after rain
I went out early (for me) this morning to get ready for an appointment. It had rained not too long prior, but at that point the sun was out, and the whole world seemed vibrant and fresh! The air felt cleaner to breathe, and the colors really stood out. Though I was running short of time, I still took a pause, just a short one, like one…. two…. three…. to look around and admire the feeling.
Then on to loading the car, but with a whole different mindset.
2: Long meditation during acupuncture
My wife has been doing acupuncture for several weeks, and it helped her get relief from neck pain. So I gave it a try. Today was my second session for a variety of challenges, and it seems to really help!
Some might say the benefit comes from a placebo effect, i.e., expecting it to help. On the other hand, there might be something to this ancient wisdom that science has just not figured out yet. The reality: I don’t care. The placebo effect, if that’s what it is, is a testament to the power of the human mind, and I am quite happy to harness that! All I know is that I can tell a difference afterward.
If nothing else, the setting, the quiet, the enforced stillness led me to an hour-long meditation. I know that when I get at least 20 minutes of meditation a day, I just function better. It doesn’t lead to perfection in action, but it does lead to equanimity, and that alone makes me function better.
3: Broccoli with a side of cheese
It seems there must be something food related each day, and it is a source of delight for me. There is actually another one I’ll mention next. The delight for this one: in between appointments, with a little time to kill, my wife wanted to stop at Culver's (which has fantastic frozen custard). I just wasn't in the mood for something sweet, so I ordered a side dish of steamed broccoli along with a side of cheddar cheese sauce. Yum! No doubt, less hit on the blood sugar, but it was far from a deprivation.
4: Unexpected confirmation at late lunch
I have spent 40 years teaching college classes as well as working with clients who want to communicate more effectively. The last 32 of those years has been at one college. That’s roughly 8,000 students. So it’s not unusual for me to run into former students as I go about my business.
When the last appointment finished, my wife and I finally had time to sit down for a meal. We debated about four or five different places before settling on a shop that serves homemade-style soups and sandwiches. I had no idea a former student worked there, but she greeted us as we waited in line, made pleasant conversation and caught up a bit, and then took our order. When it came time to check out, I found that she had paid for both our meals.
That touched me. It delighted me. College teachers can be a little like the legendary Johnny Appleseed, never seeing the results of the seeds they’ve planted. While the food was great and financial blessing appreciated, the greatest delight came from the gratitude and appreciation it represented.
Donn King is The Confidence Cultivator. He is a professor of communication studies (which means “a professor of standing up in front of people and saying stuff”). He’s also a pastor, a speaker, a writer, and a communication coach. He works with professionals and leaders just like you who want to speak confidently so they can increase their impact, gain influence, and build their careers. Reach out to donn at donnellking dot com if you would like to see if he could help you communicate with greater confidence.
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