The great thing about recovering from the flu is rediscovering all the small pleasures I had taken for granted. For example, I love standing in the shower after all the cleaning is done, just rocking back and forth while the warm water massages my neck and shoulders. It doesn’t last long. The world is calling. But for those two minutes, bliss.
After several days of doctor-ordered bland food, I experienced “flavor” yesterday as if for the first time. “SWEET BABY JESUS, WHAT PLANET DID THIS PICKLE COME FROM?!!!!”
And caffeine. I know that some of you think that life without caffeine is actually worth living. But it isn’t. My first Diet Coke after four days of abstinence was shiver-worthy. I didn’t see the hand that reached inside my head and removed the wads of cotton, but suddenly I remembered that I have hopes and dreams. Excellent!
I love the feeling when the last bill in the pile is paid and my desk is empty. Clean desk, clean mind. The feeling only lasts until the next day’s mail. But I’m gazing at a clean desk right now and it’s glorious.
I love it when my cat invites me for some quality time by lying on his back with his back legs splayed apart and his front paws on his chest. I know he’s trying to use his eyes like tractor-beams to draw me in. It always works.
I love the sound of a new can of tennis balls being opened: PH-SSSHHHT. After three decades of playing tennis I’m trained like Pavlov’s dogs. That sound means 90 minutes of good times ahead. All tennis is good tennis.
I love the smell of vanilla.
I love the feeling of doing something right, no matter how inconsequential, such as guessing the exact right time it will take to warm a yam in the microwave. It makes me feel in control of my life.
After four sick and rainy days indoors, I felt like a marble that fell on the floor and rolled under the dresser. Yesterday I reintroduced my face to the sun. It was like plugging back into the universe. Hello universe. They say you can’t actually feel your body produce vitamin D, but I think I can. Ahhhh.
I like being tired at the same time I have access to a comfortable chair and plenty of time to sit in it. Those three things don’t often line up, but when they do, it is pure sitting magic.
I like a pen that has good balance, opens easily, and leaves a clean line with no skipping, blotching or fussiness. Such pens are rare. I have one in my pen cup right now. Sometimes I just look at it and feel happy that my species could make such a pen.
I like rubbing my head after I give myself a haircut. It feels good on my hand and my head at the same time. It’s a win-win rubbing situation. And it’s totally free.
And I like writing this blog post today because I know it will remind you of your own small pleasures. Take a deep breath. Release that knot in your back. Wiggle your feet. Enjoy your day.