Uncategorized, What's Been On Your Calendar?

One Beautiful Thing Each Day

Retirement Reflections

“Experience one beautiful thing a day. However small. However trivial. Read a poem. Play a favourite song. Laugh with a friend. Gaze at the sky just before the sun’s final tumble toward night. Watch a classic movie. Eat a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Whatever. Just give yourself one simple reminder that the world is full of wonders.” ― Matt Haig, The Comfort Book.

Inspired by the above quote from my recent reading, I set myself a challenge to record one small, beautiful thing each day. The difficulty was breaking down the big events, resisting the lure of the shiny-shiny, and really noticing the small gems that often hide in plain sight. Here’s my list.

April
1. Booked Easter dinner for Mom and family. Planning builds anticipation!

2. Canadian-made Nespresso capsules finally arrived after a three-week wait. Morning coffee feels right again.

3. Spring Cleaning. This always sounds worse than it actually is. And the end result – fabulous.

4. Replaced two pieces of lawn furniture that had seen better days. Instant patio refresh.

5. Enjoyable drive to Sooke to take care of our granddog — with a favourite breakfast stop along the way.

6. Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit at Royal BC Museum, Victoria. Nature. Talent. Awe.

7. Full rest day spent reading and relaxing. Rest days are hard for me to take without constantly feeling that I need to be doing something productive. Memo to self – rest is not only productive, it is necessary.

8. Online chat with a friend to help plan her upcoming visit to Canada–more joyful anticipation!

9. Drive home from Sooke with a must-stop bakery detour in Ladysmith.

10. Took our granddog to join us for our regular walking group. Witnessing our granddog’s delight increased our own.

11. Attended my first political rally ever – Elbows Up: Charles Angus Resistance Tour. I loved seeing passion and conviction come together peacefully and respectfully.

12. Rock Painting Party at one friend’s house and then dinner at another’s. So, I admit that’s two things. Summing it up into one: the immense joy of friendship.

13. There’s a young couple who sell their homemade bread at local outdoor pop-up locations. I love seeing their warm, smiling faces and eating their freshly made goodies.

14. Online workout with a friend. We haven’t had a workout together since February. I loved catching up right where we left off.

15. I was juggling to fit in a few different appointments today, so my hairdresser came in early to help make the juggling easier. Small kindnesses speak volumes.

16. Met up with previous book club members. I love a good catch-up with long-time friends.

17.  What’s On Your Bookshelf Linkup is live. I love being inspired by book recommendations of others – and inspiring others in return.

18. Attended early voting for our Canadian Federal Election. I am grateful for this right and privilege and for living in a country with an abundant quality of life.

19. Trip to Vancouver to see our youngest son, who is visiting from his home in Hong Kong. No words can adequately express this extreme pleasure.

20. Trip continues on to Kelowna (with youngest son in tow) to visit my parents in Kelowna. Remember that dinner I booked on April 1? It was fabulous!

21. Dinner at the home of a long-time amazing friend. She changed her family’s Easter dinner date so Creighton, Richard and I could attend. This ties back in with #12 – the absolute joy of true friendship.

22. Immense gratitude for my incredible, 94-year-old mother.

23. In Kelowna, we have been staying in a very comfortable home exchange. Richard and I have been fortunate to have discovered this way of travel over 17 years ago. Since that time, we have had over 100 exchanges and no regrets about this form of travel.

24. Pack up to head out to Vancouver tomorrow to visit more family there.


Thank you to Matt Haig for the suggestion. This exercise definitely heightened my awareness of the kaleidoscope of small pleasures around me — a reminder that what we focus on often multiplies before our eyes.

Here’s how my camera captured some of this past month’s joys. A slightly different pov — but still overflowing with simple delights!

This is my contribution to April’s What’s Been On Your Calendar.
What’s been on yours?
What are some small pleasures that you have experienced lately?

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Cohosts: Jo Tracey, Debbie Harris, Sue Loncaric and me.

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

111 thoughts on “One Beautiful Thing Each Day”

    1. I greatly admire Matt Haig’s works, and I love this quote so I thought that I’d give it a try. It’s truly amazing the small things that I wouldn’t normally have taken notice of – that were each a true delight. Next time I do this though, I am definitely including Lemon Drizzle cake! ❤

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  3. I love this idea, Donna as too often we get caught up in life. I saw your photos of time with your Mum and how lovely that Creighton could join you. These are special times and you will certainly have beautiful memories. Have a wonderful May and thanks for being such an insightful co-host for #WBOYC? x

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    1. Thank you so much for this kind comment, Sue. I’m so grateful to have this time together with Creighton and my mom. I will treasure these memories forever.
      I greatly always appreciate your kind support. It’s a joy to co-host #WBOYC with such a thoughtful community!

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  4. Hi Donna! What a wonderful way to fill each day! And I love Matt Haig and his books too. May your days continue with such brightness! -Kathy

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      1. Hey Donna! I miss “seeing” you in person too, but I’m never far away online. I don’t always comment but I’m always lurking. :-). And of course there is always FB. Take care my friend and enjoy your coming summer. We’ve heard it will be very busy on Vancouver Island this coming summer! ~Kathy

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  5. Hi Donna, that Matt Haig quote (and the book) is perfect! Your post is a lovely, sunny, happy look at the little joys of the every day. They’re there, sometimes we have to look harder to find them but you’ve managed to share some glorious snippets of your life during April. Love the family photos and yes I can imagine the joy of seeing Creighton again and to have your mother with you as a family group. You’ve brought joy to my day from reading your post and seeing your smiling face! Thanks for being a stunning co-hots, I always love these updates. And #8 was a good day for us too xx

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    1. Hi, Debbie – I’ve been delighted to have all of this quality time with family this past week, especially since we have not seen Creighton in over a year. He flies back to Hong Kong on the 28th and I plan to make the most of each moment.
      #8 on my list was a true joy for me as well!

      Thank you for your continued support and kind words.

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  7. Donna, you have a full life. How special to visit with your mom & Creighton & more. April has been full of socialization to date: a meal & canasta with a friend; an afternoon of 0.11c rummy & snacks with another; hosted a cousin for lunch; hosted a retired work group for lunch & laughs; Easter dinner with the neighbor little & her parents; birthday lunch celebration for my sister; another birthday celebration with the “klatch”. That was the fun stuff to balance the tax & estate prep; yet another funeral; the Bowen therapy to manage the neck pain. Painting the basement stairwell & FINALLY sewing an apron garnered a sense of accomplishment. My cousin suffered a ruptured aorta beginning of March & was transferred to a local hospital last week so I’m able to fulfill my need to be of service by taxiing her partner here & there. Walking in the warmer spring weather & bear sightings put the icing on the cake. And there’s still a week left in the month!

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    1. Hi, Mona – Thank you for your kind words.
      Talk about having a very full life — your past month has been action packed. I always planned to learn to play canasta but somehow never have. I am totally with you on the pleasure of our warmer spring weather (and safe bear sightings)!
      I am so sorry to hear about your cousin’s illness. Sending warm hugs your way. ❤

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  10. What a lovely way to record your month Donna – all those little snippets of joy (glimmers) that add up to a wonderful month. I loved all your little pictures too – you always find clever ways to present your posts. I hope May is a joy for you as your summer slowly creeps into play. x

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    1. Hi Leanne – Thank you so much for mentioning the little Canva images! Not long after I started, I realized they were a HUGE pain to implement—but being stubborn, I stuck with them. I did like how they turned out for this post, but readers probably won’t be seeing them again in future ones. 😄

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  13. This is wonderful Donna. I love it when I read about people noticing the small things. For me it’s the small things that are the best. Just one beautiful thing a day has added up to a very beautiful month for you. So much to love here.

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  14. You should see the smile on my face – oh, how I agree with this quote and your ‘use’ of it. Last year just ‘happened’ to be the most difficult of my lifetime . . . if it had not been my nature to like and love for the day for quite some time already – and get joy and satisfaction from the small things which happen if one only keeps one’s eyes and mind open . . . I don’t think I would have survived with at least a modicum of sanity intact! . . . because there always IS something to give you pleasure and the feeling of joy of being alive . . .

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  15. A wonderful month for you and it’s not over yet! I agree it’s important to remember at least one beautiful thing that happens each day. I try to go over those right before I fall asleep each night – my personal gratitude/stock taking ritual!

    Deb

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  18. It makes us realise what rich lives we have in retirement, Donna- so long as the health is good. It’s Carnation Day here today and a national holiday so there’ll be folk dancing and frivolity in town. It’s International t’ai chi day tomorrow and I’ll be taking part in a flashmob. There are concerts, too, and Spring is definitely in the air. Have a good one! xx

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  20. Hi Donna, thank you for this wonderful post. I think remembering / recording things that make us happy and for which we should be grateful is a great idea. A lot of people are not grateful for what they have and are thus miserable with changes in circumstances. Matt Haig is a good writer.

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    1. Hi, Robbie- I’ve only read two of Matt Haig’s books so far, but I was instantly a fan after the first. I will definitely seek to read all of his books (something that I seldom do with even writers that I adore). I 100% agree with you that sincere gratitude contributes significantly to our happiness. ❤

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      1. I’ve only read The Midnight Library. I’m currently reading The Listener and other stories by Algernon Blackwell. The stories are darkly fascinating as they focus on the impact of fear on the human psyche.

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  21. This is a great idea. With the atmosphere in our country so negative, we must seek solace in the good stuff that happens. Under different circumstances we would not notice the little things or would take for granted. This week we had warm weather which put a push on tree leaves. All the green has done wonders for my mental health. That’s a little thing that happens every year but this year it was truly meaningful.

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    1. Hi, Kate – With the current political craziness, news media on steroids, an upcoming nail-biting Canadian Federal Election (April 28) and the recent sale of my parents’ previous home (closes today), I have needed all of the simple pleasures that I could get. ❤

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  25. Hi Donna, Your post is a breath of fresh air amidst the challenges and uncertainty. You make an interesting point about the ‘shiny-shiny’ yet it is the little things we recall years later. Thank you for sharing a fun post. I especially enjoyed your creative photos … a nice touch! 💕 Erica

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  26. love this Donna and your zest for life and constant engagement. I have been trying to do one special ritual for each day of the week. A small one of recognizing each day as being unique and of paying attention.

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  28. So many lovely pleasures for you in April, some big, some small. On our calendar, a weekend train trip to Boston to visit our daughter and son-in-law. And, for excitement,Spring has finally arrived in Maine. Welcome, Spring!

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    1. I like your closing sentence, Ally. I had a High School typing teacher who always said ‘how you spend your birthday, is how you will spend the rest of your life.” Although I really didn’t think this could really be true, it did cause me to be thoughtful on how I spend October 15. ❤

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  31. Hi Donna, What a joyful April you’ve had and there are still a few more days before May arrives. I like how you present the symbols in your post. This week I enjoyed two coffee catch-ups with two longtime friends. Thank you for hosting #WBOYC. I added my link. Have a wonderful time in Vancouver!

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    1. Hi, Natalie – Thank you for adding your link. And thank you for noticing the little symbols that I added for each day. It had originally seemed like a good idea, but they definitely took longer to search (on the free version of Canva), download, compress, add to my post and resize, that the rest of my post took to write a put together. Live and learn! 😀

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      1. Every time I go to Canva, I spend more time on creating something than I want to and my results are nowhere near as good as yours. So, I’ve been staying away from Canva 🙂

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      2. Hi, Natalie – I’m sorry to hear about your experience with Canva. I usually get in and out of Canva quickly. But this task was simply an overreach. I did like the final look – so there was a silver lining. 😀

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  32. Gratitude and small pleasures never go out of style. Visits with friends are always high on my list, too. Enjoying spring blossoms and building new gardens. A chai latte. Rubbing the dogs.

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    1. Hi, Eilene – I love the little items on your list. I was at a lawyer’s office yesterday to help my mom close her home sale. The lawyers had a gentle dog walking around the office wanting to be petted. Petting him instantly melted any stress away! ❤

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  33. “resisting the lure of the shiny-shiny, and really noticing the small gems that often hide in plain sight.”

    I love this statement so much Donna!

    Here’s to appreciating simple pleasures and little beauties each day!

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      1. I am well, thank you Donna. Had to be away for a bit but I am now back.

        If the past year has taught me anything, it is to take time to appreciate the little things. Particularly when they big one an are so stressful 😅😂

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  34. You are so very productive, Donna, although I can see it might be a problem to relax. I seem to have the opposite problem lately. Relaxing can be addictive! But a great antidote to feeling overwhelmed.

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  37. Donna,

    What a delightful way to summarize your month. I’m curious if you found it easy to record the events, or did it soon become habit. Either way, congratulations. I would have LOVED the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit. Creighton has your smile–I know you’re proud. Have a great week. Joe

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    1. Hi, Joe – Thank you for your kind words. As I finished Matt Hagg’s book at the start of April, it was the perfect inspiration for me to record one simple pleasure every day that month. Actually, it became so easy and enjoyable to do, I could have written several simple pleasures from each and every day. The Wildlife Photographer Exhibit was fabulous, and having Creighton here is such deep joy that I can not adequately articulate. ❤

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  38. A splendid idea! I love your list. Why oh why is #7 so hard for me to do?? And that granddog of yours is adorable. Looks like you had fun with him. How nice to be able to spend Easter with your 94 year old Mom, and your son of course! xo

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  39. Pingback: This week’s small pleasures #437 – Thistles and Kiwis

  40. Curious on the Matt Haig suggestion – I don’t think I understand what that’s about? You’ve had a lot of connection this month. That’s always good! Enjoy Vancouver!

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  41. Hello – I enjoyed your list of daily joys and in the list, I liked the little images – folowed by the photos at the end! And cheers to your momma still being around – and she looks so pretty and healthy.

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  42. What a wonderful April you’ve had, Donna, and how inspiring the idea to record one beautiful thing a day came from a book. I love my step-dot’s Nespresso machine and pods! Your format reminds me of the Sentence A Day Feature I used to take part in. Cherish your time with your sweet mom, my friend ❤

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  43. How beautiful that you took Matthew Haig’s advice! I’ve been doing an April one-photo-a-day challenge on Instagram for things that are bringing me joy. It’s been fun to do! But I’m also glad that tomorrow is the last day of April. ha.

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  45. I can’t believe i never came back and commented. I went off to request Matt’s book and then boom. Off and running to something else. I absolutely love this post so much so! I do 3 gratitudes at night but one simple joy seems so perfect. “To resist the shiny shiny” and find the true particles that make up a life well spent each day.

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  46. Hi Donna – I always get a lift seeing what you’re doing, reminding myself about VI, seeing what you eat, seeing how you’re doing … and generally keeping myself informed and uplifted. I read Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library – a great read. It’s been a frenetic fortnight – nothing to do with me really … just Popes, and developments, and then thinking that Easter, Mothers’ Days (ours is the fourth Sunday in Lent), Spring is here, long daylight is here … etc and tennis and cricket! England’s green green grass of home. I hope next week to be back on track … but life is life … cheers for now – and I will do that email list … Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary – I feel the exact same way about your posts. I love hearing about how you are doing, and what projects/interests you have on the go. Oh, and when you have time to update your email list, that would be perfect. When I try to subscribe to your blog it says that I am already subscribed for email reminders but I haven’t received a reminder in quite a while. Sadly, I am a creature of habit, and email reminders always work best for me. I am off to your site now for a good catchup. ❤

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