Freedom to choose
“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with string. These are a few of my favourite things. Cream coloured ponies and crisp….” Many will be able to finish that line sung by Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music from the 1960’s. Still today, most of the lyrics come rolling off the tongue with ease.
Taking delight in the smallest of things enriches each day. The change in pace for me these days finds me taking time to smell the roses, as it were. So many delightful experiences captivate me throughout the day. Whether it be the hues of a morning sky, the threatening southerly churning the clouds into moody and rambunctious personalities. Whether it be a dear little ladybird dressed in red and black or metallic turquoise, that lands on the windowsill or the song thrush that serenades outdoors. The Japanese Anemones in full flower, waving outside the window showing off their bright white clothing with aplomb. These are a few of my favourite things.
Clear blue skies with the promise of warm sunshine, the smell of onions, garlic and a few herbs cooking in butter, freshly baked bread, a cup of coffee alone or with friends. It would take forever to list everything that delights the eye, warms the heart, tantalizes the taste buds or fuel the olfactory sensory neurons in our nose. There are so many wonderful things that are adding to my favourites list.
One of the other bonuses of having more time, is being able to spend some of it with people who are either recovering from surgery, grieving from the loss of a loved one, or have recently moved into the area and are finding their feet. Being able to make time to bring meals, company or a listening ear is such a pleasure.
What has surprised me is that the tasks that once received devoted urgent attention because they ‘needed doing’ and only limited time to do them, can often slip onto the back burner because now there is time to ‘choose’ when to attack them and delightfully does not have to be now! Sheer bliss.
So today is an encouragement to all those still working and to those retired. For all the hard slog we do throughout our lives; the study, courses, work, stress, juggling the workload, the highs and the lows of a very busy lifestyle, it is all worth it! For those who do not plan to retire because you absolutely love what you do. Good on you. That is also gold.
My reason for being so grateful this week is to 'choose', a privilege and an honour. To ‘choose’ is now another one of my favourite things. What are some of your favourite things?
